The Hartford Whalers were an American professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to 1997. Originally based in Boston, the team joined the WHA in the league's inaugural season, and was known as the New England Whalers throughout its time in the WHA. The Whalers moved to Hartford in 1974 and joined the NHL in the NHL–WHA merger of 1979.
Paul Andre Cyr was a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing who played for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Ronald Michael Francis Jr. is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He is the general manager of the Seattle Kraken that inaugurated its first season in 2021. Drafted fourth overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Francis played 23 seasons in the NHL for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Upon retiring from professional ice hockey in 2004, Francis stood second all-time in career assists (1,249), behind only Wayne Gretzky; fifth in career points (1,798); third in games played (1,731); and 27th in career goals (549).
Lyle Theodore Odelein is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for eight National Hockey League (NHL) teams in 16 seasons, and was the inaugural captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Randy William Cunneyworth is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, former AHL head coach, NHL head coach and assistant coach, as well as a pro scout, and player development coach spanning nearly 40 years.
The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who, in their first year as the Avalanche, swept the Florida Panthers in the finals, in four games.
The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80-game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This season would see the Edmonton Oilers win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years by sweeping the Boston Bruins 4–0 in the Stanley Cup Final. In the process of their Cup win, Edmonton lost only two games, a record for the "16 wins" playoff format.
Michael Allen Ramsey is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 1,070 regular season games in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings between 1980 and 1997, after helping the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team win the Miracle On Ice and the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Eric John Weinrich is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks. He played 1,157 career NHL games, scoring 70 goals and 318 assists for 388 points.
Michael Dennis Liut is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.
Steve P. Martins is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Bradley William Shaw is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently an associate coach for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL), and has coached in a variety of roles at various hockey levels.
Jeff Randall Brown is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from the mid-1980s to late 1990s. During his career, Brown was considered to be in the upper echelon of NHL defencemen. He was selected to play in the 1992 NHL All-Star Game and still holds many offensive records for the St. Louis Blues.
Brent Ronald Peterson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with four clubs, primarily as a low-scoring checker with a reputation as a strong defensive forward. He was a longtime assistant coach with the Nashville Predators, retiring in 2011 for health reasons. Peterson is now an advisor for the team.
Gordon Douglas Roberts is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 1,097 NHL regular season games from 1979 to 1994. He is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. His brother Doug Roberts is also a former NHL player.
Lee Charles Norwood is a retired American ice hockey defenceman. He played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League for seven different teams between 1980 and 1994.
Michael Joseph Crombeen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who played in eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). His son B. J. also played in the NHL.
The 1991–92 Hartford Whalers season saw the Whalers finish in fourth place in the Adams Division with a record of 26 wins, 41 losses, and 13 ties for 65 points. They lost the Adams Division semi-finals in seven games to the Montreal Canadiens, with Russ Courtnall scoring in overtime of Game 7 at the Montreal Forum to end Hartford's season. This was the last time that the Whalers made the playoffs before moving to North Carolina.
The 1984–85 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' sixth season in the National Hockey League.
The 1983–84 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' fifth season in the National Hockey League.
United States 