1972
World Hockey Association (WHA) formed. Charter franchise awarded to
San Francisco, but moved to Quebec, PQ, Canada before playing a single
game. New team named "Nordiques" because it is located further north than
any other WHA team.
1972-73
Regular season record: 33-40-5, 71 points.
Missed playoffs
Stats
1973-74
Regular season record: 38-36-4, 80 points.
Missed playoffs
Stats
1974-75
Regular season record: 46-32-0, 92 points.
Defeated Phoenix Roadrunners and Minnesota Fighting Saints in playoffs
Lost to Houston Aeros in Avco Cup final
Canadian Division Champions
Stats
1975-76
Regular season record: 50-27-4, 104 points.
First round bye
Lost to Calgary Cowboys in second round
Stats
1976-77
Regular season record: 47-31-3, 97 points.
Defeated New England Whalers and Indianapolis Racers in playoffs
Defeated Winnipeg Jets in Avco Cup final
Eastern Division Champions
WHA CHAMPIONS
Stats
1977-78
Regular season record: 40-37-3, 83 points.
Defeated Houston Aeros in playoffs
Lost to New England Whalers in second round
Stats
1978-79
Regular season record: 41-34-3, 85 points.
First round bye
Lost to Winnipeg Jets in second round
Stats
1979
WHA folds. Nordiques, along with the New England Whalers (now Carolina
Hurricanes), Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets (now Phoenix Coyotes) join
NHL.
1979-80
Regular season record: 25-44-11, 61 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1980-81
Regular season record: 30-32-18, 78 points
Lost to Philadelphia Flyers in first round
Peter Stastny wins Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year)
Stats
1981-82
Regular season record: 33-31-16, 82 points
Defeated Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins in playoffs
Lost to New York Islanders in conference final
Stats
1982-83
Regular season record: 34-34-12, 80 points
Lost to Boston Bruins in first round
Stats
1983-84
Regular season record: 42-28-10, 94 points
Defeated Buffalo Sabres in playoffs
Lost to Montreal Canadiens in second round
Stats
1984-85
Regular season record: 41-30-9, 91 points
Defeated Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens in playoffs
Lost to Philadelphia Flyers in conference final
Stats
1985-86
Regular season record: 43-31-6, 92 points
Lost to Hartford Whalers in first round
Adams Division Champions
Stats
1986-87
Regular season record: 31-39-10, 72 points
Defeated Hartford Whalers in playoffs
Lost to Montreal Canadiens in second round
Stats
1987-88
Regular season record: 32-43-5, 69 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1988-89
Regular season record: 27-46-7, 61 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1989-90
Regular season record: 12-61-7, 31 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1990-91
Regular season record: 16-50-14, 46 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1991-92
Regular season record: 20-48-12, 52 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1992-93
Regular season record: 47-27-10, 104 points
Lost to Montreal Canadiens in first round
Team sets NHL record for best-ever single-season turnaround
Stats
1993-94
Regular season record: 34-42-8, 76 points
Missed playoffs
Stats
1995 (lockout-shortened season)
Regular season record: 30-13-5, 65 points
Lost to New York Rangers in first round
Northeast Division Champions
Peter Forsberg wins Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year)
Marc Crawford wins Jack Adams Award (coach of the year)
Stats
Epilogue
Nordiques sold in summer 1995, moved to Denver and renamed Colorado
Avalanche.
Avalanche win 1996 Stanley Cup.
Joe Sakic wins 1996 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Avalanche reach 1997 Western Conference Finals and first round in 1998.
Peter Stastny and Michel Goulet elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1998.
Stats courtesy of Ralph Slate
W. Lane Startin, Las Vegas, NV
