1979–80 Hartford Whalers season

1979–80 Hartford Whalers
Division	4th Norris
Conference	8th Prince of Wales
1979–80 record	27–34–19
Home record	22-12-6
Road record	5-22-13
Goals for	303
Goals against	312
Team information
General manager	Jack Kelley
Coach	Don Blackburn
Assistant coach	Larry Pleau
Captain	Rick Ley
Arena	Springfield Civic Center until 2/3/1980, Hartford Civic Center
Average attendance	9,856
Minor league affiliate(s)	Springfield Indians AHL, Cincinnati Stingers CHL, Saginaw Gears IHL
Team leaders
Goals	Blaine Stoughton (56)
Assists	Mike Rogers (61)
Points	Mike Rogers (105)
Penalty minutes	Nick Fotiu (107)
Wins	John Garrett (16)
Goals against average	Al Smith (3.66)

The 1979–80 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' first season in the National Hockey League. The Whalers finished 4th in the Norris Division and lost in the Preliminary round to the Montreal Canadiens 3 games to 0.

Off-season

Hartford Whalers logo introduced in 1979, designed by Peter Good, a Connecticut-based graphic designer. This logo replaces the harpoon by combining a green W for Whalers with a blue whale's tail. Some people never notice that the negative space--the white area between the W and the whale's tail acts as an H for Hartford.

Along with the Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets, the Whalers were one of four World Hockey Association franchises that joined the NHL.

Draft Picks

Pick	Player	Nationality	NHL Team	College/junior/club team
18.	Ray Allison (RW)	Canada	Hartford Whalers	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

NHL Expansion Draft

Reclaimed Players

Reclaiming of players: The 17 existing NHL teams were allowed to reclaim any rights to former WHA players they held. The four incoming franchises, however, were allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters, voiding their NHL rights. These players were considered "priority selections" in the expansion draft. Gordie Howe was one of two special cases (the other being Wayne Gretzky), as a gentlemen's agreement between the Hartford Whalers and the Detroit Red Wings, which held his rights, led to the Wings declining to reclaim Howe.

These are Hartford players whose NHL rights were reclaimed when the WHA merged with the NHL. This list is incomplete.

#	Player	Reclaimed From	Reclaimed By
2.	Alan Hangsleben (D)	Hartford Whalers	Montreal Canadiens
7.	Rick Ley (D)	Hartford Whalers	Toronto Maple Leafs
9.	George Lyle (LW)	Hartford Whalers	Detroit Red Wings
10.	Warren Miller (RW)	Hartford Whalers	New York Rangers

Whalers Selections

#	Player	Drafted From	Drafted By
1.	Rick Ley (D)	Toronto Maple Leafs	Hartford Whalers
2.	Nick Fotiu (LW)	New York Rangers	Hartford Whalers
3.	Al Sims (D)	Boston Bruins	Hartford Whalers
4.	Bernie Johnston (C/LW)	Philadelphia Flyers	Hartford Whalers
5.	Brian Hill (RW)	Atlanta Flames	Hartford Whalers
6.	M. F. Schurman (LW)	Philadelphia Flyers	Hartford Whalers
7.	Rick Hodgson (D)	Atlanta Flames	Hartford Whalers
8.	Kevin Kemp (D)	Toronto Maple Leafs	Hartford Whalers
9.	Jean Savard (C)	Chicago Black Hawks	Hartford Whalers
10.	Alan Hangsleben (D)	Montreal Canadiens	Hartford Whalers
11.	Ralph Klassen (F)	Colorado Rockies	Hartford Whalers
12.	Bill Bennett (LW)	Boston Bruins	Hartford Whalers
13.	Dave Given (F)	Buffalo Sabres	Hartford Whalers
14.	Nick Beverley (D)	Colorado Rockies	Hartford Whalers
15.	Norm Lapointe G	Vancouver Canucks	Hartford Whalers
16.	Don Kozak (?)	Vancouver Canucks	Hartford Whalers

Regular Season

Gordie Howe

When the WHA folded in 1979, the Hartford Whalers joined the NHL and the 51-year-old Howe signed on for one final season playing in all 80 games of the schedule, helping his team to make the playoffs with fifteen goals. One particular honor was when Howe, Phil Esposito, and Jean Ratelle were selected to the mid-season all-star game by coach Scotty Bowman, as a nod to their storied careers before they retired. Howe had played in five decades of all-star games and he would skate alongside the second-youngest to ever play in the game, 19-year-old Wayne Gretzky. The Joe Louis Arena crowd gave him a standing ovation twice, lasting so long, he had to skate to the bench to stop people from cheering. He had one assist in his side's 6–3 win.

