The 1977–78 Winnipeg Jets season was the Jets 6th season in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Jets finished 1st in the league and defeated the New England Whalers 4 games to 0 in the Finals to win their 2nd Avco World Trophy .
Off-season [ ]
Lyle Moffat 's 1977-78 jersey.
The Jets jerseys were the same design as in the 1973-74 season except for the addition of white shoulder yolks to the primarily away dark blue jersey which was a darker blue.
Regular Season [ ]
On March 11, 1978, Bobby Hull scored the 1,000th goal in the 1,600th game of his career against the Quebec Nordiques in the Jets 7-4 victory.
Final Standings [ ]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties in Minutes
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, 1977
7–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
1–0–0
2
W
October 13, 1977
5–2
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
2–0–0
3
W
October 15, 1977
5–4
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
3–0–0
4
W
October 16, 1977
9–1
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
4–0–0
5
L
October 21, 1977
2–5
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
4–1–0
6
W
October 23, 1977
10–3
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
5–1–0
7
L
October 26, 1977
3–5
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
5–2–0
8
W
October 28, 1977
3–2
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
6–2–0
9
W
October 30, 1977
5–2
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
7–2–0
10
W
November 2, 1977
6–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
8–2–0
11
W
November 4, 1977
4–2
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
9–2–0
12
W
November 5, 1977
6–1
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
10–2–0
13
W
November 9, 1977
4–3
Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
11–2–0
14
L
November 11, 1977
2–3 OT
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
11–3–0
15
L
November 13, 1977
2–3
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
11–4–0
16
L
November 15, 1977
6–7 OT
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
11–5–0
17
T
November 16, 1977
2–2
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
11–5–1
18
L
November 18, 1977
2–3
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
11–6–1
19
W
November 19, 1977
6–4
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
12–6–1
20
L
November 22, 1977
2–4
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
12–7–1
21
L
November 27, 1977
3–4 OT
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
12–8–1
22
L
December 2, 1977
1–4
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
12–9–1
23
L
December 3, 1977
5–6
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
12–10–1
24
L
December 4, 1977
2–3
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
12–11–1
25
W
December 7, 1977
5–2
Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
13–11–1
26
L
December 9, 1977
3–4 OT
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
13–12–1
27
W
December 11, 1977
7–1
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
14–12–1
28
W
December 13, 1977
5–1
Czechoslovakia (1977–78 )
15–12–1
29
W
December 17, 1977
6–3
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
16–12–1
30
W
December 18, 1977
7–3
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
17–12–1
31
W
December 20, 1977
6–4
Soviet All-Stars (1977–78 )
18–12–1
32
W
December 21, 1977
4–3
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
19–12–1
33
W
December 23, 1977
6–4
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
20–12–1
34
W
December 26, 1977
9–4
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
21–12–1
35
W
January 6, 1978
4–1
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
22–12–1
36
W
January 8, 1978
4–2
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
23–12–1
37
W
January 11, 1978
11–2
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
24–12–1
38
L
January 13, 1978
2–3
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
24–13–1
39
W
January 14, 1978
6–3
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
25–13–1
40
L
January 15, 1978
3–4 OT
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
25–14–1
41
W
January 18, 1978
5–1
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
26–14–1
42
T
January 20, 1978
4–4
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
26–14–2
43
L
January 22, 1978
4–5
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
26–15–2
44
L
January 25, 1978
2–6
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
26–16–2
45
L
January 26, 1978
1–2 OT
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
26–17–2
46
L
January 28, 1978
5–8
