Could the Hartford Whalers be reborn?

What about the fans who have watched high-level hockey there in the decades since the 1910s?

 

To be fair, that was definitely part of it. But the sellout streak that was evidence of the great fan support came in a building that held 12,888.

 

They've had a WHL team there for about 32 years now. Entertaining as hell, but not really all that high-level.

 

Highest level of junior hockey in the world.

And before that Portland had the Buckaroos of the minor-pro WHL, which was only one step down from the NHL.

 

Well, yeah, but the Buckaroos disbanded about 35 years ago. And while the WHL may be the highest level of junior hockey, it's still 16, 17 and 18-year olds playing hockey. I enjoyed those games a lot more than the typical NHL game, and saw some damn good players along the way. I just don't think that should be viewed as an indication that the fans would become knowledgeable.

 

I grew up on Whale hockey... my cousin took me to a Whale game or two at the mall back in the day. He was a fan dating back to their Boston days.

I don't see hockey working there now. The league has changed, the pro sports landscape has changed. UConn football wasn't even on the map 15 years ago, and the basketball programs are now soaking up some of that sponsorship money that would have been going to the Whalers when they were there. You do have a solid industrial/insurance base with Pratt-Whitney and the insurance firms, and of course ESPN, but it would take private money to build a new arena. And you have the issue with the place probably filling up just eight or 10 times a year, when the Bruins, Isles and Rangers visit. OK, maybe when the Canes come in, too, so people can boo.

 

I have no idea if they're fans are knowledgeable or not......nor do I care. I don't want more than 24 teams, definitely not more than 30. If a team wants to relocate to Portland, fine, they deserve a shot more than about 8 current franchises. I'd prefer another team in Canada, if that's not possible, the new city must be in a northern location and many residents own snow blowers.

 

I favor contraction. 24 strong franchises sounds about right. I'm sick of struggling Sun Belt teams.

 

Heck, if the Chicago Blackhawks can be reborn, why not the Whalers? Or move the Sharks to Hartford so the California Golden Seals can be reborn.

 

sure. why not?

 

What about Columbus and the Islanders? Also, New Jersey ranks behind the Lightning, Kings and Hurricanes in attendance this season.

 

Not comparable situations at all.