1976–77 Calgary Cowboys season



The 1976–77 Calgary Cowboys season was the Calgary Cowboys' 2nd and final season of operation in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Cowboys finished 5th in the Western Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Off-season
The Cowboys jerseys were the same design as in the 1975-76 season.

Pre-season
On September 23, 1976, the Cowboys lost an exhibition game 7-3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Regular Season
Anders Hedberg of the Winnipeg Jets started the February 6, 1977 game versus the Calgary Cowboys with 48 goals in 48 games, having scored 4 goals and 2 assists in the February 4, 1977 match against the San Diego Mariners. After the Jets were held scoreless in the first period, Hedberg scored in the second period on a 5 on 3 power play. He missed the rest of the period with strained knee ligaments after being checked by Paul Terbenche. He returned for the third period and became the first player in a major professional league to score 50 goals in less than 50 games when he fired a short side past Cowboys goalie Gary Bromley. He then added an empty net goal in the Jets 6-4 triumph. Wayne Gretzky broke Hedberg's record on December 30, 1981 with his 50th goal in 39 games.

Playoffs

 * The Cowboys did not qualify for the post season.

Player Stats
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

Awards and Records

 * The Cowboys did not win any awards this season.

Farm Teams

 * Erie Blades, NAHL