1986–87 Hartford Whalers season

National Hockey League team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1986–87 Hartford Whalers season saw the Whalers finish in first place in the Adams Division with a record of 43 wins, 30 losses, and 7 ties for 93 points. They lost the Adams Division semifinals in six games to the Quebec Nordiques. This was the only time in franchise history that the Whalers finished above fourth place in their division before their relocation to North Carolina.

Division1st Adams
Conference2nd Wales
1986–87 record43–30–7
Home record26–9–5
Quick facts Hartford Whalers, Division ...
1986–87 Hartford Whalers
Adams Division champions
Division1st Adams
Conference2nd Wales
1986–87 record43–30–7
Home record26–9–5
Road record17–21–2
Goals for287
Goals against270
Team information
General managerEmile Francis
CoachJack Evans
CaptainRon Francis
Alternate captainsDave Tippett
Joel Quenneville
ArenaHartford Civic Center
Average attendance14,230 (94.1%) [1]
Minor league affiliatesBinghamton Whalers (AHL)
Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL)
Team leaders
GoalsKevin Dineen (40)
AssistsRon Francis (63)
PointsRon Francis (93)
Penalty minutesPaul MacDermid (202)
Plus/minusUlf Samuelsson (+29)
WinsMike Liut (31)
Goals against averageMike Liut (3.23)
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Offseason

At the 1986 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum on June 21, the Whalers selected Scott Young from Boston University of Hockey East. In 38 games with Boston University, Young scored 16 goals and 29 points during the 1985–86 season.

On July 10, Hartford signed free agent Dallas Gaume, who had played with the University of Denver of the WCHA for the past four seasons. Gaume scored 37 goals and 99 points in 47 games during the 1985–86 season, as he was named to the All-WCHA First Team.

On October 3, the Whalers signed free agent Greg Britz, who was previously in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. During the 1985–86 season, Britz scored 17 goals and 36 points in 72 games with the St. Catharines Saints of the AHL. Britz had appeared in seven NHL games with Toronto between 1983 and 1985, earning no points.

At the NHL Waiver Draft on October 6, the Whalers selected Gord Sherven from the Edmonton Oilers. Sherven split the 1985–86 season between the Oilers and the Minnesota North Stars, as he scored a goal and four points in 18 games. In 49 AHL games split between the Springfield Indians and Nova Scotia Oilers, Sherven scored 17 goals and 41 points.

The Whalers and Calgary Flames were involved in a trade on October 7, as the Whalers acquired Yves Courteau from the Flames in exchange for Mark Paterson. In four games with Calgary during the 1985–86 season, Courteau scored a goal and two points. He spent most of the season with the Flames AHL affiliate, the Moncton Golden Flames, as he scored 19 goals and 40 points in 59 games.

Regular season

Final standings

More information GP, W ...
Adams Division[2]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Hartford Whalers804330728727093
Montreal Canadiens8041291027724192
Boston Bruins803934730127685
Quebec Nordiques8031391026727672
Buffalo Sabres802844828030864
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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.

Record vs. opponents

More information Adams Division record vs. opponents, NHL records ...
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Playoffs

Adams Division Semifinals

The Whalers opened the 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Quebec Nordiques in a best-of-seven series. Quebec finished the regular season with a 31-39-10 record, earning 72 points, which was 21 fewer points than the Whalers, and the fourth and final playoff position in the Adams Division. The Whalers and Nordiques faced off against each other in the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, as the fourth place Whalers swept the first place Nordiques in the first round.

The series opened on April 8 at the Hartford Civic Center. Quebec scored the lone goal of the first period, as Peter Stastny beat Whalers goaltender Mike Liut as Quebec took a 1–0 lead. The Nordiques extended their lead to 2–0 after a goal by Robert Picard at 6:32, however, just under three minutes later, the Whalers John Anderson scored on the power play, cutting the Nordiques lead to 2–1 after two periods. In the third period, the Whalers Dean Evason scored 8:48 into the period, tying the game 2-2. The game would go into overtime, as neither team could score again. In the extra period, Hartford's Paul MacDermid scored 2:20 into the period, as the Whalers completed the comeback and defeated the Nordiques 3–2 to take a 1–0 series lead.

The series resumed the next evening in Hartford, however, it would be the Nordiques once again opening the scoring, as Randy Moller scored 3:35 into the game to give Quebec a 1–0 lead. The Whalers responded with a goal by Sylvain Turgeon, tying the game 1-1, however, the Nordiques Jeff Brown scored a power play goal late in the period, giving Quebec a 2–1 lead into the first intermission. The Whalers tied the game midway through the second period on a goal by Stew Gavin at 10:26 into the period, then a goal 89 seconds later by Scot Kleinendorst gave the Whalers their first lead of the game at 3–2. Late in the period, the Whalers Paul MacDermid beat Nordiques goaltender Clint Malarchuk, extending the Whalers lead to 4–2 after the second period. In the third period, Hartford's Dana Murzyn scored 6:58 into the period on the power play, as the Whalers took a 5–2 lead. The Nordiques fought back with goals by John Ogrodnick and Lane Lambert, however, Hartford hung on for the 5–4 victory and took a 2–0 series lead.

