1976–77 WHA season

The 1976–77 WHA season was the fifth season of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Prior to the season, the Toronto Toros moved to Birmingham, Alabama and became the Birmingham Bulls. The Cleveland Crusaders attempted to move to South Florida, but instead became the short-lived second incarnation of the Minnesota Fighting Saints and folded after playing 42 games. With the death of the Saints, the WHA officially left the last market it had been sharing with the NHL. The remaining 11 teams finished the season, playing 80 or 81 games.

1976–77 WHA season
LeagueWorld Hockey Association
SportIce hockey
Regular season
Top scorerReal Cloutier (Quebec)
Avco World Trophy
ChampionsQuebec Nordiques
  Runners-upWinnipeg Jets

With the reduction of teams before the start of the season, the league returned to a two-division setup, eliminating the Canadian Division.

The Avco World Trophy winners were the Quebec Nordiques, defeating the Winnipeg Jets four games to three; it was the only WHA final series that went the full seven games.

Regular season standings
Eastern Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Quebec Nordiques814731335329597
Cincinnati Stingers813937535430383
Indianapolis Racers813637827630580
New England Whalers813540627529076
Birmingham Bulls813146428930966
Minnesota Fighting Saints421918513612943
Western Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Houston Aeros8050246320241106
Winnipeg Jets804632236629194
San Diego Mariners814037428428385
Edmonton Oilers813443424330472
Calgary Cowboys813143725229669
Phoenix Roadrunners802848428138360

Player stats

Scoring leaders

Bolded numbers indicate season leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Real CloutierQuebec Nordiques76667514139
Anders HedbergWinnipeg Jets68706113148
Ulf NilssonWinnipeg Jets71398512489
Robbie FtorekPhoenix Roadrunners80467111786
Andre LacroixSan Diego Mariners81328211479
Marc TardifQuebec Nordiques62496010965
Rich LeducCincinnati Stingers81525510775
Chris BordeleauQuebec Nordiques72327510734
Blaine StoughtonCincinnati Stingers81525210439
Mark NapierBirmingham Bulls8060369624
Dennis SobchukCincinnati Stingers8144529638
Serge BernierQuebec Nordiques7443539694

Leading goaltenders

Bolded numbers indicate season leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties, GA = Goals against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player Team GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Ron GrahameHouston Aeros39234527102107490.12.74
Ernie WakelySan Diego Mariners46250622181129389.63.09
Cap RaederNew England Whalers2613281210169290.23.12
Wayne RutledgeHouston Aeros42251223144132389.83.15
Joe DaleyWinnipeg Jets65381339212206389.23.24

Avco World Trophy Playoffs
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
E4 New England Whalers 1
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
Eastern Division
E3 Indianapolis Racers 1
E2 Cincinnati Stingers 0
E3 Indianapolis Racers 4
E1 Quebec Nordiques 4
W2 Winnipeg Jets 3
W1 Houston Aeros 4
W4 Edmonton Oilers 1
W1 Houston Aeros 2
Western Division
W2 Winnipeg Jets 4
W2 Winnipeg Jets 4
W3 San Diego Mariners 3

WHA awards

Trophies
Avco World Trophy:Quebec Nordiques
Gordie Howe Trophy:Robbie Ftorek, Phoenix Roadrunners
Bill Hunter Trophy:Real Cloutier, Quebec Nordiques
Lou Kaplan Trophy:George Lyle, New England Whalers
Ben Hatskin Trophy:Ron Grahame, Houston Aeros
Dennis A. Murphy Trophy:Ron Plumb, Cincinnati Stingers
Paul Deneau Trophy:Dave Keon, New England Whalers
Howard Baldwin Trophy:Bill Dineen, Houston Aeros
WHA Playoff MVP:Serge Bernier, Quebec Nordiques

All-Star Team
PositionFirst TeamSecond Team
CentreRobbie Ftorek, PhoenixUlf Nilsson, Winnipeg
Right WingAnders Hedberg, WinnipegReal Cloutier, Quebec
Left WingMarc Tardif, QuebecRick Dudley, Cincinnati
DefenceDarryl Maggs, IndianapolisPoul Popiel, Houston
DefenceRon Plumb, CincinnatiMark Howe, Houston
GoaltenderJohn Garrett, BirminghamJoe Daley, Winnipeg

References
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