The
1977–78 AHL seasonIn an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
was the
42nd season of the
American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. The season was in jeopardy when the last of the original eight franchises of the "International-American Hockey League", the
Rhode Island RedsThe Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
(previously Providence Reds) folded in the offseason, and the AHL was left with five teams. The league increased its member teams by four, when the
North American Hockey LeagueThe North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
and
Southern Hockey LeagueThe Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973...
s both folded before the 1977–78 season. Two teams joined from the NAHL, and another from the SHL, along with one expansion team.
North and south divisions were resumed. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy resumes as the regular season championship trophy for the north division, and the
John D. Chick TrophyThe John D. Chick Trophy is presented annually to the AHL's team that has the best record in the West Division.The award is named after John Chick, who served as vice president and treasurer of the American Hockey League....
resumes as the regular season championship trophy for the south division. The
Fred T. Hunt Memorial AwardThe Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. The award is voted upon by players and members of the media around the American Hockey League.The award is named for Fred T...
is first awarded to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
Nine teams were scheduled to play 80 games each, however the
Hampton GullsThe Hampton Gulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Hampton, Virginia and were a farm team for the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA. The Gulls were a member of the Southern Hockey League for three seasons from 1974–75 to 1976–77, and the American Hockey League for one season in 1977–78...
folded on February 10, 1978, playing 46 games. The
Maine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
finished first overall in the regular season, and won the
Calder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship as a first year expansion team.
Team changes
- The Maine Mariners
The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
join the AHL as an expansion team, based in Portland, MainePortland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, playing in the North Division.
- The Broome Dusters
The Broome Dusters were an ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena...
, of the defunct North American Hockey LeagueThe North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
, acquire and merge with the Rhode Island RedsThe Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
. The Reds are relocated to Binghamton, New YorkBinghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
, and play as the Binghamton DustersThe Binghamton Dusters were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena...
in the North Division.
- The Philadelphia Firebirds, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, transfer to the AHL as an expansion team, from the defunct North American Hockey LeagueThe North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
, and play in the South Division.
- The Hampton Gulls
The Hampton Gulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Hampton, Virginia and were a farm team for the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA. The Gulls were a member of the Southern Hockey League for three seasons from 1974–75 to 1976–77, and the American Hockey League for one season in 1977–78...
, based in Hampton, VirginiaHampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
, transfer to the AHL as an expansion team, from the defunct Southern Hockey LeagueThe Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973...
, and play in the South Division.
Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;
| North |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
Pts |
GF |
GA |
| Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
80 |
43 |
28 |
9 |
95 |
305 |
256 |
| Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
|
81 |
37 |
28 |
16 |
90 |
304 |
250 |
Springfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
|
81 |
39 |
33 |
9 |
87 |
348 |
350 |
Binghamton DustersThe Binghamton Dusters were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena...
|
81 |
27 |
46 |
8 |
62 |
287 |
377 |
| South |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
Pts |
GF |
GA |
| Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
|
81 |
43 |
31 |
7 |
93 |
332 |
296 |
| New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
|
80 |
38 |
31 |
11 |
87 |
313 |
292 |
| Philadelphia Firebirds |
81 |
35 |
35 |
11 |
81 |
294 |
290 |
| Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
|
81 |
27 |
44 |
10 |
64 |
281 |
324 |
| Hampton Gulls The Hampton Gulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Hampton, Virginia and were a farm team for the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA. The Gulls were a member of the Southern Hockey League for three seasons from 1974–75 to 1976–77, and the American Hockey League for one season in 1977–78...
† |
46 |
15 |
28 |
3 |
33 |
142 |
171 |
†Suspended operations.
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| Gord Brooks Gordon John Brooks is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
|
Philadelphia Firebirds |
81 |
42 |
56 |
98 |
40 |
| Rick Adduono Rick Norman Adduono is a retired professional ice hockey player in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League as well as a coach in various minor leagues.-Playing career:...
|
Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
|
76 |
38 |
60 |
98 |
34 |
| Al Hill |
Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
80 |
32 |
59 |
91 |
118 |
| Bob Collyard Robert Leander Collyard is an American former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League for the St...
|
Philadelphia Firebirds |
79 |
28 |
62 |
90 |
42 |
| Andre Peloffy André Charles Peloffy is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft, Peloffy never played for the Rangers and was traded to the Washington Capitals prior to the 1974–75 NHL season and played nine games during the team's inaugural season...
|
Springfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
|
67 |
33 |
55 |
88 |
73 |
| Gordie Clark Gordon Corson Clark is a retired ice hockey right winger. He played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins and in the WHA for the Cincinnati Stingers. He is currently the Director of Player Personnel for the New York Rangers...
