1972–73 New England Whalers season



The  was the 1st season of the Whalers' franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Whalers finished 1st in the Eastern Division and then won three playoff series to become the first winner of the Avco World Trophy.

Off-season
Whalers GM Jack Kelley targeted American born players for signing, particularly those from the New England area. Larry Pleau, a Boston native, was the first player signed by the Whalers, on April 19, 1972. Kevin Ahearn, John Cunniff, Paul Hurley and Tim Sheehy, who all played for the Boston College Eagles, and Tom Williams and Ted Green, who had played for the Boston Bruins, were also signed. Green became the team's first captain.

The Whalers jersey colours were forest green and white with a primarily white home jersey and a primarily green away jersey. Jersye numbers and names were not outlined. Single stripes, a whale on each shoulder and a roundel logo with a large "W", a narrow black horizontal harpoon and "NEW ENGLAND WHALERS" spelt around the roundel completed the design.

Regular Season
Playing in Boston, Massachusetts, the Whalers divided their home games between the aging Boston Arena and the Boston Garden, home of the 1972 Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins. The Whalers won their home opener 4-3 against the Derek Sanderson led Philadelphia Blazers on October 12, 1972.

The 1972-73 season was the best in the Whalers WHA history as they garnered 94 points to lead the league. Terry Caffery won the Lou Kaplan Trophy as Rookie of the Year and Jack Kelley, the Howard Baldwin Trophy as Coach of the Year. Tom Webster led the Whalers in scoring with 53 goals (2nd in the league), 103 points and was voted a Second Team All-Star. Defenseman Rick Ley was also voted a Second Team All-Star.

New England Whalers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Larry Pleau scored a Hat trick in the deciding Game 5.

As the Avco World Trophy had not been created in time for the 1973 Finals, a trophy was bought from a Boston sporting goods store as a substitute.

Skaters
Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties In Minutes

Statistics for all players reflect only games played with the Whalers.

Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Awards and Records

 * Avco World Trophy: New England Whalers
 * Lou Kaplan Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Terry Caffery
 * Howard Baldwin Trophy (Coach of the Year): Jack Kelley
 * Tom Webster, Right Wing, WHA Second Team All-Star
 * Jim Dorey, Defense, WHA Second Team All-Star

Video
Nearly 17 minutes of game action from the April 8, 1973 Quarter-finals Game 2 New England Whalers-Ottawa Nationals.