1972–73 New England Whalers | |
---|---|
Avco Cup Champions | |
Division | 1st Eastern |
1972–73 record | 46–30–2 |
Home record | 30–8–1 |
Road record | 16–22–1 |
Goals for | 318 |
Goals against | 263 |
Team Information | |
General Manager | Jack Kelley |
Coach | Jack Kelley |
Captain | Ted Green |
Alternate captains | Tom Williams Jim Dorey Larry Pleau |
Arena | Boston Arena (20 games) Boston Garden (19 games) |
Average attendance | 6,981 (67.2%) |
Team Leaders | |
Goals | Tom Webster (53) |
Assists | Terry Caffery (61) |
Points | Tom Webster (103) |
Penalties in minutes | Brad Selwood (114) |
Wins | Al Smith (31) |
Goals against average | Al Smith (3.17) |
1973–74> |
The 1972–73 New England Whalers season 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 inaugural jerseys sported a simple design of green and white with single stripes, a whale on each shoulder and a roundel logo with a large "W" and a narrow black horizontal harpoon.
Regular Season
Final Standings
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New England Whalers | 78 | 46 | 30 | 2 | 318 | 263 | 858 | 94 |
Cleveland Crusaders | 78 | 43 | 32 | 3 | 287 | 239 | 1095 | 89 |
Philadelphia Blazers | 78 | 38 | 40 | 0 | 288 | 305 | 1260 | 76 |
Ottawa Nationals | 78 | 35 | 39 | 4 | 279 | 301 | 1067 | 74 |
Quebec Nordiques | 78 | 33 | 40 | 5 | 276 | 313 | 1354 | 71 |
New York Raiders | 78 | 33 | 43 | 2 | 303 | 334 | 900 | 68 |
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
Regular Season Results | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
1 | W | October 12, 1972 | 4–3 | Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 1–0–0 |
2 | W | October 16, 1972 | 4–1 | Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 2–0–0 |
3 | W | October 18, 1972 | 4–1 | @ Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 3–0–0 |
4 | L | October 19, 1972 | 3–4 | Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 3–1–0 |
5 | L | October 21, 1972 | 4–6 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 3–2–0 |
6 | W | October 23, 1972 | 5–1 | Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 4–2–0 |
7 | W | October 24, 1972 | 3–2 OT | @ Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 5–2–0 |
8 | L | October 26, 1972 | 6–7 | @ New York Raiders (1972–73) | 5–3–0 |
9 | L | October 28, 1972 | 1–4 | Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 5–4–0 |
10 | W | November 1, 1972 | 4–2 | Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 6–4–0 |
11 | W | November 4, 1972 | 8–4 | Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 7–4–0 |
12 | W | November 6, 1972 | 6–2 | Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 8–4–0 |
13 | W | November 11, 1972 | 6–5 | New York Raiders (1972–73) | 9–4–0 |
14 | T | November 13, 1972 | 4–4 | Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 9–4–1 |
15 | L | November 17, 1972 | 0–3 | @ Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 9–5–1 |
16 | W | November 18, 1972 | 3–2 | Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 10–5–1 |
17 | W | November 20, 1972 | 7–5 | Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 11–5–1 |
18 | L | November 22, 1972 | 1–3 | @ New York Raiders (1972–73) | 11–6–1 |
19 | W | November 24, 1972 | 7–2 | Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 12–6–1 |
20 | L | November 26, 1972 | 1–3 | @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 12–7–1 |
21 | W | November 27, 1972 | 3–0 | Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 13–7–1 |
22 | L | November 29, 1972 | 6–7 | @ New York Raiders (1972–73) | 13–8–1 |
23 | L | December 1, 1972 | 3–5 | @ Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 13–9–1 |
24 | W | December 2, 1972 | 7–2 | Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 14–9–1 |
25 | W | December 4, 1972 | 7–2 | Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 15–9–1 |
26 | W | December 6, 1972 | 4–3 | New York Raiders (1972–73) | 16–9–1 |
27 | W | December 7, 1972 | 4–2 | @ Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 17–9–1 |
28 | W | December 9, 1972 | 4–2 | New York Raiders (1972–73) | 18–9–1 |
29 | W | December 11, 1972 | 4–3 | Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 19–9–1 |
30 | L | December 13, 1972 | 3–6 | @ Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 19–10–1 |
31 | W | December 14, 1972 | 5–2 | @ Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 20–10–1 |
32 | W | December 16, 1972 | 10–6 | @ Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 21–10–1 |
33 | L | December 17, 1972 | 3–6 | Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 21–11–1 |
34 | L | December 19, 1972 | 5–7 | @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 21–12–1 |
