1972–73 Alberta Oilers | |
---|---|
Division | 5th Western |
1972–73 record | 38–37–3 |
Home record | 26–13–2 |
Road record | 12–24–1 |
Goals for | 269 (9th) |
Goals against | 256 (4th) |
Team Information | |
General Manager | Bill Hunter |
Coach | Ray Kinasewich Bill Hunter |
Captain | Al Hamilton |
Arena | Edmonton Gardens |
Average attendance | 3,828 |
Team Leaders | |
Goals | Jim Harrison (39) |
Assists | Al Hamilton (50) |
Points | Jim Harrison (86) |
Penalties in minutes | Al Hamilton (124) |
Wins | Jack Norris (28) |
Goals against average | Jack Norris (3.06) |
1973–74 > |
The 1972–73 Alberta Oilers season was the 1st season of the Oilers franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Oilers finished 5th in the Western Division and lost in a 1 game playoff tie-breaker to the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Off-season[]

John Fisher's 1972-73 jersey.
The Oilers inaugural jersey colours were blue, white and orange with a primarily white home jersey and a primarily orange away jersey. The sleeve numbers were placed on the shoulders. The logo had a white background with an orange oil drop and blue "OILERS" elongated to appear to be dripping. The logo colour scheme would change for the 1974-75 season.
Unusually, the jersey back had "ALBERTA" nameplates instead of the player's names. This was modified later in the season to a the player's names in a unique font.
Regular Season[]

Ceremonial face-off between Ab McDonald and Al Hamilton at the Jets first home game, October 15, 1972.
The Oilers victory over the Ottawa Nationals on October 11, 1972 was the first game in league history, with Ron Anderson scoring the first goal.
Jim Harrison led the team in scoring, with 39 goals and 86 points. On January 30, 1973, in an 11–3 defeat of the New York Raiders, Harrison set a professional hockey record with 10 points (3G, 7A) in a single game. That feat was later matched by Darryl Sittler on February 7, 1976 in a National Hockey League game.

Jack Norris, 1972-73 Oilers.
The Oilers leaned heavily on goalie Jack Norris who led the league in games played (64) and was 5th in goals against average (3.06). Norris wore an unusual mask with a large nose and smile painted on.
The Oilers posted a winning record in the regular season, with 38 wins, 37 losses and 3 ties. The Minnesota Fighting Saints finished with an identical record, so a single game playoff was contested to decide fourth place in the Western Division. The Fighting Saints defeated the Oilers 4–2 on a neutral site rink (in Calgary), ending the Oilers season.
Final Standings[]
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winnipeg Jets | 78 | 43 | 31 | 4 | 285 | 249 | 757 | 90 |
Houston Aeros | 78 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 284 | 269 | 1363 | 82 |
Los Angeles Sharks | 78 | 37 | 35 | 6 | 259 | 250 | 1477 | 80 |
Minnesota Fighting Saints | 78 | 38 | 37 | 3 | 250 | 269 | 843 | 79 |
Alberta Oilers | 78 | 38 | 37 | 3 | 269 | 256 | 1134 | 79 |
Chicago Cougars | 78 | 26 | 50 | 2 | 245 | 295 | 811 | 54 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties Minutes, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Game Log[]
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 11 | Alberta Oilers | 7–4 | Ottawa Nationals | 1–0–0 | 2 |
2 | October 13 | Alberta Oilers | 0–6 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–1–0 | 2 |
3 | October 14 | Alberta Oilers | 2–3 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–2–0 | 2 |
4 | October 15 | Alberta Oilers | 5–2 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–2–0 | 4 |
5 | October 17 | Winnipeg Jets | 3–2 | Alberta Oilers | 3–2–0 | 6 |
6 | October 20 | Philadelphia Blazers | 4–1 | Alberta Oilers | 4–2–0 | 8 |
7 | October 24 | Chicago Cougars | 3–3 | Alberta Oilers | 4–2–1 | 9 |
8 | October 27 | Alberta Oilers | 0–6 | Cleveland Crusaders | 4–3–1 | 9 |
9 | October 28 | Alberta Oilers | 4–1 | New England Whalers | 5–3–1 | 11 |
10 | October 29 | Alberta Oilers | 2–7 | New York Raiders | 5–4–1 | 11 |
11 | October 31 | Houston Aeros | 3–4 | Alberta Oilers | 5–5–1 | 11 |
12 | November 3 | Houston Aeros | 4–3 | Alberta Oilers | 6–5–1 | 13 |
