List of WHA seasons


The World Hockey Association operated for seven seasons from 1972 until 1979.
SeasonTeamsAvco Cup Champion
1972–73Eastern:
Cleveland Crusaders season|Cleveland Crusaders] • New England Whalers season|New England Whalers] • New York Raiders season|New York Raiders] • Ottawa Nationals season|Ottawa Nationals] • Philadelphia Blazers season|Philadelphia Blazers] • Quebec Nordiques season|Quebec Nordiques]
Western:
Alberta Oilers season|Alberta Oilers] • Chicago Cougars season|Chicago Cougars] • Houston Aeros season|Houston Aeros] • Los Angeles Sharks season|Los Angeles Sharks] • Minnesota Fighting Saints season|Minnesota Fighting Saints] • Winnipeg Jets season|Winnipeg Jets]
New England Whalers
1973–74Eastern:
Chicago CougarsCleveland Crusaders1973–74 [New England Whalers season|New England Whalers] • 1973–74 [New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights season|NY Golden Blades / NJ Knights] • Quebec NordiquesToronto Toros season|Toronto Toros]
Western:
Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton Oilers] • Houston Aeros1973–74 [Los Angeles Sharks season|Los Angeles Sharks] • Minnesota Fighting SaintsVancouver Blazers season|Vancouver Blazers] • Winnipeg Jets
  • New York Raiders renamed New York Golden Blades, which were then renamed New Jersey Knights midseason.
  • Ottawa Nationals relocated to Toronto as the Toros.
  • Philadelphia Blazers relocated to Vancouver, switching divisions with Chicago Cougars.
  • Alberta Oilers renamed Edmonton Oilers, having dropped playing some home games in Calgary.
Houston Aeros
1974–75Canadian:Edmonton OilersQuebec NordiquesToronto TorosVancouver BlazersWinnipeg Jets
Eastern:
Cleveland CrusadersChicago CougarsIndianapolis Racers season|Indianapolis Racers] • New England Whalers
Western:
Houston AerosMichigan Stags/Baltimore Blades season|Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades] • Minnesota Fighting SaintsPhoenix Roadrunners season|Phoenix Roadrunners] • San Diego Mariners season|San Diego Mariners]
Houston Aeros
1975–76Canadian:Calgary Cowboys season|Calgary Cowboys] • Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics season|Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics] • Edmonton OilersToronto TorosQuebec NordiquesWinnipeg Jets
Eastern:
Cleveland CrusadersCincinnati Stingers season|Cincinnati Stingers] • Indianapolis RacersNew England Whalers
Western:
Houston AerosMinnesota Fighting SaintsPhoenix RoadrunnersSan Diego Mariners
  • Baltimore Blades and Chicago Cougars folded.
  • Two expansion teams, Cincinnati Stingers and Denver Spurs, are added.
  • Also halfway through the season, Denver moved to Ottawa as the Civics, which folded later on.
  • Vancouver Blazers relocated to Calgary as the Cowboys.
Winnipeg Jets
1976–77Eastern:Birmingham Bulls season|Birmingham Bulls] • Cincinnati StingersIndianapolis RacersMinnesota Fighting SaintsNew England WhalersQuebec Nordiques
Western:
Calgary CowboysEdmonton OilersHouston AerosPhoenix RoadrunnersSan Diego MarinersWinnipeg Jets
  • The Canadian Division ceased to exist as Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg rejoined the Western Division while Toronto and Quebec rejoined the Eastern Division.
  • The first Minnesota Fighting Saints are folded, but the Cleveland Crusaders relocate to Minnesota as the second Fighting Saints, still remaining in the Eastern Division,;they also folded midseason.
Quebec Nordiques
1977–78Birmingham BullsCincinnati StingersEdmonton OilersHouston AerosIndianapolis RacersNew England WhalersQuebec NordiquesWinnipeg Jets
  • Both divisions ceased to exist as Calgary, Phoenix, and San Diego fold; the league realigned into a single table.
  • Two international all-star teams, the Soviet All-Stars and Czechoslovakia All-Stars, play a limited schedule.
    Winnipeg Jets
    1978–79Birmingham BullsCincinnati StingersEdmonton OilersIndianapolis RacersNew England WhalersQuebec NordiquesWinnipeg Jets
    Winnipeg Jets
    The WHA ceased operations after the 1978–79 season. As part of the NHL-WHA merger, four WHA franchises moved to the National Hockey League for the 1979–80 NHL season: Edmonton, New England, Quebec, and Winnipeg. The other two WHA-enfranchised teams, Birmingham and Cincinnati, folded.