1974–75 New England Whalers season

1974–75 New England Whalers
Division1st East
1974–75 record43–30–5
Home record28–8–3
Road record15–22–2
Goals for274
Goals against279
Team information
General managerJack Kelley
CoachRon Ryan (40–28–5)
Jack Kelley (3–2–0)
CaptainTed Green
ArenaEastern States Coliseum (13 games)
Hartford Civic Center (26 games)
Team leaders
GoalsTom Webster (40)
AssistsJohn French (41)
PointsWayne Carleton (74)
Penalty minutesNick Fotiu (144)
WinsAl Smith (33)
Goals against averageChrister Abrahamsson (3.24)

The 1974–75 New England Whalers season was the Whalers' third season of play. It was also the first season the franchise played away from Boston, Massachusetts on a fulltime basis. They played the first thirteen home games in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the Eastern States Coliseum before the team moved to the newly-opened Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Ryan was replaced by Kelley before the 1975 WHA playoffs started; the Whalers lost to the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the WHA Quarterfinals in six games.

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Eastern Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
78 43 30 5 91 274 279 867
Cleveland Crusaders 78 35 40 3 73 236 258 1273
Chicago Cougars 78 30 47 1 61 261 312 1086
Indianapolis Racers 78 18 57 3 39 216 338 970

Schedule and results

1974–75 regular season[1]
October
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
1 L October 15, 1974 2–6 @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) 0–1–0
2 W October 19, 1974 2–1 OT Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 1–1–0
3 W October 23, 1974 5–4 Houston Aeros (1974–75) 2–1–0
4 W October 26, 1974 6–1 Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 3–1–0
5 W October 30, 1974 5–2 Toronto Toros (1974–75) 4–1–0
6 W October 31, 1974 6–1 @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 5–1–0
November
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
7 W November 2, 1974 4–2 Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 6–1–0
8 W November 8, 1974 3–0 San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 7–1–0
9 L November 9, 1974 2–4 Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 7–2–0
10 L November 12, 1974 1–6 @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) 7–3–0
11 W November 14, 1974 7–2 @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 8–3–0
12 L November 16, 1974 3–6 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 8–4–0
13 W November 17, 1974 6–1 @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 9–4–0
14 W November 19, 1974 5–4 @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 10–4–0
15 W November 21, 1974 4–0 @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 11–4–0
16 W November 23, 1974 3–2 Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 12–4–0
17 W November 24, 1974 9–5 @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 13–4–0
18 W November 26, 1974 5–4 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 14–4–0
19 L November 29, 1974 1–5 @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 14–5–0
December
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
20 L December 1, 1974 4–8 @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 14–6–0
21 L December 3, 1974 1–2 @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 14–7–0
22 W December 4, 1974 3–2 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 15–7–0
23 L December 5, 1974 1–9 @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 15–8–0
24 W December 7, 1974 6–3 Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 16–8–0
25 W December 11, 1974 3–1 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 17–8–0
26 W December 14, 1974 9–4 Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 18–8–0
27 W December 15, 1974 4–3 @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 19–8–0
28 T December 17, 1974 2–2 @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 19–8–1
29 L December 20, 1974 0–3 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 19–9–1
30 L December 21, 1974 3–5 Houston Aeros (1974–75) 19–10–1
31 L December 22, 1974 1–2 @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 19–11–1
32 L December 27, 1974 3–6 @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 19–12–1
33 L December 28, 1974 1–6 @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) 19–13–1
January
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
34 W January 3, 1975 5–3 @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) 20–13–1
35 W January 4, 1975 4–3 OT Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 21–13–1
36 L January 5, 1975 3–9 @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 21–14–1
37 L January 7, 1975 3–5 @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 21–15–1
38 T January 9, 1975 1–1 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 21–15–2
39 W January 11, 1975 4–3 OT San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 22–15–2
40 W January 15, 1975 7–5 Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 23–15–2
41 W January 17, 1975 2–1 Toronto Toros (1974–75) 24–15–2
42 L January 18, 1975 2–8 @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 24–16–2
43 L January 19, 1975 1–3 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 24–17–2
44 L January 24, 1975 1–4 @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 24–18–2
45 L January 25, 1975 2–6 @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 24–19–2
46 W January 27, 1975 2–0 Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 25–19–2
47 W January 29, 1975 4–3 Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 26–19–2
48 W January 31, 1975 4–2 Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) 27–19–2
February
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
49 W February 7, 1975 5–4 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 28–19–2
50 L February 8, 1975 1–4 @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 28–20–2
51 L February 9, 1975 1–5 @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 28–21–2
52 T February 12, 1975 2–2 Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 28–21–3
53 W February 14, 1975 4–3 OT Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) 29–21–3
54 L February 18, 1975 3–6 @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 29–22–3
55 W February 21, 1975 4–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 30–22–3
56 W February 23, 1975 2–1 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 31–22–3
57 W February 25, 1975 3–2 Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 32–22–3
58 L February 26, 1975 3–4 Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 32–23–3
59 W February 27, 1975 5–2 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 33–23–3
March
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
60 T March 1, 1975 4–4 Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 33–23–4
61 W March 2, 1975 4–1 Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) 34–23–4
62 L March 5, 1975 3–5 @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) 34–24–4
63 W March 8, 1975 5–4 @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) 35–24–4
64 W March 11, 1975 6–2 Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 36–24–4
65 T March 13, 1975 5–5 Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 36–24–5
66 W March 15, 1975 6–2 Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 37–24–5
67 W March 16, 1975 7–5 Toronto Toros (1974–75) 38–24–5
68 L March 19, 1975 1–6 San Diego Mariners (1974–75) 38–25–5
69 L March 21, 1975 3–6 Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 38–26–5
70 L March 22, 1975 3–5 Houston Aeros (1974–75) 38–27–5
71 W March 25, 1975 5–4 Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) 39–27–5
72 W March 27, 1975 5–3 Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 40–27–5
73 L March 29, 1975 3–9 Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) 40–28–5
74 W March 30, 1975 4–3 @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) 41–28–5
April
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
75 W April 1, 1975 5–3 Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) 42–28–5
76 W April 3, 1975 4–1 Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) 43–28–5
77 L April 4, 1975 1–3 @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) 43–29–5
78 L April 5, 1975 2–5 @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) 43–30–5