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
26–18–2
47
W
January 29, 1978
8–4
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
27–18–2
48
W
January 31, 1978
7–2
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
28–18–2
49
W
February 4, 1978
7–5
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
29–18–2
50
W
February 5, 1978
4–3
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
30–18–2
51
W
February 8, 1978
9–0
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
31–18–2
52
W
February 10, 1978
10–2
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
32–18–2
53
W
February 11, 1978
5–3
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
33–18–2
54
W
February 12, 1978
6–5
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
34–18–2
55
W
February 15, 1978
6–5
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
35–18–2
56
W
February 16, 1978
2–1 OT
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
36–18–2
57
W
February 18, 1978
4–0
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
37–18–2
58
W
February 19, 1978
5–2
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
38–18–2
59
W
February 22, 1978
4–2
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
39–18–2
60
W
February 24, 1978
7–2
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
40–18–2
61
W
February 26, 1978
9–6
Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
41–18–2
62
L
March 1, 1978
3–4
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
41–19–2
63
L
March 3, 1978
1–5
Cincinnati Stingers (1977–78 )
41–20–2
64
L
March 4, 1978
6–8
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
41–21–2
65
L
March 5, 1978
3–4
Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
41–22–2
66
W
March 9, 1978
6–5
Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
42–22–2
67
W
March 11, 1978
7–4
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
43–22–2
68
W
March 12, 1978
3–2
Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
44–22–2
69
W
March 15, 1978
8–4
Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
45–22–2
70
L
March 17, 1978
2–6
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
45–23–2
71
W
March 19, 1978
5–3
Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
46–23–2
72
W
March 22, 1978
5–3
@ New England Whalers (1977–78 )
47–23–2
73
W
March 25, 1978
3–1
@ Birmingham Bulls (1977–78 )
48–23–2
74
L
March 28, 1978
3–5
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
48–24–2
75
W
March 30, 1978
4–1
@ Indianapolis Racers (1977–78 )
49–24–2
76
L
April 1, 1978
2–5
@ Quebec Nordiques (1977–78 )
49–25–2
77
L
April 4, 1978
3–6
@ Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
49–26–2
78
W
April 6, 1978
7–4
New England Whalers (1977–78 )
50–26–2
79
L
April 7, 1978
2–4
@ Edmonton Oilers (1977–78 )
50–27–2
80
L
April 9, 1978
4–5
Houston Aeros (1977–78 )
50–28–2
Playoffs [ ]
Due to their victory over the Bulls, the Jets earned a bye to the Finals while the other two Quarter-finals winners faced off against each other.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Birmingham Bulls 1 [ ]
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Record
1
April 14
Birmingham Bulls
3–9
Winnipeg Jets
0–1
2
April 16
Birmingham Bulls
3–8
Winnipeg Jets
0–2
3
April 19
Winnipeg Jets
2–3
Birmingham Bulls
2–1
4
April 21
Winnipeg Jets
5–1
Birmingham Bulls
3–1
5
April 23
Birmingham Bulls
2–5
Winnipeg Jets
1–4
Winnipeg Jets 4, New England Whalers 0 [ ]
Bobby Hull scores the series winner, Game 4 of the 1978 AVCO World Trophy Finals, May 22, 1978.
The Finals matched the Winnipeg Jets and New England Whalers , who had both won the AVCO World Trophy once. Al Smith played Games 1, 3 and 4 in net for the Whalers while Gary Bromley and Joe Daley alternated games for the Jets with Bromley starting Game 1. Game 1 was scoreless until the third period when the Jets depth scoring paid off with Bob Guindon marking twice and Peter Sullivan netting the winner. The Jets depth scoring was again the story of Game 2 as Dan Labraaten , Lyle Moffat and Bob Guindon staked the Jets to a 3-0 lead. The Jets first line finally scored as Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson piled on Whalers goalie Jean-Louis Levasseur as the Jets won 5-2. The Jets dominated Game 3 as Willy Lindström had a Hat trick and Kent Nilsson scored twice and added 2 assists in a 10-2 romp. Game 4 saw the Whalers take their only lead of the series as Mike Antonovich and Rick Ley scored, taking a 2-0 lead into the second period. Anders Hedberg took over, scoring twice and setting up 2 goals, including the series winner by Bobby Hull as the Jets swept the series four straight. Game 4 was the last game for the Hull-Nilsson-Hedberg line as the Swedes jumped to the New York Rangers . Bob Guindon was named the WHA Playoff MVP .
