1981β82 Hartford Whalers | |
---|---|
Division | 5th Adams |
Conference | 10th Wales |
1981β82 record | 21β41β18 |
Home record | 13β17β10 |
Road record | 8β24β8 |
Goals for | 264 |
Goals against | 351 |
Team information | |
General manager | Larry Pleau |
Coach | Larry Pleau |
Captain | Dave Keon |
Arena | Hartford Civic Center |
Average attendance | 11,703 (80.7%) [1] |
Minor league affiliate(s) |
Binghamton Whalers (
AHL) Saginaw Gears ( IHL) |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Blaine Stoughton (52) |
Assists | Mark Howe (45) |
Points | Blaine Stoughton (91) |
Penalty minutes | Garry Howatt (242) |
Plus/minus | Mark Howe (+8) |
Wins | Greg Millen (11) |
Goals against average | John Garrett (4.21) |
The 1981β82 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' third season in the National Hockey League.
The NHL realigned into what were for all intents and purposes entirely new divisions that, while retaining all of the names that had been used since 1974, were closely based on North American geography. This ended the Whalers' two-year stay in the Norris Division, as along with the Montreal Canadiens they moved from the Norris to the Adams Division where they were joined by their closest geographical rival Boston Bruins in addition to the Buffalo Sabres and Quebec Nordiques.
At the 1981 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal on June 10, the Whalers selected center Ron Francis of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League with their first round, fourth overall selection. In 64 games with the Greyhounds in 1980β81, Francis scored 26 goals and 69 points.
On June 15, the Whalers signed restricted free agent goaltender Greg Millen from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hartford sent forwards Pat Boutette and Kevin McClelland to the Penguins as compensation. In 63 games with the Penguins in 1980β81, Millen earned a record of 25β27β10 with a 4.17 GAA and a save percentage of .864.
A couple of weeks later, on July 3, the Whalers were involved in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hartford sent defenseman Fred Arthur, right winger Ray Allison, a first round and a third round draft pick from the 1982 NHL Entry Draft to Philadelphia for center Rick MacLeish, defenseman Blake Wesley, right winger Don Gillen, and the Flyers first round, second round and third round draft picks in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. MacLeish was coming off a season in which he scored 38 goals and 74 points in 78 games with the Flyers in 1980β81. He won two Stanley Cup championships with Philadelphia in 1974 and 1975, in which in both seasons he led the NHL in playoff scoring. Wesley split the 1980β81 season between the Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Maine Mariners. In 50 games with Philadelphia, Wesley scored three goals and 10 points, while in 24 games with Maine, Wesley scored six goals and 16 points, followed by a goal and nine points in nine post-season games with the Mariners. Gillen spent the entire 1980β81 season with Maine, scoring 30 goals, 59 points and 255 penalty minutes in 79 games, before adding four goals and eight points in 20 playoff games.
On October 2, the Whalers were involved in two trades. In the first trade, Hartford acquired right winger Doug Sulliman, defenseman Chris Kotsopoulos and defenseman Gerry McDonald from the New York Rangers in exchange for center Mike Rogers and a tenth round selection in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. In 32 games with New York, Sulliman scored four goals and five points before scoring a goal in three playoff games with the Rangers. He also played in 45 games with the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL, where he scored 10 goals and 26 points. As a rookie in 1980β81, Kotsopoulos appeared in 52 games with the Rangers, scoring four goals, 16 points and accumulating 153 penalty minutes. In 14 post-season games, Kotsopoulos earned three assists while racking up 63 penalty minutes. McDonald appeared in 70 games with the Nighthawks in 1980β81, scoring six goals and 29 points. In four playoff games, McDonald was held off the scoresheet.
The second trade the Whalers were involved in on October 2 was with the New York Islanders. Hartford traded a fifth round draft pick from the 1983 NHL Entry Draft to the Islanders for left winger Garry Howatt. Howatt scored four goals and 19 points in 70 games with New York in 1980β81. He earned two assists in eight playoff games. Howatt was a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Islanders, winning in both 1980 and 1981.
During the waiver draft on October 5, the Whalers acquired right winger Mike McDougal from the New York Rangers and center Rob McClanahan from the Buffalo Sabres. McDougal scored 21 goals and 44 points in 66 games with the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL during the 1980β81 season, however, he was held to no points in four playoff games. McDougal also played in two games with the Rangers, earning no points. McClanahan scored three goals and 15 points in 57 games with the Sabres during the 1980β81 season before earning an assist in five playoff games. McClanahan also played in 18 games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 22 points. In the same draft, the Whalers lost defenseman Al Sims to the Los Angeles Kings and left winger Jeff Brubaker to the Montreal Canadiens.
