One Less Hartford Whaler

Greatest Hockey Legends notes that Hnat Domenichelli's retirement leaves only five former Hartford Whalers still playing hockey somewhere, though one has a pretty big asterisk.

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2014/03/one-less-hartford-whaler.html

On this date in 1997, the Whalers announce that they will leave Hartford at the conclusion of the 96/97 season.

On this date in 1994 Whalers players Pat Verbeek, Chris Pronger, Geoff Sanderson, Marc Potvin, Mark Janssens, Todd Harkins, and assistant coach Kevin McCarthy are arrested in a 3:00AM wild post-curfew nightclub brawl in Buffalo, NY.

Birthday Wishes to Whalers Legend and NHL Hall of Famer Davey Keon

On this date in 1990, Whalers founder Howard Baldwin and hockey legend Davey Keon are the last two inductees to the Whalers Hall of Fame.

WFSB's Dennis House: On "Face the State Whalers Feature this Sunday at 11am: "The loss of the Hartford Whalers in 1997 was not only a blow to fans, but to businesses, charities and the image of the city and state. 28 years ago Hartford hockey was at its peak.

The capital city hosted the NHL All Star game, and a few months later the Whalers made the Stanley Cup playoffs and were thrown a big parade ... (we) looked at the economic impact the Whalers and the All Star game would have on Connecticut, by visiting some now defunct restaurants and the old Hartford Civic Center mall. He also interviewed the manager of the Whalers store. Wouldn’t you love to be able to shop there today?"

Yes, there was a time when the Hartford Civic Center was bustling and the city was vibrant. Today, of course, the XL Center is a desolate, depressing dump inhabited by unhappy NY Rangers discards, who grimly labor before sparse crowds.

Anyway, anyone born after 1980 should watch "Face the State" on Sunday before the they further succumb to the minor league mentality that now permeates this troubled
city.

http://dennishouse.tv/2014/03/20/that-day-when-all-eyes-in-the-sports-world-were-on-hartford/ — with Dennis House.

On this date in 1980 Gordie Howe starts his 1st NHL game at center, with sons Mark on right wing and Marty on left in Detroit.

Happy 86th Birthday to 'Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe!