The 1996–97

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year 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 1 ...

season was the 25th

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

of the franchise and the 18th and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to

Greensboro Greensboro (; ) is a city in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 census, its population was 299,035; it was estimated to be 307,381 in 2024. It is the third-most populous city in North Carolina, af ...

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

, the next season to become the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

Off-season

On June 22, the Whalers participated in the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

. Hartford did not have a selection in the first round, as the pick was traded to the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

as part of the trade that brought Glen Wesley to the Whalers. In the second round, Hartford made their first selection of the draft, as they drafted Trevor Wasyluk from the

Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Established in 1970, the team is tied with the Kamloops Blazers for the most Ed Chynoweth Cups as league cha ...

of the

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...

with the 34th overall pick in the draft. Wasyluk scored 25 goals and 46 points in 69 games during the 1995-96 season. Other notable selections by the Whalers included Craig MacDonald in the fourth round, and Craig Adams in the ninth round. The Whalers acquired Kevin Brown in a trade with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for

Espen Knutsen Espen Knutsen (born January 12, 1972) is a Norwegian former professional ice hockey player and currently the general manager of Vålerenga in the Norwegian GET-ligaen. He played five seasons in the North American-based National Hockey League (NH ...

on October 1. Brown played in seven games with the

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

during the 1995-96 season, scoring one goal. Brown spent the majority of the season with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL, scoring 10 goals and 26 points in 45 games. He also played in eight games with the

Prince Edward Island Senators The Prince Edward Island Senators were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut, for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the National ...

of the AHL, scoring three goals and nine points after he was traded from the Kings to the

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

during the season. On October 2, Hartford claimed Kent Manderville off of waivers from the

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

. In 37 games with the Oilers during the 1995-96 where he scored three goals and eight points.

Regular season

On April 13, 1997, the Whalers played their last game in Hartford, defeating the

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

2–1. Fittingly, team

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

Kevin Dineen Kevin William Dineen (born October 28, 1963) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. From 2021 to 2024, Dineen was the head coach of the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League (AHL). Dineen previously served as the hea ...

scored the final goal in Whaler history. The final words from

SportsChannel SportsChannel is the collective name for a former group of regional sports networks in the United States that was owned by Cablevision, which from 1988 until the group's demise, operated it as a joint venture with NBC. Operating from March 1, ...

New England with Play by play voice John Forslund at the end of the game were as follows: "It's over folks, it's been a great ride. The Whalers will go out, winners".

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 5, 1996, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–0–0 , , 15,635 , , , - , 2, , October 8, 1996, , 7–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–0–0 , , 11,240 , , , - , 3, , October 12, 1996, , 0–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–1–0 , , 14,703 , , , - , 4, , October 17, 1996, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–1–0 , , 8,019 , , , - , 5, , October 19, 1996, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–1–0 , , 14,476 , , , - , 6, , October 24, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–1–0 , , 12,328 , , , - , 7, , October 26, 1996, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–2–0 , , 16,193 , , , - , 8, , October 30, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 5–2–1 , , 11,936 , , , - , 9, , October 31, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 5–2–2 , , 13,284 , , , - , - , 10, , November 2, 1996, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 5–3–2 , , 13,425 , , , - , 11, , November 4, 1996, , 1–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–4–2 , , 19,983 , , , - , 12, , November 6, 1996, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 6–4–2 , , 13,026 , , , - , 13, , November 8, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 6–5–2 , , 14,460 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 1996, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 7–5–2 , , 13,352 , , , - , 15, , November 12, 1996, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–5–2 , , 17,742 , , , - , 16, , November 14, 1996, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 9–5–2 , , 14,968 , , , - , 17, , November 16, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 9–5–3 , , 16,061 , , , - , 18, , November 20, 1996, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1996–97) , , 10–5–3 , , 13,033 , , , - , 19, , November 22, 1996, , 1–7 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 10–6–3 , , 14,572 , , , - , 20, , November 23, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–6–4 , , 14,648 , , , - , 21, , November 27, 1996, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1996–97) , , 10–7–4 , , 14,289 , , , - , 22, , November 29, 1996, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–7–5 , , 14,703 , , , - , 23, , November 30, 1996, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–7–5 , , 16,375 , , , - , - , 24, , December 3, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–7–6 , , 13,816 , , , - , 25, , December 5, 1996, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 12–7–6 , , 14,955 , , , - , 26, , December 7, 1996, , 6–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 13–7–6 , , 13,464 , , , - , 27, , December 11, 1996, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 14–7–6 , , 11,884 , , , - , 28, , December 12, 1996, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1996–97) , , 14–8–6 , , 19,124 , , , - , 29, , December 14, 1996, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 14–9–6 , , 14,590 , , , - , 30, , December 16, 1996, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1996–97) , , 14–10–6 , , 18,200 , , , - , 31, , December 17, 1996, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 15–10–6 , , 12,922 , , , - , 32, , December 20, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1996–97) , , 15–11–6 , , 12,945 , , , - , 33, , December 21, 1996, , 6–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 16–11–6 , , 12,082 , , , - , 34, , December 26, 1996, , 1–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 16–12–6 , , 18,595 , , , - , 35, , December 28, 1996, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–12–6 , , 14,092 , , , - , 36, , December 29, 1996, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–13–6 , , 20,502 , , , - , - , 37, , January 1, 1997, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–14–6 , , 12,608 , , , - , 38, , January 2, 1997, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–15–6 , , 14,403 , , , - , 39, , January 4, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–15–7 , , 14,613 , , , - , 40, , January 6, 1997, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–16–7 , , 20,292 , , , - , 41, , January 9, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–17–7 , , 17,121 , , , - , 42, , January 10, 1997, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–18–7 , , 17,378 , , , - , 43, , January 12, 1997, , 1–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–19–7 , , 14,301 , , , - , 44, , January 15, 1997, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–20–7 , , 14,502 , , , - , 45, , January 20, 1997, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1996–97) , , 18–20–7 , , 13,002 , , , - , 46, , January 22, 1997, , 2–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 19–20–7 , , 12,627 , , , - , 47, , January 24, 1997, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 19–21–7 , , 14,619 , , , - , 48, , January 25, 1997, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–21–7 , , 18,595 , , , - , 49, , January 30, 1997, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–22–7 , , 11,036 , , , - , 50, , January 31, 1997, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–23–7 , , 17,174 , , , - , - , 51, , February 5, 1997, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–24–7 , , 18,200 , , , - , 52, , February 6, 1997, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–24–7 , , 15,213 , , , - , 53, , February 8, 1997, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–25–7 , , 21,273 , , , - , 54, , February 12, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 21–26–7 , , 12,710 , , , - , 55, , February 13, 1997, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–27–7 , , 14,138 , , , - , 56, , February 15, 1997, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 22–27–7 , , 13,767 , , , - , 57, , February 16, 1997, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–28–7 , , 18,338 , , , - , 58, , February 19, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–28–8 , , 19,484 , , , - , 59, , February 21, 1997, , 7–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 23–28–8 , , 14,660 , , , - , 60, , February 22, 1997, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 24–28–8 , , 14,311 , , , - , 61, , February 26, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 24–28–9 , , 13,121 , , , - , 62, , February 28, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 24–29–9 , , 13,547 , , , - , - , 63, , March 2, 1997, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 24–30–9 , , 14,660 , , , - , 64, , March 5, 1997, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 25–30–9 , , 12,140 , , , - , 65, , March 7, 1997, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 26–30–9 , , 14,341 , , , - , 66, , March 8, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 26–30–10 , , 15,726 , , , - , 67, , March 12, 1997, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 27–30–10 , , 13,155 , , , - , 68, , March 13, 1997, , 0–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–31–10 , , 16,244 , , , - , 69, , March 15, 1997, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 27–32–10 , , 14,437 , , , - , 70, , March 16, 1997, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–33–10 , , 18,130 , , , - , 71, , March 20, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–34–10 , , 17,959 , , , - , 72, , March 21, 1997, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–35–10 , , 16,522 , , , - , 73, , March 25, 1997, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 27–36–10 , , 14,191 , , , - , 74, , March 27, 1997, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–36–10 , , 19,984 , , , - , 75, , March 29, 1997, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 29–36–10 , , 14,660 , , , - , - , 76, , April 2, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 29–37–10 , , 14,177 , , , - , 77, , April 3, 1997, , 5–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–37–11 , , 17,284 , , , - , 78, , April 5, 1997, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 30–37–11 , , 21,273 , , , - , 79, , April 7, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 31–37–11 , , 14,660 , , , - , 80, , April 9, 1997, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 31–38–11 , , 18,500 , , , - , 81, , April 11, 1997, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 31–39–11 , , 15,382 , , , - , 82, , April 13, 1997, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 32–39–11 , , 14,660 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Whalers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Whalers only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Draft picks

