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1975–76 New England Whalers season

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1975–76 New England Whalers
Division3rd East
1975–76 record33–40–7
Home record22–16–2
Road record11–24–5
Goals for255
Goals against290
Team information
General managerJack Kelley (Oct–Dec)
Ron Ryan (Dec–Apr)
CoachJack Kelley (14–16–3)
Don Blackburn (14–18–3)
Harry Neale (5–6–1)
CaptainRick Ley
Team leaders
GoalsTom Webster (33)
AssistsTom Webster (50)
PointsTom Webster (83)
Penalty minutesGordie Roberts (102)
WinsChrister Abrahamsson (18)
Goals against averageChrister Abrahamsson (3.42)

The 1975–76 New England Whalers season was the Whalers' fourth season of play in the World Hockey Association. The Whalers once again made the playoffs but fell short of winning the Avco Cup, falling in the semi-finals to the Houston Aeros.

Regular season

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Final standings

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Eastern Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Indianapolis Racers 80 35 39 6 76 245 247 1301
Cleveland Crusaders 80 35 40 5 75 273 279 1356
New England Whalers 80 33 40 7 73 255 290 1012
Cincinnati Stingers 80 35 44 1 71 285 340 1344

Schedule and results

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1975–76 regular season[1]
October
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
1 L October 11, 1975 0–5 Houston Aeros (1975–76) 0–1–0
2 W October 15, 1975 5–4 OT Edmonton Oilers (1975–76) 1–1–0
3 W October 18, 1975 3–1 Toronto Toros (1975–76) 2–1–0
4 L October 21, 1975 1–6 @ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76) 2–2–0
5 W October 24, 1975 5–4 @ Toronto Toros (1975–76) 3–2–0
6 W October 26, 1975 3–1 Calgary Cowboys (1975–76) 4–2–0
7 W October 29, 1975 4–2 Quebec Nordiques (1975–76) 5–2–0
8 T October 31, 1975 2–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76) 5–2–1
November
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
9 L November 2, 1975 3–4 OT @ Calgary Cowboys (1975–76) 5–3–1
10 L November 4, 1975 2–3 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76) 5–4–1
11 W November 6, 1975 8–3 Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 6–4–1
12 L November 8, 1975 2–3 Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 6–5–1
13 L November 9, 1975 2–4 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 6–6–1
14 W November 12, 1975 4–1 Houston Aeros (1975–76) 7–6–1
15 L November 15, 1975 1–3 Quebec Nordiques (1975–76) 7–7–1
16 L November 19, 1975 1–3 @ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 7–8–1
17 L November 20, 1975 0–2 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76) 7–9–1
18 W November 22, 1975 7–5 Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 8–9–1
19 L November 23, 1975 2–3 Winnipeg Jets (1975–76) 8–10–1
20 L November 25, 1975 2–3 OT @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76) 8–11–1
21 W November 28, 1975 7–3 Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics (1975–76) 9–11–1
22 L November 29, 1975 2–3 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 9–12–1
December
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
23 W December 2, 1975 5–2 @ Houston Aeros (1975–76) 10–12–1
24 L December 4, 1975 4–5 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 10–13–1
25 L December 6, 1975 1–4 @ San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 10–14–1
26 L December 7, 1975 1–5 @ Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics (1975–76) 10–15–1
27 W December 10, 1975 3–2 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76) 11–15–1
28 W December 13, 1975 5–4 Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 12–15–1
29 T December 14, 1975 2–2 @ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 12–15–2
30 T December 17, 1975 0–0 @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76) 12–15–3
31 W December 19, 1975 4–2 Edmonton Oilers (1975–76) 13–15–3
32 L December 20, 1975 2–4 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 13–16–3
33 W December 22, 1975 4–1 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 14–16–3
34 W December 26, 1975 4–3 Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 15–16–3
35 W December 28, 1975 4–0 Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 16–16–3
36 W December 30, 1975 5–3 San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 17–16–3
January
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
37 W January 3, 1976 3–2 Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 18–16–3
38 L January 4, 1976 2–3 @ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 18–17–3
39 W January 7, 1976 3–2 @ Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics (1975–76) 19–17–3
40 L January 9, 1976 3–5 San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 19–18–3
41 W January 11, 1976 8–4 San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 20–18–3
42 W January 15, 1976 5–2 Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 21–18–3
43 L January 16, 1976 3–4 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 21–19–3
44 L January 18, 1976 0–8 @ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76) 21–20–3
45 T January 20, 1976 4–4 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 21–20–4
46 L January 21, 1976 3–9 @ Houston Aeros (1975–76) 21–21–4
47 T January 23, 1976 2–2 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 21–21–5
48 L January 24, 1976 3–6 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 21–22–5
49 W January 28, 1976 6–4 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 22–22–5
50 L January 30, 1976 3–6 Winnipeg Jets (1975–76) 22–23–5
February
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
51 W February 1, 1976 7–5 @ Toronto Toros (1975–76) 23–23–5
52 L February 3, 1976 0–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76) 23–24–5
53 W February 5, 1976 6–4 @ Calgary Cowboys (1975–76) 24–24–5
54 W February 7, 1976 7–3 Toronto Toros (1975–76) 25–24–5
55 L February 8, 1976 1–6 Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 25–25–5
56 L February 13, 1976 1–5 Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 25–26–5
57 W February 15, 1976 3–2 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 26–26–5
58 L February 17, 1976 3–4 @ Houston Aeros (1975–76) 26–27–5
59 L February 19, 1976 3–10 @ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 26–28–5
60 L February 22, 1976 0–4 @ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76) 26–29–5
61 L February 25, 1976 2–5 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 26–30–5
62 L February 26, 1976 2–5 Houston Aeros (1975–76) 26–31–5
63 T February 28, 1976 4–4 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 26–31–6
March
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
64 W March 2, 1976 4–3 @ San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 27–31–6
65 L March 4, 1976 2–8 @ San Diego Mariners (1975–76) 27–32–6
66 W March 6, 1976 5–3 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 28–32–6
67 L March 7, 1976 3–5 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 28–33–6
68 L March 10, 1976 2–3 Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76) 28–34–6
69 W March 12, 1976 8–2 Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 29–34–6
70 W March 13, 1976 5–1 @ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 30–34–6
71 L March 16, 1976 1–5 @ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76) 30–35–6
72 L March 17, 1976 2–5 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 30–36–6
73 W March 19, 1976 6–5 OT Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76) 31–36–6
74 T March 20, 1976 1–1 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 31–36–7
75 L March 24, 1976 6–7 Calgary Cowboys (1975–76) 31–37–7
76 W March 26, 1976 4–1 Calgary Cowboys (1975–76) 32–37–7
77 L March 28, 1976 1–3 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 32–38–7
78 L March 31, 1976 1–5 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76) 32–39–7
April
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
79 W April 3, 1976 5–2 @ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 33–39–7
80 L April 4, 1976 2–4 Indianapolis Racers (1975–76) 33–40–7

