The New York Raiders were an ice hockey team and founding member of the World Hockey Association based in New York City. Intended to be the WHA's flagship franchise, its short lifespan was a result of being unable to compete with the National Hockey League's established New York Rangers, and the expansion New York Islanders. During its inaugural season, the league had to take ownership of the team. A third owner took over and renamed the franchise the New York Golden Blades to start its second season. The team remained in financial distress and was moved to the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area township of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on November 21, 1973, becoming the Jersey Knights – its third name and second home, under three different ownership arrangements, in less than two full seasons of operation.
