The Calgary Broncos were set to be one of the showcase franchises in the new World Hockey Association. However, the league could not reach a deal with the owners of the Calgary Corral and the team was relocated to Cleveland, becoming the Crusaders before ever playing a game.

The Crusaders scored an earl coup with the signing of Gerry Cheevers, one of the premiere goalies in the NHL who had just helped the Boston Bruins win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. Coached by Bill Needham, the Crusaders hosted the Quebec Nordiques at the Cleveland Arena in their first game on October 11th, as Cheevers earned a shutout blanking the Nordiques 2-0.

The Crusaders would win their first five games as they were one of the best teams early in the season for the new league. The Crusaders would battle the New England Whalers all season for first place in the Eastern Division, ultimately finishing in second place with a record of 43-32-3.

The Crusaders leading scorer was Ron Buchanan who had 81 points, while Gary Jarrett led the team in goals with 40. In the playoffs the Crusaders would face the Philadelphia Blazers, earning a hard fought 3-2 win in overtime in the series opener.

The Crusaders would be catapulted by the dramatic win and would cruise the rest of the way, sweeping the series in four games. In the WHA semifinals the Crusaders again battled the Whalers.

Once again the Whalers would be just a little better, winning the first three games of the series by one goal. The Crusaders would post a 5-2 win in Game 4, but it was not enough as the eventual AVCO Champion Whalers won the series in five games.