# 1975–76 New England Whalers season

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
### Final standings

| 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

| No. | R | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |

## Playoffs

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| W1 | Houston Aeros | 4 | | | | | | |
| W3 | San Diego Mariners | 2 | | | | | | |
| W3 | San Diego Mariners | 2 | W1 | Houston Aeros | 4 | | | |
| | | | E3 | New England Whalers | 3 | | | |
| E3 | New England Whalers | 4 | E3 | New England Whalers | 3 | | | |
| E1 | Indianapolis Racers | 3 | | | | | | |
| E1 | Indianapolis Racers | 3 | | | | C1 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Houston Aeros | 0 |
| C3 | Calgary Cowboys | 4 | | | | | | | W1 | Houston Aeros | 0 |
| C2 | Quebec Nordiques | 1 | | | | | | |
| C2 | Quebec Nordiques | 1 | C1 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | | | |
| | | | C3 | Calgary Cowboys | 1 | | | |
| C1 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | C3 | Calgary Cowboys | 1 | | | |
| C4 | Edmonton Oilers | 0 | | | | | | |

### New England Whalers 3, Cleveland Crusaders 0 – Preliminary Round

| 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 |

### New England Whalers 4, Indianapolis Racers 3 – Division Quarterfinals

| 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 |

### Houston Aeros 4, New England Whalers 3 – Division Semifinals

| 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 |

## Roster

Updated June 5, 1976.
| No. | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
| 1 | Christer Abrahamsson | G | L | 29 | 1974 | Leksand, Sweden |
| 6 | Thommy Abrahamsson | D | L | 29 | 1974 | Leksand, Sweden |
| 19 | Danny Arndt | LW | L | 21 | 1975 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
| 9 | Ralph Backstrom | C | L | 38 | 1975 | Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
| 22 | Don Blackburn | LW | L | 38 | 1973 | Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
| 21 | Dan Bolduc | RW | L | 23 | 1975 | Waterville, Maine |
| 22 | Don Borgeson | LW | L | 31 | 1975 | North Battleford, Saskatchewan |
| 5 | Ron Busniuk | D | R | 27 | 1975 | Fort William, Ontario |
| 21 | Mike Byers | RW | R | 29 | 1973 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 7 | Terry Caffery | C | R | 27 | 1972 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 9 | Wayne Carleton | C | L | 29 | 1974 | Sudbury, Ontario |
| 18 | Bob Charlebois | LW | L | 32 | 1973 | Cornwall, Ontario |
| 15 | Ron Climie | LW | L | 26 | 1975 | Hamilton, Ontario |
| 12 | John Danby | C | R | 27 | 1972 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 27 | Tommy Earl | LW | R | 28 | 1972 | Niagara Falls, Ontario |
| 23 | Nick Fotiu | LW | L | 27 | 1974 | Staten Island, New York |
| 26 | Marty Gateman | D | L | 23 | 1975 | Southampton, Ontario |
| 10 | Alan Hangsleben | D | L | 23 | 1975 | Warroad, Minnesota |
| 29 | Paul Hoganson | G | L | 26 | 1975 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 5 | Paul Hurley | D | R | 29 | 1972 | Melrose, Massachusetts |
| 30 | Bruce Landon | G | L | 26 | 1972 | Kingston, Ontario |
| 2 | Rick Ley | D | L | 27 | 1972 | Orillia, Ontario |
| 11 | Bob McManama | C | L | 24 | 1975 | Belmont, Massachusetts |
| 16 | Fred O'Donnell | RW | R | 26 | 1974 | Kingston, Ontario |
| 12 | Rosaire Paiement | C | R | 27 | 1975 | Earlton, Ontario |
| 4 | Larry Pleau | LW | L | 29 | 1972 | Lynn, Massachusetts |
| 35 | Cap Raeder | G | L | 22 | 1975 | Needham, Massachusetts |
| – | Steve Richardson | LW | L | 27 | 1975 | Olds, Alberta |
| 14 | Doug Roberts | D | R | 33 | 1975 | Detroit, Michigan |
| 7 | Gordie Roberts | D | L | 18 | 1975 | Detroit, Michigan |
| 17 | Mike Rogers | C | L | 21 | 1975 | Calgary, Alberta |
| 3 | Brad Selwood | D | L | 28 | 1972 | Leamington, Ontario |
| 20 | Garry Swain | C | L | 28 | 1974 | Welland, Ontario |
| 25 | Jim Troy | RW | R | 23 | 1975 | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 8 | Tom Webster | RW | R | 27 | 1972 | Kirkland Lake, Ontario |

## Draft picks

New England's draft picks at the 1975 WHA Amateur Draft.
| 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) |