Professional ice hockey in Connecticut
Encyclopedia
| Connecticut Whale (AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... ) |
|---|
| Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) |
| Danbury Whalers (FHL Federal Hockey League The Federal Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Ontario. The FHL began operations in November 2010. Don Kirnan serves as the league's first commissioner.... ) |
| Logos of three hockey teams active in Connecticut as of 2010 |
Professional ice hockey in Connecticut has a rich tradition dating from the mid-1920s. Most of these teams were NHL minor league affiliates located in New Haven, though with the closure of the New Haven Coliseum, minor league affiliates now exist only exist in Hartford and Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut.Bridgeport may also refer to:-Places:In Canada:* Bridgeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:* Bridgeport, Alabama* Bridgeport, California, in Mono County...
. Hartford also had its own Major league team, the Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
team that existed in Hartford from 1974 to 1997. Independent hockey leagues teams have also been gaining a foothold in Danbury starting in 2004.
This article concludes with a summary of all past and present hockey teams from Connecticut, listed by city and league for reference, and to provide links to main articles about each team.
Minor league hockey starts in New Haven
- Minor League teams include player-development franchises affiliated with NHL teams, as well as independent (non-affiliate) teams
While New Haven has no currently active teams, New Haven has long been considered the birthplace of hockey in Connecticut. Teams have been hosted since the mid 1920s, first at the New Haven Arena
New Haven Arena
New Haven Arena was an indoor arena on Grove Street in New Haven, Connecticut, that served as a venue for ice hockey, concerts, and circuses.The first arena opened in 1914 but burned down in 1924...
until 1972 (demolished 1975), and followed by the New Haven Coliseum
New Haven Coliseum
The New Haven Coliseum was a sports-entertainment arena located in downtown New Haven, Connecticut. Construction began in 1968 and was completed in 1972...
until 2001 (demolished in 2007). Since the Coliseum's closure in 2002, professional hockey has not returned. The New Haven Haven Blades (1954–72) and later the New Haven Nighthawks (1972–93) were the most popular franchises.
Hockey's popularity in New Haven started to take a down turn when televised NHL games began to chip away at attendance at Nighthawk games in 1980s. The quality of play began to suffer due to problem with player development. In 1992, the Nighthawks signed a last-minute player-development affiliation with the Ottawa Senators, which required the team to be re-branded as the New Haven Senators for the 1992–93 season. Fans were ambivalent to the name change and attendance plummeted, making this the franchise last season in New Haven.
Hockey had a brief reboot with the arrival of former Hartford Whalers' affiliate, the Beast of New Haven (formerly the Carolina Monarchs), which were displaced from North Carolina by their parent team's relocation in 1997. They were followed by a single season of the independent New Haven Knights in 2000–01. Following the Knights' departure, however, chronic maintenance issues in the New Haven Coliseum, as well as competition from other southern Connecticut arenas, prompted state and city officials to permanently close the arena in 2002.
Demolition of the Coliseum was completed in throughout 2006, concluded by the implosion
Building implosion
In the controlled demolition industry, building implosion is the strategic placing of explosive material and timing of its detonation so that a structure collapses on itself in a matter of seconds, minimizing the physical damage to its immediate surroundings...
of the signature elevated parking garage on January 20, 2007. For its final year in operation in 2002, the Coliseum hosted several indoor arena football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
games, as well as a farewell concert by Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
. Its final event was a performance by the World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
, who long considered the Coliseum among their favorite venues.
"Sound Tigers" team comes to Bridgeport
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers begin play in the AHL in 2001, in the newly constructed Arena at Harbor YardArena at Harbor Yard
The Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate...
. During the first season of play, the Sound Tigers won their division championship and played in the Calder Cup Finals, though ultimately losing to the Chicago Wolves four games to one. As of the 2009 season, the team had seven winning seasons.
Located only 20 miles east of the New Haven Coliseum, competition from the Arena at Harbor Yard was one of the factors in the coliseum's demise.
Major league hockey comes to Hartford
- Major league teams are franchises that played in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
or the World Hockey AssociationWorld Hockey AssociationThe World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, was bereft of a professional ice hockey team until 1974, when the Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
franchise from the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
came to town, occupying the newly built Hartford Civic Center. After the Whaler's relocated to North Carolina in 1997, the minor league team the Hartford Wolf Pack relocated to the Civic Center. In the years since, various proposals for a new arena have been submitted with the hope of attracting a new major league hockey team.