The Whalers opened the 1981β82 season on the road against the Quebec Nordiques in front of a sold-out crowd at Le ColisΓ©e on October 6, losing a close one to the Nordiques, by a 6β5 score. Two nights later, Hartford earned their first point of the season, as the Whalers and Montreal Canadiens skated to a 5β5 tie.
Hartford had their home opener on October 10 against their new divisional rivals, the Boston Bruins, in front of 13,107 fans at the Civic Center. The Whalers and Bruins fought to a 1β1 tie, as Hartford goaltender Greg Millen led the way with 23 saves, while Blaine Stoughton scored the only goal for the team.
After going winless in their first four games of the season (0β2β2), the Whalers finally earned their first victory, as Rick Meagher recorded a hat trick, as Hartford crushed the Detroit Red Wings by an 8β1 score.
The victory over Detroit would be the Whalers only win of the month, as Hartford finished October with a five-game winless streak (0β2β3), finishing October with a 1β4β5 record, earning seven points, and sat in last place in the Adams Division, six points behind the Buffalo Sabres for fourth place.
Hartford opened November with a pair of 4β1 losses to the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks to fall to 1β6β5 on the season, before earning their second win of the year, a 4β2 decision against the Minnesota North Stars on November 9.
The Whalers would follow the victory with a four-game winless skid (0β2β2), to fall to 2β8β7 on the season through their first 17 games of the year. Hartford would snap the winless streak with an 8β5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. A highlight in the game was when Ron Francis scored his first career goal.
Wins would be scarce for the Whalers in November, as they would record only one more victory in November, and ended the month with a record of 3β7β3 in 13 games, and fall to 4β11β8 on the season, earning 16 points, in last place in the Adams Division, 14 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot.
The Whalers opened December with their first road win of the season, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5β3 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on December 2. Overall, Hartford would win three of their first four games of the month, as they recorded wins against the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues.
After their 3β1β0 start to the month, Hartford fell into a five-game winless streak (0β4β1), getting their only point in a 5β5 tie against the Los Angeles Kings, before earning a 3β2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings to snap their skid in their final game before Christmas.
The team then went 2β2β0 in their final four games of December, to finish the month with a 6β7β1 record in 14 games, and post a 10β18β9 record on the season. The Whalers remained in last place in the Adams Division, 14 points behind the fourth place Quebec Nordiques.
Hartford got off to a terrible start in January, as the club dropped their first five games of the month, before finally earning a tie against the Boston Bruins on January 16, as Blaine Stoughton scored two goals in a 3β3 tie. Hartford then lost their next game by a 7β1 score against the Buffalo Sabres the next night to extend their winless skid to seven games.
The team ended their winless skid with a solid 4β2 victory over the Quebec Nordiques on January 20. This marked the start of a six-game unbeaten streak (4β0β2) for the Whalers to end the month.
Hartford managed to post a 4β6β3 record in 13 games in January, and an overall record of 14β24β12 on the season, earning 40 points. The Whalers were stuck in the Adams Division cellar, 18 points behind the fourth place Quebec Nordiques.
The Whalers continued to stay hot at the start of February, as Hartford went 2β0β2 on a four-game road trip, and extended their overall unbeaten streak to a team record 10 games (6β0β4). The unbeaten streak came to an end on February 13, as the New York Rangers defeated Hartford by a 3β2 score.
The loss to the Rangers began a string of losses for the Whalers, as the team went on a six-game losing streak, before snapping the skid with a 4β3 win over the Boston Bruins on February 24. Hartford then lost their last two games of the month, and eight of nine overall.
The club went 3β8β2 in their 13 February games, slipping to a 17β32β14 record on the season, registering 48 points, and 23 points behind the Quebec Nordiques.
The team opened March with two ties against the Buffalo Sabres, followed by a two-game winning streak, defeating the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets. The Whalers four-game unbeaten streak came to an end on March 13, as the Montreal Canadiens shutout Hartford 5β0. The club lost their second straight game the next night, 4β3 to the Colorado Rockies.
The Whalers managed to snap their two-game losing streak, and won consecutive games, beating the Quebec Nordiques and Buffalo Sabres. Those wins were the Whalers last of the season, as the team finished the season with a nine-game winless streak (0β7β2).
Hartford finished the year with a 21β41β18 record for the second straight season, earning 60 points, and were the last place team in the Adams Division, 22 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division.
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | PTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 46 | 17 | 17 | 360 | 223 | 1463 | 109 |
Boston Bruins | 80 | 43 | 27 | 10 | 323 | 285 | 1266 | 96 |
Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 39 | 26 | 15 | 307 | 273 | 1425 | 93 |
Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 356 | 345 | 1757 | 82 |
Hartford Whalers | 80 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 264 | 351 | 1493 | 60 |
[2]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.
