The 1975–76 Calgary Cowboys season was the 4th season of the Blazers franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA) and 1st in Calgary, Alberta . The Vancouver Blazers relocated to Calgary prior to the season. The Cowboys finished 3rd in the Canadian Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the Winnipeg Jets 4 games to 1.
Off-season [ ] Don McLeod and Ron Chipperfield 's 1975-76 jerseys.
The Cowboys inaugural jersey colours were red and white with a primarily white home jersey and a primarily red jersey. They'd stay with these colours throughout the club's existence. Three stripes were placed on the arms and five stripes on the body. The numbers and names were not outlined. The logo was a white cowboy hat, smaller versions were on the shoulders. This jersey design remained unchanged throughout the Cowboys two year stint in the WHA.
Regular Season [ ] In their first season, the Cowboys were not expected to ice a strong team,[1] [2] Danny Lawson and 42 goals from Ron Chipperfield helped the Cowboys finish a surprising third in the Canadian division.[3]
Don McLeod set the WHA record for assists in a season by a goalie with 13. Grant Fuhr of the NHL's 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers had 14 assists.
Final Standings [ ] +team started season in the Western Division when playing in Denver, transferred by league to Canadian Division after moving to Ottawa.bold.
Game Log [ ]
Regular Season Results
No.
R
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
1
L
October 12, 1975
0–2
Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76 ) 0–1–0
2
W
October 14, 1975
5–3
Indianapolis Racers (1975–76 ) 1–1–0
3
L
October 17, 1975
2–6
Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76 ) 1–2–0
4
L
October 22, 1975
1–2
Denver Spurs (1975–76 ) 1–3–0
5
L
October 24, 1975
3–4
Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76 ) 1–4–0
6
L
October 26, 1975
1–3
@ New England Whalers (1975–76 )
1–5–0
7
W
October 29, 1975
3–1
@ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76 )
2–5–0
8
W
October 30, 1975
7–5
@ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76 )
3–5–0
9
L
November 1, 1975
2–3
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76 )
3–6–0
10
W
November 2, 1975
4–3 OT
New England Whalers (1975–76 ) 4–6–0
11
T
November 4, 1975
4–4
San Diego Mariners (1975–76 ) 4–6–1
12
W
November 5, 1975
4–2
Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 ) 5–6–1
13
W
November 7, 1975
5–2
Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76 ) 6–6–1
14
W
November 11, 1975
6–3
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 7–6–1
15
L
November 13, 1975
2–4
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 7–7–1
16
W
November 16, 1975
5–3
Houston Aeros (1975–76 ) 8–7–1
17
L
November 18, 1975
2–6
San Diego Mariners (1975–76 ) 8–8–1
18
W
November 21, 1975
6–2
@ Denver Spurs (1975–76 )
9–8–1
19
W
November 22, 1975
6–4
@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76 )
10–8–1
20
W
November 27, 1975
5–1
@ Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76 )
11–8–1
21
W
November 29, 1975
5–4 OT
@ San Diego Mariners (1975–76 )
12–8–1
22
L
November 30, 1975
2–4
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
12–9–1
23
L
December 3, 1975
3–4
Toronto Toros (1975–76 ) 12–10–1
24
W
December 5, 1975
8–3
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 13–10–1
25
W
December 7, 1975
5–4
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
14–10–1
26
W
December 9, 1975
4–1
Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 ) 15–10–1
27
L
