The 1982–83 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques fourth season in the

National Hockey League 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 ...

. In the 1981–82 season, Quebec recorded their first winning season in the NHL, as they had a record of 34–34–12, earning 80 points, in which they finished fourth in the

Adams Division The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is th ...

, qualifying for the post-season for the second consecutive season. The Nordiques lost in the first round of the playoffs to 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 ...

Off-season

During the off-season, the Nordiques announced that they would not have a team captain for the 1982–83 season, as Andre Dupont only had the position for the second half of the 1981–82 season after team captain

Robbie Ftorek Robert Brian Ftorek (born January 2, 1952) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He played over 300 games in both the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association. In the 1976-77 season, he scored 46 goals and re ...

was dealt to the

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 ...

. Expectations were high for the club after their improbable playoff run, in which the team was only one round away from a berth in the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

finals.

Regular season

The Nordiques would have a mediocre regular season, as they hovered around the .500 mark for the entire year. Quebec would set a team record for victories, winning 34 games, however, the team finished with two fewer points than the previous season, as they finished the year with a 34-34-12 record, earning 80 points, and their third consecutive playoff appearance, as they finished in fourth place in the

. Offensively, the Nordiques were led by

Peter Stastny Peter may refer to: People * List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Peter (given name) ** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church * Peter (surname), a sur ...

, who led the club with 124 points, and was second in the league scoring race, finishing behind

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

of the

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

Michel Goulet Michel Bernard Goulet (born April 21, 1960) is a Canadian former professional forward (ice hockey), ice hockey forward who played for the Birmingham Bulls (WHA), Birmingham Bulls in the World Hockey Association and the Quebec Nordiques and Chicag ...

had a breakout season, scoring a team record 57 goals, which was the fourth highest total in the league. Goulet added 48 assists, earning 105 points, which was good for eighth in the NHL. Anton Stastny scored 32 goals and 92 points, while Marian Stastny scored 36 goals and 79 points despite missing 20 games due to injuries. On the blueline,

Dave Pichette Dave Pichette (born February 4, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 322 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Quebec Nordiques, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers. As a you ...

led the scoring, recording 24 points in 53 games, while

Normand Rochefort Normand Rochefort (born January 28, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Biography Rochefort was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. As a youth, he played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a mi ...

earned 23 points in 62 games.

Dale Hunter Dale Robert Hunter (born July 31, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and current co-owner, president, and head coach of the London Knights o ...

once again provided the team toughness, recording 206 penalty minutes. In goal,

Dan Bouchard Daniel Hector Bouchard (born December 12, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and original Winnipeg Jets. Car ...

was the number one goalie, winning a team best 20 games, while posting a team low GAA of 4.01, as well as recording the only shutout Quebec had during the season.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , October 6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 6–4 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–0–0 , , 2 , , 11,196 , - , 2 , , October 7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–9 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , 16,250 , - , 3 , , October 9 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , , 15,118 , - , 4 , , October 11 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , 15,259 , - , 5 , , October 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. ...

, , 4–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–2–1 , , 5 , , 14,011 , - , 6 , , October 16 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–3–1 , , 5 , , 15,226 , - , 7 , , October 20 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–3 , ,

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 ...

, , 3-3–1 , , 7 , , 8,242 , - , 8 , , October 21 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–8 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 4–3–1 , , 9 , , 14,140 , - , 9 , , October 23 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–9 , ,

, , 4–4–1 , , 9 , , 18,144 , - , 10 , , October 26 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–9 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–4–1 , , 11 , , 14,483 , - , 11 , , October 30 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 6–4–1 , , 13 , , 15,186 , - , - , 12 , , November 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 5–2 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 6–5–1 , , 13 , , 15,021 , - , 13 , , November 6 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 7–5–1 , , 15 , , 15,229 , - , 14 , , November 8 , ,

, , 5–5 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 7–5–2 , , 16 , , 15,221 , - , 15 , , November 10 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–7 , ,

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

, , 7–6–2 , , 16 , , 9,909 , - , 16 , , November 11 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–2 , ,

, , 8–6–2 , , 18 , , 14,685 , - , 17 , , November 13 , ,

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

, , 2–7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 9–6–2 , , 20 , , 15,004 , - , 18 , , November 16 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 9–7–2 , , 20 , , 15,258 , - , 19 , , November 18 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 4–7 , ,