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

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1976 Avco Cup playoffs[1]
Preliminary Round vs. Cleveland Crusaders – Whalers win 3–0
Game Date Visitor Score Home Series
1 April 9 Cleveland Crusaders 3–5 New England Whalers 1–0
2 April 10 New England Whalers 6–1 Cleveland Crusaders 2–0
3 April 11 New England Whalers 3–2 Cleveland Crusaders 3–0
Quarterfinals vs. Indianapolis Racers – Whalers win 4–3
Game Date Visitor Score Home Series
1 April 16 New England Whalers 4–1 Indianapolis Racers 1–0
2 April 17 New England Whalers 0–4 Indianapolis Racers 1–1
3 April 21 Indianapolis Racers 0–3 New England Whalers 2–1
4 April 23 Indianapolis Racers 1–2 New England Whalers 3–1
5 April 24 New England Whalers 0–4 Indianapolis Racers 3–2
6 April 27 Indianapolis Racers 5–3 New England 3–3
7 April 29 New England Whalers 6–0 Indianapolis Racers 4–3
Semifinals vs. Houston Aeros – Aeros win 4–3
Game Date Visitor Score Home Series
1 May 5 New England Whalers 4–2 Houston Aeros 1–0
2 May 7 New England Whalers 2–5 Houston Aeros 1–1
3 May 9 Houston Aeros 1–4 New England Whalers 2–1
4 May 11 Houston Aeros 4–3 New England Whalers 2–2
5 May 13 New England Whalers 2–4 Houston Aeros 3–2
6 May 15 Houston Aeros 1–6 New England Whalers 3–3
7 May 16 New England Whalers 0–2 Houston Aeros 3–4

