1973–74 Chicago Cougars season

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1973–74 Chicago Cougars
Division4th East
1973–74 record38–35–5
Home record23-13-3
Road record15-22-2
Goals for271
Goals against273
Team information
General manager Jacques Demers (Director of Player Personnel)
Coach Pat Stapleton
Alternate captains Dick Proceviat
Bob Sicinski
Rosaire Paiement
Reg Fleming
Arena International Amphitheatre
Randhurst Ice Arena (five playoff games)
Average attendance4,924 (54.7%)
Team leaders
Goals Ralph Backstrom (33)
Assists Pat Stapleton (52)
Points Ralph Backstrom (83)
Penalty minutes Larry Mavety (157)
Wins Cam Newton (25)
Goals against average Cam Newton (3.14)
  1972–73
1974–75  

The 1973–74 Chicago Cougars season was the Chicago Cougars' second season of operation in the World Hockey Association. The team qualified for the playoff and won two playoff series to make it to the Avco Cup Final before losing to the Houston Aeros. [1] [2]

Contents

Offseason

The Chicago Cougars revamped their lineup during the off-season in hopes of escaping the cellar. The Cougars strengthened their defense by signing National Hockey League all-star defenceman Pat Stapleton from the Chicago Blackhawks as a player-coach, Darryl Maggs from the California Golden Seals and goaltender Cam Newton from the Pittsburgh Penguins. To the forward line, the Cougars signed Ralph Backstrom, also from the Blackhawks, Eric Nesterenko, who had spent a season in Switzerland after a long career with the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs, and junior all-star Frank Rochon from the Sherbrooke Beavers, and acquired Joe Hardy from the Cleveland Crusaders and Duke Harris from the Houston Aeros. [3]

Regular season

The Cougars scored 26 more goals than the previous season and reduced the goals against by 22 to post a 50% improvement in points and secure the final playoff spot in the East Division by a single point over the Quebec Nordiques.

Final standings

Eastern Division
GPWLTGFGAPIMPts
New England Whalers 784331429126087590
Toronto Toros 784133430427287186
Cleveland Crusaders 7837329266264100783
Chicago Cougars 7838355271273104181
Quebec Nordiques 783836430628090980
NY Golden Blades / Jersey Knights 783242426831393368

