1974–75 Quebec Nordiques season

The 1974–75 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques 3rd season in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Nordiques finished 1st in the Canadian Division and lost in the Avco World Trophy Finals to the Houston Aeros 4 games to 0.
==Off-season==
The Nordiques had to find a new head coach during the off-season, as Jacques Plante left the team and came out of retirement to play with the Edmonton Oilers. Quebec hired recently retired and former team captain Jean-Guy Gendron to become the clubs 4th head coach in team history. The Nordiques also moved from the Eastern Division to join the newly created Canadian Division, which consisted of the other four Canadian clubs in the league.
The Nordiques jerseys remained the same design as in the 1973-74 season with two exceptions. The highlighting on the nameplates was removed and most significantly, a fleur-de-lis with the word "QUEBEC" was added to the shoulders. The fleur-de-lis would remain on the Nordiques jerseys, in various formats, for the rest of their history in both the WHA and NHL.
==Regular Season==
Quebec would start off the season very strong, and fight with the Toronto Toros for top spot in the division all season long. Through 66 games, the Nordiques had a 42–24–0 record, 8 points ahead of the 2nd place Toros, however, the team would suffer through a 7 game losing streak, and the Toros would catch up to the Nordiques. Quebec would win 4 of their final 5 games, and win the division championship, and make the playoffs for the first time in club history.
Offensively, the Nordiques were once again led by Serge Bernier, who finished 3rd in league scoring with 122 points, as he scored 54 goals and added 68 assists. Rejean Houle put together a solid season, scoring 40 goals and earning 92 points, while new team captain Michel Parizeau had 74 points. Marc Tardif, acquired by Quebec from the Michigan Stags during the season, scored 38 goals and earned 72 points in 53 games with the Nordiques. J. C. Tremblay led the blueline with 72 points in 68 games, while Dale Hoganson chipped in with 9 goals and 44 points. Pierre Roy led the club with 118 penalty minutes.
In goal, Richard Brodeur took the starters job, and won a team high 29 games while posting a 3.90 GAA in 51 games. Serge Aubry backed up Brodeur, and won 17 games with a team best 3.71 GAA.
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 20 	Indianapolis Racers 	1–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	1–0–0 	2
2 	October 22 	Houston Aeros 	2–7 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–0–0 	4
3 	October 23 	Michigan Stags 	2–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–0–0 	6
4 	October 26 	Phoenix Roadrunners 	1–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–0–0 	8
5 	October 27 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–5 	Indianapolis Racers 	4–1–0 	8
6 	November 2 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–4 	New England Whalers 	4–2–0 	8
7 	November 4 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–3 	Toronto Toros 	5–2–0 	10
8 	November 6 	Vancouver Blazers 	3–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	6–2–0 	12
9 	November 10	San Diego Mariners 	4–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	6–3–0 	12
10	November 12	Quebec Nordiques 	5–4 	Michigan Stags 	7–3–0 	14
11	November 13	Indianapolis Racers 	3–10 	Quebec Nordiques 	8–3–0 	16
12	November 16	Michigan Stags 	3–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	9–3–0 	18
13	November 17	Minnesota Fighting Saints	7–1 	Quebec Nordiques 	9–4–0 	18
14	November 20	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	10–4–0 	20
15	November 22	Cleveland Crusaders 	2–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	11–4–0 	22
16	November 23	Toronto Toros 	9–2 	Quebec Nordiques 	11–5–0 	22
17	November 24	Quebec Nordiques 	1–3 	Cleveland Crusaders 	11–6–0 	22
18	November 26	New England Whalers 	5–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	11–7–0 	22
