1976-1977 New England Whalers team stats

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1976-1977 New England Whalers: 35-40-6
Previous Season Next Season Home record: 20-16-4 (150 goals scored, 133 allowed) Road record: 15-24-2 (125 goals scored, 157 allowed) Head Coach: Harry Neale Power Play: 47/245 (19.2%) Penalty Killing: 216/281 (76.9%) Shorthanded Goals For-Against: 8-10 Even Strength Goals For-Against: 220-215 275 goals scored (9th of 12 teams), 290 goals allowed (4th), 1254 PIM (4th) WHA Averages: 3.69 goals/game (285.8 goals/team), 1057.6 PIM/team



Pos    #  Player               Hgt   Wgt  Age   GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  PP  SH  TGF  PGF  TGA  PGA   S    S%   +/-
RW     8  Tom Webster          5'10  170   28   70   36   49   85   43  11   0   --   --   --   --  188  19.1  +18
C     17  Mike Rogers          5'9   170   22   78   25   57   82   10   6   0   --   --   --   --  212  11.8  +11
LW    16  George Lyle          6'2   205   23   75   39   33   72   62  12   0   --   --   --   --  229  17.0  +30
C      9  Ralph Backstrom      5'10  165   39   77   17   31   48   30   0   0   --   --   --   --  162  10.5   +1
D      7  Gordie Roberts       6'1   195   19   77   13   33   46  169   2   0   --   --   --   --  199   6.5  +16
C     14  Dave Keon            5'9   165   36   34   14   25   39    8   5   1   --   --   --   --  107  13.1  +13
C      4  Larry Pleau          6'1   190   29   78   11   21   32   22   0   0   --   --   --   --  146   7.5  -17
RW    19  John McKenzie        5'9   175   39   34   11   19   30   25   0   3   --   --   --   --   63  17.5  +10
D      6  Thommy Abrahamsson   6'2   185   29   64    6   24   30   33   0   0   --   --   --   --  174   3.4   +6
C     27  Tommy Earl           5'11  172   29   54    9   14   23   37   0   1   --   --   --   --   69  13.0   -7
D      2  Rick Ley             5'9   190   28   55    2   21   23  102   0   0   --   --   --   --   98   2.0   -6
D     10  Alan Hangsleben      6'1   195   23   74   13    9   22   79   0   0   --   --   --   --  118  11.0  -24
LW    19  Danny Arndt          5'10  170   21   46    8   14   22   11   1   0   --   --   --   --   87   9.2  -13
C     12  Mike Antonovich      5'8   165   25   26   12    9   21   10   1   0   --   --   --   --   83  14.5  +11
RW    14  Doug Roberts         6'2   212   34   64    3   18   21   33   0   0   --   --   --   --  107   2.8   -6
C     12  Gary MacGregor       5'9   170   22   30    8    8   16    4   3   0   --   --   --   --   67  11.9  -14
C     22  Brett Callighen      5'11  182   23   33    6   10   16   41   1   0   --   --   --   --   49  12.2   -1
D      3  Brad Selwood         6'1   200   28   41    4   12   16   71   2   0   --   --   --   --   60   6.7   -8
C     26  Steve Carlson        6'3   180   21   31    4    9   13   40   0   0   --   --   --   --   51   7.8    0
LW    23  Jack Carlson         6'3   205   22   35    7    5   12   81   0   0   --   --   --   --   46  15.2   -2
LW    21  Dan Bolduc           5'9   180   23   33    8    3   11   15   0   0   --   --   --   --   57  14.0  -13
RW     5  Ron Busniuk          5'11  180   28   55    1    9   10  141   0   0   --   --   --   --   78   1.3  -10
LW    11  Dave Hynes           5'9   182   25   22    5    4    9    4   0   1   --   --   --   --   41  12.2   +5
D     22  Bill Butters         5'10  185   25   26    1    8    9   65   0   0   --   --   --   --   38   2.6  +13
C     12  Rosaire Paiement     5'11  170   31   13    5    2    7   12   1   0   --   --   --   --   32  15.6   +2
C     20  Garry Swain          5'8   164   29   26    5    2    7    6   1   2   --   --   --   --   30  16.7   -6
LW    24  Dale Smedsmo         6'1   195   25   15    2    0    2   54   1   0   --   --   --   --   12  16.7   -6
G      1  Christer Abrahamsson 6'2   175   29   45    0    1    1   12  --  --   --   --   --   --   --   ---   --
D     24  Dave Hanson          6'0   190   22    1    0    0    0    9   0   0   --   --   --   --    0   ---    0
LW    15  Ron Climie           5'11  185   26    3    0    0    0    0   0   0   --   --   --   --    4   0.0   -1
F     25  Jim Troy             6'2   205   23    7    0    0    0    7   0   0   --   --   --   --    4   0.0   -3
G     30  Bruce Landon         5'9   180   27   23    0    0    0    4  --  --   --   --   --   --   --   ---   --
G     35  Cap Raeder           6'0   180   23   26    0    0    0    2  --  --   --   --   --   --   --   ---   --