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

Playoffs

Game Two at Hartford on April 11 went to overtime and the Whalers won in the extra period 3–2. The game was famous for a huge brawl early in the second period that involved both benches and lasted nearly five full minutes; the primary fighters were Nick Fotiu, Bill Butters, and Jack Carlson that raged on the ice and even in the penalty boxes.[2]

1975 Avco Cup playoffs[1]
Division Quarterfinals vs. Minnesota Fighting Saints – Fighting Saints win 4–2
Game Date Visitor Score Home Series
1 April 9 Minnesota Fighting Saints 6–5 New England Whalers 0–1
2 April 11 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2 – 3 OT New England Whalers 1–1
3 April 13 New England Whalers 3–8 Minnesota Fighting Saints 1–2
4 April 15 New England Whalers 5–2 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2–2
5 April 18 Minnesota Fighting Saints 4–0 New England Whalers 2–3
6 April 19 New England Whalers 1–6 Minnesota Fighting Saints 2–4

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Awards and records

Transactions

Draft picks

New England's draft picks at the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.[3][4]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
WHA Secret Amateur Draft
1 14 Peter Sturgeon (LW)  Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
2 29 Michel Deziel (LW)  Canada Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
WHA Amateur Draft
1 13 Tim Young (F)  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHA)
2 28 Mike Eruzione (LW)  United States Boston University (ECAC)
3 43 Peter Brown (D)  United States Boston University (ECAC)
4 58 Dick Lamby (D)  United States Salem State College (ECAC-2)
5 72 Don McLean (D)  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHA)
6 87 Joe Rando (D)  United States University of New Hampshire (ECAC)
7 102 Brian Walsh (RW)  United States University of Notre Dame (WCHA)
8 117 John Nazar (LW)  Canada Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
9 132 Warren Miller (F)  United States University of Minnesota (WCHA)
10 145 Tony White (F)  Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
11 158 Robbie Moore (G)  Canada Michigan Americans (SOJHL)
12 171 Cliff Cox (F)  Canada University of New Hampshire (ECAC)
13 182 Dave Staffen (F)  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHA)
14 190 Peter Tighe (D)  Canada London Knights (OHA)
15 195 Brian Durocher (G)  United States Springfield Olympics (NEJHL)
16 199 Colin Ahern (C)  United States Tyngsboro Huskies
17 203 Dwane Byers (F)  Canada Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "1974-75 New England Whalers Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  2. ^ 1975 Whalers-Saints Brawl At The Mall call by Bill Rasmussen and Bob Neumeier
  3. ^ "1974 WHA Amateur Draft". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "1974 WHA Secret Amateur Draft". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
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