53 goals and 103 points, while rookie-of-the-year Terry the remainder of his career, which would extend through 1982. Caffery scored 39 goals and 100 points. Former Canadien By 1977, Howard Baldwin had rose to the role of Larry Pleau chipped in 39 goals and Tim Sheehy had 33. Ted President of the WHA, and he was a principal figure in the Green, Jim Dorey, Brad Selwood and Rick Ley formed the core merger negotiations between the WHA and the NHL. The of a very solid defense that changed very little over the first few Whalers were well supported in Hartford as well as being years of the team. healthy financially and consistently one of the league’s most The 1973-74 club finished first in the East despite the loss stable franchises. There was no doubt that should the two of Terry Caffery to a damaged knee. Tom Webster scored 43 leagues merge, the Whalers would be included into an times to lead the club, but the Whalers were eliminated in the expanded NHL. To help their case, the Whalers signed the playoffs by the surging Chicago Cougars in the semifinals. Howe trio—Gordie, Mark and Marty—in the summer of 1977. Boston fans generally supported the Whalers, but sharing the The Howes signed with New England specifically because of Boston Garden with the Bruins and Celtics proved difficult for its stability and its healthy chances for admission into the NHL the Whalers, who were often stuck with the least-preferable in the event of a merger. However, the 1977 merger plan failed. playing dates. After having among the league’s highest average The Whalers, now with the Howes, geared up for another attendance in 1972-73, the figures dropped significantly in season as members of the WHA. 1973-74, by which time Baldwin and Schmertz were already The 1977-78 Whalers started the year on a tear, winning looking for a new home. In 1974, the Whalers made plans to fifteen of their first seventeen games, including thirteen games vacate Boston and settle in Hartford, Connecticut, at a brand- in a row. Tom Webster, their most consistent scorer since 1972 new arena that, for the moment, was without a prime tenant. and who had 15 goals during the initial month, was lost for the The move was beneficial for everyone: the Whalers had season with a recurring back injury in November. From that Hartford to itself, and the city’s many insurance corporations point on, the Whalers played average hockey, winning and banded together to buy into the team, ensuring a strong losing equally often. The season took a bizarre turn when the financial foundation for years to come (Robert Schmertz roof of the Hartford Civic Center collapsed in January 1978, unfortunately had fallen ill in the meantime and passed away under the weight of heavy snow. This forced the team to in 1975). The arena would not be ready until January 1975. relocate to Springfield for the remainder of the season (and Until then, the Whalers played at the Eastern States Coliseum through January 1980). Despite these dramas, the Whalers in nearby Springfield. The 1974-75 team played well, won first finished second in the league behind Winnipeg, and the two place in their division, but like the year before, could not get teams met in the final round for the Avco Cup, in which the past the first round of the playoffs. In his first season as a Jets prevailed. Gordie and Mark Howe lead the team in scoring, Whaler, Wayne Carleton scored 35 goals and a team-best 74 finishing first and second respectively. points. Merger negotiations took place again in 1978, but failed. The Whalers would experience their worst WHA season Once again, the Whalers convened to play another season in in 1975-76, with just 73 points and a third-place finish. Tom the WHA, which by now was reduced to seven teams, and Webster continued to play well, aided by Mike Rogers, would lose another one in a matter of months. The 1978-79 obtained in a trade with Edmonton, and Ralph Backstrom, a club finished fourth in the reduced six-team league. Mark refugee from the failed Denver-Ottawa franchise. The Whalers Howe had a breakthrough season, setting club records with 65 would enjoy an unlikely run through the 1976 playoffs, lasting assists and 107 points. Andre Lacroix arrived from Houston two rounds, almost single-handedly the result of strong and chipped in 88 points, while former Birmingham Bull John goaltending from a minor-league call-up named Cap Raeder. Garrett shared net duties with Al Smith. The Whalers defeated Although he would never reach such heights again as a player, Cincinnati in the playoffs before being eliminated in the Raeder became a local legend for his three weeks of hard work semifinal round by Wayne Gretzky and the surging Edmonton in the spring of 1976. Oilers. The 1976-77 club finished fourth in the six-team Eastern New England became one of four WHA teams to be Division and were bumped one round into the playoffs. Tom admitted to the NHL in 1979. Now known as the Hartford Webster’s 36 goals and 85 points paced the club, while Mike Whalers, they played at the enlarged Hartford Civic Center II Rogers was not far behind with 82 points on a team leading 57 arena. before moving south to Raleigh, North Carolina, assists. The principal midseason arrival was veteran Dave becoming the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. In 2006, the Keon, who was now playing for his fourth team in two years of Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, joining Quebec/Colorado as WHA participation. Keon arrived as a result of the second the only teams to win championships in the WHA and the passing of the Minnesota Fighting Saints in January 1977, and NHL. he responded with 39 points in 34 games as a Whaler. Fortunately for the center, New England would be his team for 27 .