1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the 25th season of the franchise and the 18th and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina, the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes.
1996–97 Hartford Whalers | |
---|---|
Division | 5th Northeast |
1996–97 record | 32–39–11 |
Home record | 23–15–3 |
Road record | 9–24–8 |
Goals for | 226 |
Goals against | 256 |
Team information | |
General Manager | Jim Rutherford |
Coach | Paul Maurice |
Captain | Brendan Shanahan (Oct) Kevin Dineen (Oct–Apr) |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Geoff Sanderson (36) |
Assists | Andrew Cassels (44) |
Points | Geoff Sanderson (67) |
Penalty minutes | Stu Grimson (218) |
Plus/minus | Sami Kapanen (+6) |
Wins | Sean Burke (22) |
Goals against average | Sean Burke (2.69) |
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
Regular season
On April 13, 1997, the Whalers played their last game in Hartford, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2–1. Fittingly, team captain Kevin Dineen scored the final goal in Whaler history.
The final words from SportsChannel 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
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 237 | 208 | 92 |
2 | 6 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 38 | 36 | 8 | 285 | 280 | 84 |
3 | 7 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 31 | 36 | 15 | 226 | 234 | 77 |
4 | 8 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 31 | 36 | 15 | 249 | 276 | 77 |
5 | 10 | Hartford Whalers | 82 | 32 | 39 | 11 | 226 | 256 | 75 |
6 | 13 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 26 | 47 | 9 | 234 | 300 | 61 |
R | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Jersey Devils | ATL | 82 | 45 | 23 | 14 | 231 | 182 | 104 |
2 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 237 | 208 | 92 |
3 | Philadelphia Flyers | ATL | 82 | 45 | 24 | 13 | 274 | 217 | 103 |
4 | Florida Panthers | ATL | 82 | 35 | 28 | 19 | 221 | 201 | 89 |
5 | New York Rangers | ATL | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 258 | 231 | 86 |
6 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NE | 82 | 38 | 36 | 8 | 285 | 280 | 84 |
7 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 31 | 36 | 15 | 226 | 234 | 77 |
8 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 31 | 36 | 15 | 249 | 276 | 77 |
9 | Washington Capitals | ATL | 82 | 33 | 40 | 9 | 214 | 231 | 75 |
10 | Hartford Whalers | NE | 82 | 32 | 39 | 11 | 226 | 256 | 75 |
11 | Tampa Bay Lightning | ATL | 82 | 32 | 40 | 10 | 217 | 247 | 74 |
12 | New York Islanders | ATL | 82 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 240 | 250 | 70 |
13 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 26 | 47 | 9 | 234 | 300 | 61 |
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast
bold – Qualified for playoffs
Schedule and results
No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | W | October 5, 1996 | 1–0 | Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 1–0–0 | 15,635 |
2 | W | October 8, 1996 | 7–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 2–0–0 | 11,240 |
3 | L | October 12, 1996 | 0–6 | @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 2–1–0 | 14,703 |
4 | W | October 17, 1996 | 3–1 | @ New York Islanders (1996–97) | 3–1–0 | 8,019 |
5 | W | October 19, 1996 | 6–2 | New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 4–1–0 | 14,476 |
6 | W | October 24, 1996 | 4–1 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 5–1–0 | 12,328 |
7 | L | October 26, 1996 | 3–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 5–2–0 | 16,193 |
8 | T | October 30, 1996 | 2–2 OT | New York Islanders (1996–97) | 5–2–1 | 11,936 |
9 | T | October 31, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 5–2–2 | 13,284 |
10 | L | November 2, 1996 | 2–3 | Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 5–3–2 | 13,425 |
11 | L | November 4, 1996 | 1–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 5–4–2 | 19,983 |
12 | W | November 6, 1996 | 5–1 | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 6–4–2 | 13,026 |
13 | L | November 8, 1996 | 1–4 | Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 6–5–2 | 14,460 |
14 | W | November 9, 1996 | 4–3 OT | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 7–5–2 | 13,352 |
15 | W | November 12, 1996 | 4–3 | @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 8–5–2 | 17,742 |
16 | W | November 14, 1996 | 2–1 | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 9–5–2 | 14,968 |
17 | T | November 16, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 9–5–3 | 16,061 |
18 | W | November 20, 1996 | 3–1 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 10–5–3 | 13,033 |
19 | L | November 22, 1996 | 1–7 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 10–6–3 | 14,572 |
20 | T | November 23, 1996 | 3–3 OT | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 10–6–4 | 14,648 |
21 | L | November 27, 1996 | 2–6 | Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 10–7–4 | 14,289 |
22 | T | November 29, 1996 | 1–1 OT | @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 10–7–5 | 14,703 |
23 | W | November 30, 1996 | 6–3 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 11–7–5 | 16,375 |
24 | T | December 3, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 11–7–6 | 13,816 |
25 | W | December 5, 1996 | 4–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 12–7–6 | 14,955 |
26 | W | December 7, 1996 | 6–4 | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 13–7–6 | 13,464 |
27 | W | December 11, 1996 | 5–2 | Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 14–7–6 | 11,884 |
28 | L | December 12, 1996 | 2–3 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 14–8–6 | 19,124 |
29 | L | December 14, 1996 | 0–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 14–9–6 | 14,590 |
30 | L | December 16, 1996 | 2–5 | @ New York Rangers (1996–97) | 14–10–6 | 18,200 |
31 | W | December 17, 1996 | 5–3 | St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 15–10–6 | 12,922 |
32 | L | December 20, 1996 | 1–4 | Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 15–11–6 | 12,945 |
