The 1972–73 Winnipeg Jets season was their first season in the

World Hockey Association The World Hockey Association () was a professional ice hockey major league that operated in North America from 1972–73 WHA season, 1972 to 1978–79 WHA season, 1979. It was the first major league to compete with the National Hockey League (N ...

(WHA). The Jets' first player signed was Norm Beaudin ("the Original Jet") and their first major signing was

Bobby Hull Robert Marvin Hull (January 3, 1939 – January 30, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His blond hair, skating speed, end-to-end rushes, and ability to shoot t ...

Offseason

Bobby Hull

Long unhappy because of his relatively poor salary in the period when he was hockey's preeminent superstar, Hull responded to overtures from the upstart

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

1972 Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, ...

by jesting that he'd jump to them for a million dollars, a sum then considered absurd. Gathering the other league owners together to contribute to the unprecedented amount on the grounds that inking such a major star would give instant credibility to the new rival league that was competing directly against the entrenched

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

, Jets' owner Ben Hatskin agreed to the sum and signed Hull for a contract worth $1,000,000 over ten years. Although his debut with Winnipeg was held up in litigation by the NHL, Hull instantly became the WHA's greatest star.

Regular season

When the Jets played their first game on October 12 in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

against the Raiders, the Jets were without Bobby Hull. He was in court battling his former team, the

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

over his new contract. The Jets would still win that first game 6–4. Three days later, the Jets would make their home debut losing to the Alberta Oilers 5–2. Bobby Hull won his court battle and joined the Jets 15 games into the season. Bobby Hull captured the WHA's first MVP award, by scoring 51 goals. The Jets won the Western Division with a 43–31–4 record.

Season standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , W, , October 12, 1972 , , 6–4, , align="left", @ New York Raiders, , 1–0–0 , - , 2, , W, , October 13, 1972 , , 4–3, , align="left", @

Minnesota Fighting Saints The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972 to 1976 ...

, , 2–0–0 , - , 3, , L, , October 15, 1972 , , 2–5, , align="left", Alberta Oilers, , 2–1–0 , - , 4, , L, , October 17, 1972 , , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @ Alberta Oilers, , 2–2–0 , - , 5, , T, , October 20, 1972 , , 1–1, , align="left",

, , 2–2–1 , - , 6, , W, , October 22, 1972 , , 6–3, , align="left", Philadelphia Blazers, , 3–2–1 , - , 7, , W, , October 24, 1972 , , 5–3, , align="left", Philadelphia Blazers, , 4–2–1 , - , 8, , W, , October 27, 1972 , , 4–2, , align="left",

Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were a professional ice hockey team in Chicago. They competed in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the International Amphitheatre. History During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals ...

, , 5–2–1 , - , 9, , W, , October 29, 1972 , , 5–3, , align="left", Houston Aeros, , 6–2–1 , - , 10, , L, , October 31, 1972 , , 1–3, , align="left", @

, , 6–3–1 , - , - , 11, , L, , November 1, 1972 , , 0–3, , align="left", @

, , 6–4–1 , - , 12, , L, , November 3, 1972 , , 6–9, , align="left", New York Raiders, , 6–5–1 , - , 13, , W, , November 5, 1972 , , 3–1, , align="left", New York Raiders, , 7–5–1 , - , 14, , L, , November 6, 1972 , , 2–6, , align="left", @

New England Whalers New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...

, , 7–6–1 , - , 15, , L, , November 8, 1972 , , 2–3, , align="left", @

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

, , 7–7–1 , - , 16, , W, , November 9, 1972 , , 4–1, , align="left", @ Ottawa Nationals, , 8–7–1 , - , 17, , L, , November 10, 1972 , , 1–5, , align="left",

, , 8–8–1 , - , 18, , W, , November 12, 1972 , , 5–2, , align="left", Los Angeles Sharks, , 9–8–1 , - , 19, , W, , November 14, 1972 , , 8–0, , align="left", Los Angeles Sharks, , 10–8–1 , - , 20, , L, , November 15, 1972 , , 1–3, , align="left", @ Alberta Oilers, , 10–9–1 , - , 21, , W, , November 17, 1972 , , 5–1, , align="left", @ Los Angeles Sharks, , 11–9–1 , - , 22, , W, , November 19, 1972 , , 4–3, , align="left", @ Los Angeles Sharks, , 12–9–1 , - , 23, , W, , November 21, 1972 , , 4–2, , align="left", @ Houston Aeros, , 13–9–1 , - , 24, , L, , November 23, 1972 , , 5–6 OT, , align="left", @ Houston Aeros, , 13–10–1 , - , 25, , W, , November 24, 1972 , , 5–3, , align="left",

