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CaptainCrunch · 05-11-2024, 08:48 PM

1977-78

Six years after NHL President Clarence Campbell declared that the WHA would never get off of the ground, the WHA was still alive and in some centres doing relatively well, and refused to fold their tent and merge with the NHL. On top of that the WHA had managed to retain some of hockey's biggest names. Bobby Hull was a major star in Winnipeg. Gordie pumped in 34 goals after his move from Houston to New England. Frank Mahovlich was playing for the Bulls in Birmingham. On top of that two swedes Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg were dazzling hockey fans as they lead the way for European players heading to North America.

The WHA had defied the NHL, and kept hanging around. Sure they had gone from a 12 team circuit to 8 teams, but they had enough resources to keep going for a while and to continue to be a thorn in the side of the NHL.

The NHL hated the WHA, they had driven up player salaries as WHA teams paid salaries that the often had to match or beat. Additionally, while the NHL was trying to get rid of fighting to throttle teams like the Flyers, the WHA promoted fighting as a part of hockey and the fans loved it. Birmingham had Steve Durbano, Frank Beaton, Gilles Bilodeau and Dave Hanson, they were all goons with personality and they made the Bulls an attraction.

League power brokers Bill Wirtz and Bruce Norris believed that the WHA would last into the 80's and they didn't like that. They united behind John Ziegler and pulled off a palace coupe replacing Campbell with Ziegler.

Ziegler now the NHL's 4th president orders were unequivocal. Make peace with the WHA and then eliminate them as competitors. To that end Ziegler held secret meetings with WHA President Howard Baldwin, and though they came close in 1978 to a merger, a deal would come in the next year.

Meanwhile hockey fans were witness to two great teams. The NHL's Montreal Canadians dominated again with a 59-10-11 season, led by Guy Lafleurs 60 goals and 132 points as he took home another Hart Trophy. Ken Dryden won another Vezina, Larry Robinson led the best defence in the league and it was no surprise when the Canadians steamrolled through the playoffs beating Boston in 6 games to win their 3rd straight cup.

Meanwhile in the WHA, the Jets had the Hull-Nilsson-Heberg line that was probably the best line in hockey. In the playoffs the Jets powered to the Avco Cup winning 8 straight games and beating New England.

Now with a merger closer then ever, Hockey Fans speculated on how the WHA teams would do against the senior circuit. They would find out before the decade ended as the NHL-WHA merger was just around the corner.

Trivia

The NHL elects John Ziegler as their 4th president, and Clarence Campbell retires.

The Hall of Fame inducts 5 members including Alex Delvecchio and Tim Horton.
The NHL debut's the Selke Trophy which will be awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward.
With the first pick in the draft the Wings draft Dale McCourt from St Catherines.
NHL Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NHL_amateur_draft
WHA Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_WHA_amateur_draft
On Dec 11, Flyers defenseman Tom Bladon scores 4 goals and adds 4 assists in a 11-1 win over Cleveland.
The New York Islanders finish on top of the Patrick Division for the first time with a 48-17-15 record.
Islanders Mike Bossy sets a rookie record scoring 53 goals in his first year.
Atlanta features 7 20 goal scorers and finishes 3rd in the Patrick Division.
Controversy swirls in New York as Rangers GM John Ferguson "retires" Rod Gilbert a rival from Ferguson's playing days in Montreal.
The Black Hawks bring in Bob Pulford as coach and finish first in the Smythe Division.
Minnesota goes through 3 coaches en route to their worst season ever with a 18 win season.
The Canadians win the Norris Division again.
Ken Dryden leads the league with a 2.05 GAA.
The Bruins boast an all time record 11 20 goal scorers as they win the Adams Division.
Lanny McDonald scores 47 points as the Leafs finish third behind the Bruins.
Guy Lafleur leads the league with 60 goals, Islanders rookie Mike Bossy finishes second with 53.
Guy Lafleur wins the scoring race with 132 points. Future Flames Savior Darryl Sutter finishes third with 117.
LA's Dave Schultz leads the league with 405 penalty minutes.
In the WHA, San Diego, Calgary and Phoenix all fold.
The WHA goes to one division with 8 teams. The Jets finish first with 102 points.
Winnipeg superstars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson are affered 2.4 million each over 2 years to jump to the Rangers.
Unhappy with ownership in Houston, the Howe family join New England. Gordie scores 96 points at the age of 49.
The Bulls boast 4 of the top 5 penalty leaders led by Steve Durbano with 285 pim, Frank Beaton with 279, Gilles Bilodeau with 258 and Dave Hanson with 241.
Quebec's Marc Tardiff sets a WHA record for points with 154 and scores 65 goals.
Winnipeg and New England meet in the WHA finals. The Jets outscore the Whalers 28-8 in a 4 game sweep as they win their second straight Avco Cup.
In the NHL playoffs, the Flyers sweep Colorado in 2 games, Detroit sweeps Atlanta, The Leafs broom LA and Buffalo beats the Rangers in 3 games.
Boston sweeps Chicago in the quarterfinals. The Flyers beat Buffalo in 5, Montreal tosses Detroit in 5 and Toronto upsets the Islanders with an OT win in game 7.
Montreal trashes Toronto outscoring them 16-6 in a 4 game sweep. Boston crushes the Flyers in 5 games.
Montreal beats Boston in 6 games to win their third straight Stanley Cup.
Larry Robinson scores 17 points in the playoffs to win the Conn Smythe trophy.
Guy Lafleur wins his second straight Hart Trophy and third straight Lester B. Pearson Award.
Montreal's Bob Gainey wins the first Selke Trophy.
Ken Dryden wins his third straight Vezina trophy sharing it with his caddy Bunny Laroque.
Mike Bossy wins the Calder Trophy.
Denis Potvin wins the Norris Trophy.
Detroit coach Bobby Kromm wins the Jack Adams trophy.
LA's weirdo Butch Goring wins the Lady Byng and Masterton trophy.
Bobby Smith of the Ottawa 67's wins the CMJ player of the year.
New Westminster wins its 2nd straight Memorial Cup.
Boston University beats Boston college wins the NCAA title.