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Record
1
May 12
New England Whalers
1–4
Winnipeg Jets
0–1
2
May 14
New England Whalers
2–5
Winnipeg Jets
0–2
3
May 19
Winnipeg Jets
10–2
New England Whalers
3–0
4
May 22
Winnipeg Jets
5–3
New England Whalers
4–0
Player Stats [ ]
Regular Season [ ]
Scoring
#
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
15
Nilsson, Ulf Ulf Nilsson
C
73
37
89
126
89
41
7
3
14
Hedberg, Anders Anders Hedberg
RW
77
63
59
122
60
60
17
6
9
Hull, Bobby Bobby Hull
LW
77
46
71
117
23
55
10
0
11
Nilsson, Kent Kent Nilsson
C
80
42
65
107
8
27
18
0
20
Lindstrom, Willy Willy Lindstrom
RW
77
30
30
60
42
4
7
0
10
Sullivan, Peter Peter Sullivan
C
77
16
39
55
43
-12
3
1
4
Sjoberg, Lars-Erik Lars-Erik Sjoberg
D
78
11
39
50
72
60
0
1
18
Guindon, Bobby Bobby Guindon
LW
77
20
22
42
18
-1
0
4
16
Kryskow, Dave Dave Kryskow
LW
71
20
21
41
16
12
3
0
21
Labraaten, Dan Dan Labraaten
LW
47
18
16
34
30
7
5
0
2
Bergman, Thommie Thommie Bergman
D
62
5
28
33
43
22
0
0
19
Powis, Lynn Lynn Powis
C
55
12
19
31
16
2
2
0
3
Long, Barry Barry Long
D
78
7
24
31
42
10
1
1
17
Lesuk, Bill Bill Lesuk
LW
80
9
18
27
48
-4
0
0
8
Dunn, Dave Dave Dunn
D
66
6
20
26
79
20
1
0
6
Green, Ted Ted Green
D
73
4
22
26
52
19
2
0
22
Moffat, Lyle Lyle Moffat
LW
57
9
16
25
39
-6
0
0
26
Baird, Ken Ken Baird
D
49
14
7
21
29
5
2
0
23
Ruhnke, Kent Kent Ruhnke
RW
21
8
9
17
2
9
0
0
5
Clackson, Kim Kim Clackson
D
52
2
7
9
203
6
0
0
24
Hornung, Larry Larry Hornung
D
19
1
4
5
2
17
0
0
2
Amodeo, Mike Mike Amodeo
D
3
1
1
2
0
3
0
0
1
Daley, Joe Joe Daley
G
37
0
2
2
2
0
0
0
30
Bromley, Gary Gary Bromley
G
39
0
1
1
4
0
0
0
24
Ford, Mike Mike Ford
D
3
0
0
0
0
-5
0
0
7
Huck, Fran Fran Huck
C
5
0
0
0
2
-2
0
0
7
Davis, Bill Bill Davis
D
12
0
0
0
2
-9
0
0
35
Mattsson, Markus Markus Mattsson
G
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
Bromley, Gary Gary Bromley
2252
39
25
12
1
124
3.30
1
Daley, Joe Joe Daley
2075
37
21
11
1
114
3.30
1
Mattsson, Markus Markus Mattsson
511
10
4
5
0
30
3.52
0
Team:
4838
80
50
28
2
268
3.32
2
Playoffs [ ]
Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
Hedberg, Anders Anders Hedberg
RW
9
9
6
15
2
1
Nilsson, Ulf Ulf Nilsson
C
9
1
13
14
12
0
Guindon, Bobby Bobby Guindon
LW
9
8
5
13
5
2
Moffat, Lyle Lyle Moffat
LW
9
5
7
12
9
0
Hull, Bobby Bobby Hull
LW
9
8
3
11
12
2
Nilsson, Kent Kent Nilsson
C
9
2
8
10
10
0
Sjoberg, Lars-Erik Lars-Erik Sjoberg
D
9
0
9
9
4
0
Kryskow, Dave Dave Kryskow
LW
9
4
4
8
2
1
Lindstrom, Willy Willy Lindstrom
RW
8
3
4
7
17
0
Sullivan, Peter Peter Sullivan
C
9
3
4
7
4
1
Lesuk, Bill Bill Lesuk
LW
9
2
5
7
12
0
Long, Barry Barry Long
D
9
0
5
5
6
0
Amodeo, Mike Mike Amodeo
D
7
1
3
4
19
0
Baird, Ken Ken Baird
D
7
0
4
4
7
0
Powis, Lynn Lynn Powis
C
3
2
1
3
7
0
Dunn, Dave Dave Dunn
D
9
1
2
3
0
0
Ruhnke, Kent Kent Ruhnke
RW
5
2
0
2
0
1
Labraaten, Dan Dan Labraaten
LW
4
1
1
2
8
0
Green, Ted Ted Green
D
8
0
2
2
2
0
Ford, Mike Mike Ford
D
2
1
0
1
0
0
Daley, Joe Joe Daley
G
5
0
1
1
20
0
Clackson, Kim Kim Clackson
D
9
0
1
1
61
0
Bromley, Gary Gary Bromley
G
5
0
0
0
2
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
Bromley, Gary Gary Bromley
268
5
4
0
7
1.57
0
Daley, Joe Joe Daley
271
5
4
1
13
2.88
0
Team:
539
9
8
1
20
2.23
0
[1]
Note: 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 [ ]
Avco World Trophy : Winnipeg Jets
Lou Kaplan Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Kent Nilsson
Dennis A. Murphy Trophy (Best Defenseman): Lars Sjoberg
WHA Playoff MVP : Robert Guindon
Ulf Nilsson , Center, WHA First Team All-Star
Anders Hedberg , Right Wing, WHA First Team All-Star
Lars Sjoberg, Defense, WHA First Team All-Star
Bobby Hull , Left Wing, WHA Second Team All-Star
Barry Long , Defense, WHA Second Team All-Star
Transactions [ ]
Draft Picks [ ]
Winnipeg's draft picks at the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft .[2]
Round
#
Player
Nationality
College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1
3
Ron Duguay (C)
Canada
Sudbury Wolves (OHA)
1
8
Miles Zaharko (D)
Canada
New Westminster Bruins (WCHL)
3
28
Mark Lofthouse (RW)
Canada
New Westminster Bruins (WCHL)
4
37
Don Laurence (C)
Canada
Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
5
46
Bill Stewart (D)
Canada
Niagara Falls Flyers (OHA)
6
55
Ric Seiling (RW)
Canada
St. Catharines Fincups (OHA)
7
64
Jim Hamilton (LW)
Canada
London Knights (OHA)
8
72
Warren Holmes (C)
Canada
Ottawa 67's (OHA)
9
80
Mike Keating (LW)
Canada
St. Catharines Fincups (OHA)
10
88
Murray Bannerman (G)
Canada
Victoria Cougars (WCHL)
Farm Teams [ ]
Video [ ]
Jets-Aeros game from April 4, 1978.
WHA Houston Aeros - Winnipeg Jets 78-79
See Also [ ]
References [ ]