Final Standings

Norris Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
Montreal Canadiens	80	47	20	13	328	240	107
Los Angeles Kings	80	30	36	14	290	313	74
Pittsburgh Penguins	80	30	37	13	251	303	73
Hartford Whalers	80	27	34	19	303	312	73
Detroit Red Wings	80	26	43	11	268	306	63

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	L	October 11, 1979	1–4	@ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)	0–1–0
2	T	October 13, 1979	3–3	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)	0–1–1
3	T	October 14, 1979	3–3	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)	0–1–2
4	L	October 17, 1979	1–3	@ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)	0–2–2
5	W	October 19, 1979	6–3	Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)	1–2–2
6	L	October 20, 1979	1–6	@ New York Islanders (1979–80)	1–3–2
7	T	October 24, 1979	2–2	@ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)	1–3–3
8	L	October 26, 1979	1–2	New York Islanders (1979–80)	1–4–3
9	T	October 28, 1979	2–2	@ New York Rangers (1979–80)	1–4–4
10	W	October 31, 1979	4–2	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)	2–4–4
11	W	November 2, 1979	5–3	Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)	3–4–4
12	W	November 6, 1979	7–2	@ Colorado Rockies (1979–80)	4–4–4
13	L	November 9, 1979	2–4	Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)	4–5–4
14	T	November 11, 1979	5–5	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)	4–5–5
15	L	November 14, 1979	2–3	@ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)	4–6–5
16	W	November 17, 1979	4–0	Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)	5–6–5
17	L	November 18, 1979	4–5	@ Boston Bruins (1979–80)	5–7–5
18	W	November 21, 1979	5–3	Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)	6–7–5
19	T	November 24, 1979	4–4	Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)	6–7–6
20	W	November 25, 1979	4–2	Atlanta Flames (1979–80)	7–7–6
21	L	November 27, 1979	2–6	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)	7–8–6
22	W	November 30, 1979	7–5	Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)	8–8–6
23	T	December 1, 1979	4–4	@ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)	8–8–7
24	T	December 4, 1979	3–3	@ Washington Capitals (1979–80)	8–8–8
25	L	December 7, 1979	4–7	New York Rangers (1979–80)	8–9–8
26	L	December 9, 1979	0–3	@ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)	8–10–8
27	L	December 11, 1979	3–5	@ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)	8–11–8
28	L	December 12, 1979	4–7	@ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)	8–12–8
29	L	December 15, 1979	5–6	@ Colorado Rockies (1979–80)	8–13–8
30	W	December 19, 1979	5–4	Washington Capitals (1979–80)	9–13–8
31	L	December 22, 1979	2–4	Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)	9–14–8
32	L	December 23, 1979	2–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)	9–15–8
33	T	December 26, 1979	4–4	Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)	9–15–9
34	L	December 29, 1979	0–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1979–80)	9–16–9
35	T	January 2, 1980	3–3	@ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)	9–16–10
36	L	January 4, 1980	3–6	Washington Capitals (1979–80)	9–17–10
37	L	January 6, 1980	1–2	Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)	9–18–10
38	L	January 7, 1980	2–5	@ New York Rangers (1979–80)	9–19–10