The third game of the series was played on April 11 at Le Colisée in Quebec City. Peter Stastny of the Nordiques opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal only 1:20 into the period, giving the Nordiques a 1–0 lead. Just over six minutes later, Šťastný scored his second goal of the game, extending Quebec's lead to 2–0. The Nordiques scored again, as Michel Goulet scored on the power play, as Quebec took a 3–0 lead into the first intermission. The Nordiques continued their dominance in the second period, as Goulet scored his second of the game 3:34 into the period, giving Quebec a 4–0 lead, as Whalers goaltender Mike Liut was pulled from the game, being replaced by Steve Weeks. Just under three minutes later, the Nordiques scored again, as Peter Stastny scored his third goal of the game, as Quebec took a commanding 5–0 lead. The Whalers managed to shut Quebec down for the remainder of the game, however, they would only get an early third period goal by Ron Francis, as Quebec won game three by a score of 5–1, cutting the Whalers series lead to 2–1.

Game four of the series was played the next evening in Quebec. The Nordiques once again opened the scoring, as Jeff Brown put the puck past Mike Liut, giving Quebec a 1–0 lead at the 4:53 mark. The Whalers Dana Murzyn tied the game at 10:25 of the first period, however, the Nordiques responded with a late power play goal by Michel Goulet, as Quebec took a 2–1 lead after the first period. In the second period, the Nordiques Michel Goulet scored the lone goal, his second of the game, extending Quebec's lead to 3–1 after two periods. Goulet would record the hat trick with a power play goal at 9:44 in the third period, as Quebec defeated the Whalers 4–1 to even the series at two games each.

The fifth game of the series was back in Hartford on April 14. For the fifth time of the series, Quebec opened the scoring, as Robert Picard scored on the power play 7:17 into the first period. The Whalers tied it just under two and a half minutes later on a goal by Ron Francis, then Hartford took a 2–1 lead on a power play goal by Mike McEwen at 13:38 into the period. The Nordiques tied the game on a power play goal by Jeff Brown at the 15:10 mark of the period, however, the Whalers re-took the lead with a late period goal by Ray Ferraro, as Hartford had a 3–2 lead after the first period. In the second period, the Nordiques John Ogrodnick scored the lone goal, as he connected on the power play, tying the game 3-3. In the third period, the Whalers Ray Ferraro and Kevin Dineen each took a two-minute penalty 2:27 into the third, giving Quebec a five-on-three advantage. The Nordiques took advantage, as John Ogrodnick and Michel Goulet each scored on the power play, giving the Nordiques a 5–3 lead. The Whalers fought back, as Dean Evason scored at 7:32, cutting the Nordiques lead to 5–4. Stew Gavin then tied the game with a goal at 11:19, making it 5-5. Hartford's comeback attempt was then stopped, as the Nordiques John Ogrodnick scored with 1:07 left in the game, giving Quebec a 6–5 lead. The Nordiques Mike Eagles then scored an empty net goal, as Quebec won the game 7–5, and took a 3–2 series lead.

