Seventeen Years since Their Departure, The Hartford Whaler’s Legacy Lives On.

Happy New Year everybody!!!! John Basso this week talks about the former professional hockey team here in Connecticut, the Hartford Whalers. He describes the Whalers leaving Connecticut, and where some of the players and coaches went after the team left the state, enjoy!!!!


Article by John Basso

Seventeen years ago the beloved Hartford Whalers packed their bags to start a new chapter in Raleigh North Carolina under the name “Hurricanes.”  But the iconic green and blue that filled the Hartford Civic Center for eighteen years is still as visible as ever.

From 1979 to 1997, the Whalers, who played in an area inside a small shopping mall in downtown Hartford averaged over thirteen-thousand fans a night.  That is more than four existing NHL teams including the Florida Panthers who sell a dismal 8,900 tickets per game.  The Connecticut natives still walk around with Whaler hats, shirts and jackets.  Connecticut even has a Whalers lottery scratch ticket so who’s to say the Whalers can’t be supported in Hartford?

Jean-Sébastien Giguère was the last active player to have put on a Hartford Whalers uniform.  With his recent retirement from The Colorado Avalanche, there are no more former Whalers playing in the NHL.  Chris Pronger who’s still on the Philadelphia Flyer’s active roster is facing career-ending injuries and Craig Adams who was one of Hartford’s final draft picks is on the Pittsburgh Penguin’s roster, but never suited up for them. 

The Hartford Whalers also produced some Hall of Famers that made their way through Hartford.  Ron Francis the franchise’s all-time leader in games, goals, assists and points with 821 is in the Hall of Fame.  Both Gordie Howe and his son Mark are in as well as Brendan Shanahan.  Chris Pronger may see a bid for the Hall of Fame in a few years.

THE WHALERS – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Chuck Kaiton the Whaler’s radio play-by announcer stayed with the franchise and is still calling Carolina Hurricane games.

Rick Peckham former play-by-play television announcer for the Whalers is now doing the same for the Tampa Bay Lightning organization for the Florida based Sun Sports Network.

Paul Maurice at the age of 28, became the youngest coach in National Hockey League history with the Hartford Whalers.  He also coached The Carolina Hurricanes twice, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He is now the head coach for the Winnipeg Jets and in 2010 he became the youngest coach to reach 1,000 games won.

Ron Francis replaced former Whaler’s General Manager Jim Rutherford in Carolina but was quickly fired after trading a first round pick, Jeff Skinner, and Justin Faulk to the Oilers for 2020 and 2021 3rd round draft picks.

Brendan Shanahan is currently the President and alternate governor for the Toronto Maple Leafs, after serving as the director of player safety for the NHL.

Marc Bergevin is about to enter his third season as Montreal Canadiens General Manager.

Don Maloney is in his eighth year and the Phoenix Coyote’s General Manger.

Dave Tippett who was a Whaler’s Alternate Captain is considered one of the best coaches in the NHL after 11 seasons split between the Dallas Stars and Coyotes.

Ulf Samuelsson is a New York Rangers assistant coach under Alain Vigneault and was a head-coaching candidate for a few vacancies this off-season.

Joel Quenneville is the former head coach for the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues and is now the head coach for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kevin Dineen who was the last Whaler’s Captain before moving to Carolina is the former Florida Panther’s Head Coach and is now working under Quenneville as an assistant coach in Chicago.