ESPN: Feature on Whalers Fan and CT Native Ben Smith

ESPN.com: "If it weren't for the Hartford Whalers, chances are Chicago Blackhawks forward Ben Smith wouldn't be playing hockey right now."

"The shrine to the Whalers still hangs, untouched, in his older brother's bedroom in Avon. A shirt from the last game. A team photo. The Whalers schedule from the last season. Both home and away Whalers jerseys."

"It's been 17 years. Seventeen years," his brother Chris said. "Every April 13, I wake up in a bad mood."

This is a GREAT read for Whalers fans:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10879320/chicago-blackhawks-ben-smith-tuning-game-playoffs — with Pete Hindle and 3 others.