1977-78 New England Whalers Roster
World Hockey Association (WHA)
Team Record: 44-31-5 - 93 points
Finishing 2nd in the WHA
Postseason: 8-6
Lost AVCO Cup finals
Quarter-Finals - Defeated Edmonton Oilers 4-1
Semi-Finals - Lost to Quebec Nordiques 1-4
Avco Cup Finals - Lost to Winnipeg Jets 4-0
Coach: Harry Neale (44-31-5)
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
1977-78 New England Whalers StatisticsTeam Record: 44-31-5 - 93 points
Finishing 2nd in the WHA
Postseason: 8-6
Lost AVCO Cup finals
Quarter-Finals - Defeated Edmonton Oilers 4-1
Semi-Finals - Lost to Quebec Nordiques 1-4
Avco Cup Finals - Lost to Winnipeg Jets 4-0
Coach: Harry Neale (44-31-5)
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
1977-78 New England Whalers Results
The New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association ended the 1977-78 season with a record of 44 wins and 31 losses and 5 ties for 93 points, finishing second in the WHA. The team compiled a postseason mark of 8-6.
The Whalers scored 335 goals and gave up 269. Gordie Howe netted 34 goals for New England, while George Lyle, Mark Howe and Mike Antonovich each tallied 30 or more, too. Gordie Howe contributed 62 assists. Al Smith earned 30 wins in front of the net for the squad and a team-best 3.22 goals against average, pacing regular goalies.
Harry Neale coached the team. The 1977-78 New England Whalers lost in the AVCO Cup finals.
Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Pos. | Birth Date | Height | Weight | S/C | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Antonovich | C | October 18, 1951 | 5'8" | 155 | L | Calumet, MN USA |
| Danny Bolduc | R | April 6, 1953 | 5'9" | 180 | L | Waterville, ME USA |
| Bill Butters | D | January 10, 1951 | 5'10" | 185 | R | St. Paul, MN USA |
| Jack Carlson | L | August 23, 1954 | 6'3" | 205 | L | Virginia, MN USA |
| Steve Carlson | C | August 26, 1955 | 6'3" | 180 | R | Virginia, MN USA |
| Greg Carroll | C | November 10, 1956 | 6'0" | 185 | L | Edmonton, AB Canada |
| Al Hangsleben | D | February 22, 1953 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Warroad, MN USA |
| Gordie Howe | R | March 31, 1928 | 6'0" | 205 | R | Floral, SK Canada |
| Mark Howe | D | May 28, 1955 | 5'11" | 185 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Marty Howe | D | February 18, 1954 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Dave Keon | C | March 22, 1940 | 5'9" | 165 | L | Rouyn-Noranda, QC Canada |
| Jean-Louis Levasseur | G | June 16, 1949 | 5'10" | 160 | L | Rouyn-Noranda, QC Canada |
| Rick Ley | D | November 2, 1948 | 5'9" | 190 | L | Orillia, ON Canada |
| George Lyle | L | November 24, 1953 | 6'2" | 205 | L | Edmonton, AB Canada |
| Bryan Maxwell | D | September 7, 1955 | 6'2" | 200 | L | North Bay, ON Canada |
| Jim Mayer | D | October 30, 1954 | 6'0" | 190 | R | Capreol, ON Canada |
| John McKenzie | R | December 12, 1937 | 5'9" | 175 | R | High River, AB Canada |
| Andre Peloffy | C | February 25, 1951 | 5'8" | 160 | L | Sete, France |
| Larry Pleau | C | January 29, 1947 | 6'1" | 190 | L | Lynn, MA USA |
| Ron Plumb | D | July 17, 1950 | 5'10" | 175 | L | Kingston, ON Canada |
| Gordie Roberts | D | October 2, 1957 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Mike Rogers | C | October 24, 1954 | 5'9" | 170 | L | Calgary, AB Canada |
| Brad Selwood | D | March 18, 1948 | 6'1" | 200 | L | Leamington, ON Canada |
| Tim Sheehy | R | September 3, 1948 | 6'1" | 185 | R | International Falls, MN USA |
| Al Smith | G | November 10, 1945 | 6'1" | 200 | L | Toronto, ON Canada |
| Tom Webster | R | October 4, 1948 | 5'10" | 170 | R | Kirkland Lake, ON Canada |