13 | November 5 | Ottawa Nationals | 3–5 | Alberta Oilers | 6–6–1 | 13 |
14 | November 7 | New York Raiders | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 7–6–1 | 15 |
15 | November 9 | Los Angeles Sharks | 7–2 | Alberta Oilers | 8–6–1 | 17 |
16 | November 11 | Los Angeles Sharks | 5–3 | Alberta Oilers | 9–6–1 | 19 |
17 | November 12 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–3 | Alberta Oilers | 9–7–1 | 19 |
18 | November 15 | Winnipeg Jets | 3–1 | Alberta Oilers | 10–7–1 | 21 |
19 | November 17 | Chicago Cougars | 3–1 | Alberta Oilers | 11–7–1 | 23 |
20 | November 21 | Alberta Oilers | 3–4 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 11–8–1 | 23 |
21 | November 22 | Alberta Oilers | 4–5 | Philadelphia Blazers | 11–9–1 | 23 |
22 | November 24 | Alberta Oilers | 2–7 | New England Whalers | 11–10–1 | 23 |
23 | November 25 | Alberta Oilers | 2–4 | New York Raiders | 11–11–1 | 23 |
24 | November 26 | Alberta Oilers | 2–1 | Ottawa Nationals | 12–11–1 | 25 |
25 | November 28 | Alberta Oilers | 0–3 | Winnipeg Jets | 12–12–1 | 25 |
26 | November 30 | Winnipeg Jets | 3–3 | Alberta Oilers | 12–12–2 | 26 |
27 | December 1 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 4–6 | Alberta Oilers | 12–13–2 | 26 |
28 | December 3 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–6 | Alberta Oilers | 12–14–2 | 26 |
29 | December 8 | Alberta Oilers | 2–4 | Los Angeles Sharks | 12–15–2 | 26 |
30 | December 10 | Alberta Oilers | 3–5 | Los Angeles Sharks | 12–16–2 | 26 |
31 | December 12 | Alberta Oilers | 4–6 | Houston Aeros | 12–17–2 | 26 |
32 | December 13 | Alberta Oilers | 3–2 | Houston Aeros | 13–17–2 | 28 |
33 | December 15 | Ottawa Nationals | 3–4 | Alberta Oilers | 13–18–2 | 28 |
34 | December 17 | Ottawa Nationals | 3–1 | Alberta Oilers | 14–18–2 | 30 |
35 | December 21 | New England Whalers | 5–4 | Alberta Oilers | 15–18–2 | 32 |
36 | December 23 | Alberta Oilers | 2–3 | Chicago Cougars | 15–19–2 | 32 |
37 | December 25 | Alberta Oilers | 2–3 | Chicago Cougars | 15–20–2 | 32 |
38 | January 1 | Winnipeg Jets | 7–3 | Alberta Oilers | 16–20–2 | 34 |
39 | January 10 | Alberta Oilers | 1–6 | Winnipeg Jets | 16–21–2 | 34 |
40 | January 12 | Alberta Oilers | 2–1 | Los Angeles Sharks | 17–21–2 | 36 |
41 | January 13 | Alberta Oilers | 4–3 | Los Angeles Sharks | 18–21–2 | 38 |
42 | January 15 | Los Angeles Sharks | 1–4 | Alberta Oilers | 18–22–2 | 38 |
43 | January 16 | Los Angeles Sharks | 6–5 | Alberta Oilers | 19–22–2 | 40 |
44 | January 20 | Chicago Cougars | 4–6 | Alberta Oilers | 19–23–2 | 40 |
45 | January 22 | Chicago Cougars | 6–1 | Alberta Oilers | 20–23–2 | 42 |
46 | January 27 | Philadelphia Blazers | 0–1 | Alberta Oilers | 20–24–2 | 42 |
47 | January 28 | Philadelphia Blazers | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 21–24–2 | 44 |
48 | January 30 | New York Raiders | 11–3 | Alberta Oilers | 22–24–2 | 46 |
49 | February 1 | New York Raiders | 8–5 | Alberta Oilers | 23–24–2 | 48 |
50 | February 2 | Alberta Oilers | 4–3 | Winnipeg Jets | 24–24–2 | 50 |
51 | February 4 | Winnipeg Jets | 3–5 | Alberta Oilers | 24–25–2 | 50 |
52 | February 6 | New England Whalers | 2–4 | Alberta Oilers | 24–26–2 | 50 |
53 | February 7 | New England Whalers | 3–1 | Alberta Oilers | 25–26–2 | 52 |
54 | February 9 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 6–0 | Alberta Oilers | 26–26–2 | 54 |
55 | February 11 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 7–5 | Alberta Oilers | 27–26–2 | 56 |
56 | February 13 | Houston Aeros | 5–3 | Alberta Oilers | 28–26–2 | 58 |
57 | February 15 | Houston Aeros | 3–5 | Alberta Oilers | 28–27–2 | 58 |
58 | February 20 | Alberta Oilers | 4–5 | Cleveland Crusaders | 28–28–2 | 58 |
59 | February 21 | Alberta Oilers | 4–5 | New York Raiders | 28–29–2 | 58 |
60 | February 23 | Alberta Oilers | 2–4 | New England Whalers | 28–30–2 | 58 |
61 | February 25 | Alberta Oilers | 2–3 | Ottawa Nationals | 28–31–2 | 58 |
62 | February 27 | Alberta Oilers | 4–5 | Houston Aeros | 28–32–2 | 58 |
63 | February 28 | Alberta Oilers | 2–3 | Houston Aeros | 28–33–2 | 58 |