December 11, 1975
2–3
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 15–11–1
28
L
December 12, 1975
2–4
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
15–12–1
29
T
December 14, 1975
3–3
@ Toronto Toros (1975–76 )
15–12–2
30
L
December 16, 1975
3–7
@ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 )
15–13–2
31
W
December 19, 1975
5–3
@ Toronto Toros (1975–76 )
16–13–2
32
L
December 20, 1975
7–8
@ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 )
16–14–2
33
W
December 23, 1975
10–1
Toronto Toros (1975–76 ) 17–14–2
34
W
December 26, 1975
5–4
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
18–14–2
35
W
December 28, 1975
6–4
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 19–14–2
36
W
January 1, 1976
5–1
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 20–14–2
37
W
January 2, 1976
3–1
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
21–14–2
38
L
January 3, 1976
3–6
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 21–15–2
39
W
January 6, 1976
5–0
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 22–15–2
40
W
January 7, 1976
3–1
Indianapolis Racers (1975–76 ) 23–15–2
41
L
January 15, 1976
3–5
@ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 )
23–16–2
42
W
January 17, 1976
4–2
Houston Aeros (1975–76 ) 24–16–2
43
W
January 20, 1976
10–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
25–16–2
44
L
January 21, 1976
1–4
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
25–17–2
45
L
January 23, 1976
0–2
@ Houston Aeros (1975–76 )
25–18–2
46
L
January 25, 1976
3–5
@ Houston Aeros (1975–76 )
25–19–2
47
L
January 28, 1976
0–5
@ Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76 )
25–20–2
48
L
January 29, 1976
0–1
@ San Diego Mariners (1975–76 )
25–21–2
49
W
February 3, 1976
3–2
Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76 ) 26–21–2
50
L
February 5, 1976
4–6
New England Whalers (1975–76 ) 26–22–2
51
T
February 7, 1976
4–4
Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 ) 26–22–3
52
L
February 8, 1976
4–8
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
26–23–3
53
W
February 10, 1976
4–3
Toronto Toros (1975–76 ) 27–23–3
54
W
February 13, 1976
4–3 OT
@ Indianapolis Racers (1975–76 )
28–23–3
55
L
February 15, 1976
4–5 OT
@ Cincinnati Stingers (1975–76 )
28–24–3
56
L
February 18, 1976
0–4
@ Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76 )
28–25–3
57
L
February 20, 1976
3–6
Minnesota Fighting Saints (1975–76 ) 28–26–3
58
W
February 22, 1976
4–2
Toronto Toros (1975–76 ) 29–26–3
59
T
February 24, 1976
3–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
29–26–4
60
W
February 25, 1976
5–2
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 30–26–4
61
W
February 27, 1976
5–4
Cleveland Crusaders (1975–76 ) 31–26–4
62
L
February 29, 1976
2–5
Phoenix Roadrunners (1975–76 ) 31–27–4
63
W
March 2, 1976
6–3
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 32–27–4
64
L
March 3, 1976
4–6
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
32–28–4
65
W
March 4, 1976
4–1
Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 ) 33–28–4
66
L
March 6, 1976
2–5
@ Toronto Toros (1975–76 )
33–29–4
67
L
March 7, 1976
1–3
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
33–30–4
68
W
March 9, 1976
7–4
Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 ) 34–30–4
69
W
March 11, 1976
2–0
Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 ) 35–30–4
70
W
March 16, 1976
4–3 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (1975–76 )
36–30–4
71
L
March 17, 1976
2–3
@ Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 )
36–31–4