Adams Division record vs. opponents
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Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Campbell Conference
|
No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | L | October 6, 1981 | 5β6 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 0β1β0 | 15,007 |
2 | T | October 8, 1981 | 5β5 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 0β1β1 | 15,474 |
3 | T | October 10, 1981 | 1β1 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 0β1β2 | 13,107 |
4 | L | October 15, 1981 | 2β7 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 0β2β2 | 10,020 |
5 | W | October 17, 1981 | 8β1 | Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 1β2β2 | 10,656 |
6 | L | October 21, 1981 | 2β5 | @ Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 1β3β2 | 17,490 |
7 | T | October 23, 1981 | 2β2 | @ Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 1β3β3 | 11,283 |
8 | L | October 24, 1981 | 3β7 | @ Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 1β4β3 | 7,226 |
9 | T | October 29, 1981 | 6β6 | New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 1β4β4 | 11,395 |
10 | T | October 31, 1981 | 2β2 | Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 1β4β5 | 8,990 |
11 | L | November 1, 1981 | 1β4 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 1β5β5 | 8,873 |
12 | L | November 4, 1981 | 1β4 | Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 1β6β5 | 9,411 |
13 | W | November 7, 1981 | 4β2 | Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 2β6β5 | 11,779 |
14 | T | November 8, 1981 | 2β2 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 2β6β6 | 15,116 |
15 | T | November 11, 1981 | 4β4 | Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 2β6β7 | 11,101 |
16 | L | November 12, 1981 | 3β5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 2β7β7 | 17,077 |
17 | L | November 14, 1981 | 0β4 | Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 2β8β7 | 11,278 |
18 | W | November 18, 1981 | 8β5 | Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 3β8β7 | 10,015 |
19 | L | November 19, 1981 | 1β6 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 3β9β7 | 8,197 |
20 | L | November 21, 1981 | 3β7 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 3β10β7 | 15,016 |
21 | T | November 25, 1981 | 3β3 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 3β10β8 | 12,141 |
22 | W | November 28, 1981 | 6β2 | Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 4β10β8 | 12,431 |
23 | L | November 29, 1981 | 3β6 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 4β11β8 | 15,188 |
24 | W | December 2, 1981 | 5β3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 5β11β8 | 16,192 |
25 | L | December 4, 1981 | 2β4 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 5β12β8 | 10,866 |
26 | W | December 6, 1981 | 5β3 | @ New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 6β12β8 | 17,427 |
27 | W | December 9, 1981 | 5β1 | St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 7β12β8 | 10,230 |
28 | L | December 12, 1981 | 2β4 | Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 7β13β8 | 13,376 |
29 | L | December 13, 1981 | 3β8 | @ Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 7β14β8 | 11,810 |
30 | L | December 16, 1981 | 1β6 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 7β15β8 | 11,556 |
31 | T | December 19, 1981 | 5β5 | Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 7β15β9 | 10,623 |
32 | L | December 20, 1981 | 2β8 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 7β16β9 | 15,056 |
33 | W | December 22, 1981 | 3β2 | @ Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 8β16β9 | 11,102 |
34 | L | December 26, 1981 | 6β9 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 8β17β9 | 14,510 |
35 | W | December 27, 1981 | 7β3 | Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 9β17β9 | 11,820 |
36 | L | December 29, 1981 | 1β6 | @ St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 9β18β9 | 17,625 |
37 | W | December 30, 1981 | 6β1 | @ Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 10β18β9 | 10,470 |
38 | L | January 2, 1982 | 4β9 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 10β19β9 | 11,699 |
39 | L | January 3, 1982 | 4β6 | Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 10β20β9 | 10,963 |
40 | L | January 6, 1982 | 3β5 | Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 10β21β9 | 12,097 |
41 | L | January 9, 1982 | 2β3 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 10β22β9 | 11,403 |
42 | L | January 11, 1982 | 2β6 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 10β23β9 | 15,216 |
43 | T | January 16, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 10β23β10 | 13,617 |
44 | L | January 17, 1982 | 1β7 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 10β24β10 | 9,474 |
45 | W | January 20, 1982 | 4β2 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 11β24β10 | 11,197 |
46 | T | January 23, 1982 | 2β2 | @ Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 11β24β11 | 11,218 |
47 | W | January 25, 1982 | 6β5 | @ Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 12β24β11 | 7,827 |
48 | W | January 27, 1982 | 3β1 | Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 13β24β11 | 11,851 |
49 | W | January 30, 1982 | 3β2 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 14β24β11 | 14,031 |
50 | T | January 31, 1982 | 4β4 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 14β24β12 | 11,769 |
51 | W | February 2, 1982 | 5β3 | @ Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 15β24β12 | 7,713 |
52 | T | February 5, 1982 | 4β4 | @ Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 15β24β13 | 6,109 |
