# 1973–74 Toronto Toros season

The 1973–74 Toronto Toros season was the team's first season in Toronto, as they spent their inaugural season as the Ottawa Nationals in 1972–73.

## Offseason

The Nationals were moved to Toronto and sold to John F. Bassett, son of former Toronto Maple Leafs part owner John W. H. Bassett. The new owner renamed team the Toros, as its short for Toronto, and it is also a Spanish bull. To attract attention, Bassett signed 18-year-old Toronto Marlboros star Wayne Dillon, and former Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Brewer to anchor the blueline. The Toros also thought they had a deal to sign Maple Leafs star player Darryl Sittler to a five-year, $1 million contract, however, Sittler decided to return to the Leafs.
The Toros originally planned to move the team into a renovated CNE Coliseum, while Bill Ballard, the son of Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard and was running Maple Leaf Gardens due to his father being in prison, was opposed of the renovation and wanted the team to play in the Gardens. The Toros decided to spend the season at Varsity Arena, which seated 4,860 fans.
As the Ottawa Nationals the previous season, the team finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division with a 35-39-4 record, losing to the New England Whalers in the first round of the playoffs.

## Regular season

The first game for the Toros was played on October 7, 1973, at Varsity Arena, with Toronto tying the Chicago Cougars 4-4. The Toros would get off to a sluggish start, going 0-2-2 in their first four games before defeating the Los Angeles Sharks 3-0 on the road. The team continued to slump, and through their first twelve games, sat with a record of 2-7-3. Toronto would break out of their slump though, and post a record of 17-11-0 in their next 28 games to go over the .500 for the first time. The Toros would keep up their great play, and end the season in second place in the Eastern Division, with a 41-33-4 record, earning 86 points, which was a twelve-point improvement over the previous season. Head coach Billy Harris won the Howard Baldwin Trophy, presented to the Coach of the Year.
Offensively, Toronto was led by Wayne Carleton, who finished with a team high 37 goals and 92 points and finished sixth in league scoring. Gavin Kirk had another solid season, earning 68 points in 78 games, while rookie Wayne Dillon earned 65 points in 71 games. The defense was led by Brian Gibbons, who had 35 points, while Carl Brewer chipped in with 25 points. Rick Cunningham led the Toros with 88 penalty minutes.
In goal, Gilles Gratton had the majority of playing time, winning 26 games while posting a GAA of 3.53, along with two shutouts. Les Binkley backed him up, winning 14 games with a team best 3.27 GAA, and a shutout.

### Season standings

Eastern Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | Pts |
| New England Whalers | 78 | 43 | 31 | 4 | 291 | 260 | 875 | 90 |
| Toronto Toros | 78 | 41 | 33 | 4 | 304 | 272 | 871 | 86 |
| Cleveland Crusaders | 78 | 37 | 32 | 9 | 266 | 264 | 1007 | 83 |
| Chicago Cougars | 78 | 38 | 35 | 5 | 271 | 273 | 1041 | 81 |
| Quebec Nordiques | 78 | 38 | 36 | 4 | 306 | 280 | 909 | 80 |
| NY Golden Blades / Jersey Knights | 78 | 32 | 42 | 4 | 268 | 313 | 933 | 68 |