, , 14–10–1 , - , 26, , W, , November 26, 1972 , , 4–1, , align="left",

, , 15–10–1 , - , 27, , W, , November 28, 1972 , , 3–0, , align="left", Alberta Oilers, , 16–10–1 , - , 28, , T, , November 30, 1972 , , 3–3, , align="left", @ Alberta Oilers, , 16–10–2 , - , - , 29, , L, , December 1, 1972 , , 3–4, , align="left", Ottawa Nationals, , 16–11–2 , - , 30, , W, , December 3, 1972 , , 5–1, , align="left",

, , 17–11–2 , - , 31, , L, , December 5, 1972 , , 2–4, , align="left",

, , 17–12–2 , - , 32, , W, , December 6, 1972 , , 7–1, , align="left",

, , 18–12–2 , - , 33, , W, , December 8, 1972 , , 6–2, , align="left", Houston Aeros, , 19–12–2 , - , 34, , W, , December 9, 1972 , , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @

Cleveland Crusaders The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–73 WHA season, 1972 to 1975–76 WHA season, 1976. Their home ice was the Cleveland Arena from 1972 to 1974, and t ...

, , 20–12–2 , - , 35, , L, , December 11, 1972 , , 3–4, , align="left", @

, , 20–13–2 , - , 36, , L, , December 13, 1972 , , 4–7, , align="left", @ Philadelphia Blazers, , 20–14–2 , - , 37, , L, , December 15, 1972 , , 4–6, , align="left", @ Philadelphia Blazers, , 20–15–2 , - , 38, , W, , December 17, 1972 , , 4–3, , align="left", @ New York Raiders, , 21–15–2 , - , 39, , L, , December 21, 1972 , , 0–3, , align="left", @

, , 21–16–2 , - , 40, , L, , December 22, 1972 , , 2–3, , align="left", @

, , 21–17–2 , - , 41, , W, , December 26, 1972 , , 3–2, , align="left",

, , 22–17–2 , - , - , 42, , L, , January 1, 1973 , , 3–7, , align="left", @ Alberta Oilers, , 22–18–2 , - , 43, , W, , January 7, 1973 , , 6–2, , align="left", @

, , 23–18–2 , - , 44, , W, , January 10, 1973 , , 6–1, , align="left", Alberta Oilers, , 24–18–2 , - , 45, , W, , January 12, 1973 , , 5–3, , align="left",

, , 25–18–2 , - , 46, , W, , January 14, 1973 , , 3–1, , align="left",

, , 26–18–2 , - , 47, , W, , January 16, 1973 , , 3–1, , align="left",

, , 27–18–2 , - , 48, , W, , January 19, 1973 , , 6–2, , align="left",

, , 28–18–2 , - , 49, , L, , January 21, 1973 , , 2–7, , align="left",

, , 28–19–2 , - , 50, , L, , January 23, 1973 , , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

, , 28–20–2 , - , 51, , L, , January 24, 1973 , , 1–6, , align="left", @

, , 28–21–2 , - , 52, , T, , January 26, 1973 , , 2–2, , align="left", @

, , 28–21–3 , - , 53, , W, , January 28, 1973 , , 5–4, , align="left", @ Ottawa Nationals, , 29–21–3 , - , - , 54, , L, , February 2, 1973 , , 3–4, , align="left", Alberta Oilers, , 29–22–3 , - , 55, , W, , February 4, 1973 , , 5–3, , align="left", @ Alberta Oilers, , 30–22–3 , - , 56, , L, , February 7, 1973 , , 2–5, , align="left", @ Houston Aeros, , 30–23–3 , - , 57, , W, , February 8, 1973 , , 3–1, , align="left", @ Houston Aeros, , 31–23–3 , - , 58, , W, , February 10, 1973 , , 6–5 OT, , align="left", @ Los Angeles Sharks, , 32–23–3 , - , 59, , W, , February 11, 1973 , , 3–0, , align="left", @ Los Angeles Sharks, , 33–23–3 , - , 60, , W, , February 15, 1973 , , 7–2, , align="left", @

