The 1976–77

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 ...

season was the Hawks' 51st

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

in the

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 ...

, and the club was coming off a 32–30–18 record in 1975–76, earning 82 points, and finishing in first place in the

Smythe Division The National Hockey League's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Conn Smythe, who was a longtime owner, general manager, and he ...

. In the playoffs, the Black Hawks were quickly swept out in four games by the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

in the NHL quarter-finals. During the off-season, the Hawks made a big free agent signing, as the club signed eight time

Norris Trophy The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply the Norris Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". It is named after Ja ...

winner

Bobby Orr Robert Gordon Orr (born March 20, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time. Orr used his skating speed, scoring, and play-making abilities to revolutionize the ...

. Orr missed the majority of the 1975–76 due to a knee injury, as he was limited to ten games in his final season with the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

. The team also named Keith Magnuson to become a tri-captain, joining

Stan Mikita Stanley Mikita (born Stanislav Guoth; May 20, 1940 – August 7, 2018) was a Slovaks, Slovak-born Canadian ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League, generally regarded as the best Centre (ic ...

and

Pit Martin Hubert Jacques "Pit" Martin (December 9, 1943 – November 30, 2008) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who served as captain for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1975 to 1977. He was an NHL All-Star and ...

in that role. The NHL also made a few changes, as the

Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1974 to 1976. In 1976–77 NHL season, 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver and became the Colorado Rockies (NHL), Colorado Rockies. In 1982– ...

were relocated to

Denver, Colorado Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, and renamed the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

, while the

California Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967–68 NHL season, 1967 to 1975–76 NHL season, 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oa ...

moved to

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...

, and were renamed the Cleveland Barons. The Black Hawks got off to a solid start to the season, as in the month of October, they had a 7–5–1 record, however, injuries took a toll on the team, and the Hawks fell into a slump. The Hawks went 3–14–4 in their next 21 games which cost longtime head coach

Billy Reay William Tulip Reay (August 21, 1918 – September 23, 2004) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Reay played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1943 to 1953, winning two Stanley Cups. He then coached from 19 ...

his job. Reay had been with Chicago since 1963, and left the team with a record of 516-335-161 in his fourteen seasons with the club. He was replaced by recently retired Black Hawks defenseman Bill White, who played with the team from 1969 to 1975. Under White, the Hawks played better hockey, as they went 13–12–5 in his first 30 games, however, the team would go on an eight-game losing streak, and find themselves battling the

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

for the final playoff spot in the

. The Hawks eventually finished the season with a 26–43–11 record, earning 63 points, and squeaked into the post-season. The 26 victories and 63 points was their fewest total since the team won 24 games and earned 55 points in 1957–58, while their 43 losses was their highest since losing 51 games in 1953–54. Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by

Ivan Boldirev Ivan Boldirev (Serbian Cyrillic: Иван Болдирев; born August 15, 1949) is a Yugoslavian-born Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Boldirev played 15 seasons and over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1970 ...

, who had a team high 24 goals, 38 assists and 62 points. Darcy Rota tied Boldirev for the team lead in goals, as he also scored 24 times, while earning 46 points.

had 17 goals and 53 points, while

had 19 goals and 49 points while appearing in only 57 games. On defense, Dick Redmond led the way, scoring 22 goals and 47 points, while Phil Russell had 9 goals and 45 points from the blueline, along with a team high 233 penalty minutes.

, limited to only 20 games, earned 23 points, while posting a team best +6 rating. In goal,

Tony Esposito Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito (April 23, 1943 – August 10, 2021) was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender, who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 15 of those for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was one of ...

played the majority of the games, winning 25 games, while registering a GAA of 3.45, and earning two shutouts. The Hawks opened the playoffs in a best of three preliminary series against the

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

, who finished in second place in the

Patrick Division The National Hockey League's Patrick Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division moved to the Prince of Wales Conference in 1981. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of ...

with 106 points, which was 43 more than the Hawks. The series opened with two games at

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (or simply the Nassau Coliseum) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, on Long Island. The venue is situated approximately east of the eastern limits of the borough of Queens in New York City, a ...

in New York, and the Islanders made quick work of the Hawks in the first game, easily winning 5–2 to take the series lead. New York would then complete the two-game sweep, narrowly defeating the Hawks 2–1 in the second game, as Chicago was swept out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Black Hawks were originally scheduled as the home team for the second game, but its home rink

Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium was an indoor arena in Chicago from 1929 to 1995. When it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world with a maximum seating capacity of 26,000. It was the home of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and ...

had already been booked that night for the second of three

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

concerts.Herman, Robin. "Islanders Get Home Ice for All Hawk Games," ''The New York Times'', Tuesday, April 5, 1977.
Retrieved March 13, 2023.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–4 , ,

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, , 1–0–0 , , 2 , - , 2 , , October 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 1–1–0 , , 2 , - , 3 , , October 10 , ,

, , 1–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , - , 4 , , October 13 , ,

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1–0 , , 6 , - , 5 , , October 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , ,

, , 3–2–0 , , 6 , - , 6 , , October 17 , ,

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2–0 , , 8 , - , 7 , , October 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3 , , Cleveland Barons , , 4–3–0 , , 8 , - , 8 , , October 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

, , 4–4–0 , , 8 , - , 9 , , October 23 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–4 , ,

