The Complete World Hockey Association
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Ernie Wakely • Ernest Alfred Wakely

Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Catch: L
Born: 27 Nov 1940, Flin Flon MB

 

Regular Season Goaltending Record (key)

year team
gp
min
ga
sho
w-l-t
gaa
a
pim
1972-73 Winnipeg
49
2889
152
2
26-19-3
3.14
0
0
1973-74 Winnipeg
37
2254
123
3
15-18-4
3.27
0
0
1974-75 Winnipeg
6
355
16
1
3-3-0
2.70
0
0
San Diego
35
2062
115
2
20-12-2
3.35
0
0
Totals (2 teams)
41
2417
131
3
23-15-2
3.26
0
0
1975-76 San Diego
67
3824
208
3
35-27-4
3.26
0
0
1976-77 San Diego
46
2506
129
3
22-18-3
3.09
0
0
1977-78 Cincinnati
6
311
26
0
0-5-0
5.02
0
0
Houston
51
3070
166
2
28-18-4
3.24
0
0
Totals (2 teams)
57
3381
192
2
28-23-4
3.41
0
0
1978-79 Birmingham
37
2060
129
0
15-17-1
3.76
3
0
Totals:
334
19331
1064
16
164-137-21
3.30
3
0

Playoff Goaltending Record

year team
gp
min
ga
sho
w-l
gaa
a
pim
1973 Winnipeg
7
420
22
2
4-3
3.14
0
0
1975 San Diego
10
520
39
0
4-6
4.50
0
0
1976 San Diego
11
640
39
0
5-6
3.66
0
0
1977 San Diego
3
160
9
0
2-1
3.38
0
0
Totals:
31
1740
109
2
15-16
3.76
0
0

Shutouts

Date Opponent Home/Away Score Saves
Nov 14, 1972Los AngelesHome8-024
Nov 28, 1972AlbertaHome3-028
Apr 22, 1973HoustonHome2-028
Apr 26, 1973HoustonAway3-025
Dec 14, 1973Los AngelesHome1-032
Dec 22, 1973New EnglandAway2-022
Feb 1, 1974Los AngelesHome4-038
Nov 15, 1974IndianapolisHome5-039
Feb 18, 1975PhoenixHome7-028
Mar 23, 1975VancouverHome1-023
Oct 16, 1975PhoenixHome3-030
Jan 2, 1976IndianapolisAway2-035
Jan 29, 1976CalgaryHome1-029
Nov 7, 1976IndianapolisHome3-016
Nov 27, 1976CalgaryAway2-034
Dec 16, 1976EdmontonHome3-011
Nov 23, 1977BirminghamHome3-025
Mar 24, 1978New EnglandAway1-024

 

Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1975-76 (by Dan Proudfoot)

Ernie Wakely, who was born near Winnipeg and returned there to play for the WHA Jets after a decade on the road, found himself the odd man out and travelling again when he was sold to San Diego Mariners early in 1975.

He arrived at San Diego, however, with a positive attitude, and it was his goaltending that provided the necessary background for the final offensive rush that carried the team into the playoffs.

Wakely averaged only 3.25 goals-against while winning 20 games, losing 12, and tying two. Earlier, at Winnipeg, he was only assigned six starts but earned a strong 2.70 average.

Jets had rookie Curt Larrson and experienced Joe Daley, so Wakely, who will be 35 in December, 1975, became expendable. Mariners, however, showed their long range confidence in him by arranging a four-year contract.

 

Excerpts from Zander Hollander's Guide to Pro Hockey, 1975-76 (by Reyn Davis)

Hailed by the Mariners as the man who led them to the playoffs... Acquired from Winnipeg in mid-season, he built a 20-12-2 record in the San Diego nets... Active member of the Christian athlete movement... Quiet, relaxed man who reads good books and has a collection of pipes... Applied for his American citizenship after living in the United States for 10 years and received it a week after moving back to Canada in 1972... A gourmet cook... Negotiated and signed a multi-year contract with the Mariners... Now resides in San Diego year round.

 

Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1976-77 (by Dan Proudfoot)

Mariner coach Ron Ingram introduced a hypnotist to his team before a playoff contest against Phoenix Roadrunners. The idea was to instil the players with positive thoughts and to improve their concentration, and, sure enough, a victory followed.

"If the hypnotist got to two per cent of the guys then I think it helped," coach Ingram said afterward.

But one player Ingram knew he didn't have to worry about reacbing with his hypnotist was goaltender Ernie Wakely, because the 36-year-old finds that his religion helps him achieve the same results the hypnotist provided for the rest of the players: concentration and a positive attitude. Wakely turned to Christ after his NHL career faltered, and the WHA has reaped the benefits.

 

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