1979–80 Hartford Whalers season

The 1979–80 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' first season in the National Hockey League. Along with the Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets, the Whalers were one of four World Hockey Association franchises that joined the NHL. Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull and André Lacroix all played the final NHL games of their illustrious hockey careers with the 1979-80 Whalers.

1979–80 Hartford Whalers
Division4th Norris
Conference8th Wales
1979–80 record27–34–19
Home record22–12–6
Road record5–22–13
Goals for303
Goals against312
Team information
General managerJack Kelley
CoachDon Blackburn
CaptainRick Ley
ArenaSpringfield Civic Center
(first 22 home games)
Hartford Civic Center
Average attendance9,833 (91.9%) [1]
Minor league affiliate(s)Springfield Indians (AHL)
Cincinnati Stingers (CHL)
Utica Mohawks (EHL)
Team leaders
GoalsBlaine Stoughton (56)
AssistsMike Rogers (61)
PointsMike Rogers (105)
Penalty minutesNick Fotiu (107)
Plus/minusMike Rogers (+29)
WinsJohn Garrett (16)
Goals against averageAl Smith (3.67)

Offseason
Hartford Whalers logo introduced in 1979, designed by Peter Good, a Connecticut-based graphic designer. This logo replaces the harpoon by combining a green W for Whalers with a blue whale's tail. The negative space--the white area between the W and the whale's tail--acts as an H for Hartford.

NHL Amateur Draft

Hartford's draft picks from the 1979 NHL Entry Draft which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, on August 9, 1979.

Round # Player Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
118Ray Allison CanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
239Stuart Smith CanadaPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
360Don Nachbaur CanadaBillings Bighorns (WHL)
481Ray Neufeld CanadaEdmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
5102Mark Renaud CanadaNiagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
6123Dave McDonald CanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Reclaimed players

Reclaiming of players: The 17 existing NHL teams were allowed to reclaim any rights to former WHA players they held. The four incoming franchises, however, were allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters, voiding their NHL rights. These players were considered "priority selections" in the expansion draft. Gordie Howe was one of two special cases (the other being Wayne Gretzky, for the Edmonton Oilers), as a gentlemen's agreement between the Hartford Whalers and the Detroit Red Wings, which held his rights, led to the Wings declining to reclaim Howe.

These are Hartford players whose NHL rights were reclaimed when the WHA merged with the NHL. This list is incomplete.

# Player Reclaimed From Reclaimed By
2.Alan Hangsleben (D)Hartford WhalersMontreal Canadiens
7.Rick Ley (D)Hartford WhalersToronto Maple Leafs
9.George Lyle (LW)Hartford WhalersDetroit Red Wings
10.Warren Miller (RW)Hartford WhalersNew York Rangers

Whalers selections
# Player Drafted From Drafted By
1.Rick Ley (D)Toronto Maple LeafsHartford Whalers
2.Nick Fotiu (LW)New York RangersHartford Whalers
3.Al Sims (D)Boston BruinsHartford Whalers
4.Bernie Johnston (C/LW)Philadelphia FlyersHartford Whalers
5.Brian Hill (RW)Atlanta FlamesHartford Whalers
6.M. F. Schurman (LW)Philadelphia FlyersHartford Whalers
7.Rick Hodgson (D)Atlanta FlamesHartford Whalers
8.Kevin Kemp (D)Toronto Maple LeafsHartford Whalers
9.Jean Savard (C)Chicago Black HawksHartford Whalers
10.Alan Hangsleben (D)Montreal CanadiensHartford Whalers
11.Ralph Klassen (F)Colorado RockiesHartford Whalers
12.Bill Bennett (LW)Boston BruinsHartford Whalers
13.Dave Given (F)Buffalo SabresHartford Whalers
14.Nick Beverley (D)Colorado RockiesHartford Whalers
15.Norm Lapointe GVancouver CanucksHartford Whalers
16.Don Kozak (?)Vancouver CanucksHartford Whalers

Regular season

October

The Whalers played their first ever National Hockey League game on October 11, 1979, against the Minnesota North Stars at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Gordie Roberts scored the Whalers first goal in franchise history, as the Whalers lost to the North Stars 4-1. Two nights later, on October 13, the Whalers earned their first point, as they tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-3. The Whalers would end their season starting four game road trip with a 0-2-2 record.

