1972–73 New England Whalers season

The 1972–73 New England Whalers season was the Whalers' first season. The Whalers were competitive from the start, placing first in the Eastern Division to qualify for the playoffs. They then won three playoff series to become the first winner of the Avco World Trophy.[1][2]

1972–73 New England Whalers
Avco Cup champions
Division1st East
1972–73 record46–30–2
Home record30–8–1
Road record16–22–1
Goals for318
Goals against263
Team information
General ManagerJack Kelley
CoachJack Kelley
CaptainTed Green
Alternate captainsTommy Williams
Jim Dorey
Larry Pleau
ArenaBoston Arena (20 games)
Boston Garden (19 games)
Average attendance6,981 (67.2%)
Team leaders
GoalsTom Webster (53)
AssistsTerry Caffery (61)
PointsTom Webster (103)
Penalty minutesBrad Selwood (114)
WinsAl Smith (31)
Goals against averageAl Smith (3.17)

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Eastern Division
GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
New England Whalers784630231826385894
Cleveland Crusaders7843323287239109589
Philadelphia Blazers7838400288305126076
Ottawa Nationals7835394279301106774
Quebec Nordiques7833405276313135471
New York Raiders783343230333490068

Schedule and results

1972–73 game log

Playoffs

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
E1 New England Whalers 4
E4 Ottawa Nationals 1
E1 New England Whalers 4
Eastern Division
E2 Cleveland Crusaders 1
E2 Cleveland Crusaders 4
E3 Philadelphia Blazers 0
E1 New England Whalers 4
W1 Winnipeg Jets 1
W1 Winnipeg Jets 4
W4 Minnesota Fighting Saints 1
W1 Winnipeg Jets 4
Western Division
W2 Houston Aeros 0
W2 Houston Aeros 4
W3 Los Angeles Sharks 2

Eastern Division Semifinal vs. Ottawa Nationals

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 7Ottawa Nationals3–6New England Whalers1–0
2April 8Ottawa Nationals3 – 4 OTNew England Whalers2–0
3April 10New England Whalers2–4Ottawa Nationals2–1
4April 12New England Whalers7 – 3 OTOttawa Nationals3–1
5April 14Ottawa Nationals4–5New England Whalers4–1

Eastern Division Final vs. Cleveland Crusaders

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 18Cleveland Crusaders2–3New England Whalers1–0
2April 19Cleveland Crusaders2–3New England Whalers2–0
3April 21New England Whalers5–4Cleveland Crusaders3–0
4April 22New England Whalers2–5Cleveland Crusaders3–1
5April 26Cleveland Crusaders1–3New England Whalers4–1

Avco World Trophy Finals vs. Winnipeg Jets

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 29Winnipeg Jets2–7New England Whalers1–0
2May 2New England Whalers7–4Winnipeg Jets2–0
3May 3New England Whalers3–4Winnipeg Jets2–1
4May 5Winnipeg Jets2–4New England Whalers3–1
5May 6Winnipeg Jets6–9New England Whalers4–1

Player statistics

Awards and records

Transactions

Roster

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
14 Kevin Ahearn LW L 24 1972 Milton, Massachusetts
21 Mike Byers RW R 26 1973 Toronto
7 Terry Caffery C R 24 1972 Toronto
John Cunniff D L 29 1972 Boston
12 John Danby C R 24 1972 Toronto
10 Jim Dorey D L 25 1972 Kingston, Ontario
27 Tommy Earl LW R 25 1972 Niagara Falls, Ontario
11 John French C L 22 1972 Orillia, Ontario
6 Ted Green D R 33 1972 Eriksdale, Manitoba
5 Paul Hurley D R 26 1972 Melrose, Massachusetts
21 Mike Hyndman RW R 27 1972 Quebec, Quebec
20 Ric Jordan D L 23 1972 Toronto
30 Bruce Landon G L 23 1972 Kingston, Ontario
2 Rick Ley D L 24 1972 Orillia, Ontario
4 Larry Pleau LW L 26 1972 Lynn, Massachusetts
16 Dick Sarrazin RW R 27 1972 Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec
18 Brit Selby LW L 28 1972 Kingston, Ontario
3 Brad Selwood D L 25 1972 Leamington, Ontario
15 Tim Sheehy C R 24 1972 Fort Frances, Ontario
1 Al Smith G L 27 1972 Toronto
19 Guy Smith RW R 23 1972 Ottawa, Ontario
8 Tom Webster RW R 24 1972 Kirkland Lake, Ontario
9 Tommy Williams C R 33 1972 Duluth, Minnesota

Draft Picks

Farm teams

See also

References

  1. World Hockey Association (1972). WHA 1972-73 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
  2. World Hockey Association (1973). WHA 1973-74 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
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