The 1975–76 WHA 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 fourth season of the World Hockey Association

World Hockey Association

The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...

. After the Baltimore Blades and Chicago Cougars folded, the league stayed at 14 teams by adding the Cincinnati Stingers and Denver Spurs. In addition, Vancouver moved to Calgary and became the Cowboys. Midway through the season, the Spurs moved to Ottawa and became the Civics. Theoretically, fourteen teams would play 80 games each, but four of five Canadian Division teams played 81, due to the WHA's tiebreaker rule, while two teams (Minnesota

Minnesota Fighting Saints

The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...

 and Denver

Denver Spurs

The Denver Spurs were a professional ice hockey team based out of Denver, Colorado. The Spurs began play in the Western Hockey League in 1968, and played at the Denver Coliseum. The Spurs became the first professional sports team in Colorado to win a championship in 1971–72...

/Ottawa

Ottawa Civics

The Ottawa Civics was a professional ice hockey team based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that played a portion of one season in the World Hockey Association in a mid-season relocation of the Denver Spurs.-Move to Ottawa:...

) folded mid-season.

Final standings

Canadian Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Winnipeg Jets	81	52	27	2	106	345	254	940
Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...	81	50	27	4	104	371	316	1654
Calgary Cowboys Blazers/Cowboys (WHA) The Blazers/Cowboys were an ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972–1977. Originally in 1972, the franchise was to be based out of Miami, Florida, called the Miami Screaming Eagles. But due to money problems and a lack of a suitable arena, they never played a game in Miami...	80	41	35	4	86	307	282	1064
Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....	81	27	49	5	59	268	345	991
Toronto Toros Toronto Toros The Toronto Toros were an ice hockey team based in Toronto that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1976.The franchise was awarded to Doug Michel in 1971 to play in the WHA's inaugural 1972–73 season...	81	24	52	5	53	335	398	1099
Denver Spurs Denver Spurs The Denver Spurs were a professional ice hockey team based out of Denver, Colorado. The Spurs began play in the Western Hockey League in 1968, and played at the Denver Coliseum. The Spurs became the first professional sports team in Colorado to win a championship in 1971–72...  / Ottawa Civics Ottawa Civics The Ottawa Civics was a professional ice hockey team based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that played a portion of one season in the World Hockey Association in a mid-season relocation of the Denver Spurs.-Move to Ottawa:... +	41	14	26	1	29	134	172	536

+team started season in Western Division when playing in Denver; transferred by league to Canadian Division shortly after moving to Ottawa.

Eastern Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Indianapolis Racers Indianapolis Racers The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...	80	35	39	6	76	245	247	1301
Cleveland Crusaders Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...	80	35	40	5	75	273	279	1356
New England Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...	80	33	40	7	73	255	290	1012
Cincinnati Stingers Cincinnati Stingers The Cincinnati Stingers was an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Its home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and it was the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.-History:The Stingers franchise was awarded in...	80	35	44	1	71	285	340	1344

Western Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Houston Aeros Houston Aeros (WHA) The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972...	80	53	27	0	106	341	263	1093
Phoenix Roadrunners Phoenix Roadrunners (WHA) The Phoenix Roadrunners were a team in the now defunct World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1977. They played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona...	80	39	35	6	84	302	287	1292
San Diego Mariners San Diego Mariners The San Diego Mariners were an ice hockey team based in San Diego that played in the World Hockey Association. They played from 1974 to 1977. Their home ice was San Diego Sports Arena...	80	36	38	6	78	303	290	716
Minnesota Fighting Saints Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...	59	30	25	4	64	211	212	1354

Scoring leaders

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

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts
Marc Tardif Marc Tardif Marc Tardif is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is the leading goal scorer in the history of the World Hockey Association, principally for the Quebec Nordiques.-Playing career:...	Qbc	81	71	77	148
Bobby Hull Bobby Hull Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...	Wpg	80	53	70	123
Real Cloutier Real Cloutier Réal "Buddy" Cloutier is a retired Canadian ice hockey winger. Cloutier spent his most prolific years in the World Hockey Association with the Quebec Nordiques...	Qbc	80	60	54	114
Ulf Nilsson	Wpg	78	38	76	114
Robbie Ftorek Robbie Ftorek Robert Brian Ftorek is a former NHL player and coach. He was enshrined as member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991...	Phx	80	41	72	113
Chris Bordeleau	Qbc	74	37	72	109
Anders Hedberg Anders Hedberg Anders Hedberg is a retired former professional ice hockey player who was one of the first European-born players to make an impact in North America...	Wpg	76	50	55	105
Rejean Houle Réjean Houle Réjean Houle is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward, most notably for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League, for whom he also served a controversial stint as general manager.-Playing career:...	Qbc	81	51	52	103
Serge Bernier Serge Bernier Serge Joseph Bernier is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Quebec Nordiques. He also played six seasons in the World Hockey Association for Quebec...	Qbc	70	34	68	102
Gordie Howe Gordie Howe Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...	Hou	78	32	70	102