39	L	January 9, 1980	2–6	@ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)	9–20–10
40	W	January 12, 1980	6–4	@ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)	10–20–10
41	W	January 17, 1980	7–1	Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)	11–20–10
42	W	January 19, 1980	5–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)	12–20–10
43	W	January 21, 1980	7–2	Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)	13–20–10
44	L	January 24, 1980	2–7	Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)	13–21–10
45	L	January 26, 1980	2–3	@ New York Islanders (1979–80)	13–22–10
46	W	January 28, 1980	6–1	Atlanta Flames (1979–80)	14–22–10
47	W	January 30, 1980	8–2	Boston Bruins (1979–80)	15–22–10
48	L	February 2, 1980	3–5	@ Atlanta Flames (1979–80)	15–23–10
49	W	February 3, 1980	5–3	New York Islanders (1979–80)	16–23–10
50	W	February 6, 1980	7–3	Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)	17–23–10
51	T	February 8, 1980	4–4	Colorado Rockies (1979–80)	17–23–11
52	L	February 10, 1980	2–6	Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)	17–24–11
53	T	February 12, 1980	5–5	Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)	17–24–12
54	W	February 15, 1980	5–4	Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)	18–24–12
55	L	February 16, 1980	3–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)	18–25–12
56	W	February 18, 1980	6–4	New York Rangers (1979–80)	19–25–12
57	W	February 19, 1980	6–2	Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)	20–25–12
58	W	February 23, 1980	6–5	@ Atlanta Flames (1979–80)	21–25–12
59	L	February 26, 1980	5–9	@ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)	21–26–12
60	L	February 27, 1980	3–6	Boston Bruins (1979–80)	21–27–12
61	W	February 29, 1980	3–0	St. Louis Blues (1979–80)	22–27–12
62	W	March 1, 1980	6–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1979–80)	23–27–12
63	L	March 6, 1980	3–4	@ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)	23–28–12
64	L	March 8, 1980	5–9	@ Washington Capitals (1979–80)	23–29–12
65	T	March 9, 1980	1–1	@ Boston Bruins (1979–80)	23–29–13
66	T	March 12, 1980	4–4	@ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)	23–29–14
67	W	March 13, 1980	3–1	Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)	24–29–14
68	W	March 15, 1980	4–1	Colorado Rockies (1979–80)	25–29–14
69	L	March 16, 1980	1–6	Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)	25–30–14
70	T	March 19, 1980	5–5	Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)	25–30–15
71	T	March 21, 1980	5–5	Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)	25–30–16
72	T	March 22, 1980	5–5	@ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)	25–30–17
73	L	March 24, 1980	5–7	St. Louis Blues (1979–80)	25–31–17
74	L	March 26, 1980	0–7	@ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)	25–32–17
75	T	March 28, 1980	4–4	@ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)	25–32–18
76	T	March 29, 1980	2–2	@ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)	25–32–19
77	L	April 1, 1980	4–5	Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)	25–33–19
78	L	April 2, 1980	4–6	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)	25–34–19
79	W	April 4, 1980	9–2	Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)	26–34–19
80	W	April 6, 1980	5–3	Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)	27–34–19