Game six was back in Quebec, played on April 16, as the Whalers faced elimination. Hartford opened the scoring for the first time in the series, as Dean Evason scored a goal 1:06 into the game for the 1–0 lead. Quebec tied the game with a goal just over two minutes later by Lane Lambert. At 6:43, the Whalers took the lead once again, as Dave Babych scored on the power play, giving the Whalers a 2–1 lead. Kevin Dineen then added a goal at 13:32, as Hartford took a 3–1 lead after the first period. In the second period, Dineen scored his second goal of the game, 6:24 into the period on the power play, extending the Whalers lead to 4–1. Quebec's Peter Stastny replied with a power play goal of his own at 13:47, cutting the Whalers lead to 4–2. Just thirty seconds later, the Nordiques John Ogrodnick scored, as Hartford clung on to a 4–3 lead after two periods. In the third period, after a holding penalty to the Whalers Dave Babych, the Nordiques tied the game on a power play goal by Jason Lafreniere, making the score 4-4. Neither team could break the tie, as the game went into overtime. In the extra period, the Nordiques completed the comeback and the upset, as Peter Stastny scored his second goal of the game at 6:08 into the period, giving Quebec the 5–4 victory and winning the series 4–2, eliminating the Whalers from the post-season.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1986–87 regular season[4]
October: 4–3–1 (home: 3–1–1; road: 1–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 11, 19866–5Calgary Flames1–0–0W
2October 12, 19862–7@ Boston Bruins1–1–0L
3October 16, 19864–4 OTWinnipeg Jets1–1–1T
4October 18, 19863–6Philadelphia Flyers1–2–1L
5October 24, 19865–4@ Buffalo Sabres2–2–1W
6October 25, 19863–2Buffalo Sabres3–2–1W
7October 28, 19865–2Pittsburgh Penguins4–2–1W
8October 30, 19862–6@ Toronto Maple Leafs4–3–1L
November: 7–3–2 (home: 4–1–1; road: 3–2–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
9November 1, 19862–2 OTQuebec Nordiques4–3–2T
10November 2, 19863–3 OT@ Quebec Nordiques4–3–3T
11November 5, 19863–2New York Islanders5–3–3W
12November 8, 19863–4@ Los Angeles Kings5–4–3L
13November 12, 19864–3@ Vancouver Canucks6–4–3W
14November 13, 19863–4@ Calgary Flames6–5–3L
15November 15, 19866–2Edmonton Oilers7–5–3W
16November 19, 19861–4Montreal Canadiens7–6–3L
17November 21, 19864–0St. Louis Blues8–6–3W
18November 22, 19866–3@ New York Islanders9–6–3W
19November 26, 19863–0Buffalo Sabres10–6–3W
20November 29, 19867–5@ Montreal Canadiens11–6–3W
December: 8–5–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 4–4–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
21December 1, 19861–4@ Quebec Nordiques11–7–3L
22December 3, 19862–1Quebec Nordiques12–7–3W
23December 4, 19862–1@ Philadelphia Flyers13–7–3W
24December 6, 19861–4Detroit Red Wings13–8–3L
25December 10, 19866–2St. Louis Blues14–8–3W
26December 13, 19862–2 OTVancouver Canucks14–8–4T
27December 14, 19863–4@ Buffalo Sabres14–9–4L
28December 17, 19864–3Buffalo Sabres15–9–4W
29December 18, 19866–5@ Boston Bruins16–9–4W
30December 20, 19862–2 OT@ Detroit Red Wings16–9–5T
31December 21, 19864–3 OT@ New York Rangers17–9–5W
32December 23, 19862–0Boston Bruins18–9–5W
33December 26, 19861–1 OTMontreal Canadiens18–9–6T
34December 27, 19862–6@ Montreal Canadiens18–10–6L
35December 30, 19863–1@ Washington Capitals19–10–6W
36December 31, 19862–5@ Minnesota North Stars19–11–6L
January: 7–9–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–7–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
37January 3, 19872–3Chicago Blackhawks19–12–6L
38January 4, 19878–3Toronto Maple Leafs20–12–6W
39January 7, 19873–6@ St. Louis Blues20–13–6L
40January 9, 19870–3@ Winnipeg Jets20–14–6L
41January 10, 19873–4@ Minnesota North Stars20–15–6L
42January 12, 19875–7@ New Jersey Devils20–16–6L
43January 14, 19873–1Boston Bruins21–16–6W
44January 15, 19874–6@ Boston Bruins21–17–6L
45January 17, 19871–6Washington Capitals21–18–6L
46January 19, 19875–4 OT@ Montreal Canadiens22–18–6W
47January 21, 19873–1Montreal Canadiens23–18–6W
48January 23, 19873–2Quebec Nordiques24–18–6W
49January 24, 19873–0@ Toronto Maple Leafs25–18–6W
50January 27, 19872–4@ Quebec Nordiques25–19–6L
51January 29, 19876–3@ Boston Bruins26–19–6W
52January 31, 19872–4@ New York Islanders26–20–6L
February: 7–4–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 4–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
53February 1, 19878–6@ Pittsburgh Penguins27–20–6W
54February 4, 19871–3Buffalo Sabres27–21–6L
55February 6, 19875–2@ Washington Capitals28–21–6W
56February 7, 19873–1Montreal Canadiens29–21–6W
57February 14, 19872–5@ Los Angeles Kings29–22–6L
58February 17, 19875–4@ Chicago Blackhawks30–22–6W
59February 18, 19876–3@ New Jersey Devils31–22–6W
60February 21, 19873–6Chicago Blackhawks31–23–6L
61February 22, 19873–5@ Buffalo Sabres31–24–6L
62February 25, 19876–4Boston Bruins32–24–6W
63February 28, 19872–1Quebec Nordiques33–24–6W
March: 9–4–1 (home: 7–2–1; road: 2–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
64March 1, 19875–5 OTNew Jersey Devils33–24–7T
65March 3, 19875–3Detroit Red Wings34–24–7W
66March 5, 198710–2Boston Bruins35–24–7W
67March 7, 19875–3Philadelphia Flyers36–24–7W
68March 10, 19874–6@ Quebec Nordiques36–25–7L
69March 11, 19871–6Calgary Flames36–26–7L
70March 13, 19873–0@ Winnipeg Jets37–26–7W
71March 15, 19871–4@ Edmonton Oilers37–27–7L
72March 18, 19875–3@ New York Rangers38–27–7W
73March 21, 19875–1Minnesota North Stars39–27–7W
74March 22, 19876–3Los Angeles Kings40–27–7W
75March 25, 19873–5Edmonton Oilers40–28–7L
76March 28, 19875–4Pittsburgh Penguins41–28–7W
77March 29, 19877–4Vancouver Canucks42–28–7W
April: 1–2–0 (home: 1–0–0; road: 0–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
78April 1, 19872–3@ Montreal Canadiens42–29–7L
79April 4, 19875–3New York Rangers43–29–7W
80April 5, 19870–6@ Buffalo Sabres43–30–7L

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1987 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Adams Division Semifinals vs. (A4) Quebec Nordiques – Nordiques win 4–2
GameDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1April 8, 19873–2 OTQuebec NordiquesWhalers lead 1–0W
2April 9, 19875–4Quebec NordiquesWhalers lead 2–0W
3April 11, 19871–5@ Quebec NordiquesWhalers lead 2–1L
4April 12, 19871–4@ Quebec NordiquesSeries tied 2–2L
5April 14, 19875–7Quebec NordiquesNordiques lead 3–2L
6April 16, 19874–5 OT@ Quebec NordiquesNordiques win 4–2L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Forwards

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Ron Francis753063931045
Kevin Dineen784039797110
John Anderson763144751119
Ray Ferraro80273259–942
Dean Evason80223759567
Paul Lawless602232542414
Stewart Gavin792021411028
Sylvain Turgeon41231336–345
Dave Tippett8092231042
Doug Jarvis8091322020
Paul MacDermid72711183202
Dave Semenko514812–787
Mike Millar1022430
Torrie Robertson20101–698
Bill Gardner8011–20
Shane Churla20011–178
Greg Britz100000
Pat Hughes2000–12
Yves Courteau4000–60
Wayne Babych4000–54
Gord Sherven2500000
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[5]

Defensemen

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Dave Babych6683341–1844
Ulf Samuelsson782212328162
Dana Murzyn74919281795
Mike McEwen488816–932
Scot Kleinendorst6639124130
Joel Quenneville373710724
Tim Bothwell4101–50
Brad Shaw200000
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Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP MIN W L T SO GAA
Mike Liut5934763122543.23
Steve Weeks251367128213.42
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Awards and honors

Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1986–87 season.

Trades

October 7, 1986 To Calgary Flames
Mark Paterson		 To Hartford Whalers
Yves Courteau
October 21, 1986 To St. Louis Blues
Tim Bothwell		 To Hartford Whalers
Dave Barr
December 12, 1986 To Edmonton Oilers
3rd round pick in 1988 – Trevor Sim		 To Hartford Whalers
Dave Semenko
January 12, 1987 To Detroit Red Wings
Dave Barr		 To Hartford Whalers
Randy Ladouceur
March 10, 1987 To St. Louis Blues
10th round pick in 1987 – Andy Cesarski		 To Hartford Whalers
Pat Hughes

Waivers

October 6, 1986 From Edmonton Oilers
Gord Sherven

Free agents

PlayerFormer team
Dallas GaumeUniversity of Denver (NCAA)
Greg BritzToronto Maple Leafs
PlayerNew team
John NewberryOulun Kärpät (Finland)
Peter DineenLos Angeles Kings
Paul FentonNew York Rangers

Draft picks

Hartford's draft picks at the 1986 NHL entry draft.[6]

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (League)
111Scott YoungRight wing United StatesBoston University (Hockey East)
232Marc LaforgeDefense CanadaKingston Canadians (OHL)
474Brian ChapmanDefense CanadaBelleville Bulls (OHL)
595Bill HornGoaltender CanadaWestern Michigan University (CCHA)
6116Joe QuinnRight wing CanadaCalgary Canucks (AJHL)
7137Steve TorrelCenter United StatesHibbing High School (USHS-MN)
8158Ron HooverLeft wing CanadaWestern Michigan University (CCHA)
9179Rob GlasgowRight wing CanadaSherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
10200Sean EvoyGoaltender CanadaCornwall Royals (OHL)
11221Cal BrownDefense CanadaPenticton Knights (BCJHL)
12242Brian VerbeekCenter CanadaKingston Canadians (OHL)
S214Joe TracyRight wing United StatesOhio State University (CCHA)
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References

External links

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