Outstanding New York Times feature on the Whalers amazing coaching and management legacy ... A must read for Whalers fans!

The Hartford Whalers of the N.H.L. departed in 1997, packing their bags, pads and sticks and moving to North Carolina, where the franchise was reborn as the Carolina Hurricanes.

But the legacy of the Whalers’ best teams, including the groups that made five straight playoff appearances in the late 1980s, lives on in an extended cast of prominent N.H.L. alumni. The former Whalers defenseman Joel Quenneville has won two Stanley Cups as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, and his former teammate Dave Tippett coaches the Phoenix Coyotes. Another ex-Whaler, Todd Richards, holds the top job in Columbus.

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Epic rock 'em sock 'em fight between #whalers Shane Churla vs.#Bruins Jay Miller from 1987.

STAMFORD - A few of Santa's elves made a special appearance in Stamford this morning.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and former Mets and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine rappelled 22 stories down Landmark Square to practice for Sunday's Heights and Lights holiday celebration.

They will be dressed as elves when they are joined by Santa this Sunday.

"5. Hartford Whalers. It’s not always easy being green, but the Whale was lovable. Straightforward and bold, with a nice accent of blue, it had the feel of your good pal in class who’d let you copy his homework.

First player it brings to mind: Blaine Stoughton."

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