72
W
March 20, 1976
8–7
@ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 )
37–31–4
73
L
March 23, 1976
5–6 OT
@ Toronto Toros (1975–76 )
37–32–4
74
W
March 24, 1976
7–6
@ New England Whalers (1975–76 )
38–32–4
75
L
March 26, 1976
1–4
@ New England Whalers (1975–76 )
38–33–4
76
L
March 27, 1976
4–6
@ Quebec Nordiques (1975–76 )
38–34–4
77
W
March 28, 1976
5–4
@ Toronto Toros (1975–76 )
39–34–4
78
W
March 30, 1976
6–2
Toronto Toros (1975–76 ) 40–34–4
79
W
April 2, 1976
4–1
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 41–34–4
80
L
April 6, 1976
3–5
Winnipeg Jets (1975–76 ) 41–35–4
[4]
Playoffs [ ] In the playoffs, the Cowboys met the Quebec Nordiques in the Quarter-finals. The series is best known for one of hockey's most legendary brawls.[5] Rick Jodzio cross-checked Quebec's Marc Tardif in the head, causing both teams to leave their benches.[6] [7] [6] [6] [8] Joe Crozier was suspended for the rest of the series.[7]
Calgary went on to defeat the Nordiques, who had finished 18 points ahead of Calgary in the regular season, but were defeated by the Winnipeg Jets in the Semi-finals. The team never really captured the attention of Calgarians, as fewer than 5,000 fans, on average, attended playoff games against the Jets.[9]
Calgary Cowboys 4, Quebec Nordiques 1 [ ]
# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1
April 10
Calgary Cowboys
3–1
Quebec Nordiques 1–0
2
April 11
Calgary Cowboys
8–4
Quebec Nordiques
2–0
3
April 14
Quebec Nordiques
2–3
Calgary Cowboys
0–3
4
April 16
Quebec Nordiques
4–3
Calgary Cowboys
1–3
5
April 18
Calgary Cowboys
6–4
Quebec Nordiques
4–1
Winnipeg Jets 4, Calgary Cowboys 1 [ ]
# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1
April 23
Calgary Cowboys
1–6
Winnipeg Jets 0–1
2
April 25
Calgary Cowboys
2–3
Winnipeg Jets
0–2
3
April 28
Winnipeg Jets
6–3
Calgary Cowboys
3–0
4
April 30
Winnipeg Jets
3–7
Calgary Cowboys
3–1
5
May 2
Calgary Cowboys
0–4
Winnipeg Jets
1–4
Player Stats [ ]
Regular Season
Scoring
#
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
GWG
11
Lawson, Danny Danny Lawson
RW
80
44
52
96
46
13
7
4
5
7
Chipperfield, Ron Ron Chipperfield
C
75
42
41
83
32
13
19
0
5
9
Morrison, George George Morrison
LW
79
25
32
57
13
5
7
1
0
15
Deadmarsh, Butch Butch Deadmarsh
LW
79
26
28
54
196
5
5
2
4
8
Sentes, Dick Dick Sentes
LW
72
25
24
49
33
9
7
0
5
5
Tannahill, Don Don Tannahill
LW
78
25
24
49
10
6
1
5
5
16
Leiter, Bobby Bobby Leiter
C
51
17
17
34
8
6
6
0
0
24
Driscoll, Peter Peter Driscoll
LW
75
16
18
34
127
12
2
0
6
12
Israelson, Larry Larry Israelson
LW
57
10
22
32
26
10
1
0
1
6
Lacombe, Francois Francois Lacombe
D
71
3
28
31
62
11
1
0
0
17, 25
Hull, Steve Steve Hull
RW
58
11
15
26
6
-2
0
0
0
4
Evans, Chris Chris Evans
D
75
3
20
23
50
12
1
0
0
23
Miszuk, John John Miszuk
D
69
2
21
23
66
31
0
0
0
19
Delorenzi, Ray Ray Delorenzi
RW
39
8
12
20
4
7
0
1
0
20
Keogan, Murray Murray Keogan
C
38
7
11
18
19
0
0
0
2
10
Caffery, Terry Terry Caffery
C
21
5
13
18
4
3
1
0
2
16
Jodzio, Rick Rick Jodzio
LW
47
10
7
17
137
5
0
0
2
2
Rupp, Duane Duane Rupp
D
42
0
16
16
33
-6
0
0
0
20
Kirk, Gavin Gavin Kirk
C
15
7
8
15
14
8
1
0
1
14
Haas, Derek Derek Haas
C
30
5
9
14
6
5
0
0
0
18
Harris, Hugh Hugh Harris
C
30
5
9
14
19
-7
0
0
2
10
Powis, Lynn Lynn Powis
C
21
4
10
14
2
2
0
1
0
1
McLeod, Don Don McLeod
G
63
0
13
13
4
0
0
0
0
22
Lukowich, Bernie Bernie Lukowich
RW
15
5
2
7
18
-5
0
0
1
21
Terbenche, Paul Paul Terbenche
D
58
2
4
6
22
-3
0
1
0
22
Olds, Wally Wally Olds
D
28
0
5
5
6
4
0
0
0
3
Reed, Bill Bill Reed
D
29
0
5
5
14
3
0
0
0
3
Howell, Harry Harry Howell
D
31
0
3
3
6