33 | W | December 21, 1996 | 6–5 OT | Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 16–11–6 | 12,082 |
34 | L | December 26, 1996 | 1–5 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 16–12–6 | 18,595 |
35 | W | December 28, 1996 | 3–2 | Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 17–12–6 | 14,092 |
36 | L | December 29, 1996 | 3–4 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 17–13–6 | 20,502 |
37 | L | January 1, 1997 | 2–3 OT | @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 17–14–6 | 12,608 |
38 | L | January 2, 1997 | 4–5 OT | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 17–15–6 | 14,403 |
39 | T | January 4, 1997 | 1–1 OT | Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 17–15–7 | 14,613 |
40 | L | January 6, 1997 | 4–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 17–16–7 | 20,292 |
41 | L | January 9, 1997 | 2–3 | @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 17–17–7 | 17,121 |
42 | L | January 10, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 17–18–7 | 17,378 |
43 | L | January 12, 1997 | 1–2 OT | @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 17–19–7 | 14,301 |
44 | L | January 15, 1997 | 0–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 17–20–7 | 14,502 |
45 | W | January 20, 1997 | 3–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) | 18–20–7 | 13,002 |
46 | W | January 22, 1997 | 2–1 OT | Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 19–20–7 | 12,627 |
47 | L | January 24, 1997 | 2–5 | New York Islanders (1996–97) | 19–21–7 | 14,619 |
48 | W | January 25, 1997 | 5–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 20–21–7 | 18,595 |
49 | L | January 30, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 20–22–7 | 11,036 |
50 | L | January 31, 1997 | 3–6 | @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 20–23–7 | 17,174 |
51 | L | February 5, 1997 | 2–5 | @ New York Rangers (1996–97) | 20–24–7 | 18,200 |
52 | W | February 6, 1997 | 5–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 21–24–7 | 15,213 |
53 | L | February 8, 1997 | 2–3 OT | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 21–25–7 | 21,273 |
54 | L | February 12, 1997 | 2–3 | New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 21–26–7 | 12,710 |
55 | L | February 13, 1997 | 0–4 | @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 21–27–7 | 14,138 |
56 | W | February 15, 1997 | 2–1 | Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 22–27–7 | 13,767 |
57 | L | February 16, 1997 | 2–4 | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 22–28–7 | 18,338 |
58 | T | February 19, 1997 | 2–2 OT | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 22–28–8 | 19,484 |
59 | W | February 21, 1997 | 7–2 | New York Rangers (1996–97) | 23–28–8 | 14,660 |
60 | W | February 22, 1997 | 2–0 | Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 24–28–8 | 14,311 |
61 | T | February 26, 1997 | 2–2 OT | Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 24–28–9 | 13,121 |
62 | L | February 28, 1997 | 2–3 | San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 24–29–9 | 13,547 |
63 | L | March 2, 1997 | 2–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 24–30–9 | 14,660 |
64 | W | March 5, 1997 | 2–0 | Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 25–30–9 | 12,140 |
65 | W | March 7, 1997 | 2–0 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 26–30–9 | 14,341 |
66 | T | March 8, 1997 | 1–1 OT | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) | 26–30–10 | 15,726 |
67 | W | March 12, 1997 | 6–3 | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 27–30–10 | 13,155 |
68 | L | March 13, 1997 | 0–6 | @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 27–31–10 | 16,244 |
69 | L | March 15, 1997 | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 27–32–10 | 14,437 |
70 | L | March 16, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 27–33–10 | 18,130 |
71 | L | March 20, 1997 | 1–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 27–34–10 | 17,959 |
72 | L | March 21, 1997 | 0–2 | @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 27–35–10 | 16,522 |
73 | L | March 25, 1997 | 0–4 | Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 27–36–10 | 14,191 |
74 | W | March 27, 1997 | 5–2 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 28–36–10 | 19,984 |
75 | W | March 29, 1997 | 2–1 | New York Rangers (1996–97) | 29–36–10 | 14,660 |
76 | L | April 2, 1997 | 1–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 29–37–10 | 14,177 |
77 | T | April 3, 1997 | 5–5 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 29–37–11 | 17,284 |
78 | W | April 5, 1997 | 4–1 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 30–37–11 | 21,273 |
79 | W | April 7, 1997 | 4–2 | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 31–37–11 | 14,660 |
80 | L | April 9, 1997 | 4–5 | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 31–38–11 | 18,500 |
81 | L | April 11, 1997 | 4–6 | @ New York Islanders (1996–97) | 31–39–11 | 15,382 |
82 | W | April 13, 1997 | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 32–39–11 | 14,660 |
Playoffs
Player statistics
Regular season
- Scoring
Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geoff Sanderson | LW | 82 | 36 | 31 | 67 | 29 | -9 | 12 | 1 | 4 |
Andrew Cassels | C | 81 | 22 | 44 | 66 | 46 | -16 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
Keith Primeau | C | 75 | 26 | 25 | 51 | 161 | -3 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Kevin Dineen | RW | 78 | 19 | 29 | 48 | 141 | -6 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
Nelson Emerson | RW | 66 | 9 | 29 | 38 | 34 | -21 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Steven Rice | RW | 78 | 21 | 14 | 35 | 59 | -11 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
