The 1972–73 AHL season

Season (sports)

In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

was the 37th season of the American Hockey League

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...

. Twelve teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Cincinnati Swords

Cincinnati Swords

The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...

 finished first overall in the regular season, and won the Calder Cup

Calder Cup

The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...

 championship.

Team changes

• The New Haven Nighthawks
  New Haven Nighthawks
  The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
  
   join the AHL as an expansion team, based in New Haven, Connecticut
  New Haven, Connecticut
  New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
  
  , playing in the East Division.
• The Cleveland Barons move midseason to Jacksonville, Florida
  Jacksonville, Florida
  Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
  
  , becoming the Jacksonville Barons.
• The Tidewater Wings are renamed the Virginia Wings
  Virginia Wings
  The Virginia Wings were a professional ice hockey team based in Norfolk, Virginia of the greater Hampton Roads area. They were an affiliated farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, and a member of the American Hockey League for three seasons from 1972–73 to 1974–75. The Wings were previously known as...
  
  .

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;

East	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	76	43	18	15	101	316	191
Boston Braves Boston Braves (AHL) The Boston Braves were a professional ice hockey team in Boston, Massachusetts. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1971 to 1974....	76	34	29	13	81	248	256
Rochester Americans Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...	76	33	31	12	78	239	276
Providence Reds Providence Reds The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...	76	32	30	14	78	253	255
Springfield Kings	76	18	42	16	52	265	344
New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...	76	16	40	20	52	246	331

West	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...	76	54	17	5	113	351	206
Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...	76	42	23	11	95	326	231
Virginia Wings Virginia Wings The Virginia Wings were a professional ice hockey team based in Norfolk, Virginia of the greater Hampton Roads area. They were an affiliated farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, and a member of the American Hockey League for three seasons from 1972–73 to 1974–75. The Wings were previously known as...	76	38	22	16	92	258	221
Richmond Robins Richmond Robins The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76...	76	30	36	10	70	272	280
Cleveland / Jacksonville Barons	76	23	44	9	55	251	329
Baltimore Clippers Baltimore Clippers The Baltimore Clippers were an American ice hockey team. They were the first of three Baltimore entries into the American Hockey League, who played from 1962–76...	76	17	48	11	45	210	315

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Yvon Lambert Yvon Lambert Yvon Pierre Lambert is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Yvon started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1973. He would spend nine years in Montreal before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	76	52	52	104	84
Tony Featherstone Tony Featherstone Anthony James Featherstone is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 130 games in the National Hockey League for the California Golden Seals. He would also play 108 games in the World Hockey Association with the Toronto Toros.-External links:...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	74	49	54	103	78
Morris Stefaniw Morris Stefaniw Morris Alexander Stefaniw is a retired professional ice hockey centreman. During the 1972–73 season, he appeared in 13 games for the NHL's Atlanta Flames.-External links:...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	64	30	71	101	80
Bill Inglis Bill Inglis William John "Billy" Inglis is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played 36 games in the National Hockey League: 22 with the Los Angeles Kings and 14 with the Buffalo Sabres...	Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...	75	40	57	97	29
Jeannot Gilbert Jeannot Gilbert Jeannot "Gil" Gilbert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 9 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, before going to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He would also play 133 games in the World Hockey Association with the Quebec...	Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...	74	29	42	71	24
Rene Drolet Rene Drolet René Georges Drolet is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in two National Hockey League games, one with the Philadelphia Flyers and the other with the Detroit Red Wings.-External links:...	Richmond Robins Richmond Robins The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76...	76	34	53	87	30
Orest Kindrachuk Orest Kindrachuk Orest Michael Kindrachuk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals...	Richmond Robins Richmond Robins The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76...	72	35	51	86	133
Rick Dudley Rick Dudley Richard Clarence Dudley is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. Dudley was previously the general manager of several hockey teams. Dudley played in the World Hockey Association and in the National Hockey League. Dudley has also served as a head coach in the National...	Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...	64	40	44	84	159
Danny Schock Danny Schock Daniel Patrick Schock is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 20 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers...	Richmond Robins Richmond Robins The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76...	74	48	36	84	37

• complete list

Calder Cup playoffs

Trophy and award winners

Team awards

Calder Cup Calder Cup The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup... Playoff champions:	Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...
F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy Regular Season champions, East Division:	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
John D. Chick Trophy John D. Chick Trophy The John D. Chick Trophy is presented annually to the AHL's team that has the best record in the West Division.The award is named after John Chick, who served as vice president and treasurer of the American Hockey League.... Regular Season champions, West Division:	Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...

Individual awards

Les Cunningham Award Les Cunningham Award The Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players.... Most valuable player:	Bill Inglis Bill Inglis William John "Billy" Inglis is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played 36 games in the National Hockey League: 22 with the Los Angeles Kings and 14 with the Buffalo Sabres...  - Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...
John B. Sollenberger Trophy John B. Sollenberger Trophy The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors... Top point scorer:	Yvon Lambert Yvon Lambert Yvon Pierre Lambert is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Yvon started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1973. He would spend nine years in Montreal before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres...  - Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award Rookie of the year:	Ron Anderson - Boston Braves Boston Braves (AHL) The Boston Braves were a professional ice hockey team in Boston, Massachusetts. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1971 to 1974....
Eddie Shore Award Eddie Shore Award The Eddie Shore Award is presented annually to the AHL's best defenceman. The award winner is chosen by AHL media and players. The award is named after Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Shore.-Winners:-Other Eddie Shore Award:... Defenceman of the year:	Ray McKay Ray McKay Raymond Owen McKay is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks, Buffalo Sabres, and California Golden Seals...  - Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award Lowest goals against average:	Michel Larocque Michel Larocque Michel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....  & Michel Deguise - Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award The Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the most outstanding coach during the season, as voted upon by members of the AHL media.... Coach of the year:	Floyd Smith Floyd Smith Ronald Floyd Smith was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres and who coached for 4 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Buffalo Sabres...  - Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons...

Other awards

James C. Hendy Memorial Award James C. Hendy Memorial Award The James C. Hendy Memorial Award is presented annually to an executive who has made the most outstanding contribution to the American Hockey League.... Most outstanding executive:	Richard F. Canning
James H. Ellery Memorial Award James H. Ellery Memorial Awards The James H. Ellery Memorial Awards are presented annually to the individuals of the news media for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League. The awards honor the late James Ellery, former publicity director for the AHL. The first award was handed out to one individual in 1965...   Outstanding media coverage:	Jerry Linquist, Baltimore