Hartford Whalers

The Hartford Whalers, previously known as the New England Whalers, were a World Hockey Association (WHA) and later National Hockey League (NHL) franchise from 1972 to 1997. In 1997, the Whalers franchise was moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and its name changed to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hartford Whalers

Unfortunately, the Whalers were never as successful in the NHL as they had been in the WHA. They would only record three winning seasons in their eighteen years in Hartford as a NHL team, miss the playoffs ten times, and only once won a playoff series, earning along the way the derisive nickname "Forever .500s." Their history was plagued by disastrous trades, especially in dealing stars for several mediocre players in an attempt to gain "depth": dealing star defenseman Mark Howe and their first scoring leader Mike Rogers in separate deals for players and picks who would never pan out, dealing hardrock defenseman Gordie Roberts for the remaining half-season of Mike Fidler's NHL career. All too often when the trades were sound -- as in trading Chris Pronger for Brendan Shanahan -- the players acquired were not happy in Hartford and left as soon as practical.

Related Topics:
Mark Howe - Gordie Roberts - Mike Fidler - Chris Pronger - Brendan Shanahan

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The team had a brief moment in the sun in the 1986 and 1987 seasons. It would make the playoffs both years, winning its sole playoff series in 1986 and its lone division championship in 1987, backstopped by Ron Francis, emerging hardcore winger Kevin Dineen, superstar goalie Mike Liut, and troubled scorer Sylvain Turgeon. The team would drift back into its losing ways the season following.

Related Topics:
1986 - 1987 - Ron Francis - Kevin Dineen - Mike Liut - Sylvain Turgeon

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The most psychologically damaging moment was the 1991 trade of superstar Ron Francis to Pittsburgh. While Francis was unhappy, and the trade made sense on paper, as usual the acquired players did not lead the Whalers to success, while the very popular Francis promptly helped the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles. The reaction of the fan base was savage in condemnation. The Whalers would go on to the playoffs in 1992, behind Jimmy Roberts' coaching, but lose a dramatic double overtime Game Seven as Yvon Corriveau heartbreakingly put a breakaway shot into the crossbar.

Related Topics:
Ron Francis - Stanley Cup - 1992 - Jimmy Roberts - Overtime - Yvon Corriveau

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Roberts was fired thereafter, and while the Whalers had some stars in their remaining five seasons in Hartford -- forwards Geoff Sanderson, Pat Verbeek, and Andrew Cassels and goalie Sean Burke -- they would never again make the playoffs or approach a winning record.

Related Topics:
Geoff Sanderson - Pat Verbeek - Andrew Cassels - Sean Burke

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Career leaders (NHL, 1979-1997)

• Games: Ron Francis, 714
• Goals: Francis, 264
• Assists: Francis, 557
• Points: Francis, 821
• Penalty Minutes: Torrie Robertson, 1368
• Goaltender Games: Sean Burke, 256
• Goaltender Wins: Mike Liut, 115
• Shutouts: Liut, 13

Departure from Hartford

The primary factors for the Whalers' departure from Hartford were the fact that Hartford was not considered a major television market, and the lack of a modern playing facility. Additionally, the fact that the Whalers played in a market where no fewer than four major-market teams played within a two-hour driving radius also was a factor in their limited ability to garner significant corporate support. Many people also criticized the Whalers for long essentially conceding Fairfield County (one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., and one with a large corporate presence) to the New York-area franchises.

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The Hartford Civic Center was adequate, but small, and famously mocked for being part of a shopping mall. As teams in the NHL began moving into larger, corporately-sponsored stadiums with luxury suites and other high-end amenities, it was increasingly understood that a team playing in an aging municipal civic center with limited revenue streams couldn't compete.

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On June 26, 1994 a new ownership group led by CompuWare founder Peter Karmanos purchased the Whalers for $47.5 million, beating out an ownership consortium with a number of smaller investors. Though the competing group offered a higher price, the Connecticut Development Authority and Governor Lowell Weicker preferred to sell to a smaller ownership structure with a clear lead partner. Karmanos also pledged to keep the Whalers in Hartford for a period of years. Lowell Weicker now sits on the Board of Directors for CompuWare.

Related Topics:
CompuWare - Peter Karmanos - Lowell Weicker

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Upon purchasing the team, Karmanos quickly focused on addressing the team's two major business issues. Frustrated with lackluster attendance and corporate support, he announced in 1996 that if the Whalers were unable to sell at least 11,000 season tickets for the 1996-97 season, he would likely have to move the team. Furthermore, ownership only made season tickets available in full season (41 game) packages, eliminating the popular 5-game and 10-game 'mini plans', in a strategy largely designed to spur purchases to wealthier corporations and individuals. Sales were somewhat underwhelming at the beginning of the campaign, and at the end of the 1995-96 season, it was still unknown whether the Whalers would stay in Connecticut or move. However, thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign that targeted the entire state (and specifically Fairfield County), and the creative efforts of many fans (who pooled together resources to purchase some of the full-season packages collectively) the Whalers were successful in reaching their goal of 11,000 season ticket holders. The Whalers announced that they would stay in Connecticut for the 1996-97 season and Karmanos then focused on the second prong of his strategy, gaining a new arena.

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In early 1997, negotiations between the Whalers, and the State of Connecticut and Governor John Rowland to build a new $147.5 million arena seemed to be going well and an agreement appeared close at hand. However negotiations fell apart when Rowland and the State of Connecticut refused Karmanos' demand to reimburse the Whalers for up to $45 million in losses during the three years the new arena was to be built. As a result, the team announced on March 26, 1997 that they would leave Hartford, eventually deciding to move the team to Raleigh, North Carolina. It marked one of the few times in American sports history that a team announced that it would leave its current home city without having already selected a new home city.

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On 13 April 1997 the Whalers played their last game in Hartford, against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Whalers won 2-1. Fittingly, team captain Kevin Dineen scored the final goal in Whaler history.

Related Topics:
13 April - 1997 - Tampa Bay Lightning - Captain - Kevin Dineen

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The Hartford Whalers never won a Stanley Cup, but did qualify for the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons from 1986-92. Their final post-season appearance ended with a seventh game, double overtime defeat to the Montreal Canadiens. Despite this lack of playoff success, and a relatively small fan base, the team was adored by its fans, and they were heartbroken when the Whalers left for North Carolina. In the seasons since the franchise has moved, average attendance has been mediocre, causing many critics, especially former Whalers fans, to suggest the move was a bad decision.

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Theme song

The Hartford Whalers' official theme song was Brass Bonanza, a tune composed by an aspiring musician Jack Say. The song was very popular with Hartford crowds, and continues to occasionally be played at Civic Center events, including University of Connecticut basketball games. It can also sometimes be heard over the PA between innings at Fenway Park. The song can be heard at the Saddledome in Calgary after every Flames victory.

Related Topics:
Brass Bonanza - Jack Say - University of Connecticut - Fenway Park

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Memorable quote

"Whalermania is what everyone's talking about, and I'm just glad to be a part of it."

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