35 | L | December 21, 1972 | 4–5 | @ Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 21–13–1 |
36 | L | December 24, 1972 | 3–5 | Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 21–14–1 |
37 | W | December 25, 1972 | 8–2 | @ New York Raiders (1972–73) | 22–14–1 |
38 | W | December 28, 1972 | 5–3 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 23–14–1 |
39 | L | December 29, 1972 | 2–4 | Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 23–15–1 |
40 | W | December 31, 1972 | 3–0 | @ New York Raiders (1972–73) | 24–15–1 |
41 | L | January 9, 1973 | 5–7 | @ Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 24–16–1 |
42 | W | January 13, 1973 | 4–3 | New York Raiders (1972–73) | 25–16–1 |
43 | W | January 17, 1973 | 4–2 | @ Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 26–16–1 |
44 | L | January 19, 1973 | 2–6 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 26–17–1 |
45 | W | January 21, 1973 | 7–2 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 27–17–1 |
46 | W | January 24, 1973 | 6–1 | Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 28–17–1 |
47 | W | January 25, 1973 | 4–2 | @ Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 29–17–1 |
48 | L | January 27, 1973 | 1–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 29–18–1 |
49 | L | January 29, 1973 | 2–3 | @ Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 29–19–1 |
50 | W | January 31, 1973 | 4–1 | Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 30–19–1 |
51 | W | February 1, 1973 | 5–4 OT | @ Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 31–19–1 |
52 | L | February 2, 1973 | 1–3 | @ Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 31–20–1 |
53 | L | February 4, 1973 | 3–4 | @ Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 31–21–1 |
54 | W | February 6, 1973 | 4–2 | @ Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 32–21–1 |
55 | L | February 7, 1973 | 1–3 | @ Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 32–22–1 |
56 | L | February 9, 1973 | 4–7 | Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 32–23–1 |
57 | T | February 11, 1973 | 2–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 32–23–2 |
58 | L | February 13, 1973 | 4–5 | @ Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 32–24–2 |
59 | W | February 15, 1973 | 6–5 | Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 33–24–2 |
60 | W | February 17, 1973 | 6–4 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 34–24–2 |
61 | L | February 20, 1973 | 2–4 | @ Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 34–25–2 |
62 | W | February 23, 1973 | 4–2 | Alberta Oilers (1972–73) | 35–25–2 |
63 | L | March 4, 1973 | 2–4 | @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 35–26–2 |
64 | W | March 7, 1973 | 1–0 OT | Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 36–26–2 |
65 | W | March 9, 1973 | 5–4 | Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 37–26–2 |
66 | W | March 10, 1973 | 3–1 | Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 38–26–2 |
67 | W | March 13, 1973 | 4–3 OT | @ Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 39–26–2 |
68 | W | March 14, 1973 | 7–5 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1972–73) | 40–26–2 |
69 | W | March 16, 1973 | 7–4 | Minnesota Fighting Saints (1972–73) | 41–26–2 |
70 | W | March 17, 1973 | 4–0 | Philadelphia Blazers (1972–73) | 42–26–2 |
71 | W | March 20, 1973 | 4–1 | Los Angeles Sharks (1972–73) | 43–26–2 |
72 | L | March 22, 1973 | 2–4 | @ Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 43–27–2 |
73 | W | March 23, 1973 | 3–1 | Chicago Cougars (1972–73) | 44–27–2 |
74 | L | March 26, 1973 | 5–7 | @ Cleveland Crusaders (1972–73) | 44–28–2 |
75 | L | March 27, 1973 | 1–6 | Houston Aeros (1972–73) | 44–29–2 |
76 | L | March 29, 1973 | 2–5 | @ Ottawa Nationals (1972–73) | 44–30–2 |
77 | W | March 30, 1973 | 5–4 OT | New York Raiders (1972–73) | 45–30–2 |
78 | W | April 1, 1973 | 8–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1972–73) | 46–30–2 |
Playoffs
New England Whalers 4, Ottawa Nationals 1
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
1 | April 7 | Ottawa Nationals | 3–6 | New England Whalers | 1–0 |
2 | April 8 | Ottawa Nationals | 3 – 4 OT | New England Whalers | 2–0 |
3 | April 10 | New England Whalers | 2–4 | Ottawa Nationals | 2–1 |
4 | April 12 | New England Whalers | 7 – 3 OT | Ottawa Nationals | 3–1 |
5 | April 14 | Ottawa Nationals | 4–5 | New England Whalers | 4–1 |
New England Whalers 4, Cleveland Crusaders 1
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
1 | April 18 | Cleveland Crusaders | 2–3 | New England Whalers | 1–0 |