53 | W | February 6, 1982 | 4β2 | @ St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 16β24β13 | 13,187 |
54 | T | February 10, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 16β24β14 | 8,691 |
55 | L | February 13, 1982 | 2β3 | New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 16β25β14 | 14,510 |
56 | L | February 14, 1982 | 1β9 | New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 16β26β14 | 13,605 |
57 | L | February 16, 1982 | 2β7 | @ Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 16β27β14 | 7,234 |
58 | L | February 19, 1982 | 4β7 | @ Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 16β28β14 | 17,490 |
59 | L | February 20, 1982 | 2β4 | @ Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 16β29β14 | 13,747 |
60 | L | February 22, 1982 | 7β8 | @ Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 16β30β14 | 13,854 |
61 | W | February 24, 1982 | 4β3 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 17β30β14 | 13,165 |
62 | L | February 27, 1982 | 1β7 | @ Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 17β31β14 | 16,652 |
63 | L | February 28, 1982 | 0β5 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 17β32β14 | 11,426 |
64 | T | March 3, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 17β32β15 | 16,012 |
65 | T | March 6, 1982 | 2β2 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 17β32β16 | 11,104 |
66 | W | March 7, 1982 | 7β6 | Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 18β32β16 | 11,616 |
67 | W | March 10, 1982 | 6β2 | Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 19β32β16 | 11,858 |
68 | L | March 13, 1982 | 0β5 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 19β33β16 | 16,650 |
69 | L | March 14, 1982 | 3β4 | Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 19β34β16 | 10,445 |
70 | W | March 16, 1982 | 7β5 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 20β34β16 | 15,285 |
71 | W | March 18, 1982 | 4β1 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 21β34β16 | 11,011 |
72 | L | March 20, 1982 | 2β5 | Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 21β35β16 | 12,210 |
73 | L | March 21, 1982 | 3β5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 21β36β16 | 17,042 |
74 | T | March 24, 1982 | 3β3 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 21β36β17 | 10,509 |
75 | L | March 27, 1982 | 4β5 | @ New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 21β37β17 | 15,271 |
76 | L | March 28, 1982 | 2β5 | Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 21β38β17 | 11,141 |
77 | L | March 30, 1982 | 4β6 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 21β39β17 | 16,071 |
78 | L | March 31, 1982 | 1β5 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 21β40β17 | 12,378 |
79 | T | April 3, 1982 | 3β3 | New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 21β40β18 | 14,510 |
80 | L | April 4, 1982 | 2β7 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 21β41β18 | 10,374 |
The Whalers failed to qualify for the post-season for the second consecutive season. Hartford finished the regular season with a 21β41β18 record, earning 60 points, which was 22 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Adams Division.
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adding to it. (July 2010) |
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it. (July 2010) |
The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1981β82 season.
October 5, 1981 | To
Los Angeles Kings Al Sims |
October 5, 1981 | To
Montreal Canadiens Jeff Brubaker |
October 5, 1981 | From
New York Rangers Mike McDougal |
October 5, 1981 | From
Buffalo Sabres Rob McClanahan |
November 13, 1981 | From
Detroit Red Wings George Lyle |
Player | Former Team |
Jeff Brownschidle | Notre Dame Fighting Irish ( NCAA) |
Greg Millen | Pittsburgh Penguins |
Paul Shmyr | Minnesota North Stars |
Hartford's draft picks from the 1981 NHL Entry Draft which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal on June 10, 1981.
Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | Ron Francis | ![]() |
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
3 | 61 | Paul MacDermid | ![]() |
Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
4 | 67 | Mike Hoffman | ![]() |
Brantford Alexanders (OHL) |
5 | 93 | Bill Maguire | ![]() |
Niagara Falls Flyers (OHL) |
5 | 103 | Dan Bourbonnais | ![]() |
Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
7 | 130 | John Mokosak | ![]() |
Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
8 | 151 | Denis Dore | ![]() |
Chicoutimi SaguenΓ©ens (QMJHL) |
9 | 172 | Jeff Poeschl | ![]() |
Northern Michigan University (WCHA) |
10 | 193 | Larry Power | ![]() |
Kitchener Ranger B's (MWJHL) |
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adding to it. (July 2010) |
1981β82 Hartford Whalers | |
---|---|
Division | 5th Adams |
Conference | 10th Wales |
1981β82 record | 21β41β18 |
Home record | 13β17β10 |
Road record | 8β24β8 |
Goals for | 264 |
Goals against | 351 |
Team information | |
General manager | Larry Pleau |
Coach | Larry Pleau |
Captain | Dave Keon |
Arena | Hartford Civic Center |
Average attendance | 11,703 (80.7%) [1] |
Minor league affiliate(s) |
Binghamton Whalers (
AHL) Saginaw Gears ( IHL) |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Blaine Stoughton (52) |
Assists | Mark Howe (45) |
Points | Blaine Stoughton (91) |
Penalty minutes | Garry Howatt (242) |
Plus/minus | Mark Howe (+8) |
Wins | Greg Millen (11) |
Goals against average | John Garrett (4.21) |
The 1981β82 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' third season in the National Hockey League.