19	November 28	Quebec Nordiques 	7–5 	Indianapolis Racers 	12–7–0 	24
20	December 1 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–3 	Winnipeg Jets 	12–8–0 	24
21	December 4 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	6–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	12–9–0 	24
22	December 5 	New England Whalers 	1–9 	Quebec Nordiques 	13–9–0 	26
23	December 8 	Houston Aeros 	1–2 	Quebec Nordiques 	14–9–0 	28
24	December 11	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	15–9–0 	30
25	December 12	Cleveland Crusaders 	2–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	16–9–0 	32
26	December 14	Quebec Nordiques 	4–9 	New England Whalers 	16–10–0	32
27	December 15	Quebec Nordiques 	4–6 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	16–11–0	32
28	December 17	Quebec Nordiques 	6–1 	Chicago Cougars 	17–11–0	34
29	December 18	Winnipeg Jets 	1–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	18–11–0	36
30	December 20	Chicago Cougars 	5–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	18–12–0	36
31	December 22	Quebec Nordiques 	2–3 	Michigan Stags 	18–13–0	36
32	December 27	Quebec Nordiques 	3–4 	Cleveland Crusaders 	18–14–0	36
33	December 28	Michigan Stags 	1–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	19–14–0	38
34	December 30	Phoenix Roadrunners 	6–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	19–15–0	38
35	January 1 	Indianapolis Racers 	3–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	20–15–0	40
36	January 4 	Toronto Toros 	1–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	21–15–0	42
37	January 7 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–2 	Michigan Stags 	22–15–0	44
38	January 8 	Vancouver Blazers 	3–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	23–15–0	46
39	January 10 	Quebec Nordiques 	6–1 	Winnipeg Jets 	24–15–0	48
40	January 12 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	25–15–0	50
41	January 14 	Quebec Nordiques 	6–2 	Vancouver Blazers 	26–15–0	52
42	January 18 	New England Whalers 	2–8 	Quebec Nordiques 	27–15–0	54
43	January 19 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–2 	Chicago Cougars 	28–15–0	56
44	January 23 	Cleveland Crusaders 	5–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	28–16–0	56
45	January 25 	Chicago Cougars 	4–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	29–16–0	58
46	January 28 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–6 	Toronto Toros 	29–17–0	58
47	January 30 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–2 	Chicago Cougars 	30–17–0	60
48	February 1 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–1 	Indianapolis Racers 	31–17–0	62
49	February 2 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–3 	Cleveland Crusaders 	32–17–0	64
50	February 6 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–3 	Houston Aeros 	33–17–0	66
51	February 8 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–3 	Phoenix Roadrunners 	34–17–0	68
52	February 11	Quebec Nordiques 	2–9 	San Diego Mariners 	34–18–0	68
53	February 13	Quebec Nordiques 	5–3 	Phoenix Roadrunners 	35–18–0	70
54	February 14	Quebec Nordiques 	7–3 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	36–18–0	72
55	February 17	Houston Aeros 	5–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	36–19–0	72
56	February 19	Quebec Nordiques 	4–10 	Houston Aeros 	36–20–0	72
57	February 20	Quebec Nordiques 	2–5 	San Diego Mariners 	36–21–0	72
58	February 23	San Diego Mariners 	4–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	37–21–0	74
59	February 24	San Diego Mariners 	3–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	38–21–0	76
60	February 27	Vancouver Blazers 	7–9 	Quebec Nordiques 	39–21–0	78
61	March 1 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	4–1 	Quebec Nordiques 	39–22–0	78
62	March 4 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–8 	San Diego Mariners 	39–23–0	78
63	March 5 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–6 	Phoenix Roadrunners 	39–24–0	78