Skater data: GP: Games played; G: Goals scored; A: Assists; Pts: Total points; PIM: Penalties in minutes; PP: Power play goals; SH: Shorthanded goals; TGF: Total goals on ice for; PGF: Power play goals on ice for; TGA: Total goals on ice against; PGA: Power play goals on ice against; S: Shots taken; S%: Shooting percentage


Pos  #  Goalie              Age   GP   Min   GA   GAA   W   L   T  Sht    Pct  EN  SO
G   35  Cap Raeder           23   26  1328   69  3.12  12  10   1  701   .902   0   2
G   30  Bruce Landon         27   23  1118   59  3.17   8   8   1  570   .896   3   1
G    1  Christer Abrahamsson 29   45  2484  159  3.84  15  22   4 1438   .889   0   0

Goalie data: GP: Games played; Min: Minutes played; GA: Goals allowed; GAA: Goals allowed per 60 minutes; W: Wins; L: Losses; T: Ties; Sht: Shots faced; Pct: Save percentage; EN: Empty net goals allowed; SO: Shutouts

1976 Draft:

                                        NHL    WHA
Rnd  Ovr  Pos  Player                  Games  Games  Team
  2   13  LW   Mike Fidler                           Boston University (NCAA)           
  3   26  C    Fred Williams                         Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)            
  3   31  C    Dave Debol                            U. of Michigan (NCAA               
  4   38  F    Mike Kaszycki                         Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHA)  
  5   49  D    Bill Baker                            U. of Minnesota (NCAA)             
  5   50  G    Mike Liut                             Bowling Green State University (NCAA)  
  6   62  D    Dwight Schofield                      London Knights (OHA)               
  7   74  F    Warren Young                          Michigan Tech (NCAA)               
  8   86  D    Ken Morrow                            Bowling Green State University (NCAA)  
  9   97  F    Ed Clarey                             Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)            
 10  108  LW   Jon Hammond                           Regina Pats (WCHL)                 

Traded draft picks:


Transactions

06-1976	traded Bob McManama and Fred O'Donnell to Crusaders for Wayne Connelly
07-1976	signed George Lyle as a free agent
08-1976	signed Dave Hybes as a free agent
10-1976	sold Wayne Connelly to Cowboys
11-1976	traded Rosaire Paiement to Racers for Gary MacGregor
12-1976	Don Blackburn retired
01-1977	signed Dave Hanson and Ray Adduano from the defunct Minnesota team as free agents
01-1977	traded Dave Debol (acq. June 1977), Danny Arndt and cash to Oilers for Dave Keon, John McKenzie, Steve Carlson and Jack Carlson
02-1977	traded Ron Busniuk and Brett Callighen to Oilers for Mike Antonovich and Bill Butters
02-1977	traded Dale Smedsmo to Stingers for future considerations
06-1977	signed Gordie Howe as a free agent
06-1977	Ralph Backstrom retired
06-11-1977	signed Jim Mayer (after Calgary folded) as a free agent
07-1977	Tommy Abrahamsson retired
07-1977	released Doug Roberts
08-15-1977	signed Al Smith as a free agent

Playoff Results:   Click on the date to view the game summary.