Hartford Whalers (relocated)
The former Hartford Whalers were the first and only major league hockey team located in Connecticut, nestled halfway between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers/Islanders hockey markets. The team was founded in Boston as the New England Whalers, one of the original World Hockey Association teams (from whose initials "WHA" inspired the Whaler's name). The WHA planned for a rival team to play in New York on Long Island, however the NHL created the Islanders franchise to fill the desired arena, shutting them out of the market.The Whaler's moved to Hartford in 1974, and entered the NHL in 1979, where it became the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
. Though it had losing seasons its first two years in Hartford, the team had won the 1972–73 WHA championship while in Boston and, never missed the playoffs while in the WHA. The team had mixed success in the NHL before relocating to Raleigh in 1997 due to attendance and revenue issues.
Hockey Culture Post-Whalers
- Note, this section describes actions taken by third parties that are not affiliated with the Whalers/Hurricanes franchise
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
residents. The retired jersey numbers still hang on green and white banner from the rafters of the former Hartford Civic Center (now called the XL Center) where the team played in Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, CT, and numerous team photos line the venue's lobby. In addition to the Jersey numbers officially retired by the team, the banners include former team members Ulf Samuelsson's #5, Ron Francis' #10 and Kevin Dineen's #11, which were symbolically added in honor of the players in 2006, nine years after the team departure.
Many fans have continued to follow the team after its move to North Carolina, however some have boycotted the team as former players from Hartford were traded to other teams or retired. Loyalty remains focused on the team's Hartford years, with new Whalers merchandise sales alone among the highest selling brands in the NHL as of August 2010. This continued popularity throughout the intervening years has led to many efforts to bring NHL Hockey back to Hartford by individuals such as Hartford real estate magnate and former XL Center operator Larry Gottesdiener and former Whalers franchise owner Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the CEO of Baldwin Entertainment, which has produced films such as the Academy Award-nominated Ray. Baldwin founded the New England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the WHA and has also owned part of the Minnesota North Stars and...
.
"Connecticut Whale" team comes to Hartford
After the NHL team, the Hartford Whalers, left for North Carolina in 1997, the minor league Hartford Wolf Pack relocated from Binghamton, NY to Hartford. The Wolf Pack had a previous relationship with Hartford in the 1980s as the Whaler's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers, until they started their current affiliation with New York Rangers in 1990. In 2010, the team announced it was changing its name to the Connecticut Whale, to honor hockey tradition in Hartford started by the Whalers.Efforts to attract new NHL Team
Several efforts have been made over the years to revive NHL hockey by promoting the Hartford market for a new or relocated NHL franchise.Larry Gottesdiener, head of Northland Investment Group, has scouted for years for an NHL franchise to bring to Hartford. Northland, a firm heavily invested in Hartford real estate, jointly operated XL Center from 2007–2010. Gottesdiener hoped to bring a new team temporarily to the XL Center until a modern arena could be built in a possible deal with the state. The new team would have likely been named after the Whalers, as at least some of the logos associated with the "Whalers" franchise were registered by Northland until 2009, when the registration with the patent office expired. Northland has since divested of its share in the XL Center, and appears to have abandoned its attempts to attract an NHL team.
Former Whalers owner Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the CEO of Baldwin Entertainment, which has produced films such as the Academy Award-nominated Ray. Baldwin founded the New England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the WHA and has also owned part of the Minnesota North Stars and...
, founder of Whalers Sports & Entertainment, hopes to build continued fan excitement for the Whalers brand, and the sport of hockey in general, by sponsoring numerous events such the Whalers Reunion and Fan Fest in August 2010 featuring charitable events and appearances by former players. He and his company also planned the Whalers Hockey Fest and Whale Bowl, a hockey festival in East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
at Rentschler Field held in February 2011. The festival featured over 20 outdoor high school and college hockey games and an AHL Outdoor Classic contest featuring the Connecticut Whale and the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
. Baldwin hopes that by proving Hartford can be a successful minor league market, he will be able to attract an NHL franchise.