### Game log

Regular season schedule :
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Pts |
| 1 | October 7 | Chicago Cougars | 4–4 | Toronto Toros | 0–0–1 | 1 |
| 2 | October 9 | New York Golden Blades | 3–3 | Toronto Toros | 0–0–2 | 2 |
| 3 | October 11 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–1 | Toronto Toros | 0–1–2 | 2 |
| 4 | October 14 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 5–2 | Toronto Toros | 0–2–2 | 2 |
| 5 | October 16 | Toronto Toros | 3–0 | Los Angeles Sharks | 1–2–2 | 4 |
| 6 | October 18 | Toronto Toros | 1–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–3–2 | 4 |
| 7 | October 20 | Toronto Toros | 4–6 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–4–2 | 4 |
| 8 | October 21 | New England Whalers | 4–3 | Toronto Toros | 1–5–2 | 4 |
| 9 | October 23 | Toronto Toros | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 1–6–2 | 4 |
| 10 | October 24 | Toronto Toros | 7–4 | Vancouver Blazers | 2–6–2 | 6 |
| 11 | October 26 | Toronto Toros | 3–3 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–6–3 | 7 |
| 12 | October 28 | Chicago Cougars | 3–2 | Toronto Toros | 2–7–3 | 7 |
| 13 | November 3 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 | New England Whalers | 3–7–3 | 9 |
| 14 | November 4 | Los Angeles Sharks | 3–6 | Toronto Toros | 4–7–3 | 11 |
| 15 | November 7 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 | Houston Aeros | 5–7–3 | 13 |
| 16 | November 9 | Toronto Toros | 2–4 | Los Angeles Sharks | 5–8–3 | 13 |
| 17 | November 10 | Toronto Toros | 2–3 | Chicago Cougars | 5–9–3 | 13 |
| 18 | November 11 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–2 | Toronto Toros | 5–10–3 | 13 |
| 19 | November 17 | Toronto Toros | 2–5 | Chicago Cougars | 5–11–3 | 13 |
| 20 | November 18 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–6 | Toronto Toros | 6–11–3 | 15 |
| 21 | November 22 | Toronto Toros | 4–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–11–3 | 17 |
| 22 | November 24 | Toronto Toros | 1–2 | Cleveland Crusaders | 7–12–3 | 17 |
| 23 | November 25 | Vancouver Blazers | 2–3 | Toronto Toros | 8–12–3 | 19 |
| 24 | November 27 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–3 | Toronto Toros | 9–12–3 | 21 |
| 25 | November 30 | Toronto Toros | 2–1 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 10–12–3 | 23 |
| 26 | December 2 | Houston Aeros | 2–5 | Toronto Toros | 11–12–3 | 25 |
| 27 | December 5 | Toronto Toros | 3–1 | Vancouver Blazers | 12–12–3 | 27 |
| 28 | December 6 | Toronto Toros | 3–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 12–13–3 | 27 |
| 29 | December 7 | Toronto Toros | 4–7 | Winnipeg Jets | 12–14–3 | 27 |
| 30 | December 9 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 1–10 | Toronto Toros | 13–14–3 | 29 |
| 31 | December 12 | Toronto Toros | 6–8 | New England Whalers | 13–15–3 | 29 |
| 32 | December 13 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–3 | Toronto Toros | 14–15–3 | 31 |
| 33 | December 15 | Toronto Toros | 3–4 | Cleveland Crusaders | 14–16–3 | 31 |
| 34 | December 16 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–3 OT | Toronto Toros | 14–17–3 | 31 |
| 35 | December 18 | Jersey Knights | 1–4 | Toronto Toros | 15–17–3 | 33 |
| 36 | December 21 | Houston Aeros | 1–3 | Toronto Toros | 16–17–3 | 35 |
| 37 | December 22 | Toronto Toros | 6–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 17–17–3 | 37 |
| 38 | December 23 | Chicago Cougars | 6–5 | Toronto Toros | 17–18–3 | 37 |
| 39 | December 29 | Toronto Toros | 9–3 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 18–18–3 | 39 |
| 40 | December 30 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–5 | Toronto Toros | 19–18–3 | 41 |
| 41 | January 1 | Cleveland Crusaders | 0–3 | Toronto Toros | 20–18–3 | 43 |
| 42 | January 6 | Jersey Knights | 4–2 | Toronto Toros | 20–19–3 | 43 |
| 43 | January 8 | Toronto Toros | 3–2 | New England Whalers | 21–19–3 | 45 |
| 44 | January 10 | New England Whalers | 6–6 | Toronto Toros | 21–19–4 | 46 |
| 45 | January 12 | Toronto Toros | 6–8 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 21–20–4 | 46 |
| 46 | January 13 | Jersey Knights | 2–7 | Toronto Toros | 22–20–4 | 48 |
| 47 | January 16 | Toronto Toros | 1–4 | Houston Aeros | 22–21–4 | 48 |
| 48 | January 18 | Toronto Toros | 1–4 | Los Angeles Sharks | 22–22–4 | 48 |
| 49 | January 20 | New England Whalers | 4–8 | Toronto Toros | 23–22–4 | 50 |
| 50 | January 24 | Cleveland Crusaders | 5–3 | Toronto Toros | 23–23–4 | 50 |
| 51 | January 27 | Vancouver Blazers | 7–9 | Toronto Toros | 24–23–4 | 52 |
| 52 | January 29 | Toronto Toros | 1–6 | Jersey Knights | 24–24–4 | 52 |
| 53 | January 31 | Los Angeles Sharks | 4–5 OT | Toronto Toros | 25–24–4 | 54 |
| 54 | February 1 | Toronto Toros | 1–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 25–25–4 | 54 |
| 55 | February 3 | Minnesota Fighting Saints | 4–5 | Toronto Toros | 26–25–4 | 56 |
| 56 | February 9 | Toronto Toros | 3–4 | Cleveland Crusaders | 26–26–4 | 56 |
| 57 | February 10 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 | Jersey Knights | 27–26–4 | 58 |
| 58 | February 12 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–6 | Toronto Toros | 28–26–4 | 60 |
| 59 | February 14 | Toronto Toros | 5–2 | Jersey Knights | 29–26–4 | 62 |
| 60 | February 16 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 | Chicago Cougars | 30–26–4 | 64 |
| 61 | February 17 | Toronto Toros | 2–3 OT | Edmonton Oilers | 30–27–4 | 64 |
| 62 | February 19 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 OT | Vancouver Blazers | 31–27–4 | 66 |
| 63 | February 22 | Toronto Toros | 3–4 | Winnipeg Jets | 31–28-4 | 66 |
| 64 | February 24 | New England Whalers | 0–2 | Toronto Toros | 32–28–4 | 68 |
| 65 | February 27 | Toronto Toros | 3–5 | New England Whalers | 32–29–4 | 68 |
| 66 | February 28 | Winnipeg Jets | 0–3 | Toronto Toros | 33–29–4 | 70 |
| 67 | March 3 | Toronto Toros | 5–4 | Chicago Cougars | 34–29–4 | 72 |
| 68 | March 9 | Toronto Toros | 2–4 | Houston Aeros | 34–30–4 | 72 |
| 69 | March 10 | Cleveland Crusaders | 3–8 | Toronto Toros | 35–30–4 | 74 |
| 70 | March 14 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–2 | Toronto Toros | 35–31–4 | 74 |
| 71 | March 17 | Chicago Cougars | 4–2 | Toronto Toros | 35–32–4 | 74 |
| 72 | March 18 | Toronto Toros | 5–11 | Jersey Knights | 35–33–4 | 74 |
| 73 | March 21 | Houston Aeros | 3–6 | Toronto Toros | 36–33–4 | 76 |
| 74 | March 24 | Vancouver Blazers | 1–3 | Toronto Toros | 37–33–4 | 78 |
| 75 | March 28 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–6 OT | Toronto Toros | 38–33–4 | 80 |
| 76 | March 30 | Toronto Toros | 3–1 | Quebec Nordiques | 39–33–4 | 82 |
| 77 | March 31 | Los Angeles Sharks | 4–5 | Toronto Toros | 40–33–4 | 84 |
| 78 | April 2 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–3 | Toronto Toros | 41–33–4 | 86 |