Playoffs

Montreal Canadiens 3, Hartford Whalers 0

• In the first round of the playoffs, 14th seeded Hartford played the 3rd seeded Montreal Canadiens.

Player Stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM
17 Mike Rogers	80	44	61	105		10
21 Blaine Stoughton	80	56	44	100		16
5 Mark Howe	74	24	56	80		20
14 Dave Keon	76	10	52	62		10
11 Jordy Douglas	77	33	24	57		39
28 Pat Boutette	47	13	31	44		75
9 Gordie Howe	80	15	26	41		42
3 Al Sims	76	10	31	41		30
7 Gordie Roberts	80	8	28	36		89

Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Player	GP	W	L	T	SO	GAA
1 Al Smith	30	11	10	8	2	3.66
35 John Garrett	52	16	24	11	0	3.98

Regular Season						Playoffs					Vitals
#	Player Name	Pos.	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	Birthplace	Age
17	Mike Rogers	C	80	44	61	105	10	29	3	0	3	3	0	ALTA: Calgary	24
21	Blaine Stoughton	F	80	56	44	100	16	9	1	0	0	0	0	MAN: Gilbert Plains	26
5	Mark Howe	D	74	24	56	80	20	14	3	1	2	3	2	MI: Detroit	24
14	Dave Keon	C	76	10	52	62	10	-13	3	0	1	1	0	PQ: Rouyn-Noranda	39
11	Jordy Douglas	L	77	33	24	57	39	-11	--	--	--	--	--	MAN: Winnipeg	21
28	Pat Boutette	C	47	13	31	44	75	17	3	1	0	1	6	ONT: Windsor	27
9	Gordie Howe	R	80	15	26	41	42	9	3	1	1	2	2	SASK: Floral	51
3	Al Sims	D	76	10	31	41	30	9	3	0	0	0	2	ONT: Toronto	26
7	Gordie Roberts	D	80	8	28	36	89	6	3	1	1	2	2	MI: Detroit	21
31	Greg Carroll	C	71	13	19	32	24	-5	--	--	--	--	--	ALTA: Edmonton	22
8	Ray Allison	R	64	16	12	28	13	-3	2	0	1	1	0	BC: Cranbrook	20
15	Dave Debol	C	48	12	14	26	4	-5	3	0	0	0	0	MI: St. Clair Shores	23
24	Bernie Johnston	C	32	8	13	21	8	9	3	0	1	1	0	ONT: Toronto	22
2	Rick Ley	D	65	4	16	20	92	2	--	--	--	--	--	ONT: Orillia	30
23	Nick Fotiu	F	74	10	8	18	107	2	3	0	0	0	6	NY: Staten Island	27
10	Alan Hangsleben	D	37	3	15	18	69	9	--	--	--	--	--	MN: Warroad	26
4	Andre Lacroix	C	29	3	14	17	2	-6	--	--	--	--	--	PQ: Lauzon	34
29	Tom Rowe	R	20	6	4	10	30	-3	3	2	0	2	0	MA: Lynn	23
6	Ron Plumb	D	26	3	4	7	14	10	--	--	--	--	--	ONT: Kingston	29
16	Bobby Hull	L	9	2	5	7	0	-3	3	0	0	0	0	ONT: Point Anne	40
32	Larry Giroux	D	47	2	5	7	44	1	3	0	0	0	2	SASK: Weyburn	28
16	Bill Bennett	L	24	3	3	6	63	1	--	--	--	--	--	RI: Warwick	26
10	Tim Sheehy	C	12	2	1	3	0	6	--	--	--	--	--	MN: International Falls	30
25	Jim Warner	R	32	0	3	3	10	-6	--	--	--	--	--	MN: St. Paul	25
27/25	Steve Alley	L	7	1	1	2	0	-4	3	0	1	1	0	MN: Anoka	25
27	Brian Hill	R	19	1	1	2	4	-1	--	--	--	--	--	SASK: Regina	22
20	Mark Renaud	D	13	0	2	2	4	-1	--	--	--	--	--	ONT: Toronto	27
35	John Garrett	G	52	0	2	2	12	0	1	0	0	0	0	ONT: Trenton	28
10	Ray Neufeld	R	8	1	0	1	0	-3	2	1	0	1	0	MAN: Winkler	20
22	Jeff Brubaker	L	3	0	1	1	2	-2	--	--	--	--	--	MD: Hagerstown	21
27	Bob Stephenson	F	4	0	1	1	0	2	--	--	--	--	--	SASK: Saskatoon	25
12	Mike Antonovich	C	5	0	1	1	2	0	--	--	--	--	--	MN: Calumet	27
18	Marty Howe	D	6	0	1	1	4	-2	3	1	1	2	0	MI: Detroit	25
29	Chuck Luksa	D	8	0	1	1	4	0	--	--	--	--	--	ONT: Toronto	25
1	Al Smith	G	30	0	1	1	10	0	2	0	0	0	0	ONT: Toronto	33
6	Jean Savard	F	1	0	0	0	0	0	--	--	--	--	--	PQ: Nordum	22
33	Stuart Smith	D	4	0	0	0	0	-1	--	--	--	--	--	ONT: Toronto	19
33	Rick Hodgson	D	6	0	0	0	6	-5	1	0	0	0	0	ALTA: Medicine Hat	23
24	M.F. Schurman	L	7	0	0	0	0	-1	--	--	--	--	--	PEI: Summerside	22
	Bench		80	0	0	0	16	0	--	--	--	--	--
	Totals			303	501	804	875

Goalies
Player Name	GP	Min	GA	GAA	W	L	T	Svs	Pct	EN	SO
1 Al Smith	30	1748	107	3.67	11	10	8	755	0.876	2	2
35 John Garrett	52	3040	202	3.99	16	24	11	1300	0.866	1	0

Awards and Records

• NHL Goal Scoring Leader: Blaine Stoughton (tied)

Farm Teams

American Hockey League - Springfield Indians

CHL - Cincinnati Stingers

EHL - Utica Mohawks

References

• Whalers on Hockey Database