Debuts

Doug Wilson, Chicago Black Hawks
Barry Beck, Colorado Rockies
Dale McCourt, Detroit Red Wings
Vaclav Nedomansky, Detroit Red Wings
Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings
Mike Bossy, New York Islanders
Ron Duguay, New York Rangers
Glen Hanlon, Vancouver Canucks
Murray Bannerman, Vancouver Canucks
Robert Picard, Washington Capitals

Nedomansky began his major professional career in the World Hockey Association.

Last Games

Johnny Bucyk, Boston Bruins
Eddie Johnston, Chicago Black Hawks
Jim Neilson, Cleveland Barons
Dennis Hull, Detroit Red Wings
Ed Giacomin, Detroit Red Wings
Bill Goldsworthy, New York Rangers
Dallas Smith, New York Rangers
Ken Hodge, New York Rangers
Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers
Gary Dornhoefer, Philadelphia Flyers
Derek Sanderson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Claude Larose, St. Louis Blues
Bob Plager, St. Louis Blues
Jim Roberts, St. Louis Blues
Red Berenson, St. Louis Blues
Cesare Maniago, Vancouver Canucks

NOTE: Goldsworthy and Neilson would finish their major professional careers in the World Hockey Association.

05-11-2024, 08:48 PM	#178
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1977-78 Six years after NHL President Clarence Campbell declared that the WHA would never get off of the ground, the WHA was still alive and in some centres doing relatively well, and refused to fold their tent and merge with the NHL. On top of that the WHA had managed to retain some of hockey's biggest names. Bobby Hull was a major star in Winnipeg. Gordie pumped in 34 goals after his move from Houston to New England. Frank Mahovlich was playing for the Bulls in Birmingham. On top of that two swedes Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg were dazzling hockey fans as they lead the way for European players heading to North America. The WHA had defied the NHL, and kept hanging around. Sure they had gone from a 12 team circuit to 8 teams, but they had enough resources to keep going for a while and to continue to be a thorn in the side of the NHL. The NHL hated the WHA, they had driven up player salaries as WHA teams paid salaries that the often had to match or beat. Additionally, while the NHL was trying to get rid of fighting to throttle teams like the Flyers, the WHA promoted fighting as a part of hockey and the fans loved it. Birmingham had Steve Durbano, Frank Beaton, Gilles Bilodeau and Dave Hanson, they were all goons with personality and they made the Bulls an attraction. League power brokers Bill Wirtz and Bruce Norris believed that the WHA would last into the 80's and they didn't like that. They united behind John Ziegler and pulled off a palace coupe replacing Campbell with Ziegler. Ziegler now the NHL's 4th president orders were unequivocal. Make peace with the WHA and then eliminate them as competitors. To that end Ziegler held secret meetings with WHA President Howard Baldwin, and though they came close in 1978 to a merger, a deal would come in the next year. Meanwhile hockey fans were witness to two great teams. The NHL's Montreal Canadians dominated again with a 59-10-11 season, led by Guy Lafleurs 60 goals and 132 points as he took home another Hart Trophy. Ken Dryden won another Vezina, Larry Robinson led the best defence in the league and it was no surprise when the Canadians steamrolled through the playoffs beating Boston in 6 games to win their 3rd straight cup. Meanwhile in the WHA, the Jets had the Hull-Nilsson-Heberg line that was probably the best line in hockey. In the playoffs the Jets powered to the Avco Cup winning 8 straight games and beating New England. Now with a merger closer then ever, Hockey Fans speculated on how the WHA teams would do against the senior circuit. They would find out before the decade ended as the NHL-WHA merger was just around the corner. Trivia The NHL elects John Ziegler as their 4th president, and Clarence Campbell retires. The Hall of Fame inducts 5 members including Alex Delvecchio and Tim Horton. The NHL debut's the Selke Trophy which will be awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward. With the first pick in the draft the Wings draft Dale McCourt from St Catherines. NHL Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NHL_amateur_draft