, , 9–8–2 , , 20 , , 18,895 , - , 20 , , November 21 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 9–7 , ,

, , 10–8–2 , , 22 , , 17,498 , - , 21 , , November 23 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–5 , ,

, , 10–9–2 , , 22 , , 15,781 , - , 22 , , November 25 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–2 , ,

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

, , 11–9–2 , , 24 , , 7,226 , - , 23 , , November 27 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–1 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 11–10–2 , , 24 , , 15,254 , - , 24 , , November 30 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–8 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 12–10–2 , , 26 , , 14,828 , - , - , 25 , , December 2 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–3 , ,

, , 12–10-3 , , 27 , , 12,252 , - , 26 , , December 4 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 13–10–3 , , 29 , , 15,237 , - , 27 , , December 7 , ,

, , 5–10 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 14–10–3 , , 31 , , 15,235 , - , 28 , , December 9 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–4 , ,

, , 14–11–3 , , 31 , , 16,203 , - , 29 , , December 11 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 7–4 , ,

, , 15–11–3 , , 33 , , 11,142 , - , 30 , , December 12 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–7 , ,

, , 15–12–3 , , 33 , , 18,132 , - , 31 , , December 14 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 15–12–4 , , 34 , , 14,845 , - , 32 , , December 18 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 15–13–4 , , 34 , , 15,023 , - , 33 , , December 19 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–3 , ,

, , 15–14–4 , , 34 , , 11,308 , - , 34 , , December 21 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 15–14–5 , , 35 , , 15,237 , - , 35 , , December 23 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 16–14–5 , , 37 , , 15,314 , - , 36 , , December 26 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 4–4 , ,

, , 16–14–6 , , 38 , , 18,117 , - , 37 , , December 28 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 17–14–6 , , 40 , , 15,236 , - , - , 38 , , January 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 7–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 17–15–6 , , 40 , , 15,258 , - , 39 , , January 4 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 18–15–6 , , 42 , , 15,276 , - , 40 , , January 7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–5 , ,

, , 18–16–6 , , 42 , , 17,421 , - , 41 , , January 8 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–6 , ,

, , 18–17–6 , , 42 , , 15,230 , - , 42 , , January 10 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–6 , ,

, , 18–18–6 , , 42 , , 9,814 , - , 43 , , January 12 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–2 , ,

, , 18–19–6 , , 42 , , 11,507 , - , 44 , , January 13 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 0–2 , ,

, , 18–20–6 , , 42 , , 14,685 , - , 45 , , January 15 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 19–20–6 , , 44 , , 15,039 , - , 46 , , January 18 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 20-20–6 , , 46 , , 15,232 , - , 47 , , January 21 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–4 , ,

, , 21–20–6 , , 48 , , 13,365 , - , 48 , , January 22 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 7–3 , ,

, , 22–20–6 , , 50 , , 10,336 , - , 49 , , January 25 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 23–20–6 , , 52 , , 15,193 , - , 50 , , January 27 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–5 , ,

, , 23–21–6 , , 52 , , 11,061 , - , 51 , , January 29 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 24–21–6 , , 54 , , 15,056 , - , - , 52 , , February 1 , ,

, , 3–12 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 25–21–6 , , 56 , , 15,190 , - , 53 , , February 3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–5 , ,

, , 25–22–6 , , 56 , , 13,744 , - , 54 , , February 5 , ,

, , 0–0 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 25–22–7 , , 57 , , 15,247 , - , 55 , , February 6 , ,

, , 4-4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 25–22–8 , , 58 , , 15,232 , - , 56 , , February 10 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–3 , ,

, , 25–22–9 , , 59 , , 7,242 , - , 57 , , February 11 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–7 , ,

, , 25–23–9 , , 59 , , 17,498 , - , 58 , , February 13 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–4 , ,

, , 26–23–9 , , 61 , , 17,875 , - , 59 , , February 15 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 27–23–9 , , 63 , , 15,240 , - , 60 , , February 17 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–6 , ,

, , 27–24–9 , , 63 , , 13,922 , - , 61 , , February 19 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 4–4 , ,

, , 27–24–10 , , 64 , , 12,052 , - , 62 , , February 22 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–6 , ,

, , 27–25–10 , , 64 , , 17,721 , - , 63 , , February 24 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 27–26–10 , , 64 , , 15,330 , - , 64 , , February 26 , ,

