This is a list of seasons completed by the Hartford Whalers of the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League. This list documents the records and playoff results for all 25 seasons that the Hartford Whalers completed from their founding in 1972 (then known as the New England Whalers) in the WHA until the franchise relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, and eventually Raleigh to become the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997.

Season-by-season record

World Hockey Association

Avco World Trophy champions Division/reg. season champions League leader

New England Whalers Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
1972–73 78 46 30 2 94 318 263 1st, Eastern Won quarterfinals (Nationals), 4–1
Won semifinals (Crusaders), 4–1
Won Avco Cup (Jets), 4–1
1973–74 78 43 31 4 90 291 260 1st, Eastern Lost quarterfinals (Cougars), 34
1974–75 78 43 30 5 91 274 279 1st, Eastern Lost quarterfinals (Fighting Saints), 2–4
1975–76 80 33 40 7 73 255 290 3rd, Eastern Won preliminary round (Crusaders), 3–0
Won quarterfinals (Racers), 4–3
Lost semifinals (Aeros), 3–4
1976–77 81 35 40 6 76 275 290 4th, Eastern Lost quarterfinals (Nordiques), 1–4
1977–78 80 44 31 5 93 335 269 2nd, WHA Won quarterfinals (Oilers), 4–1
Won semifinals (Nordiques), 4–1
Lost Avco Cup Finals (Jets), 0–4
1978–79 80 37 34 9 83 298 287 4th, WHA Won quarterfinals (Stingers), 2–1
Lost semifinals (Oilers), 3–4
WHA totals 555 281 236 38 600 2,046 1,938 7 playoff appearances

NHL era

Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbol Explanation
↑ Division champions
Key of terms and abbreviations
Term or abbreviation Definition
Finish Final position in division or league standings
GP Number of games played
W Number of wins
L Number of losses
T Number of ties
Pts Number of points
GF Goals for (goals scored by the Whalers)
GA Goals against (goals scored by the Whalers' opponents)
— Does not apply
Season Team season Conference Division Regular season[a] Postseason[b]
Finish GP W L T Pts GF GA GP W L GF GA Result
1979–80 1979–80 Wales Norris 4th 80 27 34 19 73 303 372 3 0 3 7 18 Lost in preliminary round, 0–3 (Canadiens)
1980–81 1980–81 Wales Norris 5th 80 21 41 18 60 292 372 Did not qualify
1981–82 1981–82 Wales Adams 5th 80 21 41 18 60 264 351 Did not qualify
1982–83 1982–83 Wales Adams 5th 80 19 54 7 45 261 403 Did not qualify
1983–84 1983–84 Wales Adams 5th 80 28 42 10 66 288 320 Did not qualify
1984–85 1984–85 Wales Adams 5th 80 30 41 9 69 268 318 Did not qualify
1985–86 1985–86 Wales Adams 4th 80 40 36 4 84 332 302 10 6 4 29 23 Won in division semifinals, 3–0 (Nordiques)
Lost in division finals, 3–4 (Canadiens)
1986–87 1986–87 Wales Adams ↑ 1st 80 43 30 7 93 287 270 6 2 4 19 27 Lost in division semifinals, 2–4 (Nordiques)
1987–88 1987–88 Wales Adams 4th 80 35 38 7 77 249 267 6 2 4 20 23 Lost in division semifinals, 2–4 (Canadiens)
1988–89 1988–89 Wales Adams 4th 80 37 38 5 79 299 290 4 0 4 11 18 Lost in division semifinals, 0–4 (Canadiens)
1989–90 1989–90 Wales Adams 4th 80 38 33 9 85 275 268 7 3 4 21 23 Lost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Bruins)
1990–91 1990–91 Wales Adams 4th 80 31 38 11 73 238 276 6 2 4 17 24 Lost in division semifinals, 2–4 (Bruins)
1991–92 1991–92 Wales Adams 4th 80 26 41 13 65 247 283 7 3 4 17 22 Lost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Canadiens)
1992–93 1992–93 Wales Adams 5th 84 26 52 6 58 284 369 Did not qualify
1993–94 1993–94 Eastern Northeast 6th 84 27 48 9 63 227 288 Did not qualify
1994–951 1994–95 Eastern Northeast 5th 48 19 24 5 43 127 141 Did not qualify
1995–96 1995–96 Eastern Northeast 4th 82 34 39 9 77 237 259 Did not qualify
1996–97 1996–97 Eastern Northeast 5th 82 32 39 11 75 226 256 Did not qualify
Relocated to Carolina
Totals[c] 1,420 534 709 177 1,245 4,704 5,345 49 18 31 141 178 8 playoff appearances
1Season was shortened due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout.
  1. ^ Code explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points
  2. ^ The result of the playoff series shows the Whalers' result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.
  3. ^ Totals as of the completion of the 1996–97 regular season

See also

References

Categories