64 | March 6 | Alberta Oilers | 3–4 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 28–34–2 | 58 |
65 | March 8 | Alberta Oilers | 3–2 | Chicago Cougars | 29–34–2 | 60 |
66 | March 10 | Alberta Oilers | 5–4 | Chicago Cougars | 30–34–2 | 62 |
67 | March 11 | Alberta Oilers | 1–2 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 30–35–2 | 62 |
68 | March 13 | Cleveland Crusaders | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 31–35–2 | 64 |
69 | March 14 | Cleveland Crusaders | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 32–35–2 | 66 |
70 | March 16 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 33–35–2 | 68 |
71 | March 17 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–0 | Alberta Oilers | 34–35–2 | 70 |
72 | March 20 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 5–3 | Alberta Oilers | 35–35–2 | 72 |
73 | March 22 | Alberta Oilers | 1–1 | Winnipeg Jets | 35–35–3 | 73 |
74 | March 24 | Alberta Oilers | 4–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 35–36–3 | 73 |
75 | March 25 | Alberta Oilers | 5–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 36–36–3 | 75 |
76 | March 28 | Philadelphia Blazers | 2–1 | Alberta Oilers | 37–36–3 | 77 |
77 | March 29 | Philadelphia Blazers | 1–2 | Alberta Oilers | 37–37–3 | 77 |
78 | March 30 | Alberta Oilers | 5–3 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 38–37–3 | 79 |
Playoffs[]
Minnesota Fighting Saints 1, Alberta Oilers 0[]
The Minnesota Fighting Saints and the Minnesota Fighting Saints were tied at the end of the season. They had the same number of victories and points, and they had both won four games against each other. Subsequently, it was decided that the two teams would play a one game playoff to decide the final spot in the playoffs, to be played in Calgary.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 4 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers | 0–1 |
Player Stats[]
Skaters[]
Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties In Minutes
# | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
7 | Jim Harrison | 66 | 39 | 47 | 86 | 93 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
3 | Al Hamilton | 78 | 11 | 50 | 61 | 124 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
9 | Ross Perkins | 71 | 21 | 37 | 58 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
17 | Ed Patenaude | 78 | 29 | 27 | 56 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
11 | Ron Walters | 78 | 28 | 26 | 54 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
4 | Bob Wall | 78 | 16 | 29 | 45 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
8 | Val Fonteyne | 77 | 7 | 32 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | Eddie Joyal | 71 | 22 | 16 | 38 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Bill Hicke | 73 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
14 | Brian Carlin | 65 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
5 | Doug Barrie | 54 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 111 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
10 | Ron Anderson | 73 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
19 | Ken Baird | 75 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 112 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
6 | Bob Falkenberg | 77 | 6 | 23 | 29 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
20 | Steve Carlyle | 67 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
15 | Dennis Kassian | 50 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
18 | Bob McAneeley | 51 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |
21 | Bernie Blanchette | 23 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | Roger Cote | 60 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
22 | John Fisher | 40 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
30 | Jack Norris | 64 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
21 | Jim Benzelock | 26 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
27 | Derek Harker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | Ken Brown | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
†Denotes player traded to the Oilers mid-season.