4
0
0
0
19
Westrum, Pat Pat Westrum
D
9
0
2
2
23
2
0
0
0
Gratton, Bill Bill Gratton
LW
6
0
1
1
2
-2
0
0
0
25
Desjardine, Ken Ken Desjardine
D
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gilmour, Dave Dave Gilmour
LW
1
0
0
0
0
-2
0
0
0
10
Walton, Rob Rob Walton
C
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Mercredi, Vic Vic Mercredi
C
3
0
0
0
29
0
0
0
0
17
Miller, Warren Warren Miller
RW
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Bilodeau, Yvon Yvon Bilodeau
D
4
0
0
0
2
-4
0
0
0
McCrimmon, Jim Jim McCrimmon
D
5
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
Humphreys, Ed Ed Humphreys
G
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
30
Wood, Wayne Wayne Wood
G
19
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
McLeod, Don Don McLeod
3534
63
30
27
3
206
3.50
1
Wood, Wayne Wayne Wood
880
19
9
3
1
45
3.07
1
Humphreys, Ed Ed Humphreys
441
8
2
5
0
27
3.67
0
Team: 4855
80
41
35
4
278
3.44
2
Playoffs
Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
Evans, Chris Chris Evans
D
10
5
5
10
4
0
0
0
Kirk, Gavin Gavin Kirk
C
10
4
6
10
19
0
0
0
Chipperfield, Ron Ron Chipperfield
C
10
5
4
9
6
0
0
0
Powis, Lynn Lynn Powis
C
10
5
4
9
2
0
0
0
Lawson, Danny Danny Lawson
RW
9
4
4
8
19
0
0
0
Lukowich, Bernie Bernie Lukowich
RW
10
3
4
7
8
0
0
0
Driscoll, Peter Peter Driscoll
LW
10
2
5
7
41
0
0
0
Tannahill, Don Don Tannahill
LW
10
2
5
7
8
0
0
0
Terbenche, Paul Paul Terbenche
D
10
0
6
6
6
0
0
0
Morrison, George George Morrison
LW
10
3
2
5
0
0
0
0
Leiter, Bobby Bobby Leiter
C
3
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
Rupp, Duane Duane Rupp
D
7
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
Olds, Wally Wally Olds
D
9
0
2
2
4
0
0
0
Westrum, Pat Pat Westrum
D
6
0
1
1
19
0
0
0
Deadmarsh, Butch Butch Deadmarsh
LW
8
0
1
1
14
0
0
0
Sentes, Dick Dick Sentes
LW
8
0
1
1
8
0
0
0
McLeod, Don Don McLeod
G
10
0
1
1
4
0
0
0
Miszuk, John John Miszuk
D
10
0
1
1
10
0
0
0
Miller, Warren Warren Miller
RW
10
1
0
1
28
0
0
0
Haas, Derek Derek Haas
C
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Howell, Harry Harry Howell
D
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Jodzio, Rick Rick Jodzio
LW
2
0
0
0
14
0
0
0
Israelson, Larry Larry Israelson
LW
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Lacombe, Francois Francois Lacombe
D
8
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Humphreys, Ed Ed Humphreys
G
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
McLeod, Don Don McLeod
579
10
5
5
37
3.83
0
Humphreys, Ed Ed Humphreys
20
1
0
0
0
0.00
0
Team: 599
10
5
5
37
3.71
0
[10]
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 [ ] The Cowboys did not win any awards this season. Transactions [ ] Draft Picks [ ] Farm Teams [ ] Gallery [ ] See Also [ ] Notes [ ]
↑ Kirshenbaum, Jerry. "1975–76 WHA preview ", Sports Illustrated , 1975-10-20. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
↑ Bilych, George. "Corral roost for old Eagles", Calgary Herald , 1975-05-07, p. 53.
↑ Sandor 2005 , p. 95↑ 1975–76 Calgary Cowboys Games . Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-02.↑ Sportak, Randy. "Wanna be a Cowboy ", Calgary Sun , 2005-01-29. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Bilych, George. "Cowboys, Nordiques brawl gives hockey a black eye", Calgary Herald , 1976-04-12, p. 1.
↑ 7.0 7.1 Willes 2004 , p. 167↑ Willes 2004 , p. 168↑ Sandor 2005 , p. 96↑ 1975-76 Calgary Cowboys Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com . hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-02.
References [ ] Sandor (2005) Willes (2004) 
