1974–75 New England Whalers season

World Hockey Association team season August 2023 WHA 1974–75 1974 New England Whalers 43–30–5 28–8–3 15–22–2 East 1st Jack Kelley Ron Ryan (40–28–5)Jack Kelley (3–2–0) Ted Green Jim DoreyLarry Pleau Eastern States Coliseum (13 games)Hartford Civic Center (26 games) 274 279 Tom Webster (40) John French (41) Wayne Carleton (74) Nick Fotiu (144) Al Smith (33) Christer Abrahamsson (3.24) The 1974–75 New England Whalers season was the Whalers' third season of play. It was also the first season the franchise played away from Boston, Massachusetts on a fulltime basis. They played the first thirteen home games in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the Eastern States Coliseum before the team moved to the newly-opened Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Ryan was replaced by Kelley before the 1975 WHA playoffs started; the Whalers lost to the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the WHA Quarterfinals in six games. Regular season Final standings NEW Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 5px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 5px solid; 1974–75 regular season1974-75 New England Whalers Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NEW/1975_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 18, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; October Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |1||L||October 15, 1974||2–6 || align="left"| @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||0–1–0 |- |2||W||October 19, 1974||2–1 OT|| align="left"| Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||1–1–0 |- |3||W||October 23, 1974||5–4 || align="left"| Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||2–1–0 |- |4||W||October 26, 1974||6–1 || align="left"| Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||3–1–0 |- |5||W||October 30, 1974||5–2 || align="left"| Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||4–1–0 |- |6||W||October 31, 1974||6–1 || align="left"| @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||5–1–0 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; November Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |7||W||November 2, 1974||4–2 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||6–1–0 |- |8||W||November 8, 1974||3–0 || align="left"| San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||7–1–0 |- |9||L||November 9, 1974||2–4 || align="left"| Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||7–2–0 |- |10||L||November 12, 1974||1–6 || align="left"| @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||7–3–0 |- |11||W||November 14, 1974||7–2 || align="left"| @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||8–3–0 |- |12||L||November 16, 1974||3–6 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||8–4–0 |- |13||W||November 17, 1974||6–1 || align="left"| @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||9–4–0 |- |14||W||November 19, 1974||5–4 || align="left"| @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||10–4–0 |- |15||W||November 21, 1974||4–0 || align="left"| @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||11–4–0 |- |16||W||November 23, 1974||3–2 || align="left"| Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||12–4–0 |- |17||W||November 24, 1974||9–5 || align="left"| @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||13–4–0 |- |18||W||November 26, 1974||5–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||14–4–0 |- |19||L||November 29, 1974||1–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||14–5–0 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; December Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |20||L||December 1, 1974||4–8 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||14–6–0 |- |21||L||December 3, 1974||1–2 || align="left"| @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||14–7–0 |- |22||W||December 4, 1974||3–2 || align="left"| @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||15–7–0 |- |23||L||December 5, 1974||1–9 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||15–8–0 |- |24||W||December 7, 1974||6–3 || align="left"| Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||16–8–0 |- |25||W||December 11, 1974||3–1 || align="left"| Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||17–8–0 |- |26||W||December 14, 1974||9–4 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||18–8–0 |- |27||W||December 15, 1974||4–3 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||19–8–0 |- |28||T||December 17, 1974||2–2 || align="left"| @ Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||19–8–1 |- |29||L||December 20, 1974||0–3 || align="left"| @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||19–9–1 |- |30||L||December 21, 1974||3–5 || align="left"| Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||19–10–1 |- |31||L||December 22, 1974||1–2 || align="left"| @ Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||19–11–1 |- |32||L||December 27, 1974||3–6 || align="left"| @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||19–12–1 |- |33||L||December 28, 1974||1–6 || align="left"| @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||19–13–1 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; January Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |34||W||January 3, 1975||5–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||20–13–1 |- |35||W||January 4, 1975||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||21–13–1 |- |36||L||January 5, 1975||3–9 || align="left"| @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||21–14–1 |- |37||L||January 7, 1975||3–5 || align="left"| @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||21–15–1 |- |38||T||January 9, 1975||1–1 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||21–15–2 |- |39||W||January 11, 1975||4–3 OT|| align="left"| San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||22–15–2 |- |40||W||January 15, 1975||7–5 || align="left"| Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||23–15–2 |- |41||W||January 17, 1975||2–1 || align="left"| Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||24–15–2 |- |42||L||January 18, 1975||2–8 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||24–16–2 |- |43||L||January 19, 1975||1–3 || align="left"| Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||24–17–2 |- |44||L||January 24, 1975||1–4 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||24–18–2 |- |45||L||January 25, 1975||2–6 || align="left"| @ San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||24–19–2 |- |46||W||January 27, 1975||2–0 || align="left"| Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||25–19–2 |- |47||W||January 29, 1975||4–3 || align="left"| Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||26–19–2 |- |48||W||January 31, 1975||4–2 || align="left"| Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974–75) ||27–19–2 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; February Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |49||W||February 7, 1975||5–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||28–19–2 |- |50||L||February 8, 1975||1–4 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||28–20–2 |- |51||L||February 9, 1975||1–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||28–21–2 |- |52||T||February 12, 1975||2–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||28–21–3 |- |53||W||February 14, 1975||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Indianapolis Racers (1974–75) ||29–21–3 |- |54||L||February 18, 1975||3–6 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||29–22–3 |- |55||W||February 21, 1975||4–2 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||30–22–3 |- |56||W||February 23, 1975||2–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||31–22–3 |- |57||W||February 25, 1975||3–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||32–22–3 |- |58||L||February 26, 1975||3–4 || align="left"| Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||32–23–3 |- |59||W||February 27, 1975||5–2 || align="left"| Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||33–23–3 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; March Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |60||T||March 1, 1975||4–4 || align="left"| Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||33–23–4 |- |61||W||March 2, 1975||4–1 || align="left"| Vancouver Blazers (1974–75) ||34–23–4 |- |62||L||March 5, 1975||3–5 || align="left"| @ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1974–75) ||34–24–4 |- |63||W||March 8, 1975||5–4 || align="left"| @ Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||35–24–4 |- |64||W||March 11, 1975||6–2 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||36–24–4 |- |65||T||March 13, 1975||5–5 || align="left"| Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||36–24–5 |- |66||W||March 15, 1975||6–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||37–24–5 |- |67||W||March 16, 1975||7–5 || align="left"| Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||38–24–5 |- |68||L||March 19, 1975||1–6 || align="left"| San Diego Mariners (1974–75) ||38–25–5 |- |69||L||March 21, 1975||3–6 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||38–26–5 |- |70||L||March 22, 1975||3–5 || align="left"| Houston Aeros (1974–75) ||38–27–5 |- |71||W||March 25, 1975||5–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1974–75) ||39–27–5 |- |72||W||March 27, 1975||5–3 || align="left"| Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||40–27–5 |- |73||L||March 29, 1975||3–9 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1974–75) ||40–28–5 |- |74||W||March 30, 1975||4–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Toros (1974–75) ||41–28–5 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; April Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |75||W||April 1, 1975||5–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Roadrunners (1974–75) ||42–28–5 |- |76||W||April 3, 1975||4–1 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1974–75) ||43–28–5 |- |77||L||April 4, 1975||1–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Cougars (1974–75) ||43–29–5 |- |78||L||April 5, 1975||2–5 || align="left"| @ Cleveland Crusaders (1974–75) ||43–30–5 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Playoffs Game Two at Hartford on April 11 went to overtime and the Whalers won in the extra period 3–2. The game was famous for a huge brawl early in the second period that involved both benches and lasted nearly five full minutes; the primary fighters were Nick Fotiu, Bill Butters, and Jack Carlson that raged on the ice and even in the penalty boxes.1975 Whalers-Saints Brawl At The Mall call by Bill Rasmussen and Bob Neumeier background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 5px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 5px solid; 1975 Avco Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#F7BD03 2px solid; Division Quarterfinals vs. Minnesota Fighting Saints – Fighting Saints win 4–2 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series |- | 1 || April 9 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 6–5 || New England Whalers || 0–1 |- | 2 || April 11 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 2 – 3 OT || New England Whalers || 1–1 |- | 3 || April 13 || New England Whalers || 3–8 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 1–2 |- | 4 || April 15 || New England Whalers || 5–2 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 2–2 |- | 5 || April 18 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 4–0 || New England Whalers || 2–3 |- | 6 || April 19 || New England Whalers || 1–6 || Minnesota Fighting Saints || 2–4 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black #fcc Loss 1px solid black Draft picks New England's draft picks at the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/wha1974a.html 1974 WHA Amateur Draft hockeyDB.com December 19, 2018http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/wha1974n.html 1974 WHA Secret Amateur Draft hockeyDB.com December 19, 2018 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League) WHA Secret Amateur Draft114Peter Sturgeon (LW)CanadaKitchener Rangers (OHA)229Michel Deziel (LW)CanadaSorel Black Hawks (QMJHL) WHA Amateur Draft113Tim Young (F)CanadaOttawa 67's (OHA)228Mike Eruzione (LW)United StatesBoston University (ECAC)343Peter Brown (D)United StatesBoston University (ECAC)458Dick Lamby (D)United StatesSalem State College (ECAC-2)572Don McLean (D)CanadaSudbury Wolves (OHA)687Joe Rando (D)United StatesUniversity of New Hampshire (ECAC)7102Brian Walsh (RW)United StatesUniversity of Notre Dame (WCHA)8117John Nazar (LW)CanadaCornwall Royals (QMJHL)9132Warren Miller (F)United StatesUniversity of Minnesota (WCHA)10145Tony White (F)CanadaKitchener Rangers (OHA)11158Robbie Moore (G)CanadaMichigan Americans (SOJHL)12171Cliff Cox (F)CanadaUniversity of New Hampshire (ECAC)13182Dave Staffen (F)CanadaOttawa 67's (OHA)14190Peter Tighe (D)CanadaLondon Knights (OHA)15195Brian Durocher (G)United StatesSpringfield Olympics (NEJHL)16199Colin Ahern (C)United StatesTyngsboro Huskies17203Dwane Byers (F)CanadaSherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) See also 1974–75 WHA season References New Category:New England Whalers seasons New England New England