## Playoffs

The Toros opened the playoffs in a best of seven series against the Cleveland Crusaders, who finished in third place in the Eastern Division, three points behind Toronto. The series opened at Varsity Arena, with the Toros shutting out the Crusaders 4-0 in the series opener, followed by a close 4-3 victory in the second game to take a 2-0 series lead. The series shifted to Cleveland for the next two games, however, the Toros took the third game 4-2 to put the Crusaders on the brink of elimination. Cleveland managed to avoid being eliminated in the fourth game, winning 3-2 in overtime, however, the series returned to Toronto for the fifth game, with the Toros winning 4-1 to take the series in five games.
Next up for Toronto was the Chicago Cougars, who finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division, five points behind the Toros. The Cougars defeated the first place New England Whalers in seven games to advance to the Divisional Finals. The series opened in Toronto, and the Toros took an early series lead with a 6-4 victory in the first game. The Cougars would win the second game 4-3 to even the series up. The series moved to Chicago for the next two games, and the Cougars took a 2-1 series lead with a 3-2 victory in the third game, however, the Toros won a wild fourth game by a 7-6 score to even the series up again. In the fifth game in Toronto, the Toros took care of the Cougars 5-3 to go up 3-2 in the series. Back in Chicago for the sixth game, the Cougars fought off elimination, easily defeating Toronto by a 9-2 score, setting up a seventh and final game at Varsity Arena. Chicago would upset the favoured Toros, winning the game 5-2 to advance to the Avco Cup finals, ending Toronto's season.

