1. Quebec Nordiques 2. New England Whalers 3. Birmingham Bulls 4. Virginia Patriots 5. Indianapolis Racers
Central Division
1. Cincinnati Stingers 2. Cleveland Crusaders 3. Memphis Riverboats 4. Nashville Nighthawks 5. Chicago Cougars
Western Conference
Midwest Division
1. Winnipeg Jets 2. Minnesota Fighting Saints 3. Houston Aeros 4. Milwaukee Admirals 5. San Antonio Iguanas
Pacific Division
1. Calgary Cowboys 2. Edmonton Oilers 3. San Diego Mariners 4. Phoenix Roadrunners 5. Portland Timbers 6. Sacramento Gold Miners
1988 Playoffs
First Round
Quebec, Cincinnati, Winnipeg, and Calgary bye Birmingham over New England 4-0 Memphis over Cleveland 4-3 Houston over Minnesota 4-1 San Diego over Edmonton 4-2
Second Round
Birmingham over Quebec 4-2 Cincinnati over Memphis 4-1 Winnipeg over Houston 4-2 Calgary over San Diego 4-3
Conference Finals
Birmingham over Cincinnati 4-3 Calgary over Winnipeg 4-0
AVCO Cup Finals
Game 1: CALGARY 5 Birmingham 1 Game 2: CALGARY 7 Birmingham 1 Game 3: BIRMINGHAM 2 Calgary 1 Game 4: Calgary 3 BIRMINGHAM 2 Game 5: CALGARY 7 Birmingham 3 Cowboys rope up ol' AVCO.