   Date          Opponent                  Result
Round 1
04/09/1977   at Quebec Nordiques          L   2-5 
04/12/1977   at Quebec Nordiques          L   3-7 
04/14/1977   vs Quebec Nordiques          L   3-4 (OT)
04/16/1977   vs Quebec Nordiques          W   6-4 
04/19/1977   at Quebec Nordiques          L   0-3

Playoff Stats: Pos # Player Hgt Wgt Age GP G A Pts PIM PP SH TGF PGF TGA PGA S S% +/- C 12 Mike Antonovich 5'8 165 25 5 2 2 4 4 -- -- C 14 Dave Keon 5'9 165 36 5 3 1 4 0 -- -- D 2 Rick Ley 5'9 190 28 5 0 4 4 4 0 0 D 7 Gordie Roberts 6'1 195 19 5 2 2 4 4 -- -- D 6 Thommy Abrahamsson 6'2 185 29 5 0 3 3 0 0 0 RW 19 John McKenzie 5'9 175 39 5 2 1 3 8 -- -- LW 23 Jack Carlson 6'3 205 22 5 1 1 2 9 -- -- C 17 Mike Rogers 5'9 170 22 5 1 1 2 2 -- -- RW 8 Tom Webster 5'10 170 28 5 1 1 2 0 -- -- G 30 Bruce Landon 5'9 180 27 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 D 22 Bill Butters 5'10 185 25 5 0 1 1 15 0 0 LW 16 George Lyle 6'2 205 23 5 1 0 1 4 -- -- C 4 Larry Pleau 6'1 190 29 5 1 0 1 0 -- -- C 27 Tommy Earl 5'11 172 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 D 24 Dave Hanson 6'0 190 22 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 G 35 Cap Raeder 6'0 180 23 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 G 1 Christer Abrahamsson 6'2 175 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 RW 14 Doug Roberts 6'2 212 34 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 C 20 Garry Swain 5'8 164 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 C 9 Ralph Backstrom 5'10 165 39 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 D 10 Alan Hangsleben 6'1 195 23 4 0 0 0 9 0 0 C 26 Steve Carlson 6'3 180 21 5 0 0 0 9 0 0 D 3 Brad Selwood 6'1 200 28 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 LW 19 Danny Arndt 5'10 170 21 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- LW 21 Dan Bolduc 5'9 180 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- RW 5 Ron Busniuk 5'11 180 28 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- C 22 Brett Callighen 5'11 182 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- LW 15 Ron Climie 5'11 185 26 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- LW 11 Dave Hynes 5'9 182 25 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- C 12 Gary MacGregor 5'9 170 22 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- C 12 Rosaire Paiement 5'11 170 31 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- LW 24 Dale Smedsmo 6'1 195 25 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- F 25 Jim Troy 6'2 205 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pos # Goalie Age GP Min GA GAA W L T Sht Pct EN SO G 30 Bruce Landon 27 3 152 11 4.34 1 2 75 .853 0 0 G 1 Christer Abrahamsson 29 2 90 5 3.33 0 1 51 .902 0 0 G 35 Cap Raeder 23 1 60 7 7.00 0 1 34 .794 0 0

Game Log: Click on the date to view the game summary.

Date Opponent Result Record 10/08/1976 at Edmonton Oilers L 0-2 0-1-0 10/10/1976 at Winnipeg Jets L 2-5 0-2-0 10/16/1976 vs Quebec Nordiques L 2-8 0-3-0 10/19/1976 at Houston Aeros T 4-4 0-3-1 10/22/1976 vs Houston Aeros W 5-2 1-3-1 10/23/1976 vs Cincinnati Stingers W 5-4 2-3-1 10/26/1976 vs Cincinnati Stingers L 0-1 2-4-1 10/29/1976 vs Phoenix Roadrunners W 5-1 3-4-1 10/30/1976 vs Birmingham Bulls W 5-4 4-4-1 11/05/1976 at Edmonton Oilers W 4-3 5-4-1 11/07/1976 at Calgary Cowboys L 2-4 5-5-1 11/09/1976 at Winnipeg Jets L 4-5 5-6-1 11/11/1976 at Minn. Fighting Saints T 3-3 5-6-2 11/12/1976 at Phoenix Roadrunners L 1-3 5-7-2 11/16/1976 at Birmingham Bulls W 5-4 6-7-2 11/17/1976 vs Birmingham Bulls W 6-4 7-7-2 11/19/1976 vs Winnipeg Jets L 3-7 7-8-2 11/20/1976 vs Minn. Fighting Saints T 3-3 7-8-3 11/23/1976 at Indianapolis Racers L 3-4 7-9-3 11/25/1976 at Birmingham Bulls W 5-3 8-9-3 11/27/1976 vs Minn. Fighting Saints L 1-3 8-10-3 11/28/1976 vs Indianapolis Racers L 3-4 8-11-3 11/30/1976 at Quebec Nordiques L 1-2 8-12-3 12/01/1976 vs Calgary Cowboys W 8-4 9-12-3 12/03/1976 vs Quebec Nordiques T 5-5 9-12-4 12/04/1976 vs Winnipeg Jets L 2-6 9-13-4 12/07/1976 at Minn. Fighting Saints L 2-4 9-14-4 12/08/1976 vs Houston Aeros W 5-1 10-14-4 12/11/1976 vs San Diego Mariners W 3-2 11-14-4 12/12/1976 at Quebec Nordiques L 1-5 11-15-4 12/14/1976 at Quebec Nordiques W 3-1 12-15-4 12/17/1976 vs Indianapolis Racers L 4-5 12-16-4 12/18/1976 vs Birmingham Bulls W 6-2 13-16-4 12/21/1976 at Houston Aeros L 0-4 13-17-4 12/23/1976 at San Diego Mariners W 5-3 14-17-4 12/26/1976 vs Minn. Fighting Saints W 3-2 15-17-4 12/28/1976 at Minn. Fighting Saints L 4-5 15-18-4 12/30/1976 at Cincinnati Stingers W 6-4 16-18-4 01/02/1977 vs Cincinnati Stingers W 3-2 17-18-4 01/04/1977 at Quebec Nordiques L 3-5 17-19-4

