The Hartford Whalers were a 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.
The Hartford Wolf Pack are a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. A member of the American Hockey League (AHL), they play their home games at the XL Center. The team was established in 1926 as the Providence Reds. After a series of relocations, the team moved to Hartford in 1997 as the Hartford Wolf Pack. It is one of the oldest professional hockey franchises in existence, and the oldest continuously operating minor league hockey franchise in North America.
John Paul Cunniff was an American NHL hockey coach and former professional player who appeared in 65 World Hockey Association regular season games between 1972 and 1976. Cunniff was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
Richard Joseph Meagher is a Canadian former ice hockey player. Meagher played almost 700 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. He won the Selke Trophy in 1990 with the Blues. As of 2010 he is a scout for the St. Louis Blues.
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 Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), and has coached in a variety of roles at various hockey levels.
Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz is a Polish-born Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Sidorkiewicz played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils, representing the Wales Conference in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. Since retiring as a player, Sidorkiewicz has worked for the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL as a coach and player personnel director.
Terry Donald Yake is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and right wing who played for the Hartford Whalers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals.
Shane Churla is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted in the sixth round, 110th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently the director of amateur scouting for the Florida Panthers.
Lawrence Winslow Pleau is an American former ice hockey player who is currently the senior advisor to the general manager for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly served as senior vice president and General Manager of the St. Louis Blues. He played in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens between 1970 and 1972, and in the World Hockey Association with the New England Whalers between 1972 and 1979. Internationally Pleau played for the American national team at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1969 World Championship.
John Joseph Brownschidle, Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 494 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and Hartford Whalers between 1977 and 1985. He was born in Buffalo, New York. Brownschidle was also a member of the University of Notre Dame hockey team before turning professional. His brother Jeff Brownschidle was also a former National Hockey League player who played three games for the Hartford Whalers. Internationally Brownshidle played for the American national team at the 1975 and 1979 World Championships.
The 1988–89 Hartford Whalers season saw the team finish in fourth place in the Adams Division with a record of 37 wins, 38 losses, and 5 ties for 79 points. They were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in four straight games in the Division Semi-finals.
Gregory J. Britz is a former American professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Hartford Whalers.
The 1992–93 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' 14th season in the National Hockey League.
The 1988–90 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' eleventh season in the National Hockey League.
Michel Galarneau is a Canadian-born French former ice hockey centre. He played 78 games in the National Hockey League with the Hartford Whalers between 1980 and 1983, while mainly playing in the minor leagues. He moved to Europe in 1984, spending one season in the Dutch Eredivisie, and then moved to the French domestic league in 1985, where he played until retiring in 2000. Internationally Galarneau represented the French national team at the 1995 World Championships.
Kevin Glen Kemp is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played three games in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers during the 1980–81 season.
Paul Marshall is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played 95 games in the National Hockey League between 1979 and 1983 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Hartford Whalers.
Michael George McDougal is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He played 61 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers between 1978 and 1983. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1976 to 1984, was mainly spent in the minor leagues. Internationally McDougal played for the American national team at the 1977 and 1978 World Junior Championships.
Professional ice hockey in Connecticut has a rich tradition dating from the mid-1920s. Most of these teams were NHL minor league affiliates located in New Haven, though with the closure of the New Haven Coliseum, minor league affiliates now exist only exist in Hartford and Bridgeport. Hartford had its own Major league team, the Whalers team that existed in Hartford from 1974-97. Independent hockey leagues teams have also been gaining a foothold in Danbury starting in 2004.
United States