Quarterfinals

• Winnipeg 4 Edmonton 0
• Calgary 4 Quebec 1
• New England 4 Indianapolis 3
• Houston 4 San Diego 2

WHA awards

Avco World Trophy Avco World Trophy The Avco World Trophy, also known as the Avco Cup, was the championship trophy of the original World Hockey Association . The trophy's naming rights were sold to the former Avco Corporation , a defense contractor who bought the rights to advertise their consumer finance division... :	Winnipeg Jets
Gordie Howe Trophy Gordie Howe Trophy The Gary L. Davidson Award was given to the most valuable player of the World Hockey Association regular season, from 1973 to 1975. It was named in honour of WHA co-founder Gary Davidson, but for the 1975–76 WHA season, it was renamed the Gordie Howe Trophy in honour of one of hockey's all-time... :	Marc Tardif Marc Tardif Marc Tardif is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is the leading goal scorer in the history of the World Hockey Association, principally for the Quebec Nordiques.-Playing career:...
Bill Hunter Trophy Bill Hunter Trophy The Bill Hunter Trophy was presented to the World Hockey Association's scoring leader in the regular season.It was named in honour of Bill Hunter, who founded the Alberta Oilers hockey club .... :	Marc Tardif Marc Tardif Marc Tardif is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is the leading goal scorer in the history of the World Hockey Association, principally for the Quebec Nordiques.-Playing career:...
Lou Kaplan Trophy Lou Kaplan Trophy The Lou Kaplan Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's rookie of the year.-History:Lou Kaplan was one of the original owners of the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA. On August 10, 1973, the WHA officially named its trophies after the team officials at the WHA's founding... :	Mark Napier
Ben Hatskin Trophy Ben Hatskin Trophy The Ben Hatskin Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's best goaltender.It was named in honour of Ben Hatskin, who founded the Winnipeg Jets.Ben Hatskin Trophy winners have included:*1979 – Dave Dryden, Edmonton Oilers... :	Michel Dion Michel Dion Michel J. Dion is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who was active in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League from 1975 to 1985...
Dennis A. Murphy Trophy Dennis A. Murphy Trophy The Dennis A. Murphy Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's best defenceman.It was named in honour of WHA co-founder Dennis Murphy.Dennis Murphy Trophy Winners*1979 – Rick Ley, New England Whalers... :	Paul Shmyr Paul Shmyr Paul Shmyr was a World Hockey Association and National Hockey League defenceman.-Playing career:...
Paul Deneau Trophy Paul Deneau Trophy The Paul Deneau Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's most gentlemanly player.It was named in honour of Paul Deneau, founder the Dayton Aeros hockey club.Paul Deneau Trophy Winners*1979 – Kent Nilsson, Winnipeg Jets... :	Vaclav Nedomansky Vaclav Nedomansky Václav Nedomanský Václav Nedomanský Václav Nedomanský (born March 14, 1944 in Hodonín, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), is a former hockey forward. He is best known as the first hockey player to defect to North America to play.-Playing in Czechoslovakia:...
Howard Baldwin Trophy Howard Baldwin Trophy The Howard Baldwin Trophy was presented annually to the World Hockey Association's coach of the year.It was named in honour of New England Whalers co-founder Howard Baldwin... :	Bobby Kromm Bobby Kromm Robert Kromm was an National Hockey League head coach who in 1978 became the first coach of the Detroit Red Wings to win the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year. He led the 1977–78 Red Wings to a 37-point improvement on their 16 win season the year previous, and a second place finish in...
WHA Playoff MVP WHA Playoff MVP The Playoff MVP award for the World Hockey Association was handed out annually from 1975 to 1979 to the most valuable player of the playoffs.WHA Playoff MVP winners*1975 - Ron Grahame, Houston Aeros*1976 - Ulf Nilsson, Winnipeg Jets... :	Ulf Nilsson