64	March 7 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–1 	Toronto Toros 	40–24–0	80
65	March 9 	Chicago Cougars 	5–7 	Quebec Nordiques 	41–24–0	82
66	March 12 	Winnipeg Jets 	3–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	42–24–0	84
67	March 14 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–4 	Winnipeg Jets 	42–25–0	84
68	March 15 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–7 	Vancouver Blazers 	42–26–0	84
69	March 16 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–4 	Vancouver Blazers 	42–27–0	84
70	March 18 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–8 	Edmonton Oilers 	42–28–0	84
71	March 20 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–5 	Houston Aeros 	42–29–0	84
72	March 26 	Edmonton Oilers 	6–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	42–30–0	84
73	March 29 	Toronto Toros 	5–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	42–31–0	84
74	March 30 	Phoenix Roadrunners 	5–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	43–31–0	86
75	April 1 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	44–31–0	88
76	April 2 	Quebec Nordiques 	5–3 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	45–31–0	90
77	April 3 	Quebec Nordiques 	1–4 	New England Whalers 	45–32–0	90
78	April 5 	Winnipeg Jets 	5–9 	Quebec Nordiques 	46–32–0	92
==Playoffs==
===Quebec Nordiques 4, Phoenix Roadrunners 1===
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Nordiques faced the Phoenix Roadrunners, who finished 4th in the Western Division with 86 points, 6 fewer than Quebec. The Nordiques won their first ever playoff game, defeating the Roadrunners 5–2 at Le Colisee. Quebec went up 2–0 in the series with a solid 6–2 win, as the series moved west to Phoenix. The Nordiques shutout the Roadrunners 3–0 to take a commanding 3–0 series lead, however, they could not complete the sweep, as Phoenix won game 4 in overtime. The series returned to Quebec for game 5, and the Nordiques won the game 4–2, and took the series in 5 games.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 8 	Phoenix Roadrunners	2–5 	Quebec Nordiques 	1–0
2	April 10	Phoenix Roadrunners	2–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	2–0
3	April 12	Quebec Nordiques 	3–0 	Phoenix Roadrunners	3–0
4	April 15	Quebec Nordiques 	5–6 	Phoenix Roadrunners	3–1
5	April 17	Phoenix Roadrunners	2–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–1
===Quebec Nordiques 4, Minnesota Fighting Saints 2===
Up next for the Nordiques was the Minnesota Fighting Saints, who during the season, had a 42–33–3 record, earning 87 points, as they finished 3rd in the Western Division. Minnesota defeated the New England Whalers in the first round of the playoffs. The series opened in Quebec, and the clubs split the first two games, as the series shifted to Minnesota. Quebec took a 2–1 series lead with a big 6–1 win in the 3rd game, however, the Fighting Saints fought back in game 4, evening the series with a 4–2 victory. Quebec easily won the 5th game, doubling Minnesota 6–3 at Le Colisee, and the Nordiques closed out the series in the 6th game, defeating Minnesota 4–2, and advanced to the Avco Cup Finals.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 22	Minnesota Fighting Saints	1–4 	Quebec Nordiques 	1–0
2	April 23	Minnesota Fighting Saints	5–3 	Quebec Nordiques 	1–1
3	April 26	Quebec Nordiques 	6–1 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	2–1
4	April 27	Quebec Nordiques 	2–4 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	2–2
5	April 29	Minnesota Fighting Saints	3–6 	Quebec Nordiques 	3–2
6	May 1 	Quebec Nordiques 	4–2 	Minnesota Fighting Saints	4–2
===Houston Aeros 4, Quebec Nordiques 0===