### Toronto Toros 4, Cleveland Crusaders 1

| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
| 1 | April 7 | Cleveland Crusaders | 0–4 | Toronto Toros | 1-0 |
| 2 | April 9 | Cleveland Crusaders | 3–4 | Toronto Toros | 2-0 |
| 3 | April 12 | Toronto Toros | 4–2 | Cleveland Crusaders | 3-0 |
| 4 | April 13 | Toronto Toros | 2–3 OT | Cleveland Crusaders | 3-1 |
| 5 | April 15 | Cleveland Crusaders | 1–4 | Toronto Toros | 4-1 |

### Chicago Cougars 4, Toronto Toros 3 - Semifinals

| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
| 1 | April 19 | Chicago Cougars | 4–6 | Toronto Toros | 1-0 |
| 2 | April 22 | Chicago Cougars | 4–3 | Toronto Toros | 1-1 |
| 3 | April 28 | Toronto Toros | 2–3 | Chicago Cougars | 1-2 |
| 4 | April 30 | Toronto Toros | 7–6 | Chicago Cougars | 2-2 |
| 5 | May 1 | Chicago Cougars | 3–5 | Toronto Toros | 3-2 |
| 6 | May 4 | Toronto Toros | 2–9 | Chicago Cougars | 3-3 |
| 7 | May 6 | Chicago Cougars | 5–2 | Toronto Toros | 3-4 |

## Player statistics
### Regular season
#### Scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Wayne Carleton | 78 | 37 | 55 | 92 | 31 |
| Gavin Kirk | 78 | 20 | 48 | 68 | 44 |
| Wayne Dillon | 78 | 30 | 35 | 65 | 13 |
| Guy Trottier | 71 | 27 | 35 | 62 | 58 |
| Rick Sentes | 64 | 26 | 34 | 60 | 46 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | GAA | Save % |
| Bill Holden | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 |
| Frank Blum | 5 | 131 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2.29 | .924 |
| Les Binkley | 27 | 1412 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 77 | 1 | 3.27 | .901 |
| Gilles Gratton | 57 | 3200 | 26 | 24 | 3 | 188 | 2 | 3.53 | .895 |

### Playoff stats
#### Scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Wayne Carleton | 12 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 4 |
| Rick Sentes | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 19 |
| Wayne Dillon | 12 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 9 |
| Tom Martin | 12 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 2 |
| Guy Trottier | 12 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 4 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | GAA | Save % |
| Gilles Gratton | 10 | 539 | 5 | 3 | 25 | 1 | 2.78 | |
| Les Binkley | 5 | 182 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 5.60 | |

## Draft picks

Toronto's draft picks at the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 4 | Paulin Bordeleau | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OHA) |
| 2 | 18 | Pat Hickey | Canada | Hamilton Red Wings (OHA) |
| 4 | 43 | Peter Marrin | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OHA) |
| 5 | 52 | Bob Dailey | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OHA) |
| 5 | 56 | Lou Nistico | Canada | London Knights (OHA) |
| 6 | 69 | Doug Ferguson | Canada | Hamilton Red Wings (OHA) |
| 7 | 78 | Gerrard Gibbons | Canada | St. Mary's University (CIAU) |
| 7 | 82 | Gord Titcomb | Canada | St. Catharines Black Hawks (OHA) |
| 8 | 95 | John Campbell | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHA) |
| 9 | 106 | Guido Tenesi | United States | Oshawa Generals (OHA) |