Led by former Boston University Coach Jack Kelley, and playing in the historic Boston Garden, the New England Whalers hit the ice for the first time playing in the upstart World Hockey Association, on October 12th. They would rally from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Philadelphia Blazers 4-3.

While other WHA teams spent their money on NHL stars the Whalers decided to go after solid steadier players, and it paid off as they would go on to finish with a league best 46-30-2 record. In the playoffs the Whalers would make quick work of the Ottawa Nationals advancing to the semifinals in five games.

In the semifinals the Whalers would dominate again as they beat the Cleveland Crusaders in five games to advance to the very first AVCO Cup Finals. In the finals the Whalers would shut down the highflying Winnipeg Jets in five games to emerge as the first champions of the WHA.