The NHL realigned into what were for all intents and purposes entirely new divisions that, while retaining all of the names that had been used since 1974, were closely based on North American geography. This ended the Whalers' two-year stay in the Norris Division, as along with the Montreal Canadiens they moved from the Norris to the Adams Division where they were joined by their closest geographical rival Boston Bruins in addition to the Buffalo Sabres and Quebec Nordiques.
At the 1981 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal on June 10, the Whalers selected center Ron Francis of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League with their first round, fourth overall selection. In 64 games with the Greyhounds in 1980β81, Francis scored 26 goals and 69 points.
On June 15, the Whalers signed restricted free agent goaltender Greg Millen from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hartford sent forwards Pat Boutette and Kevin McClelland to the Penguins as compensation. In 63 games with the Penguins in 1980β81, Millen earned a record of 25β27β10 with a 4.17 GAA and a save percentage of .864.
A couple of weeks later, on July 3, the Whalers were involved in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hartford sent defenseman Fred Arthur, right winger Ray Allison, a first round and a third round draft pick from the 1982 NHL Entry Draft to Philadelphia for center Rick MacLeish, defenseman Blake Wesley, right winger Don Gillen, and the Flyers first round, second round and third round draft picks in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. MacLeish was coming off a season in which he scored 38 goals and 74 points in 78 games with the Flyers in 1980β81. He won two Stanley Cup championships with Philadelphia in 1974 and 1975, in which in both seasons he led the NHL in playoff scoring. Wesley split the 1980β81 season between the Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Maine Mariners. In 50 games with Philadelphia, Wesley scored three goals and 10 points, while in 24 games with Maine, Wesley scored six goals and 16 points, followed by a goal and nine points in nine post-season games with the Mariners. Gillen spent the entire 1980β81 season with Maine, scoring 30 goals, 59 points and 255 penalty minutes in 79 games, before adding four goals and eight points in 20 playoff games.
On October 2, the Whalers were involved in two trades. In the first trade, Hartford acquired right winger Doug Sulliman, defenseman Chris Kotsopoulos and defenseman Gerry McDonald from the New York Rangers in exchange for center Mike Rogers and a tenth round selection in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. In 32 games with New York, Sulliman scored four goals and five points before scoring a goal in three playoff games with the Rangers. He also played in 45 games with the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL, where he scored 10 goals and 26 points. As a rookie in 1980β81, Kotsopoulos appeared in 52 games with the Rangers, scoring four goals, 16 points and accumulating 153 penalty minutes. In 14 post-season games, Kotsopoulos earned three assists while racking up 63 penalty minutes. McDonald appeared in 70 games with the Nighthawks in 1980β81, scoring six goals and 29 points. In four playoff games, McDonald was held off the scoresheet.
The second trade the Whalers were involved in on October 2 was with the New York Islanders. Hartford traded a fifth round draft pick from the 1983 NHL Entry Draft to the Islanders for left winger Garry Howatt. Howatt scored four goals and 19 points in 70 games with New York in 1980β81. He earned two assists in eight playoff games. Howatt was a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Islanders, winning in both 1980 and 1981.
During the waiver draft on October 5, the Whalers acquired right winger Mike McDougal from the New York Rangers and center Rob McClanahan from the Buffalo Sabres. McDougal scored 21 goals and 44 points in 66 games with the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL during the 1980β81 season, however, he was held to no points in four playoff games. McDougal also played in two games with the Rangers, earning no points. McClanahan scored three goals and 15 points in 57 games with the Sabres during the 1980β81 season before earning an assist in five playoff games. McClanahan also played in 18 games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 22 points. In the same draft, the Whalers lost defenseman Al Sims to the Los Angeles Kings and left winger Jeff Brubaker to the Montreal Canadiens.
The Whalers opened the 1981β82 season on the road against the Quebec Nordiques in front of a sold-out crowd at Le ColisΓ©e on October 6, losing a close one to the Nordiques, by a 6β5 score. Two nights later, Hartford earned their first point of the season, as the Whalers and Montreal Canadiens skated to a 5β5 tie.