Legend:   Win   Loss

Roster

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Updated June 5, 1976.[2]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
1 Sweden Christer Abrahamsson G L 29 1974 Leksand, Sweden
6 Sweden Thommy Abrahamsson D L 29 1974 Leksand, Sweden
19 Canada Danny Arndt LW L 21 1975 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
9 Canada Ralph Backstrom C L 38 1975 Kirkland Lake, Ontario
22 Canada Don Blackburn LW L 38 1973 Kirkland Lake, Ontario
21 United States Dan Bolduc RW L 23 1975 Waterville, Maine
22 Canada Don Borgeson LW L 31 1975 North Battleford, Saskatchewan
5 Canada Ron Busniuk D R 27 1975 Fort William, Ontario
21 Canada Mike Byers RW R 29 1973 Toronto, Ontario
7 Canada Terry Caffery C R 27 1972 Toronto, Ontario
9 Canada Wayne Carleton C L 29 1974 Sudbury, Ontario
18 Canada Bob Charlebois LW L 32 1973 Cornwall, Ontario
15 Canada Ron Climie LW L 26 1975 Hamilton, Ontario
12 Canada John Danby C R 27 1972 Toronto, Ontario
27 Canada Tommy Earl LW R 28 1972 Niagara Falls, Ontario
23 United States Nick Fotiu LW L 27 1974 Staten Island, New York
26 Canada Marty Gateman D L 23 1975 Southampton, Ontario
10 United States Alan Hangsleben D L 23 1975 Warroad, Minnesota
29 Canada Paul Hoganson G L 26 1975 Toronto, Ontario
5 United States Paul Hurley D R 29 1972 Melrose, Massachusetts
30 Canada Bruce Landon G L 26 1972 Kingston, Ontario
2 Canada Rick Ley D L 27 1972 Orillia, Ontario
11 United States Bob McManama C L 24 1975 Belmont, Massachusetts
16 Canada Fred O'Donnell RW R 26 1974 Kingston, Ontario
12 Canada Rosaire Paiement C R 27 1975 Earlton, Ontario
4 United States Larry Pleau LW L 29 1972 Lynn, Massachusetts
35 United States Cap Raeder G L 22 1975 Needham, Massachusetts
– Canada Steve Richardson LW L 27 1975 Olds, Alberta
14 United States Doug Roberts D R 33 1975 Detroit, Michigan
7 United States Gordie Roberts D L 18 1975 Detroit, Michigan
17 Canada Mike Rogers C L 21 1975 Calgary, Alberta
3 Canada Brad Selwood D L 28 1972 Leamington, Ontario
20 Canada Garry Swain C L 28 1974 Welland, Ontario
25 United States Jim Troy RW R 23 1975 Boston, Massachusetts
8 Canada Tom Webster RW R 27 1972 Kirkland Lake, Ontario

Draft picks

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New England's draft picks at the 1975 WHA Amateur Draft.[3]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 13 Terry McDonald (C)  Canada Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
2 28 Danny Arndt (LW)  Canada Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
3 43 Matti Hagman (C)  Finland HIFK (SM-sarja)
4 58 Derek Spring (F)  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WCHL)
5 72 Gary McFadyen (RW)  Canada Hull Festivals (QMJHL)
6 86 Terry Martin (F)  Canada London Knights (OHA)
7 99 John Tweedle (F)  Canada Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
8 111 Mike Harazny (D)  Canada Regina Pats (WCHL)
9 123 Dave Norris (LW)  Canada Hamilton Fincups (OHA)
10 136 Paul Stevenson (F)  United States Brown University (ECAC)
11 149 Clark Jantzie (F)  Canada University of Alberta (CWUAA)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "1975-76 New England Whalers Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  2. ^ "1975–76 New England Whalers Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "1975 WHA Amateur Draft". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
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