1975–76 New England Whalers season

The was the 3rd season of the Whalers' franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Whalers finished 3rd in the Eastern Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the Houston Aeros 4 games to 3.
==Off-season==
The Whalers jerseys were the same design as in the 1974-75 season.
==Regular Season==
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results 	Regular Season 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 (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 (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 	@ 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==
===New England Whalers 3, Cleveland Crusaders 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
===New England Whalers 4, Indianapolis Racers 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
===Houston Aeros 4, New England Whalers 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
==Player Stats==
===Skaters===
Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties In Minutes
# 	Player 	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
# 	Player 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM
8 	Tom Webster 	55 	33 	50 	83 	52 	17 	10 	9 	19 	6
4 	Larry Pleau 	75 	29 	45 	74 	21 	14 	5 	7 	12 	0
12 	Rosaire Paiement 	80 	28 	43 	71 	89 	17 	4 	11 	15 	41
15 	Ron Climie 	65 	25 	20 	45 	17 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2 	Rick Ley 	67 	8 	30 	38 	78 	17 	1 	4 	5 	49
6 	Thommy Abrahamsson 	63 	14 	21 	35 	47 	17 	2 	4 	6 	15
9 	Ralph Backstrom 	38 	14 	19 	33 	6 	17 	5 	4 	9 	8
9 	Wayne Carleton 	35 	12 	21 	33 	6 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
17 	Mike Rogers 	36 	18 	14 	32 	10 	17 	5 	8 	13 	2
20 	Gary Swain 	79 	10 	16 	26 	46 	17 	3 	2 	5 	15
10 	Alan Hangsleben 	78 	2 	23 	25 	62 	13 	2 	3 	5 	20
16 	Fred O'Donnell 	79 	11 	11 	22 	81 	17 	2 	5 	7 	20
7, 22 	Gordie Roberts 	77 	3 	19 	22 	102 	17 	2 	9 	11 	36
27 	Tommy Earl 	66 	8 	11 	19 	26 	17 	0 	5 	5 	4
22 	Don Borgeson 	31 	9 	8 	17 	4 	3 	1 	1 	2 	0
14, 17	Doug Roberts 	76 	4 	13 	17 	51 	17 	1 	1 	2 	8
19 	Danny Arndt 	69 	8 	8 	16 	10 	8 	0 	0 	0 	0
5 	Paul Hurley 	46 	0 	14 	14 	20 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
11 	Bob McManama 	37 	3 	10 	13 	28 	12 	4 	3 	7 	4
3 	Brad Selwood 	40 	2 	10 	12 	28 	17 	2 	2 	4 	27
21 	Mike Byers 	18 	4 	3 	7 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
21 	Dan Bolduc 	14 	2 	5 	7 	14 	16 	1 	6 	7 	4
18 	Bob Charlebois 	28 	3 	3 	6 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
23 	Nick Fotiu 	49 	3 	2 	5 	94 	16 	3 	2 	5 	57
22 	Don Blackburn 	21 	2 	3 	5 	6 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
5 	Ron Busniuk 	11 	0 	3 	3 	55 	17 	0 	2 	2 	14
29 	Paul Hoganson 	4 	0 	1 	1 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
26 	Marty Gateman 	12 	0 	1 	1 	6 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
30 	Bruce Landon 	38 	0 	1 	1 	0 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0
1 	Christer Abrahamsson	40 	0 	1 	1 	6 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
30 	Gaye Cooley 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	John Danby 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
7 	Terry Caffery 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
35 	Cap Raeder 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	14 	0 	1 	1 	0
17 	Steve Richardson 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
25 	Jim Troy 	14 	0 	0 	0 	43 	2 	0 	0 	0 	29
Statistics for all players reflect only games played with the Whalers.
===Goaltenders===
Player	MIN 	GP	W 	L 	T	GA 	GAA 	SO
 	2385	41	18	18	2	136	3.42	2
 	2181	38	14	19	5	126	3.47	0
 	224 	4 	1 	2 	0	16 	4.29	0
 	100 	2 	0 	1 	0	8 	4.80	0
==Awards and Records==
*The Whalers did not win any awards this season.
==Transactions==
==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)	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
2 	28 	Danny Arndt (LW) 	 	Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
3 	43 	Matti Hagman (C) 	 	HIFK (SM-sarja)
4 	58 	Derek Spring (F) 	 	Brandon Wheat Kings (WCHL)
5 	72 	Gary McFadyen (RW)	 	Hull Festivals (QMJHL)
6 	86 	Terry Martin (F) 	 	London Knights (OHA)
7 	99 	John Tweedle (F) 	 	Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
8 	111	Mike Harazny (D) 	 	Regina Pats (WCHL)
9 	123	Dave Norris (LW) 	 	Hamilton Fincups (OHA)
10 	136	Paul Stevenson (F)	 	Brown University (ECAC)
11 	149	Clark Jantzie (F) 	 	University of Alberta (CWUAA)
==Farm Teams==
*Cape Codders, NAHL
==See Also==
*1975–76 WHA season
==References==
* 
New England Whalers season, 1975–76
New England Whalers season, 1975–76
category:Hartford Whalers seasons
category:New England Whalers seasons