Signed as a free agent, summer, 1974. Traded to Calgary Cowboys with Veli-Pekka Ketola for Danny Lawson, Mike Ford and Calgary's 1st round draft choice in 1977. March 9, 1977. Refused to report to Calgary on account of the fact that he had a no-trade contract and Ron Ward sent to Calgary to complete transaction, March 16, 1977.
Defenseman Hexi Riihiranta had offers from the Jets and the Boston Bruins in the summer of 1974 and from a Boston phone booth, he agreed to terms with the Jets. He spent most of the next three seasons with the Jets and they unsuccessfully tried to convert him to a left winger before returning him to his natural position on the blue line. The Jets tried to trade him to the Calgary Cowboys in March 1977, but he refused to report on account of the no-trade clause in his contract and the Jets sent Ron Ward to the Cowboys as compensation. Following the 1976-1977 season, he returned to his native Finland, where he finished his career. He was said to possess a rich sense of humor.