On October 19, the Whalers played their first ever home game at the Springfield Civic Center, and were led by Mark Howe, as he scored two goals, including the Whalers first ever home goal, as the Whalers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 in front of 7,626 fans. Goaltender John Garrett made 18 saves for the victory.[2]

Hartford earned their first road win on October 31, as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario.

Overall, the Whalers had a 2-4-4 record for eight points in October, sitting in fourth place in the Norris Division.

November

After winning their final game of October, the Whalers extended their winning streak to three games, as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second time in a row, this time by a 5-3 score at home with Gordie Howe leading the way with two goals, followed by a big 7-2 victory on the road against the Colorado Rockies to even their overall record to 4-4-4. The Black Hawks stopped the Whalers winning streak on November 9 as Chicago won the game 4-2 at the Civic Center.

On November 19, goaltender Al Smith stopped all 23 shots against the Edmonton Oilers to earn the first shutout in Whalers history, as Hartford won the game 4-0 at home.

The Whalers continued to hover around the .500 mark throughout the month, and by the end of November, they had an 8-8-6 record, earning 22 points and remained in fourth place in the Norris Division, just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third.

December

The Whalers opened the month with two ties on the road, as they skated to a 4–4 tie against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on December 1, followed by a 3–3 draw against the Washington Capitals at the Capital Centre to improve their record to 8–8–8 for the season.

Hartford then lost their next five games, including being shut out for the first time in team history, as on December 9 they lost 3–0 to the Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. The Whalers snapped their five-game losing streak on December 19, with a 5–4 win over the Washington Capitals; however, the club ended December on a four-game winless streak (0–3–1).

For the month, the Whalers had a record of 1–8–3 in 12 games, and an overall record of 9–16–9, getting 27 points, as the team slipped into the Norris Division cellar, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings.

January

After the Whalers went 0–3–1 to finish December, the club opened January with a 0–4–1 record, extending their winless streak to nine games. Since December 1, the Whalers had a 1–12–4 record.

The team snapped out of their slump on January 12, as both Jordy Douglas and Blaine Stoughton scored twice, leading the Whalers to a 6–4 win over the Detroit Red Wings. This began a four-game winning streak for Hartford, as the team then defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 7–1, Chicago Black Hawks 5-3 and Winnipeg Jets 7-2.

The Montreal Canadiens ended the Whalers' winning streak on January 24, as they defeated Hartford 7-2, followed by a 3–2 loss to the New York Islanders two nights later; however, the Whalers won their final two games of the month, including a 6–1 victory over the Atlanta Flames, and an 8–2 win over their rivals, the Boston Bruins, to close the month.

The Whalers put together a record of 6-6-1 in January, improving to 15–22–10 for the season; however, the club remained in last place in the Norris Division, five points behind the Detroit Red Wings.

February

After dropping their first game of the month against the Atlanta Flames, the Whalers would then go on a six-game homestand, putting together a 3-1-2 record, highlighted by a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders, led by Jordy Douglas and his four goals in their final game at the Springfield Civic Center on February 3. In their first game at the Hartford Civic Center on February 6, Mark Howe had two goals and two assists, leading the Whalers to a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings in front of 14,448 fans.

After a loss on February 16 by a 5-3 score at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, the Whalers put together a three-game winning streak, scoring six goals in each of their wins. The Quebec Nordiques snapped the Whalers winning streak on February 26 by defeating Hartford 9-5. Hartford lost again the next night against the Boston Bruins by a 6-3 score, however, the team ended the month with a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Blues.

The Whalers put together their first winning month in team history, as the team went 7-5-2 in 14 games, and improved to 22-27-12 on the season, earning 56 points, and back into fourth place in the Norris Division, three points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, and only one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third.

March/April

Hartford won their first game of March by a score of 6-3 against the St. Louis Blues, however, the team would then go winless in their next four games (0-2-2). The Whalers snapped out of their slump with two straight wins, defeating the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 on March 13, followed by a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies two nights later on March 15.

After losing to the Minnesota North Stars 6-1 on March 16, the team would then tie their next three games, each by a 5-5 score, twice against the Montreal Canadiens and once against the Philadelphia Flyers to extend their winless skid to four games. Hartford then lost two more games in a row, which included a 7-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, making it a six-game winless streak.