, , 4–5–0 , , 8 , - , 10 , , October 24 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–5–0 , , 10 , - , 11 , , October 27 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–5–1 , , 11 , - , 12 , , October 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–5 , ,

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , 6–5–1 , , 13 , - , 13 , , October 31 , ,

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

, , 4–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–5–1 , , 15 , - , - , 14 , , November 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–7 , ,

, , 7–6–1 , , 15 , - , 15 , , November 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–11 , ,

, , 7–7–1 , , 15 , - , 16 , , November 7 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–8–1 , , 15 , - , 17 , , November 10 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–8–2 , , 16 , - , 18 , , November 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–4 , ,

, , 8–8–2 , , 18 , - , 19 , , November 14 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , 4–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–8–2 , , 20 , - , 20 , , November 17 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

, , 9–9–2 , , 20 , - , 21 , , November 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , ,

Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta from 1972 until 1980. They played home games in the Omni Coliseum and were members of the West and later Patrick divisions of the National Hockey League (NHL). Along with t ...

, , 9–10–2 , , 20 , - , 22 , , November 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–5 , ,

, , 9–11–2 , , 20 , - , 23 , , November 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–4 , ,

, , 10–11–2 , , 22 , - , 24 , , November 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–4 , ,

, , 10–12–2 , , 22 , - , - , 25 , , December 1 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–13–2 , , 22 , - , 26 , , December 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , 10–13–3 , , 23 , - , 27 , , December 5 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–14–3 , , 23 , - , 28 , , December 8 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–15–3 , , 23 , - , 29 , , December 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

, , 10–16–3 , , 23 , - , 30 , , December 12 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–17–3 , , 23 , - , 31 , , December 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , ,

, , 10–18–3 , , 23 , - , 32 , , December 18 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–18–4 , , 24 , - , 33 , , December 19 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–19–4 , , 24 , - , 34 , , December 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 10–19–5 , , 25 , - , 35 , , December 22 , ,

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–20–5 , , 25 , - , 36 , , December 26 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 11–20–5 , , 27 , - , 37 , , December 29 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 12–20–5 , , 29 , - , 38 , , December 31 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 12–20–6 , , 30 , - , - , 39 , , January 2 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 13–20–6 , , 32 , - , 40 , , January 5 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–20–6 , , 34 , - , 41 , , January 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , ,

, , 14–21–6 , , 34 , - , 42 , , January 9 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–22–6 , , 34 , - , 43 , , January 12 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–22–6 , , 36 , - , 44 , , January 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 16–22–6 , , 38 , - , 45 , , January 16 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–23–6 , , 38 , - , 46 , , January 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–7 , ,

, , 16–23–7 , , 39 , - , 47 , , January 19 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–24–7 , , 39 , - , 48 , , January 22 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0 , ,

, , 17–24–7 , , 41 , - , 49 , , January 23 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 17–24–8 , , 42 , - , 50 , , January 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , ,

, , 17–24–9 , , 43 , - , 51 , , January 30 , , Cleveland Barons , , 3–9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 18–24–9 , , 45 , - , - , 52 , , February 2 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–24–9 , , 47 , - , 53 , , February 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–6 , ,

, , 19–25–9 , , 47 , - , 54 , , February 5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , , Cleveland Barons , , 19–26–9 , , 47 , - , 55 , , February 6 , ,

, , 3–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–27–9 , , 47 , - , 56 , , February 9 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–27–10 , , 48 , - , 57 , , February 12 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–27–10 , , 50 , - , 58 , , February 13 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–27–10 , , 52 , - , 59 , , February 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

, , 21–28–10 , , 52 , - , 60 , , February 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3 , ,

, , 21–29–10 , , 52 , - , 61 , , February 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–6 , ,

, , 21–30–10 , , 52 , - , 62 , , February 20 , ,

, , 10–8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–31–10 , , 52 , - , 63 , , February 23 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 22–31–10 , , 54 , - , 64 , , February 26 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–31–10 , , 56 , - , 65 , , February 27 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–32–10 , , 56 , - , - , 66 , , March 2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–6 , ,

, , 23–33–10 , , 56 , - , 67 , , March 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–7 , ,

, , 23–34–10 , , 56 , - , 68 , , March 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–6 , ,

, , 23–35–10 , , 56 , - , 69 , , March 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–7 , ,

, , 23–36–10 , , 56 , - , 70 , , March 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–5 , ,

, , 23–37–10 , , 56 , - , 71 , , March 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

, , 23–38–10 , , 56 , - , 72 , , March 16 , ,

, , 5–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–39–10 , , 56 , - , 73 , , March 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 23–39–11 , , 57 , - , 74 , , March 20 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–39–11 , , 59 , - , 75 , , March 23 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–40–11 , , 59 , - , 76 , , March 26 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 25–40–11 , , 61 , - , 77 , , March 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–3 , ,

, , 26–40–11 , , 63 , - , 78 , , March 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , ,

, , 26–41–11 , , 63 , - , - , 79 , , April 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–6 , ,

, , 26–42–11 , , 63 , - , 80 , , April 3 , , Cleveland Barons , , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 26–43–11 , , 63 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–5 , ,

, , 0–1 , - , 2 , , April 7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 0–2 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Season stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the 1976 NHL amateur draft at the NHL Office in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

References

Sources

Hockey-Reference
*

*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1976-77 Chicago Black Hawks season Chicago Blackhawks seasons

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...