, , 3-6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 28–26–10 , , 66 , , 15,250 , - , - , 65 , , March 1 , ,

, , 5–5 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 28–26–11 , , 67 , , 15,273 , - , 66 , , March 3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–5 , ,

, , 28–27-11 , , 67 , , 13,326 , - , 67 , , March 5 , ,

, , 3–10 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 29–27–11 , , 69 , , 15,240 , - , 68 , , March 6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 7–3 , ,

, , 30–27–11 , , 71 , , 9,321 , - , 69 , , March 8 , ,

, , 11–5 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 30–28–11 , , 71 , , 15,292 , - , 70 , , March 13 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 31–28–11 , , 73 , , 15,250 , - , 71 , , March 15 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3-5 , ,

, , 31–29-11 , , 73 , , 11,180 , - , 72 , , March 17 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–4 , ,

, , 31–30–11 , , 73 , , 11,770 , - , 73 , , March 18 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–7 , ,

, , 31–31–11 , , 73 , , 16,413 , - , 74 , , March 20 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–3 , ,

, , 31–32–11 , , 73 , , 15,075 , - , 75 , , March 24 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 32–32–11 , , 75 , , 15,142 , - , 76 , , March 26 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1–2 , ,

, , 32–33–11 , , 75 , , 16,382 , - , 77 , , March 27 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 6–6 , ,

, , 32–33–12 , , 76 , , 14,063 , - , 78 , , March 29 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 32–34–12 , , 76 , , 15,227 , - , - , 79 , , April 2 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 5–4 , ,

, , 33–34–12 , , 78 , , 11,142 , - , 80 , , April 3 , ,

, , 5–6 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 34–34–12 , , 80 , , 15,132 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

The Nordiques opened the 1983 Stanley Cup playoffs with a best of five

semi-final series against the

. The Nordiques eliminated Boston in seven games in the Division finals the previous season. The Bruins had the best record in the

, posting a record of 50–20–10, earning 110 points, which was 30 more than the Nordiques. The series opened with two games at the

Boston Garden The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928, as "Boston Madison Square Garden" (later ...

, and Quebec stunned the Bruins in the first period, as

had a natural hat trick, as Quebec took a 3–0 lead. The Bruins came back, led by two goals by

Mike O'Connell Michael Thomas O'Connell (born November 25, 1955) is an American former professional ice hockey player and general manager who currently serves as the Director of Pro Development for the Los Angeles Kings. He played 860 National Hockey League (N ...

and one by

Barry Pederson Barry Alan Pederson (born March 13, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League between 1980 and 1992. He finished second in NHL Awards Voting for Rookie of the Year in 1982 ...

to even the game up, setting up overtime. In the extra period,

scored, as Boston completed the comeback and won the game 4–3. In the second game, the two teams exchanged goals in the first period, before

gave the Nordiques a 2–1 lead midway through the third period. The Bruins managed another comeback though, as Boston scored three unanswered goals to win the game 4–2, and take a 2–0 series lead. The series then moved to

Le Colisée Le Colisée is an indoor arena in Chalon-sur-Saône, France. It is primarily used for basketball games, and it is the home arena of the LNB Pro A, French Pro A League club Élan Chalon. The arena seats 5,000 people. History The hall was inaugu ...

for the next two games, and the Nordiques, led by 31 saves by

, staved off elimination with a 2–1 victory and cut the Bruins series lead in half. In the fourth game, Bruins goaltender

Pete Peeters Pete Peeters (born August 17, 1957) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the eighth round (135th overall) of the 1977 NHL amateur draft. and went on to play 13 seasons in the Nat ...

stole the show, making 38 saves, as Boston held on for a 2–1 win, and eliminated the Nordiques. , - , 1 , , April 5 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–4 , ,

, , 0-1 , , 13,549 , - , 2 , , April 7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–4 , ,

, , 0-2 , , 14,685 , - , 3 , , April 9 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1-2 , , 15,290 , - , 4 , , April 10 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1-3 , , 15,269 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Awards & records

* Second NHL All-Star team:

Transactions

The Nordiques were involved in the following transactions during the 1982–83 season.

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Draft picks

Quebec's draft picks from the 1982 NHL entry draft which was held at the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:1982-83 Quebec Nordiques Season Quebec Nordiques season, 1982-83 Quebec Nordiques seasons Que 1980s in Quebec City 1982 in sports in Quebec 1983 in sports in Quebec