1976–77 WHA season

1976–77 WHA season
League World Hockey Association
Sport Ice hockey
Regular season
Top scorer Real Cloutier (Quebec)
Avco World Trophy
Finals champions Quebec Nordiques
  Runners-up Winnipeg Jets
WHA seasons
← 1975–76

1977–78 →

The 1976–77 WHA season was the fifth season of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Prior to the season, the Toronto Toros moved to Birmingham, AL and became the Bulls. The Cleveland Crusaders attempted to move to South Florida but legal problems resulted in them moving to Minnesota to become the second version of the Fighting Saints. They met with little success there and folded after playing 42 games. The remaining 11 teams competed in the league, playing 80 or 81 games in the regular season. The Avco World Trophy Winners were the Quebec Nordiques.

Regular season standings

Eastern Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Quebec Nordiques 81 47 31 3 353 295 97
Cincinnati Stingers 81 39 37 5 354 303 83
Indianapolis Racers 81 36 37 8 276 305 80
New England Whalers 81 35 40 6 275 290 76
Birmingham Bulls 81 31 46 4 289 309 66
Minnesota Fighting Saints 42 19 18 5 136 129 43
Western Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Houston Aeros 80 50 24 6 320 241 106
Winnipeg Jets 80 46 32 2 366 291 94
San Diego Mariners 81 40 37 4 284 283 85
Edmonton Oilers 81 34 43 4 243 304 72
Calgary Cowboys 81 31 43 7 252 296 69
Phoenix Roadrunners 80 28 48 4 281 383 60

Avco World Trophy Playoffs

  Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                           
  E1  Québec Nordiques 4  
E4  New England Whalers 1  
  E1  Québec Nordiques 4  
Eastern Division
  E3  Indianapolis Racers 1  
E2  Cincinnati Stingers 0
  E3  Indianapolis Racers 4  
    E1  Québec Nordiques 4
  W2  Winnipeg Jets 3
  W1  Houston Aeros 4  
W4  Edmonton Oilers 1  
  W1  Houston Aeros 2
Western Division
  W2  Winnipeg Jets 4  
W2  Winnipeg Jets 4
  W3  San Diego Mariners 3  

References