Hartford had their home opener on October 10 against their new divisional rivals, the Boston Bruins, in front of 13,107 fans at the Civic Center. The Whalers and Bruins fought to a 1β1 tie, as Hartford goaltender Greg Millen led the way with 23 saves, while Blaine Stoughton scored the only goal for the team.
After going winless in their first four games of the season (0β2β2), the Whalers finally earned their first victory, as Rick Meagher recorded a hat trick, as Hartford crushed the Detroit Red Wings by an 8β1 score.
The victory over Detroit would be the Whalers only win of the month, as Hartford finished October with a five-game winless streak (0β2β3), finishing October with a 1β4β5 record, earning seven points, and sat in last place in the Adams Division, six points behind the Buffalo Sabres for fourth place.
Hartford opened November with a pair of 4β1 losses to the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks to fall to 1β6β5 on the season, before earning their second win of the year, a 4β2 decision against the Minnesota North Stars on November 9.
The Whalers would follow the victory with a four-game winless skid (0β2β2), to fall to 2β8β7 on the season through their first 17 games of the year. Hartford would snap the winless streak with an 8β5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. A highlight in the game was when Ron Francis scored his first career goal.
Wins would be scarce for the Whalers in November, as they would record only one more victory in November, and ended the month with a record of 3β7β3 in 13 games, and fall to 4β11β8 on the season, earning 16 points, in last place in the Adams Division, 14 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot.
The Whalers opened December with their first road win of the season, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5β3 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on December 2. Overall, Hartford would win three of their first four games of the month, as they recorded wins against the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues.
After their 3β1β0 start to the month, Hartford fell into a five-game winless streak (0β4β1), getting their only point in a 5β5 tie against the Los Angeles Kings, before earning a 3β2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings to snap their skid in their final game before Christmas.
The team then went 2β2β0 in their final four games of December, to finish the month with a 6β7β1 record in 14 games, and post a 10β18β9 record on the season. The Whalers remained in last place in the Adams Division, 14 points behind the fourth place Quebec Nordiques.
Hartford got off to a terrible start in January, as the club dropped their first five games of the month, before finally earning a tie against the Boston Bruins on January 16, as Blaine Stoughton scored two goals in a 3β3 tie. Hartford then lost their next game by a 7β1 score against the Buffalo Sabres the next night to extend their winless skid to seven games.
The team ended their winless skid with a solid 4β2 victory over the Quebec Nordiques on January 20. This marked the start of a six-game unbeaten streak (4β0β2) for the Whalers to end the month.
Hartford managed to post a 4β6β3 record in 13 games in January, and an overall record of 14β24β12 on the season, earning 40 points. The Whalers were stuck in the Adams Division cellar, 18 points behind the fourth place Quebec Nordiques.
The Whalers continued to stay hot at the start of February, as Hartford went 2β0β2 on a four-game road trip, and extended their overall unbeaten streak to a team record 10 games (6β0β4). The unbeaten streak came to an end on February 13, as the New York Rangers defeated Hartford by a 3β2 score.
The loss to the Rangers began a string of losses for the Whalers, as the team went on a six-game losing streak, before snapping the skid with a 4β3 win over the Boston Bruins on February 24. Hartford then lost their last two games of the month, and eight of nine overall.
The club went 3β8β2 in their 13 February games, slipping to a 17β32β14 record on the season, registering 48 points, and 23 points behind the Quebec Nordiques.
The team opened March with two ties against the Buffalo Sabres, followed by a two-game winning streak, defeating the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets. The Whalers four-game unbeaten streak came to an end on March 13, as the Montreal Canadiens shutout Hartford 5β0. The club lost their second straight game the next night, 4β3 to the Colorado Rockies.
The Whalers managed to snap their two-game losing streak, and won consecutive games, beating the Quebec Nordiques and Buffalo Sabres. Those wins were the Whalers last of the season, as the team finished the season with a nine-game winless streak (0β7β2).
Hartford finished the year with a 21β41β18 record for the second straight season, earning 60 points, and were the last place team in the Adams Division, 22 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division.
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | PTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 46 | 17 | 17 | 360 | 223 | 1463 | 109 |
Boston Bruins | 80 | 43 | 27 | 10 | 323 | 285 | 1266 | 96 |
Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 39 | 26 | 15 | 307 | 273 | 1425 | 93 |
Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 356 | 345 | 1757 | 82 |
Hartford Whalers | 80 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 264 | 351 | 1493 | 60 |
[2]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.