Game log

Regular season schedule
No.RDateScoreOpponentRecord
1TOctober 7, 19734–4@ Toronto Toros (1973–74)0–0–1
2WOctober 11, 19734–3@ New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)1–0–1
3LOctober 13, 19734–6@ New England Whalers (1973–74)1–1–1
4LOctober 14, 19732–3 OT@ Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)1–2–1
5WOctober 18, 19737–2@ Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)2–2–1
6LOctober 20, 19733–4@ Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)2–3–1
7LOctober 21, 19731–4@ Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)2–4–1
8WOctober 25, 19734–2@ Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)3–4–1
9WOctober 28, 19733–2@ Toronto Toros (1973–74)4–4–1
10WOctober 30, 19734–1 Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)5–4–1
11WNovember 3, 19737–4@ Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)6–4–1
12WNovember 6, 19735–4 OT Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)7–4–1
13WNovember 10, 19733–2 Toronto Toros (1973–74)8–4–1
14LNovember 13, 19732–5 Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)8–5–1
15WNovember 15, 19733–2 Houston Aeros (1973–74)9–5–1
16WNovember 17, 19735–2 Toronto Toros (1973–74)10–5–1
17LNovember 18, 19733–5@ New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)10–6–1
18WNovember 22, 19734–3@ Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)11–6–1
19LNovember 24, 19733–5@ Houston Aeros (1973–74)11–7–1
20LDecember 1, 19734–5 OT Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)11–8–1
21LDecember 2, 19733–4@ New England Whalers (1973–74)11–9–1
22LDecember 4, 19730–2 Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)11–10–1
23LDecember 8, 19731–3 New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)11–11–1
24LDecember 9, 19731–6@ Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)11–12–1
25LDecember 11, 19733–5 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)11–13–1
26WDecember 15, 19735–2 Houston Aeros (1973–74)12–13–1
27WDecember 16, 19733–2@ New England Whalers (1973–74)13–13–1
28TDecember 18, 19733–3 Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)13–13–2
29LDecember 21, 19731–5@ New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)13–14–2
30WDecember 23, 19736–5@ Toronto Toros (1973–74)14–14–2
31LDecember 26, 19732–4@ Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)14–15–2
32WDecember 28, 19736–4 Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)15–15–2
33LDecember 29, 19730–3@ Houston Aeros (1973–74)15–16–2
34WDecember 30, 19735–3@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)16–16–2
35WJanuary 1, 19745–4 Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)17–16–2
36LJanuary 5, 19745–6 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)17–17–2
37LJanuary 6, 19740–4@ Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)17–18–2
38TJanuary 8, 19740–0 Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)17–18–3
39LJanuary 13, 19741–3@ Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)17–19–3
40WJanuary 17, 19745–2@ New England Whalers (1973–74)18–19–3
41WJanuary 19, 19745–2 Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)19–19–3
42WJanuary 22, 19745–3 New England Whalers (1973–74)20–19–3
43LJanuary 25, 19742–6@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)20–20–3
44WJanuary 30, 19744–2@ Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)21–20–3
45LFebruary 1, 19742–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)21–21–3
46LFebruary 3, 19742–4@ Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)21–22–3
47WFebruary 5, 19743–1 Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)22–22–3
48LFebruary 6, 19742–7@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)22–23–3
49WFebruary 9, 19745–2 New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)23–23–3
50WFebruary 10, 19744–2@ Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)24–23–3
51WFebruary 12, 19743–2 Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)25–23–3
52LFebruary 14, 19743–5 Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)25–24–3
53LFebruary 16, 19744–5 Toronto Toros (1973–74)25–25–3
54LFebruary 17, 19745–6@ Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)25–26–3
55LFebruary 18, 19743–4@ New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)25–27–3
56WFebruary 21, 19745–4 Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)26–27–3
57LFebruary 23, 19740–3 New England Whalers (1973–74)26–28–3
58LFebruary 24, 19741–3@ Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)26–29–3
59WFebruary 26, 19744–2 Los Angeles Sharks (1973–74)27–29–3
60LFebruary 28, 19744–9 Houston Aeros (1973–74)27–30–3
61WMarch 1, 19747–4 Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)28–30–3
62LMarch 3, 19744–5 Toronto Toros (1973–74)28–31–3
63LMarch 5, 19742–3 New England Whalers (1973–74)28–32–3
64WMarch 7, 19743–2@ Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)29–32–3
65WMarch 9, 19745–4 OT Winnipeg Jets (1973–74)30–32–3
66WMarch 12, 19745–3 New England Whalers (1973–74)31–32–3
67WMarch 14, 19747–4 Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973–74)32–32–3
68WMarch 16, 19744–3 OT Quebec Nordiques (1973–74)33–32–3
69WMarch 17, 19744–2@ Toronto Toros (1973–74)34–32–3
70LMarch 19, 19744–7 Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)34–33–3
71TMarch 21, 19745–5 Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)34–33–4
72WMarch 23, 19744–1 New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)35–33–4
73TMarch 24, 19743–3@ Cleveland Crusaders (1973–74)35–33–5
74WMarch 26, 19744–2 Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)36–33–5
75WMarch 29, 19745–2@ Vancouver Blazers (1973–74)37–33–5
76LMarch 31, 19741–4@ Edmonton Oilers (1973–74)37–34–5
77WApril 2, 19747–3 New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights (1973–74)38–34–5
78LApril 3, 19741–3@ Houston Aeros (1973–74)38–35–5

[4]

Playoffs

Chicago Cougars 4, New England Whalers 3 - Division Quarterfinals

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 6 Chicago Cougars 4 – 6 New England Whalers 0–1
2April 7Chicago Cougars3 – 4 OTNew England Whalers0–2
3April 9New England Whalers6 – 8Chicago Cougars1–2
4April 10New England Whalers1 – 2 OTChicago Cougars2–2
5April 12Chicago Cougars4 – 2New England Whalers2–3
6April 14New England Whalers2 – 0Chicago Cougars3–3
7April 16Chicago Cougars3 – 2New England Whalers4–3

