The 1975–76 WHA season was the fourth season of the World Hockey Association. After the Baltimore Blades and Chicago Cougars folded, the league stayed at 14 teams by adding the Cincinnati Stingers and Denver Spurs. In addition, the Vancouver Blazers franchise moved to Calgary and became the Cowboys. Midway through the season, the Spurs moved to Ottawa and became the Civics, though the team folded shortly thereafter when the sale of the franchise fell through. The Minnesota Fighting Saints became the second team to fold mid-season when the franchise was not financially successful, despite having a winning record at the time. Theoretically, fourteen teams would play 80 games each, but only twelve teams finished the season, with cancelled games involving the Civics or Saints being rescheduled on the fly, and four of five Canadian Division teams played 81 games, as a result.
+team started season in Western Division when playing in Denver; transferred by league to Canadian Division shortly after moving to Ottawa.
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Bolded numbers indicate season leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties, GA = Goals against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Avco World Trophy playoffs
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The New England Whalers, Cleveland Crusaders, the Phoenix Roadrunners and the San Diego Mariners participated in preliminary rounds, with two teams advancing to the main bracket. The Whalers beat the Crusaders in three games, while the Mariners beat the Roadrunners in five games.
- San Diego Mariners 3, Phoenix Roadrunners 2
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Record
|
| 1 |
April 9 |
San Diego Mariners |
2–3 OT |
Phoenix Roadrunners |
0-1
|
| 2 |
April 10 |
Phoenix Roadrunners |
2–4 |
San Diego Mariners |
1-1
|
| 3 |
April 13 |
San Diego Mariners |
4–6 |
Phoenix Roadrunners |
1-2
|
| 4 |
April 15 |
Phoenix Roadrunners |
1–5 |
San Diego Mariners |
2-2
|
| 5 |
April 17 |
San Diego Mariners |
2–1 |
Phoenix Roadrunners |
3-2
|
- New England Whalers 3, Cleveland Crusaders 0
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Record
|
| 1 |
April 9 |
Cleveland Crusaders |
3–5 |
New England Whalers |
1-0
|
| 2 |
April 10 |
New England Whalers |
6–1 |
Cleveland Crusaders |
2-0
|
| 3 |
April 11 |
New England Whalers |
3–2 |
Cleveland Crusaders |
3-0
|
AVCO World Trophy finals
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(1) Winnipeg Jets VS. (1) Houston Aeros:[1]
Jets sweep series 4–0
- Game 1 (May 20) @ Houston: Winnipeg 4, Houston 3
- Game 2 (May 23) @ Houston: Winnipeg 5, Houston 4
- Game 3 (May 25) @ Winnipeg: Winnipeg 6, Houston 3
- Game 4 (May 27) @ Winnipeg: Winnipeg 9, Houston 1
| Position |
First Team |
Second Team
|
| Centre |
Ulf Nilsson, Winnipeg |
Robbie Ftorek, Phoenix
|
| Right Wing |
Anders Hedberg, Winnipeg |
Real Cloutier, Quebec
|
| Left Wing |
Marc Tardif, Quebec |
Bobby Hull, Winnipeg
|
| Defence |
Paul Shmyr, Cleveland |
Kevin Morrison, San Diego
|
| Defence |
J. C. Tremblay, Quebec |
Pat Stapleton, Indianapolis
|
| Goaltender |
Joe Daley, Winnipeg |
Ron Grahame, Houston
|