, , 34–23–3 , - , 61, , W, , February 16, 1973 , , 7–0, , align="left", Houston Aeros, , 35–23–3 , - , 62, , W, , February 18, 1973 , , 4–2, , align="left", Houston Aeros, , 36–23–3 , - , 63, , W, , February 25, 1973 , , 5–3, , align="left", Philadelphia Blazers, , 37–23–3 , - , 64, , W, , February 27, 1973 , , 5–1, , align="left",

, , 38–23–3 , - , - , 65, , W, , March 2, 1973 , , 2–1, , align="left", Los Angeles Sharks, , 39–23–3 , - , 66, , W, , March 4, 1973 , , 2–1, , align="left", Los Angeles Sharks, , 40–23–3 , - , 67, , L, , March 6, 1973 , , 2–5, , align="left", @ Ottawa Nationals, , 40–24–3 , - , 68, , W, , March 8, 1973 , , 7–4, , align="left", @

, , 41–24–3 , - , 69, , L, , March 10, 1973 , , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @ New York Raiders, , 41–25–3 , - , 70, , L, , March 11, 1973 , , 2–11, , align="left",

, , 41–26–3 , - , 71, , L, , March 14, 1973 , , 5–7, , align="left",

, , 41–27–3 , - , 72, , L, , March 16, 1973 , , 1–6, , align="left", Ottawa Nationals, , 41–28–3 , - , 73, , L, , March 18, 1973 , , 2–4, , align="left", Ottawa Nationals, , 41–29–3 , - , 74, , T, , March 22, 1973 , , 1–1, , align="left", Alberta Oilers, , 41–29–4 , - , 75, , W, , March 25, 1973 , , 8–4, , align="left", New York Raiders, , 42–29–4 , - , 76, , W, , March 28, 1973 , , 4–3 OT, , align="left", @

, , 43–29–4 , - , 77, , L, , March 30, 1973 , , 2–4, , align="left", @

, , 43–30–4 , - , - , 78, , L, , April 1, 1973 , , 2–4, , align="left", @ Philadelphia Blazers, , 43–31–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

In the playoffs, the Jets would beat the

in 5 games. In the second round of the playoffs, the Jets beat the Houston Aeros in 4 straight to reach the

Avco World Trophy The Avco World Trophy, also known as the Avco Cup, is the playoff championship trophy of the defunct World Hockey Association, which operated from 1972 until 1979. The trophy's naming rights were sold to the former Avco Corporation (a name origin ...

finals. In the finals, the Jets were beaten by the

in 5 games. , - , 1 , , April 6 , ,

, , 1–3 , ,

, , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 8 , ,

, , 2–5 , ,

, , 2–0 , - , 3 , , April 10 , ,

, , 4–6 , ,

, , 2–1 , - , 4 , , April 11 , ,

, , 3–2 OT , ,

, , 3–1 , - , 5 , , April 15 , ,

, , 5–8 , ,

, , 4–1 , - , - , 1 , , April 20 , , Houston Aeros , , 1–5 , ,

, , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 22 , , Houston Aeros , , 0–2 , ,

, , 2–0 , - , 3 , , April 24, ,

, , 4–2 , , Houston Aeros , , 3–0 , - , 4 , , April 26, ,

, , 3–0 , , Houston Aeros , , 4–0 , - , - , 1 , , April 29 , ,

, , 2–7 , ,

, , 0–1 , - , 2 , , May 2 , ,

, , 7–4 , ,

, , 0–2 , - , 3 , , May 3 , ,

, , 3–4 , ,

, , 1–2 , - , 4 , , May 5 , ,

, , 2–4 , ,

, , 1–3 , - , 5 , , May 6 , ,

, , 6–9 , ,

, , 1–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Awards and records

, Gary L. Davidson Award

Player statistics

Forwards

Defencemen

;Scoring

Goaltending

References

External links

Jets on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:1972-73 Winnipeg Jets season Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) seasons Winn Winn

1970s in Winnipeg