Date Opponent Result Record 01/05/1977 vs San Diego Mariners L 1-2 17-20-4 01/07/1977 vs Quebec Nordiques L 3-7 17-21-4 01/08/1977 vs Phoenix Roadrunners L 3-4 17-22-4 01/11/1977 at Cincinnati Stingers L 2-8 17-23-4 01/13/1977 at Indianapolis Racers L 1-4 17-24-4 01/14/1977 vs Edmonton Oilers L 3-5 17-25-4 01/20/1977 vs Quebec Nordiques L 4-5 17-26-4 01/22/1977 vs Indianapolis Racers T 3-3 17-26-5 01/23/1977 vs Cincinnati Stingers W 4-3 18-26-5 01/25/1977 at Cincinnati Stingers L 2-4 18-27-5 01/27/1977 at San Diego Mariners W 5-3 19-27-5 01/28/1977 at Phoenix Roadrunners W 6-2 20-27-5 01/30/1977 at Indianapolis Racers L 0-5 20-28-5 02/01/1977 at Birmingham Bulls L 3-4 20-29-5 02/04/1977 at Houston Aeros L 1-4 20-30-5 02/05/1977 at Cincinnati Stingers L 3-8 20-31-5 02/06/1977 vs Indianapolis Racers T 5-5 20-31-6 02/10/1977 vs Winnipeg Jets W 6-3 21-31-6 02/12/1977 vs Indianapolis Racers L 1-5 21-32-6 02/13/1977 at Cincinnati Stingers W 5-4 22-32-6 02/17/1977 vs Phoenix Roadrunners W 4-2 23-32-6 02/18/1977 vs Birmingham Bulls L 2-3 23-33-6 02/20/1977 at Calgary Cowboys W 5-0 24-33-6 02/22/1977 at Edmonton Oilers L 3-4 24-34-6 02/25/1977 at Calgary Cowboys W 3-2 25-34-6 02/27/1977 at Winnipeg Jets W 3-2 26-34-6 03/02/1977 vs San Diego Mariners W 2-0 27-34-6 03/04/1977 vs Houston Aeros W 3-2 28-34-6 03/06/1977 vs Quebec Nordiques W 6-2 29-34-6 03/09/1977 at Birmingham Bulls L 3-4 29-35-6 03/11/1977 at Birmingham Bulls L 3-6 29-36-6 03/13/1977 at Quebec Nordiques L 3-5 29-37-6 03/18/1977 vs Calgary Cowboys W 3-1 30-37-6 03/20/1977 vs Calgary Cowboys W 9-0 31-37-6 03/24/1977 vs Edmonton Oilers L 4-5 31-38-6 03/26/1977 vs Indianapolis Racers L 2-4 31-39-6 03/27/1977 vs Edmonton Oilers W 5-2 32-39-6 03/29/1977 at San Diego Mariners W 5-4 33-39-6 03/31/1977 at Phoenix Roadrunners W 6-2 34-39-6 04/02/1977 at Indianapolis Racers W 3-2 35-39-6 04/05/1977 at Quebec Nordiques L 2-7 35-40-6

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