Chicago Cougars 4, Toronto Toros 3 - Semifinals

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 19 Chicago Cougars 4–6Toronto Toros0-1
2April 22 Chicago Cougars 4–3Toronto Toros1-1
3April 28Toronto Toros2–3 Chicago Cougars 2-1
4April 30Toronto Toros7–6 Chicago Cougars 2-2
5May 1 Chicago Cougars 3–5Toronto Toros2-3
6May 4Toronto Toros2–9 Chicago Cougars 3-3
7May 6 Chicago Cougars 5–2Toronto Toros4-3

Houston Aeros 4, Chicago Cougars 0 - Avco Cup Finals

#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1May 12 Houston Aeros 3–2 Chicago Cougars 0–1
2May 15 Houston Aeros 6–1 Chicago Cougars 0–2
3May 17 Chicago Cougars 4–7 Houston Aeros 0–3
4May 19 Chicago Cougars 2–6 Houston Aeros 0–4

Player stats

Regular season
Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
Ralph Backstrom C78335083260628
Rosaire Paiement C78304373870703
Joe Hardy C77243559550402
Pat Stapleton D7865258440210
Larry Mavety D771536511570404
Bob Liddington LW73262147200412
Bob Sicinski C6911294080101
Jan Popiel LW63221739360604
Bob Whitlock C52161935260612
Rick Morris LW761716331400102
Duke Harris RW64141630200301
Daryl Maggs D78822301480001
Frank Rochon LW69121123270101
Dick Proceviat D7722022550001
Rod Zaine C7751318170010
Reggie Fleming D/LW4521214490102
Brian Coates LW5010313140011
Jim Benzelock RW536713190000
Don Gordon RW2354990300
Eric Nesterenko RW2925780100
Brian Glenwright LW1532500001
Jim Watson D23055220000
John Shmyr D43134130001
Lorne Rombough LW312300101
Curt Brackenbury RW4011110000
Gary Connelly RW401120000
Cam Newton G4501100000
Dave Walter C401100000
Ron F. Anderson D200000000
Larry Cahan D300020000
Rich Coutu G2000000000
Connie Forey LW100000000
Andre Gill G1300000000
Jim Jones D100000000
Al MacKenzie D200000000
Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLTGAGAASO
Cam Newton 273245251821433.141
Rich Coutu 1207209101753.730
Andre Gill 80313472463.440
Team:474278383552643.341
Playoffs
Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIMPPGSHGGWG
Ralph Backstrom C18514194001
Rosaire Paiement C18961516002
Bob Sicinski C1868140002
Jan Popiel LW18851312001
Pat Stapleton D120131336000
Duke Harris RW1866122000
Don Gordon RW1848124000
Joe Hardy C17481213000
Larry Mavety D18481246001
Bob Liddington LW18651111000
Daryl Maggs D1835871000
Rick Morris LW1843742000
Jim Watson D1823518000
Jim Benzelock RW1822436000
Reggie Fleming D/LW1204412000
Dick Proceviat D1304410000
Frank Rochon LW92130001
Rod Zaine C182132000
Brian Coates LW1703335000
Andre Gill G110004000
Cam Newton G100000000
Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLGAGAASO
Andre Gill 6141165383.710
Cam Newton 4861025344.200
Team:110018810723.930

[5]

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

DateDetailsRef
May 1, 1973To New York Golden Blades
Butch Barber
To Chicago Cougars
Wally Olds
July 13, 1973To New York Golden Blades
Jim McLeod
To Chicago Cougars
cash
August 1, 1973To Cleveland Crusaders
rights to Larry Hillman
To Chicago Cougars
Joe Hardy
September 1, 1973To Houston Aeros
cash
To Chicago Cougars
Duke Harris
September 1, 1973To Vancouver Blazers
Ed Hatoum
To Chicago Cougars
cash
February 20, 1974To Los Angeles Sharks
Bob Whitlock
To Chicago Cougars
Jim Watson
Don Gordon
[6]

Farm teams

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Cougars</span> Former ice hockey team of the World Hockey Association

The Chicago Cougars were a franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at the Randhurst Twin Ice Arena in suburban Mount Prospect. This was because a presentation of Peter Pan starring gymnast Cathy Rigby was booked into the Amphitheatre when the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls had both entered their own playoffs, making the Chicago Stadium unavailable for either the Cougars or Peter Pan.

