April 13, 1997.

A day that will be forever remembered, as the darkest day in hockey history in the state of Connecticut; for thousands of Hartford Whaler fans, it was the day that they said goodbye to their NHL team. The players that were on the ice that night at the Hartford Civic Center threw their equipment to the fans, wished them well, and let them know they were special to them.

Fast forward 3,555 days later.

This will be a day that will be forever remembered, as the brightest day in hockey history in the state of North Carolina; for thousands of Carolina Hurricanes fans, it was the day that they celebrated their first championship, as their beloved team defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3–1, in the final game of the NHL season.

After just over nine years since the moving trucks descended on Tobacco Road and the Triangle area of Raleigh/Durham, Peter Karamanos, the owner, Jim Rutherford, the general manager, the men who thought the hockey would make it, delivered their promise.

For fans of the Whale, it is bittersweet to see their team hoist the 33 pound trophy and not be there to witness it in person. The fans have, over nine years later, such hatred and disdain for two men that did not feel that Central Connecticut deserved an NHL franchise.

“Ah, the thought of seeing Karmanos's name on the Cup, that does not do good things for me," said Al Victor, the President of the Hartford Whalers Booster Club, an organization that has continued to exist, without the Whalers playing in the city. The club’s membership, dwindling in the post Whaler years to just about a dozen, has rebounded to almost 70 strong with the positive play of the team.

Every April 13th, the Whalers Booster Club holds a “Faniversary”, celebrating and remembering their team and getting a chance to get together, have a beverage, and talk about the team that they loved so much. This year, unlike others, their former team has played so well, and there may be other reasons for fans of the Whale to be optimistic.

There has been speculation around Hartford recently that developers are looking to build a new state-of-the-art arena, capable of enticing a struggling NHL franchise to bring their team to the Connecticut state capitol. With a one billion dollar budget earmarked to revitalize the downtown community, fans believe that there is still hope.

The Whalers Booster Club this fall, is going to convince fans to make a commitment, by taking deposits for potential season ticket holders, to convince the NHL that Hartford is ready to have an NHL franchise again.

"Count me in,'' said Joe Wysocki of West Hartford. “I'd be one to go for it. I'd love to be sitting ice level, hearing 'Brass Bonanza' (the Whalers' theme music).''

Since 1998, Hartford has had hockey, though. The Wolfpack, playing in the American Hockey League, is a New York Rangers affiliated team. Fans have supported the team, which won the Calder Cup, as AHL champions in 2000. Attendance for Wolfpack games, although considerably less than what the Whalers drew is in the upper echelon in the AHL. So fans are still supporting hockey in Connecticut.

“I will never watch a game in Hartford as long as it is not the Whalers!” said Marty Evtushek, Vice President of the Whalers Booster Club, and a friend of mine for nearly fifteen years. There are many Whalers fans that exude that same passion for their team. They travel to various locations to see the Hurricanes, or other NHL teams in action, refusing to step into the building that they called home for decades.

But for some fans, they may take a trip back to the Civic Center. If the rumors come true, a Stanley Cup may make an appearance there. Whaler fans may feel like it would be a tribute to the dedicated fans of the green and blue that devoted their lives to their team. Others may feel that it is just a tease.

It may have been nine years since the Whalers were moving away from Hartford; and Glen Wesley, an 18 year NHL veteran is the only player on the roster with Hartford roots. But to the many Whaler supporters who continue to cheer for the team, regardless of the ownership and facts that forced the team to leave, rejoice today. Your team is at the top of the Hockey world.

Too bad, the jerseys are not green.

On a personal note, the Hartford Civic Center and the Whalers have a place in my heart as well. My first date with my wife was a trip to Hartford to see the Whalers take on the Islanders. My team lost, but the first day of the rest of my life began that night. I know a great deal of the Whalers Booster Club members, and have actually attended a couple of the “Faniversaries” that they have held. The Whaler fans are passionate about the game, passionate about the city, and even more passionate about the Whaler logo, colors and everything that would concern the team that they love so much.

I know that it is not the same as having the team still there, but be happy, Whalers fans. Your team right now, is “Simply the Best!”

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