Adams Division record vs. opponents
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Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Campbell Conference
|
No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | L | October 6, 1981 | 5β6 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 0β1β0 | 15,007 |
2 | T | October 8, 1981 | 5β5 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 0β1β1 | 15,474 |
3 | T | October 10, 1981 | 1β1 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 0β1β2 | 13,107 |
4 | L | October 15, 1981 | 2β7 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 0β2β2 | 10,020 |
5 | W | October 17, 1981 | 8β1 | Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 1β2β2 | 10,656 |
6 | L | October 21, 1981 | 2β5 | @ Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 1β3β2 | 17,490 |
7 | T | October 23, 1981 | 2β2 | @ Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 1β3β3 | 11,283 |
8 | L | October 24, 1981 | 3β7 | @ Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 1β4β3 | 7,226 |
9 | T | October 29, 1981 | 6β6 | New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 1β4β4 | 11,395 |
10 | T | October 31, 1981 | 2β2 | Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 1β4β5 | 8,990 |
11 | L | November 1, 1981 | 1β4 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 1β5β5 | 8,873 |
12 | L | November 4, 1981 | 1β4 | Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 1β6β5 | 9,411 |
13 | W | November 7, 1981 | 4β2 | Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 2β6β5 | 11,779 |
14 | T | November 8, 1981 | 2β2 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 2β6β6 | 15,116 |
15 | T | November 11, 1981 | 4β4 | Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 2β6β7 | 11,101 |
16 | L | November 12, 1981 | 3β5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 2β7β7 | 17,077 |
17 | L | November 14, 1981 | 0β4 | Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 2β8β7 | 11,278 |
18 | W | November 18, 1981 | 8β5 | Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 3β8β7 | 10,015 |
19 | L | November 19, 1981 | 1β6 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 3β9β7 | 8,197 |
20 | L | November 21, 1981 | 3β7 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 3β10β7 | 15,016 |
21 | T | November 25, 1981 | 3β3 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 3β10β8 | 12,141 |
22 | W | November 28, 1981 | 6β2 | Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 4β10β8 | 12,431 |
23 | L | November 29, 1981 | 3β6 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 4β11β8 | 15,188 |
24 | W | December 2, 1981 | 5β3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 5β11β8 | 16,192 |
25 | L | December 4, 1981 | 2β4 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 5β12β8 | 10,866 |
26 | W | December 6, 1981 | 5β3 | @ New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 6β12β8 | 17,427 |
27 | W | December 9, 1981 | 5β1 | St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 7β12β8 | 10,230 |
28 | L | December 12, 1981 | 2β4 | Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 7β13β8 | 13,376 |
29 | L | December 13, 1981 | 3β8 | @ Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 7β14β8 | 11,810 |
30 | L | December 16, 1981 | 1β6 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 7β15β8 | 11,556 |
31 | T | December 19, 1981 | 5β5 | Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 7β15β9 | 10,623 |
32 | L | December 20, 1981 | 2β8 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 7β16β9 | 15,056 |
33 | W | December 22, 1981 | 3β2 | @ Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 8β16β9 | 11,102 |
34 | L | December 26, 1981 | 6β9 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 8β17β9 | 14,510 |
35 | W | December 27, 1981 | 7β3 | Toronto Maple Leafs ( 1981β82) | 9β17β9 | 11,820 |
36 | L | December 29, 1981 | 1β6 | @ St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 9β18β9 | 17,625 |
37 | W | December 30, 1981 | 6β1 | @ Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 10β18β9 | 10,470 |
38 | L | January 2, 1982 | 4β9 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 10β19β9 | 11,699 |
39 | L | January 3, 1982 | 4β6 | Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 10β20β9 | 10,963 |
40 | L | January 6, 1982 | 3β5 | Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 10β21β9 | 12,097 |
41 | L | January 9, 1982 | 2β3 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 10β22β9 | 11,403 |
42 | L | January 11, 1982 | 2β6 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 10β23β9 | 15,216 |
43 | T | January 16, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 10β23β10 | 13,617 |
44 | L | January 17, 1982 | 1β7 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 10β24β10 | 9,474 |
45 | W | January 20, 1982 | 4β2 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 11β24β10 | 11,197 |
46 | T | January 23, 1982 | 2β2 | @ Detroit Red Wings ( 1981β82) | 11β24β11 | 11,218 |
47 | W | January 25, 1982 | 6β5 | @ Chicago Black Hawks ( 1981β82) | 12β24β11 | 7,827 |