2 | April 19 | Cleveland Crusaders | 2–3 | New England Whalers | 2–0 |
3 | April 21 | New England Whalers | 5–4 | Cleveland Crusaders | 3–0 |
4 | April 22 | New England Whalers | 2–5 | Cleveland Crusaders | 3–1 |
5 | April 26 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–3 | New England Whalers | 4–1 |
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.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
1 | April 29 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–7 | New England Whalers | 0–1 |
2 | May 2 | New England Whalers | 7–4 | Winnipeg Jets | 0–2 |
3 | May 3 | New England Whalers | 3–4 | Winnipeg Jets | 1–2 |
4 | May 5 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–4 | New England Whalers | 1–3 |
5 | May 6 | Winnipeg Jets | 6–9 | New England Whalers | 1–4 |
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 | ||
8 | Tom Webster | 77 | 53 | 50 | 103 | 89 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 6 |
7 | Terry Caffery | 74 | 39 | 61 | 100 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
4 | Larry Pleau | 78 | 39 | 48 | 87 | 42 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 15 |
15 | Tim Sheehy | 78 | 33 | 38 | 71 | 30 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 13 |
10 | Jim Dorey | 75 | 7 | 56 | 63 | 95 | 15 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 41 |
11 | John French | 74 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 43 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 2 |
6 | Ted Green | 78 | 16 | 30 | 46 | 47 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 25 |
14 | Kevin Ahearn | 78 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 18 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
18 | Brit Selby | 65 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 48 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
12 | John Danby | 77 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 | Brad Selwood | 75 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 114 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 22 |
9 | Tom Williams | 69 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 14 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 2 |
2 | Rick Ley | 76 | 3 | 27 | 30 | 108 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
27 | Tommy Earl | 77 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
21 | Mike Hyndman | 59 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | Paul Hurley | 78 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 78 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
16 | Dick Sarrazin | 35 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
21 | Mike Byers | 19 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 6 |
17 | John Cunniff | 33 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
19 | Guy Smith | 22 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
20 | Ric Jordan | 34 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
30 | Bruce Landon | 30 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | Al Smith | 51 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
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
# | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | ||
1 | Al Smith | 51 | 3059 | 31 | 19 | 1 | 162 | 3 | 0.894 | 3.17 | 15 | 909 | 12 | 3 | 49 | 0 | 0.886 | 3.20 |
30 | Bruce Landon | 30 | 1671 | 15 | 11 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0.887 | 3.59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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
Transactions
Draft Picks
Farm Teams
Gallery
Video
Nearly 17 minutes of game action from the April 8, 1973 Quarter-finals Game 2 New England Whalers-Ottawa Nationals.
See Also
References
- 1972–73 New England Whalers Games. Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-05-21.
New England Whalers / Hartford Whalers Seasons | |
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WHA | 1972–73 • 1973–74 • 1974–75 • 1975–76 • 1976–77 • 1977–78 • 1978–79 |
NHL | 1979–80 • 1980–81 • 1981–82 • 1982–83 • 1983–84 • 1984–85 • 1985–86 • 1986–87 • 1987–88 • 1988–89 • 1989–90 • 1990–91 • 1991–92 • 1992–93 • 1993–94 • 1994–95 • 1995–96 • 1996–97 • Carolina |
Hartford Whalers | |
---|---|
Franchise | Hartford Whalers • Carolina Hurricanes • Expansion Draft • Players • Coaches • Seasons • Draft Picks • NHL–WHA Merger |
Championships | Avco World Trophy: 1972-73 • Division Championships: 1972–73 • 1973–74 • 1974–75 • 1986-87 |
Arenas | Boston Arena • Boston Garden • The Big E Coliseum • Springfield Civic Center • Hartford Civic Center |
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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