Hartford's winless streak would extend to eight games, as they tied the Vancouver Canucks 4-4, followed by a 2-2 tie against the Los Angeles Kings. The streak would continue, as Hartford then lost 5-4 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 1, followed by a 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins the following day, extending the Whalers streak to 10 games.

Hartford ended their winless streak on April 4 in convincing fashion, as the Whalers routed the Quebec Nordiques by a 9-2 score. Two nights later, in their last game of the season, the Whalers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-3, highlighted by a Gordie Howe goal in his last ever regular season game in front of 10,687 fans at the Civic Center.

Overall, the Whalers finished their inaugural season with a 27-34-19 record, earning 73 points, and finished in fourth place in the Norris Division, earning a playoff berth. Their 73 points tied the Pittsburgh Penguins, however, the Penguins held the tie breaker, as Pittsburgh had 30 wins, and only one point behind the second place Los Angeles Kings. The Whalers finished 10 points ahead of the last place Detroit Red Wings.

Gordie Howe

When the WHA folded in 1979, the Hartford Whalers joined the NHL and the 51-year-old Howe signed on for one final season playing in all 80 games of the schedule, helping his team to make the playoffs with fifteen goals. One particular honor was when Howe, Phil Esposito, and Jean Ratelle were selected to the mid-season all-star game by coach Scotty Bowman, as a nod to their storied careers before they retired. Howe had played in five decades of all-star games and he would skate alongside the second-youngest to ever play in the game, 19-year-old Wayne Gretzky. The Joe Louis Arena crowd gave him a standing ovation twice, lasting so long, he had to skate to the bench to stop people from cheering. He had one assist in his side's 6–3 win.

Final standings
Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens80472013328240107
Los Angeles Kings8030361429031374
Pittsburgh Penguins8030371325130373
Hartford Whalers8027341930331273
Detroit Red Wings8026431126830663