48 | W | January 27, 1982 | 3β1 | Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 13β24β11 | 11,851 |
49 | W | January 30, 1982 | 3β2 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 14β24β11 | 14,031 |
50 | T | January 31, 1982 | 4β4 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 14β24β12 | 11,769 |
51 | W | February 2, 1982 | 5β3 | @ Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 15β24β12 | 7,713 |
52 | T | February 5, 1982 | 4β4 | @ Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 15β24β13 | 6,109 |
53 | W | February 6, 1982 | 4β2 | @ St. Louis Blues ( 1981β82) | 16β24β13 | 13,187 |
54 | T | February 10, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins ( 1981β82) | 16β24β14 | 8,691 |
55 | L | February 13, 1982 | 2β3 | New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 16β25β14 | 14,510 |
56 | L | February 14, 1982 | 1β9 | New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 16β26β14 | 13,605 |
57 | L | February 16, 1982 | 2β7 | @ Calgary Flames ( 1981β82) | 16β27β14 | 7,234 |
58 | L | February 19, 1982 | 4β7 | @ Edmonton Oilers ( 1981β82) | 16β28β14 | 17,490 |
59 | L | February 20, 1982 | 2β4 | @ Vancouver Canucks ( 1981β82) | 16β29β14 | 13,747 |
60 | L | February 22, 1982 | 7β8 | @ Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 16β30β14 | 13,854 |
61 | W | February 24, 1982 | 4β3 | Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 17β30β14 | 13,165 |
62 | L | February 27, 1982 | 1β7 | @ Washington Capitals ( 1981β82) | 17β31β14 | 16,652 |
63 | L | February 28, 1982 | 0β5 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 17β32β14 | 11,426 |
64 | T | March 3, 1982 | 3β3 | @ Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 17β32β15 | 16,012 |
65 | T | March 6, 1982 | 2β2 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 17β32β16 | 11,104 |
66 | W | March 7, 1982 | 7β6 | Los Angeles Kings ( 1981β82) | 18β32β16 | 11,616 |
67 | W | March 10, 1982 | 6β2 | Winnipeg Jets ( 1981β82) | 19β32β16 | 11,858 |
68 | L | March 13, 1982 | 0β5 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 19β33β16 | 16,650 |
69 | L | March 14, 1982 | 3β4 | Colorado Rockies ( 1981β82) | 19β34β16 | 10,445 |
70 | W | March 16, 1982 | 7β5 | @ Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 20β34β16 | 15,285 |
71 | W | March 18, 1982 | 4β1 | Buffalo Sabres ( 1981β82) | 21β34β16 | 11,011 |
72 | L | March 20, 1982 | 2β5 | Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 21β35β16 | 12,210 |
73 | L | March 21, 1982 | 3β5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers ( 1981β82) | 21β36β16 | 17,042 |
74 | T | March 24, 1982 | 3β3 | Quebec Nordiques ( 1981β82) | 21β36β17 | 10,509 |
75 | L | March 27, 1982 | 4β5 | @ New York Islanders ( 1981β82) | 21β37β17 | 15,271 |
76 | L | March 28, 1982 | 2β5 | Minnesota North Stars ( 1981β82) | 21β38β17 | 11,141 |
77 | L | March 30, 1982 | 4β6 | @ Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 21β39β17 | 16,071 |
78 | L | March 31, 1982 | 1β5 | Montreal Canadiens ( 1981β82) | 21β40β17 | 12,378 |
79 | T | April 3, 1982 | 3β3 | New York Rangers ( 1981β82) | 21β40β18 | 14,510 |
80 | L | April 4, 1982 | 2β7 | @ Boston Bruins ( 1981β82) | 21β41β18 | 10,374 |
The Whalers failed to qualify for the post-season for the second consecutive season. Hartford finished the regular season with a 21β41β18 record, earning 60 points, which was 22 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Adams Division.
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adding to it. (July 2010) |
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adding to it. (July 2010) |
The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1981β82 season.
October 5, 1981 | To
Los Angeles Kings Al Sims |
October 5, 1981 | To
Montreal Canadiens Jeff Brubaker |
October 5, 1981 | From
New York Rangers Mike McDougal |
October 5, 1981 | From
Buffalo Sabres Rob McClanahan |
November 13, 1981 | From
Detroit Red Wings George Lyle |
Player | Former Team |
Jeff Brownschidle | Notre Dame Fighting Irish ( NCAA) |
Greg Millen | Pittsburgh Penguins |
Paul Shmyr | Minnesota North Stars |
Hartford's draft picks from the 1981 NHL Entry Draft which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal on June 10, 1981.
Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | Ron Francis | ![]() |
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
3 | 61 | Paul MacDermid | ![]() |
Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
4 | 67 | Mike Hoffman | ![]() |
Brantford Alexanders (OHL) |
5 | 93 | Bill Maguire | ![]() |
Niagara Falls Flyers (OHL) |
5 | 103 | Dan Bourbonnais | ![]() |
Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
7 | 130 | John Mokosak | ![]() |
Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
8 | 151 | Denis Dore | ![]() |
Chicoutimi SaguenΓ©ens (QMJHL) |
9 | 172 | Jeff Poeschl | ![]() |
Northern Michigan University (WCHA) |
10 | 193 | Larry Power | ![]() |
Kitchener Ranger B's (MWJHL) |
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