WHA Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_WHA_amateur_draft On Dec 11, Flyers defenseman Tom Bladon scores 4 goals and adds 4 assists in a 11-1 win over Cleveland. The New York Islanders finish on top of the Patrick Division for the first time with a 48-17-15 record. Islanders Mike Bossy sets a rookie record scoring 53 goals in his first year. Atlanta features 7 20 goal scorers and finishes 3rd in the Patrick Division. Controversy swirls in New York as Rangers GM John Ferguson "retires" Rod Gilbert a rival from Ferguson's playing days in Montreal. The Black Hawks bring in Bob Pulford as coach and finish first in the Smythe Division. Minnesota goes through 3 coaches en route to their worst season ever with a 18 win season. The Canadians win the Norris Division again. Ken Dryden leads the league with a 2.05 GAA. The Bruins boast an all time record 11 20 goal scorers as they win the Adams Division. Lanny McDonald scores 47 points as the Leafs finish third behind the Bruins. Guy Lafleur leads the league with 60 goals, Islanders rookie Mike Bossy finishes second with 53. Guy Lafleur wins the scoring race with 132 points. Future Flames Savior Darryl Sutter finishes third with 117. LA's Dave Schultz leads the league with 405 penalty minutes. In the WHA, San Diego, Calgary and Phoenix all fold. The WHA goes to one division with 8 teams. The Jets finish first with 102 points. Winnipeg superstars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson are affered 2.4 million each over 2 years to jump to the Rangers. Unhappy with ownership in Houston, the Howe family join New England. Gordie scores 96 points at the age of 49. The Bulls boast 4 of the top 5 penalty leaders led by Steve Durbano with 285 pim, Frank Beaton with 279, Gilles Bilodeau with 258 and Dave Hanson with 241. Quebec's Marc Tardiff sets a WHA record for points with 154 and scores 65 goals. Winnipeg and New England meet in the WHA finals. The Jets outscore the Whalers 28-8 in a 4 game sweep as they win their second straight Avco Cup. In the NHL playoffs, the Flyers sweep Colorado in 2 games, Detroit sweeps Atlanta, The Leafs broom LA and Buffalo beats the Rangers in 3 games. Boston sweeps Chicago in the quarterfinals. The Flyers beat Buffalo in 5, Montreal tosses Detroit in 5 and Toronto upsets the Islanders with an OT win in game 7. Montreal trashes Toronto outscoring them 16-6 in a 4 game sweep. Boston crushes the Flyers in 5 games. Montreal beats Boston in 6 games to win their third straight Stanley Cup. Larry Robinson scores 17 points in the playoffs to win the Conn Smythe trophy. Guy Lafleur wins his second straight Hart Trophy and third straight Lester B. Pearson Award. Montreal's Bob Gainey wins the first Selke Trophy. Ken Dryden wins his third straight Vezina trophy sharing it with his caddy Bunny Laroque. Mike Bossy wins the Calder Trophy. Denis Potvin wins the Norris Trophy. Detroit coach Bobby Kromm wins the Jack Adams trophy. LA's weirdo Butch Goring wins the Lady Byng and Masterton trophy. Bobby Smith of the Ottawa 67's wins the CMJ player of the year. New Westminster wins its 2nd straight Memorial Cup. Boston University beats Boston college wins the NCAA title. Debuts Doug Wilson, Chicago Black Hawks Barry Beck, Colorado Rockies Dale McCourt, Detroit Red Wings Vaclav Nedomansky, Detroit Red Wings Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings Mike Bossy, New York Islanders Ron Duguay, New York Rangers Glen Hanlon, Vancouver Canucks Murray Bannerman, Vancouver Canucks Robert Picard, Washington Capitals Nedomansky began his major professional career in the World Hockey Association. Last Games Johnny Bucyk, Boston Bruins Eddie Johnston, Chicago Black Hawks Jim Neilson, Cleveland Barons Dennis Hull, Detroit Red Wings Ed Giacomin, Detroit Red Wings Bill Goldsworthy, New York Rangers Dallas Smith, New York Rangers Ken Hodge, New York Rangers Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers Gary Dornhoefer, Philadelphia Flyers Derek Sanderson, Pittsburgh Penguins Claude Larose, St. Louis Blues Bob Plager, St. Louis Blues Jim Roberts, St. Louis Blues Red Berenson, St. Louis Blues Cesare Maniago, Vancouver Canucks NOTE: Goldsworthy and Neilson would finish their major professional careers in the World Hockey Association. YouTube Video YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!