New England Whalers

George Lyle, along with coach Harry Neale, in a Whalers uniform. (140K)

The New England Whalers, the Northeast's entry in the World Hockey Association, were one of the lucky franchises. They did move around a lot, though. Literally. Starting in Boston, they ended up in Hartford, Connecticut by way of Springfield, Mass.

Whalers year-by-year


Year       W     L    T    pts.     Finish         Playoffs
1972-73   46    30    2    94       1st Eastern    Beat Ottawa 4-1
                                                   Beat Cleveland 4-1
                                                   Beat Winnipeg 4-1
1973-74   43    31    4    90       1st Eastern    Lost to Chicago 3-4
1974-75   43    30    5    91       1st Eastern    Lost to Minnesota 2-4
1975-76   33    40    7    73       3rd Eastern    Beat Cleveland 3-0
                                                   Beat Indianapolis 4-3
                                                   Lost to Houston 3-4
1976-77   35    40    6    76       4th Eastern    Lost to Quebec 1-4
1977-78   44    31    5    93       2nd League     Beat Edmonton 4-1
                                                   Beat Quebec 4-1
                                                   Lost to Winnipeg 0-4
1978-79   37    34    9    83       4th League     Beat Cincinnati 2-1
                                                   Lost to Edmonton 3-4