On Apr. 13, 1997, one of the worst teams in the NHL during the 80′s and 90′s played their last game at the Hartford Civic Center, known by die-hards as ‘The Mall’. The NHL was in the process of unsuccessfully expanding to the southern part of the United States, and new Hartford Whalers owner Peter Karmanos was eager to leave the smallest market in major sports.
On paper, the move seemed to make sense. The Whalers had made the playoffs only eight times in 18 years, mostly as a lower seed. The Mall was not conducive to the NHL’s strategy of building big and beautiful arenas to replace immortal cramped meccas such as the Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, and Joe Louis Arena.
Still, 17 years later, the Hartford Whalers still exist in the hearts of many Connecticut hockey fans. The Whalers exemplified what was great about vintage hockey. No, they did not win much, but they were a fixture to fans who had little interest in the New York and Boston teams. Attendance was never great, normally about 9,000 a game in a small arena, but those were die-hard fans who embraced the Whalers as family.
Hockey is different from the other major sports in a number of ways. Players are generally more approachable and pay their dues before achieving All-Star status. Most would prefer to play in small and cramped arenas in contrast to large, luxury box filled places that host most modern teams.
As hockey lost steam in the early 2000′s with expansion and numerous lockouts, the league lost its identity. Places like Quebec, Winnipeg and Hartford could not be replaced by Atlanta, Phoenix and Florida.
The NHL is at a crossroads, as they now have a suitable television contract and are experiencing success with the Winter Classic. That’s why it’s time for the sport to return to its roots, and welcome Hartford back into the league. Yes, it’ still a small market with an outdated arena, but before Karmanos pulled the plug, the team and state had tentatively approved a new facility. That is, until Karmanos demanded compensation while a new arena was being built.
Unfortunately, as much as Whalers boosters, fans and Hartford residents want a team, it is unlikely to happen.
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