Hartford's picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in

Departure from Hartford

In 1994,

Compuware Compuware Corporation was an American software company based in Detroit. The company offered products aimed at the information technology (IT) departments of large businesses, and its services also included testing, development, automation and p ...

founder

Peter Karmanos Peter Karmanos Jr. (born March 11, 1943) is an American businessman who was most recently the minority owner and alternate governor of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise until June 30, 2021. He served as their principal owner from 1994 (when the H ...

purchased the Whalers. Karmanos pledged to keep the Whalers in Hartford for four years. Frustrated with lackluster attendance and corporate support, he announced in 1996 that if the Whalers were unable to sell at least 11,000 season tickets for the 1996–97 season, he would likely move the team. Furthermore, ownership only made season tickets available in full-season (41-game) packages, eliminating the popular five- and ten-game "mini plans," in a strategy largely designed to spur purchases from wealthier corporations and individuals. Sales were underwhelming at the beginning of the campaign, and at the end of the 1995–96 season it was still unknown whether the Whalers would stay in Connecticut or move. However, thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign, and the creative efforts of many fans (who pooled together resources to purchase some of the full-season packages collectively) the Whalers announced that they would stay in Connecticut for the 1996–97 season. In early 1996, negotiations between the Whalers and Connecticut Governor

John G. Rowland John Grosvenor Rowland (born May 24, 1957) is an American former politician, author, and radio host who served as the 86th governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004. Rowland served three terms representing Connecticut's 5th congressional distri ...

to build a new $147.5 million arena seemed to be going well. However, negotiations fell apart when Rowland and the State refused Karmanos' demand to reimburse the Whalers for up to $45 million in losses during the three years the new arena was to be built. As a result, the team announced on March 26, 1997, that they would leave Hartford, one of the few times that a team announced it would leave its current city without having already selected a new city. Many suspected that Governor

did not want to keep the Whalers, as he harbored hopes of instead landing an NFL franchise. Ideally, Rowland wanted to use the state's resources to build a new stadium to lure the

New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...

to Connecticut and did not have serious intentions of building an NHL arena for the Whalers. The Patriots Nix Hartford, Stay in Foxboro - Background

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hartford Whalers Season, 1996-97 1996-97 1996–97 NHL season by team

Hart Hart often refers to: * Hart (deer) * Hart (surname) Hart may also refer to: Organizations * Hart Racing Engines, a former Formula One engine manufacturer * Hart Skis, US ski manufacturer * Hart Stores, a Canadian chain of department store ...

20th century in Hartford, Connecticut