The 1972–73 WHA season was the first season of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Twelve teams played 78 games each. The league was officially incorporated in June of 1971 by Gary Davidson and Dennis A. Murphy and promised to ice twelve teams in various markets around Canada and the United States. The league championship trophy, the Avco World Trophy, was donated by AVCO Financial Services Corporation along with $500,000. The New England Whalers won the first Avco World Trophy.

The 1973–74 WHA season was the second season of the World Hockey Association, and lasted from October 1973 until the Avco Cup final game on May 19, 1974, when the Houston Aeros, with Gordie Howe, defeated the Chicago Cougars to sweep the series in four games. Twelve teams each played 78 games. The Philadelphia Blazers relocated to Vancouver, becoming the Vancouver Blazers. They were moved to the Western Division and Chicago moved to the East. The New York Raiders were renamed the New York Golden Blades and then moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey to become the Jersey Knights after just 24 games. The Ottawa Nationals moved to Toronto and became the Toronto Toros. The Alberta Oilers changed their name to the Edmonton Oilers.

The 1974–75 WHA season was the third season of the World Hockey Association. Fourteen teams each played 78 games. The Houston Aeros won the Avco World Trophy for the second straight year in dominating fashion, losing only one time in the playoffs.

The 1973–74 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques second season, as they were coming off a 33–40–5 record, earning 71 points, failing to qualify for the playoffs in their first season.

The 1972–73 Winnipeg Jets season was their first season in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Jets' first player signed was Norm Beaudin and their first major signing was Bobby Hull.

The 1973–74 Toronto Toros season was the team's first season in Toronto, as they spent their inaugural season as the Ottawa Nationals in 1972–73.

The 1973–74 New England Whalers season was the second season of the Whalers' franchise. The Whalers qualified for the playoffs for the second-straight season to attempt to defend their championship. They were defeated in the first round by the Chicago Cougars.

The 1972–73 Houston Aeros season was the Houston Aeros first season of operation in the newly created World Hockey Association (WHA).

The 1973–74 Cleveland Crusaders season was the Cleveland Crusaders' second season of operation in the World Hockey Association. The Crusaders placed second in the Eastern Division, qualifying for the playoffs. The Crusaders lost in the first round to the Toronto Toros.

The 1974–75 Cleveland Crusaders season was the Cleveland Crusaders third season of operation in the World Hockey Association. It was the Crusaders' first season in the new Coliseum at Richfield. The Crusaders made the playoffs, losing in the quarter-finals to the Houston Aeros.

The 1973–74 Houston Aeros season was the Houston Aeros second season of operation in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The season saw the debut of Gordie Howe and his sons in the WHA. The team would win the Avco World Trophy WHA championship.

The 1974–75 Houston Aeros season was the Aeros' third season of operation in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Aeros qualified first in their division for the playoffs and successfully defended their Avco World Trophy WHA championship.

The 1973–74 Los Angeles Sharks season was the Los Angeles Sharks' second and final season in Los Angeles in the World Hockey Association. The club finished last in the WHA Western Division and missed the playoffs. They moved to Detroit, MI after the season and became the Michigan Stags.

The 1973–74 Minnesota Fighting Saints' season was the Minnesota Fighting Saints' second season of operation in the World Hockey Association (WHA).

The 1973–74 Vancouver Blazers season was the second season of operation for the World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise. The team had operated in Philadelphia the previous season before moving to Vancouver. The Blazers did not qualify for the playoffs.

The 1974–75 Chicago Cougars season was the Chicago Cougars third and final season of operation in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Cougars finished third in the East, but did not have enough points to qualify for the playoffs.

The 1974–75 San Diego Mariners season was the first season of operation of the San Diego Mariners in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The franchise was formerly named the Jersey Knights and was transferred to San Diego. The Mariners qualified for the playoffs, winning the first round before losing in the second round to the Houston Aeros.

References

  1. World Hockey Association (1973). WHA 1973-74 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
  2. World Hockey Association (1974). WHA 1974-75 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
  3. "New Faces in WHA for '73-74". Hockey Digest. Des Moines: Norman Jacobs. December 1973.
  4. "1973–74 Chicago Cougars Games". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  5. "1973-74 Chicago Cougars Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  6. World Hockey Association (1974). WHA 1974-75 Media Guide. World Hockey Association.
  7. "1973 WHA Amateur Draft". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2018.