East Division (WHA) explained

East Division
League:	World Hockey Association
Sport:	Ice Hockey
Inaugural:	1972-73 season
Folded:	1977
Most Champs:	New England Whalers (3)

The WHA's East Division was formed in 1972. The division existed for five seasons until 1977. In 1972, the WHA was formed with 12 teams, split into two divisions of six teams each, with the other division being the West Division. The division existed until 1977, as the WHA decreased to only eight teams and divisions weren't used anymore.

Division lineups

1972–1973

• Cleveland Crusaders
• New England Whalers
• New York Raiders
• Ottawa Nationals
• Philadelphia Blazers
• Quebec Nordiques

1973–1974

• Chicago Cougars
• Cleveland Crusaders
• New England Whalers
• New York Golden Blades/Jersey Knights
• Quebec Nordiques
• Toronto Toros

Changes from the 1972–1973 season

• The Philadelphia Blazers move to Vancouver, British Columbia and become the Vancouver Blazers, joining the West Division.
• The Chicago Cougars move to the East Division from the West Division as a result of the Blazers moving to Vancouver.
• The Ottawa Nationals relocate to Toronto, Ontario and become the Toronto Toros.
• The New York Raiders are renamed to the New York Golden Blades. The Golden Blades relocate to Cherry Hill, New Jersey and become the Jersey Knights during the 1973-74 season.

1974–1975

• Chicago Cougars
• Cleveland Crusaders
• Indianapolis Racers
• New England Whalers

Changes from the 1973–1974 season

• The Quebec Nordiques and Toronto Toros move from the East Division to the newly formed Canadian Division.
• The Indianapolis Racers join the East Division as an expansion team.

1975–1976

• Cincinnati Stingers
• Cleveland Crusaders
• Indianapolis Racers
• New England Whalers

Changes from the 1974–1975 season

• The Chicago Cougars folded during the summer of 1975.
• The Cincinnati Stingers join the East Division as an expansion team.

1976–1977

• Birmingham Bulls
• Cincinnati Stingers
• Indianapolis Racers
• Minnesota Fighting Saints
• New England Whalers
• Quebec Nordiques

Changes from the 1975–1976 season

• The Cleveland Crusaders folded during the summer of 1976.
• The Toronto Toros of the Canadian Division relocate to Birmingham, Alabama and become the Birmingham Bulls, joining the East Division.
• The Minnesota Fighting Saints join the East Division from the West Division.
• The Quebec Nordiques re-join the East Division as the Canadian Division is dissolved.

After the 1976–1977 season

The league folded four teams during the off-season, reducing the number of teams to eight, as the WHA decided not to use a divisional format.

Regular season Division Champions

• 1973 - New England Whalers (46–30–2, 94 pts)
• 1974 - New England Whalers (43–31–4, 90 pts)
• 1975 - New England Whalers (43–30–5, 91 pts)
• 1976 - Indianapolis Racers (35–39–6, 76 pts)
• 1977 - Quebec Nordiques (47–31–3, 97 pts)

Playoff Division Champions

• 1973 - New England Whalers
• 1974 - Chicago Cougars
• 1977 - Quebec Nordiques

Avco Cup winners produced

1. 1973 - New England Whalers
2. 1977 - Quebec Nordiques

Smythe Division Titles Won By Team

Team	Number of Championships Won	Last Year Won
New England Whalers	3	1975
Indianapolis Racers	1	1976
Quebec Nordiques	1	1977

See also

• WHA West Division
• WHA Canadian Division

References

• WHA History