1976–77 Colorado Rockies season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1976–77
Team=Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies
Conference=Clarence Campbell
ConferenceRank=9th
Division=Smythe
DivisionRank=5th
Record=20–46–14
HomeRecord=
RoadRecord=
GoalsFor=226
GoalsAgainst=307
GeneralManager=Ray Miron
Coach=John Wilson
Captain=Simon Nolet
AltCaptain=
Arena=
Attendance=
GoalsLeader=Wilf Paiement (40)
AssistsLeader=Wilf Paiement (41)
PointsLeader=Wilf Paiement (81)
PIMLeader=Steve Durbano
WinsLeader=Michel Plasse (12)
GAALeader=Bill McKenzie (2.40)

No NHL franchise had moved since the Ottawa Senators became the St. Louis Eagles in 1934. For the 1976–77 NHL season, two franchises had moved. The California Golden Seals became the Cleveland Barons and the Kansas City Scouts went to Denver. [ [http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nhl197677.shtml HickokSports.com - History - NHL 1976-77 Season ] ] With the World Association's Denver Spurs leaving Denver in a midnight move to Ottawa, Ontario just about 10 months earlier, Denver would get a franchise and the team would be anointed the Colorado Rockies. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/colnj/nhlrockies.html Colorado Rockies (1976-1982) ] ] The team moved from Kansas City, which was a two-year NHL franchise that struggled from the beginning. [ [http://coloradohockey.tripod.com/rockies/one.htm The Colorado Rockies 1976/77 ] ]

The team took to the ice for their first regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 6, 1976. [ [http://coloradohockey.tripod.com/rockies/one.htm The Colorado Rockies 1976/77 ] ] Rockies goalie Doug Favell played extremely well stopping 39 of the Toronto 41 shots on net. Wilf Paiement notching one goal, two assists and a fight. Rookie Larry Skinner scored the first NHL regular season goal for the franchise. [ [http://coloradohockey.tripod.com/rockies/one.htm The Colorado Rockies 1976/77 ] ] The final score was 4–2.

The team was competitive in the Smythe Division for a major portion of the season. Early in the season, the Rockies picked up wins by either the goon tactics of Steve Durbano, or through the heroic feats of their goalies, Doug Favell and Michel Plasse. Bill McKenzie was also a goalie for the Rockies but only got into five games. [ [http://coloradohockey.tripod.com/rockies/one.htm The Colorado Rockies 1976/77 ] ]

Offseason

NHL Draft

• The draft was held while the franchise was in Kansas City.

[ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0001371977.html 1976-77 Colorado Rockies [NHL player statistics at hockeydb.com ] ]

Defencemen

"Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points"

Farm Teams

In 1976–77, the Rockies had affiliations with three different teams, including: the Flint Generals, the Greensboro Generals, and the Rhode Island Reds. [ [http://www.azhockey.com/Co.htm A to Z Encyclopaedia of Ice Hockey - Co ] ]

References

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0001371977.html Rockies on Hockey Database]