[3]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Vs. Wales Conference

Vs. Campbell Conference

Schedule and results
No. R Date Score Opponent Record Attendance
1LOctober 11, 19791–4@ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)0–1–011,214
2TOctober 13, 19793–3@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)0–1–18,623
3TOctober 14, 19793–3@ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)0–1–210,827
4LOctober 17, 19791–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)0–2–216,433
5WOctober 19, 19796–3Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)1–2–27,626
6LOctober 20, 19791–6@ New York Islanders (1979–80)1–3–214,556
7TOctober 24, 19792–2@ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)1–3–310,445
8LOctober 26, 19791–2New York Islanders (1979–80)1–4–37,267
9TOctober 28, 19792–2@ New York Rangers (1979–80)1–4–417,407
10WOctober 31, 19794–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)2–4–416,485
11WNovember 2, 19795–3Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)3–4–47,643
12WNovember 6, 19797–2@ Colorado Rockies (1979–80)4–4–47,814
13LNovember 9, 19792–4Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)4–5–47,618
14TNovember 11, 19795–5@ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)4–5–59,634
15LNovember 14, 19792–3@ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)4–6–512,736
16WNovember 17, 19794–0Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)5–6–57,627
17LNovember 18, 19794–5@ Boston Bruins (1979–80)5–7–511,834
18WNovember 21, 19795–3Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)6–7–57,627
19TNovember 24, 19794–4Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)6–7–67,627
20WNovember 25, 19794–2Atlanta Flames (1979–80)7–7–67,627
21LNovember 27, 19792–6@ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)7–8–617,077
22WNovember 30, 19797–5Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)8–8–67,627
23TDecember 1, 19794–4@ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)8–8–716,879
24TDecember 4, 19793–3@ Washington Capitals (1979–80)8–8–86,946
25LDecember 7, 19794–7New York Rangers (1979–80)8–9–87,627
26LDecember 9, 19790–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)8–10–815,423
27LDecember 11, 19793–5@ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)8–11–816,165
28LDecember 12, 19794–7@ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)8–12–88,732
29LDecember 15, 19795–6@ Colorado Rockies (1979–80)8–13–89,438
30WDecember 19, 19795–4Washington Capitals (1979–80)9–13–87,100
31LDecember 22, 19792–4Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)9–14–87,627
32LDecember 23, 19792–4@ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)9–15–817,077
33TDecember 26, 19794–4Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)9–15–97,627
34LDecember 29, 19790–3@ St. Louis Blues (1979–80)9–16–912,175
35TJanuary 2, 19803–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)9–16–1015,423
36LJanuary 4, 19803–6Washington Capitals (1979–80)9–17–107,623
37LJanuary 6, 19801–2Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)9–18–107,627
38LJanuary 7, 19802–5@ New York Rangers (1979–80)9–19–1017,417
39LJanuary 9, 19802–6@ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)9–20–109,346
40WJanuary 12, 19806–4@ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)10–20–1019,905
41WJanuary 17, 19807–1Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)11–20–107,627
42WJanuary 19, 19805–3Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80)12–20–107,627
43WJanuary 21, 19807–2Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)13–20–107,627
44LJanuary 24, 19802–7Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)13–21–107,627
45LJanuary 26, 19802–3@ New York Islanders (1979–80)13–22–1014,995
46WJanuary 28, 19806–1Atlanta Flames (1979–80)14–22–107,627
47WJanuary 30, 19808–2Boston Bruins (1979–80)15–22–107,627
48LFebruary 2, 19803–5@ Atlanta Flames (1979–80)15–23–1011,040
49WFebruary 3, 19805–3New York Islanders (1979–80)16–23–107,627
50WFebruary 6, 19807–3Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)17–23–1014,448
51TFebruary 8, 19804–4Colorado Rockies (1979–80)17–23–1110,726
52LFebruary 10, 19802–6Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)17–24–1110,886
53TFebruary 12, 19805–5Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)17–24–1210,043
54WFebruary 15, 19805–4Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)18–24–1210,136
55LFebruary 16, 19803–5@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)18–25–1216,485
56WFebruary 18, 19806–4New York Rangers (1979–80)19–25–1214,318
57WFebruary 19, 19806–2Edmonton Oilers (1979–80)20–25–129,955
58WFebruary 23, 19806–5@ Atlanta Flames (1979–80)21–25–129,868
59LFebruary 26, 19805–9@ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)21–26–1210,099
60LFebruary 27, 19803–6Boston Bruins (1979–80)21–27–1214,460
61WFebruary 29, 19803–0St. Louis Blues (1979–80)22–27–1213,622
62WMarch 1, 19806–3@ St. Louis Blues (1979–80)23–27–1214,192
63LMarch 6, 19803–4@ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80)23–28–1216,431
64LMarch 8, 19805–9@ Washington Capitals (1979–80)23–29–1210,521
65TMarch 9, 19801–1@ Boston Bruins (1979–80)23–29–1313,606
66TMarch 12, 19804–4@ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)23–29–1419,041
67WMarch 13, 19803–1Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)24–29–1410,879
68WMarch 15, 19804–1Colorado Rockies (1979–80)25–29–1414,460
69LMarch 16, 19801–6Minnesota North Stars (1979–80)25–30–1413,754
70TMarch 19, 19805–5Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)25–30–1514,366
71TMarch 21, 19805–5Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80)25–30–1614,460
72TMarch 22, 19805–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80)25–30–1717,893
73LMarch 24, 19805–7St. Louis Blues (1979–80)25–31–1712,033
74LMarch 26, 19800–7@ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80)25–32–1713,151
75TMarch 28, 19804–4@ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80)25–32–1816,362
76TMarch 29, 19802–2@ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80)25–32–1912,848
77LApril 1, 19804–5Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80)25–33–1912,845
78LApril 2, 19804–6@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80)25–34–1911,491
79WApril 4, 19809–2Quebec Nordiques (1979–80)26–34–1914,356
80WApril 6, 19805–3Detroit Red Wings (1979–80)27–34–1910,867

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Mike Rogers80446110510
Blaine Stoughton80564410016
Mark Howe7424568020
Dave Keon7610526210
Jordy Douglas7733245739
Pat Boutette4713314475
Gordie Howe8015264142
Al Sims7610314130
Gordie Roberts808283689

[5]

Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Player GP W L T SO GAA
Al Smith301110823.66
John Garrett5216241103.98

[5]

Playoffs

The Whalers opened the 1980 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal had finished the regular season with a 47-20-13 record, earning 107 points and had the best record in the Norris Division. The Canadiens had also won the last four Stanley Cup championships.

