In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret.

As a statement of frustration at the slow, secretive conference call format, Buffalo general manager Punch Imlach claimed "Taro Tsujimoto" of the "Tokyo Katanas" of Japan using the 183rd overall pick.

NHL officials immediately validated the selection, but weeks later Imlach admitted that Tsujimoto was a fabrication.

The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Mark Howe, who retired after the 1994–95 season.

The Asia / Japan selection was later invalidated, once Buffalo Sabres General Manager Punch Imlach admitted that "Taro Tsujimoto" of Japan, a low selection (eleventh round, 183rd overall), was a fabrication in answer to his frustration over the format of the 1974 draft.