Glen Wesley | D | 68 | 6 | 26 | 32 | 40 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Jeff O'Neill | RW | 72 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 40 | -24 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Sami Kapanen | RW | 45 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Robert Kron | LW | 68 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 10 | -18 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Paul Ranheim | LW | 67 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 18 | -13 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Curtis Leschyshyn | D | 64 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 30 | -19 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Steve Chiasson | D | 18 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 7 | -10 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Adam Burt | D | 71 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 79 | -13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kent Manderville | C | 44 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Gerald Diduck | D | 56 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 40 | -9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Paul Coffey | D | 20 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Kevin Haller | D | 35 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 48 | -11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Glen Featherstone | D | 41 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Andrei Nikolishin | C | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Alexander Godynyuk | D | 55 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 41 | -10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Derek King | LW | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Mark Janssens | C | 54 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 90 | -10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Marek Malik | D | 47 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 50 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Stu Grimson | LW | 75 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 218 | -7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kevin Brown | RW | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | -6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hnat Domenichelli | LW | 13 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Kelly Chase | RW | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 122 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Chris Murray | RW | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sean Burke | G | 51 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jeff Daniels | LW | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Nolan Pratt | D | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brian Glynn | D | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brendan Shanahan | LW | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Steve Martins | C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jason Muzzatti | G | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jeff Brown | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jean-Sebastien Giguere | G | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jason McBain | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Goaltending
Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO | SA | SV | SV% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sean Burke | 2985 | 51 | 22 | 22 | 6 | 134 | 2.69 | 4 | 1560 | 1426 | .914 |
Jason Muzzatti | 1591 | 31 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 91 | 3.43 | 0 | 815 | 724 | .888 |
Jean-Sebastien Giguere | 394 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 3.65 | 0 | 201 | 177 | .881 |
Team: | 4970 | 82 | 32 | 39 | 11 | 249 | 3.01 | 4 | 2576 | 2327 | .903 |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals;
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA=Shots Against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save Percentage;
Awards and records
Records
Milestones
Transactions
The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.
Trades
Waivers
October 2, 1996 | From Edmonton Oilers Kent Manderville |
October 12, 1996 | From Detroit Red Wings Stu Grimson |
Free agents
Player | New Team |
Scott Daniels | Philadelphia Flyers |
Brad McCrimmon | Phoenix Coyotes |
David Williams | Boston Bruins |
Kevin Smyth | Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) |
John Stevens | Philadelphia Flyers |
Draft picks
Hartford's picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 34 | Trevor Wasyluk | Left wing | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) | |
3 | 61 | Andrei Petrunin | Right wing | CSKA Moscow (Russia) | |
4 | 88 | Craig MacDonald | Center | Harvard University (ECAC) | |
4 | 104 | Steve Wasylko | Center | Detroit Whalers (OHL) | |
5 | 116 | Mark McMahon | Defense | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) | |
6 | 143 | Aaron Baker | Goaltender | Tri-City Americans (WHL) | |
7 | 171 | Greg Kuznik | Defense | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) | |
8 | 197 | Kevin Marsh | Left wing | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) | |
9 | 223 | Craig Adams | Right wing | Harvard University (ECAC) | |
9 | 231 | Askhat Rakhmatullin | Left wing | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) |
Farm teams
American Hockey League
ECHL
Roster
1996-97 Hartford Whalers | ||||||
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Goaltenders
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Defensemen
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Wingers
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Centers
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Departure from Hartford
In 1994, Compuware founder Peter Karmanos 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 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 John G. Rowland 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 to Connecticut and did not have serious intentions of building an NHL arena for the Whalers.[4] [5] [6]
References
- "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
- "1996–97 Hartford Whalers Games". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
- "1996-97 Hartford Whalers Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- How's It Goin', Pete? Part 4
- "The Recorder". Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- The Patriots Nix Hartford, Stay in Foxboro - Background Archived 2007-10-13 at the Wayback Machine