The series opened on April 8 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, and the Canadiens opened the scoring 5:50 into the game, when Yvon Lambert beat Whalers goaltender Al Smith to take a 1-0 lead. The Canadiens extended the lead to 2-0 when Brian Engblom beat Smith before the end of the first period. In the second period, Montreal continued to score, as Rick Chartraw made in 3-0 for the Canadiens, followed by a goal by Guy Lafleur to make it 4-0 after two periods. Yvon Lambert scored his second goal of the game midway through the third period, making it 5-0 Montreal, then the Canadiens Steve Shutt scored a powerplay goal at 13:15 of the third, making it 6-0 for the Canadiens. Hartford finally managed a goal late in the game, as Mark Howe scored with 4:59 remaining in the game, spoiling the shutout, as the final score was 6-1 for Montreal, and the Canadiens took a 1-0 series lead.

John Garrett got the start in goal for the Whalers in the second game, however, it was the Canadiens who scored early, as Doug Jarvis scored 30 seconds into the game, making it 1-0. Less than a minute later, Rejean Houle scored another for Montreal, as the Canadiens had a 2-0 lead 1:20 into the game. Before the period was over, the Canadiens added another, as Yvon Lambert had his third goal of the series, making the score 3-0. The Canadiens Gaston Gingras opened the scoring 1:33 into the second period, giving the Habs a 4-0 lead. Ray Neufeld finally got the Whalers on the board, as Marty Howe and Gordie Howe set him up with a goal, as the Whalers cut into the lead, making 4-1. The Canadiens responded quickly though, as Bob Gainey scored 24 seconds later, making it 5-1 for the Canadiens. The Whalers Gordie Roberts made it 5-2 midway through the period, however, the Canadiens continued the route, as they scored three more goals in the period, making it 8-2 after two periods. Hartford's Marty Howe and Gordie Howe each scored goals in the third period, making the final score 8-4 for Montreal, and a 2-0 series lead for the Canadiens.

The series moved the Hartford Civic Center for the third game, making it the first home playoff game in team history in front of 14,460 fans. Goaltender Al Smith returned to the Whalers net, and Hartford opened the scoring when Pat Boutette scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at the 7:03 mark of the first period, giving the Whalers their first lead of the series. The Canadiens responded five minutes later on a goal by Guy Lafleur, as the score was 1-1 after a period of play. The Whalers Tom Rowe broke the tie 1:27 into the second period, making it 2-1 for the Whalers, but once again, the Canadiens tied it 2-2, after a goal by Yvon Lambert, his fifth of the series, less than five minutes later. The two teams remained tied heading into the third period. Montreal's Rejean Houle scored early in the third, giving the Habs their first lead of the game; however, Tom Rowe of the Whalers tied the score midway through the period with his second goal of the game. Neither team could score again, sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Canadiens Yvon Lambert scored his second goal of the game, and sixth of the series, only 29 seconds into overtime, as Montreal won the game 4-3, and swept the series 3-0. This game marked the final game of Gordie Howe's career, as the 52-year-old retired after the season. The Whalers wouldn't return to the playoffs again until 1986.

Montreal Canadiens 3, Hartford Whalers 0
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordAttendance
1April 8Hartford Whalers1–6Montreal Canadiens0-115,992
2April 9Hartford Whalers4–8Montreal Canadiens0-215,242
3April 11Montreal Canadiens4–3Hartford Whalers0-314,460

Awards and records

1980 NHL All-Star Game

Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1979–80 season.

Trades
June 14, 1979 To New York Islanders
Ralph Klassen		 To Hartford Whalers
Terry Richardson
December 24, 1979 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Bob Stephenson		 To Hartford Whalers
Pat Boutette
January 17, 1980 To Washington Capitals
Alan Hangsleben		 To Hartford Whalers
Tom Rowe
February 27, 1980 To Winnipeg Jets
Future Considerations		 To Hartford Whalers
Bobby Hull

Free agents
PlayerFormer Team
Chuck LuksaCincinnati Stingers, WHA
Greg CarrollDetroit Red Wings
Larry GirouxSt. Louis Blues

References
  1. "Hartford Whalers Yearly Attendance Graph". hockeydb.com.
  2. "Flyers History - Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  3. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
  4. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. 1979-80 Hartford Whalers [NHL] player statistics at hockeydb.com
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