Quebec would face the defending Avco Cup champion Houston Aeros in the Finals. The Aeros finished the season with a league best 106 points, and had easily beat the Cleveland Crusaders and San Diego Mariners to reach the finals. Houston, led by Larry Lund and Gordie Howe were heavy favourites to win the series. The series opened in Houston, with the Aeros defeating Quebec 6–2 in the series opener, then took a 2–0 series lead with a 5–3 win in the second game. The series moved to Quebec for the next 2 games, however, it was the Aeros who continued to win, as they shutout the Nordiques 2–0 in the third game, and swept Quebec with a huge 7–2 victory in the fourth game, winning the Avco Cup for the second time in as many years.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	May 3 	Quebec Nordiques	2–6 	Houston Aeros 	0–1
2	May 6 	Quebec Nordiques	3–5 	Houston Aeros 	0–2
3	May 10	Houston Aeros 	2–0 	Quebec Nordiques	0–3
4	May 12	Houston Aeros 	7–2 	Quebec Nordiques	0–4
==Player Stats==
===Scoring Leaders===
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
21	Serge Bernier 	76 	54 	68 	122 	75 	15 	8 	8 	16 	6
5 	Rejean Houle 	64 	40 	52 	92 	37 	15 	10 	6 	16 	2
12	Michel Parizeau 	78 	28 	46 	74 	69 	15 	2 	4 	6 	10
8 	Marc Tardif 	53 	38 	34 	72 	70 	15 	10 	11 	21 	10
3 	J. C. Tremblay 	68 	16 	56 	72 	18 	11 	0 	10 	10 	2
9 	Real Cloutier 	63 	26 	27 	53 	26 	12 	4 	3 	7 	2
15	Rene LeClerc 	72 	18 	32 	50 	85 	14 	7 	7 	14 	41
11	Chris Bordeleau 	53 	15 	33 	48 	24 	15 	2 	13 	15 	2
33	Dale Hoganson 	78 	9 	35 	44 	47 	13 	1 	3 	4 	4
25	Bob Guindon 	69 	12 	18 	30 	23 	15 	7 	6 	13 	10
19	Steve Sutherland 	56 	14 	15 	29 	114 	13 	0 	3 	3 	34
17	Jeannot Gilbert 	58 	7 	21 	29 	12 	11 	3 	6 	9 	2
16	Andre Gaudette 	67 	10 	17 	27 	6 	9 	0 	1 	1 	0
4 	Francois Lacombe 	55 	7 	17 	24 	54 	15 	0 	2 	2 	14
6 	Pierre Guite 	22 	14 	8 	22 	59 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
10	Pierre Roy 	61 	1 	18 	19 	118 	15 	0 	9 	9 	40
20	Ric Jordan 	56 	6 	8 	14 	75 	6 	0 	0 	0 	8
24	Jean Bernier 	34 	1 	13 	14 	13 	9 	0 	1 	1 	2
2 	Alain Beaule 	22 	4 	7 	11 	19 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
19	Alain Caron 	21 	7 	3 	10 	2 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
27	Michel Rouleau 	19 	1 	7 	8 	63 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
14	Charles Constantin 	20 	2 	4 	6 	9 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
7 	Jean-Claude Garneau	17 	0 	5 	5 	27 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
 	Denis Patry 	3 	1 	2 	3 	2 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
30	Richard Brodeur 	51 	0 	2 	2 	13 	15 	0 	1 	1 	0
1 	Serge Aubry 	31 	0 	1 	1 	22 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2 	Alan Globensky 	5 	0 	0 	0 	5 	2 	1 	0 	1 	0
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	T	GA 	SO	GAA 	Save %
Serge Aubry 	31	1762	17	11	0	109	0 	3.71	.886
Richard Brodeur	51	2938	29	21	0	188	0 	3.84	.892
;Playoffs
Player 	GP	TOI	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Richard Brodeur	15	906	8	7	48	1 	3.18
==Awards and Records==
*Dennis A. Murphy Trophy (Best Defenseman): J. C. Tremblay
*J. C. Tremblay, Defense, WHA First Team All-Star
*Serge Bernier, Center, WHA Second Team All-Star
*Marc Tardif, Left Wing, WHA Second Team All-Star
==Draft Picks==
Quebec's draft picks from the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
1 	9 	Real Cloutier 	 	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
2 	24 	Chris Constantin	 	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
3 	38 	Alain Daigle 	 	Trois-Rivières Ducs (QMJHL)
6 	83 	Jean Bernier 	 	Shawinigan Dynamos (QMJHL)
7 	97 	Dave Logan 	 	Laval National (QMJHL)
8 	112	Michel Bergeron 	 	Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
9 	127	Denis Carufel 	 	Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
10 	142	Claude Dupuis 	 	Laval National (QMJHL)
11 	157	Mario Lessard 	 	Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)
12 	170	Claude Arvisais 	 	Shawinigan Dynamos (QMJHL)
==Farm Teams==
*Maine Nordiques, NAHL
==Video==
Over an hour of game action from the February 2, 1975 Cleveland Crusaders-Quebec Nordiques match.
1975 02 02 QUEBEC AT CLEVELAND WHA
==References==
*SHRP Sports
*The Internet Hockey Database
Quebec Nordiques season, 1974–75
Quebec Nordiques season, 1974–75
Category:Quebec Nordiques seasons