‡Denotes player traded away mid-season.
Statistics for all players reflect only games played with the Oilers.
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
# | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | ||
30 | Jack Norris | 64 | 3705 | 28 | 29 | 3 | 189 | 1 | 0.903 | 3.06 | 1 | 59 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0.833 | 4.07 |
1 | Ken Brown | 20 | 1034 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 63 | 1 | 0.883 | 3.65 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Awards and Records[]
- Jim Harrison, WHA Record, Most Points in a game (10)
- Four Oilers were selected to play in the mid-season All-Star Game on January 6: Jack Norris (G), Al Hamilton (D), Bob Wall (D), Jim Harrison (C)
Transactions[]
Draft Picks[]
The WHA General Player Draft was held on February 12–13, 1972 to stock each new WHA team with their initial rosters. The Oilers selected four NHL players with their "priority" selections:
- Norm Ullman, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Bobby Clarke, C, Philadelphia Flyers
- Bruce MacGregor, RW, New York Rangers
- Phil Myre, G, Montreal Canadiens
Ullman and MacGregor would eventually play for the Oilers, but not during the 1972–73 season. Both were Edmonton-born players who finished their playing careers with the Oilers after long NHL careers.
The Oilers selected an additional 96 players in subsequent rounds of the draft. Of those, 22 players would play for the Oilers, 16 in the 1972–73 season.
Trades[]
Date | To Alberta Oilers | Traded to | Traded for |
---|---|---|---|
May 1972 | Jim Harrison | Calgary Broncos | Cash |
May 1972 | Dennis Kassian | Houston Aeros | Cash |
June 1972 | Future considerations | Quebec Nordiques | François Lacombe |
June 1972 | Jack Norris | Cleveland Crusaders | Cash |
July 1972 | Steve Carlyle | Cleveland Crusaders | Cash |
July 1972 | Ken Brown | Cleveland Crusaders | Cash |
July 1972 | Future considerations | Cleveland Crusaders | Joe Hardy |
August 1972 | Cash | Cleveland Crusaders | Doug Brindley |
September 1972 | Cash | Ottawa Nationals | Gilles Gratton |
November 1972 | Cash | Philadelphia Blazers | Derek Harker |
December 27, 1972 | Bernie Blanchette | Chicago Cougars | Jim Benzelock |
Free Agents[]
- Bill Hicke signed September 1972
Gallery[]
References[]
- Surgent, Scott (September 2004). The Complete Historical and Statistical Reference to the World Hockey Association, 1972-1979, 7th, Xaler Press, 48–69. ISBN 0-9644774-4-0.
- 1972-73 Alberta Oilers [WHA player statistics]. The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on 2009-02-19.
- 1972-73 World Hockey Association [WHA standings]. The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved on 2009-02-19.
- WHA Oilers Page - 1972-73 Results. "The Home of the Oilers". Retrieved on 2009-02-19.
- WHA Oilers Page - 1972 Alberta Oilers. "The Home of the Oilers". Retrieved on 2009-02-19.
- WHA Oilers Page - 1972 WHA General Player Draft. "The Home of the Oilers". Retrieved on 2009-02-20.
- WHA Oilers Page - All Time Trades. "The Home of the Oilers". Retrieved on 2009-02-20.
1972–73 WHA season by team | |
---|---|
Eastern Division | Cleveland • New England • New York • Ottawa • Philadelphia • Quebec |
Western Division | Alberta • Chicago • Houston • Los Angeles • Minnesota • Winnipeg |
See also | Avco World Trophy |
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