|
Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
|
75 |
37 |
51 |
88 |
18 |
| Joe Hardy Jocelyn Joseph "Joe" Hardy is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 210 games in the World Hockey Association and 63 games in the National Hockey League...
|
Binghamton DustersThe Binghamton Dusters were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena...
|
73 |
24 |
63 |
87 |
56 |
| Tom Colley Tom Colley is a Canadian ice hockey centre.Colley played junior hockey for the Niagara Falls Flyers and the Sudbury Wolves, scoring 117 points including 81 assists. Colley was drafted 57th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft and 38th overall by the New England...
|
New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
|
80 |
32 |
54 |
86 |
17 |
| Charlie Simmer Charles Robert Simmer is a retired ice hockey forward, most notably for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League, who was notable for his scoring and power play prowess.-Playing career:...
|
Springfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
|
75 |
42 |
41 |
83 |
100 |
Calder Cup playoffs
Trophy and award winners
Team awards
Calder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
Playoff champions: |
Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy
Regular Season champions, North Division: |
Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
| John D. Chick Trophy The John D. Chick Trophy is presented annually to the AHL's team that has the best record in the West Division.The award is named after John Chick, who served as vice president and treasurer of the American Hockey League....
Regular Season champions, South Division: |
Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
|
Individual awards
| Les Cunningham Award The Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players....
Most valuable player: |
Blake Dunlop Blake Robert Dunlop was a National Hockey League forward during the 1970s and early 1980s. He grew up in Ottawa and played four seasons for the OHA's Ottawa 67's...
- Maine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
| John B. Sollenberger Trophy The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
Top point scorer: |
Rick Adduono Rick Norman Adduono is a retired professional ice hockey player in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League as well as a coach in various minor leagues.-Playing career:...
- Rochester AmericansThe Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
&
Gord BrooksGordon John Brooks is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
- Philadelphia Firebirds |
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award
Rookie of the year: |
Norm Dupont Normand Dupont is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Dupont started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1979. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers. He left the NHL after the 1984 season. He played 8 seasons in the Swiss National League A before...
- Nova Scotia VoyageursThe Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
|
| Eddie Shore Award The Eddie Shore Award is presented annually to the AHL's best defenceman. The award winner is chosen by AHL media and players. The award is named after Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Shore.-Winners:-Other Eddie Shore Award:...
Defenceman of the year: |
Terry Murray Terry Rodney Murray is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, and current head coach of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings...
- Maine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award
Lowest goals against average: |
Bob HollandRobert George Holland is a former New South Wales and Australian cricketer. He was, for obvious reasons, nicknamed "Dutchy".-Domestic career:...
& Maurice BarrettMaurice Barrett was a goaltender for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the AHL and the Springfield Indians....
- Nova Scotia VoyageursThe Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
|
Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award
Coach of the year: |
Bob McCammon Robert "Bob" McCammon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre and a former National Hockey League and American Hockey League head coach and general manager. He was a pro scout with the Detroit Red Wings....
- Maine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
| Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award The Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. The award is voted upon by players and members of the media around the American Hockey League.The award is named for Fred T...
Sportsmanship / Perseverance: |
Blake Dunlop Blake Robert Dunlop was a National Hockey League forward during the 1970s and early 1980s. He grew up in Ottawa and played four seasons for the OHA's Ottawa 67's...
- Maine MarinersThe Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
Other awards
| James C. Hendy Memorial Award The James C. Hendy Memorial Award is presented annually to an executive who has made the most outstanding contribution to the American Hockey League....
Most outstanding executive: |
Sam Pollock Samuel Patterson Smyth "Sam" Pollock, OC, CQ was a general manager in the National Hockey League.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sam was a keen evaluator of talent. In 1950, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and in 1958, with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens, he won the Memorial Cup...
|
| James H. Ellery Memorial Awards The James H. Ellery Memorial Awards are presented annually to the individuals of the news media for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League. The awards honor the late James Ellery, former publicity director for the AHL. The first award was handed out to one individual in 1965...
Outstanding media coverage: |
Brian Thayer, Maine, (newspaper)
Al Kalter, Binghamton, (radio)
Tim Melton, Hershey & Frank FixarisFrank Fixaris was an American sportscaster, anchor, and reporter, spending the majority of his career at WGME-TV in Portland, Maine. He also co-hosted a morning radio show on WJAB after his television run.Fixaris attended college in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Emerson College in 1956...
, Maine, (television) |