Independent Hockey in Connecticut
Danbury, CT has a fairly short history of minor league hockey from mostly independent leagues (no affiliation with the NHL). Most of the teams succumbed to budget and management problems. Danbury teams played at the Danbury Ice ArenaDanbury Ice Arena
The Danbury Arena is a 2,212-seat multi-purpose arena in Danbury, Connecticut. It was built in 1999 and renovated and expanded in 2004. The Danbury Arena was the former home of the Danbury Trashers of the United Hockey League from 2004-2006, and the New England Stars of the North Eastern Hockey...
, built in 1999 and renovated in 2004 just before the Danbury Trashers began play.
Danbury Whalers
The Danbury Whalers are the current active team in Danbury. The team is named in honor of the former Hartford Whalers NHL hockey team. The team and the FHL league have no affiliation with the NHL or any NHL franchise.Connecticut Whale (Active)
| Team Logo | Franchise Name | Years Active | League | NHL Affiliate | Home Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Whale (since 2010)/ Hartford Wolf Pack (1997–2010) |
1997–98 to Present (2011-12) | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
XL Center Formerly the Hartford Civic Center |
Hartford Whalers (relocated)
| Team Logo | Franchise Name | Years Active | League | Home Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Hartford Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... (New England Whalers 1971–79) |
1971–1974 in Boston 1974–97 in Hartford 1997–Present (2010) in Raleigh, NC (as the Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... ) |
WHA World Hockey Association The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926... (1971–79) NHL (1979-Move to Raleigh) |
Hartford Civic Center Hartford Civic Center The XL Center, formerly known as the Hartford Civic Center, is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, USA. It is owned by the City of Hartford and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group under contract with the Connecticut Development Authority... (Except during its construction and major repairs) |
Sound Tigers (Active)
| Team Logo | Franchise Name | Years Active | League | NHL Affiliate | Home Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Sound Tigers Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
2001–Present (2010) | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
Arena at Harbor Yard Arena at Harbor Yard The Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate... |
- Note: The Sound Tigers are the first and only professional hockey team to have played in Bridgeport
Danbury Whalers (Active)
| Team Logo | Franchise Name | Years Active | League | NHL Affiliate | Danbury Whalers Danbury Whalers The Danbury Whalers are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League that began play in the 2010-11 season. Based in Danbury, Connecticut, the Whalers play at the Danbury Ice Arena, located in CityCenter Danbury... | 2010–11 to Present (2010) | Federal Hockey League Federal Hockey League The Federal Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Ontario. The FHL began operations in November 2010. Don Kirnan serves as the league's first commissioner.... |
Not Applicable (N/A) | Danbury Ice Arena Danbury Ice Arena The Danbury Arena is a 2,212-seat multi-purpose arena in Danbury, Connecticut. It was built in 1999 and renovated and expanded in 2004. The Danbury Arena was the former home of the Danbury Trashers of the United Hockey League from 2004-2006, and the New England Stars of the North Eastern Hockey... |
|---|
Past Teams
| Team Logo | Franchise Name | Years Active | League | NHL Affiliate | Danbury Mad Hatters Danbury Mad Hatters The Danbury Mad Hatters were a professional ice hockey team based in Danbury, Connecticut at the 2,100-seat Danbury Ice Arena. The Mad Hatters were a member of the Eastern Professional Hockey League.... | 2008–09 | Eastern Professional Hockey League | N/A | Danbury Ice Arena |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Stars New England Stars The New England Stars were a North Eastern Hockey League team based in Danbury, Connecticut who started play at the end of 2006. The team filled the void when the Danbury Trashers left the Danbury Ice Arena, after the Trashers folded due to involvement in illegal business... |
2006–07 | North East Professional Hockey League North East Professional Hockey League The North East Professional Hockey League was a professional men's ice hockey league that had its only season in 2009–10.-League history:... |
N/A | Danbury Ice Arena | |||||
| Danbury Trashers Danbury Trashers The Danbury Trashers were a United Hockey League ice hockey team located in Danbury, Connecticut. They played their home games at the Danbury Ice Arena.... |
2004–05 to 2005–06 | United Hockey League United Hockey League The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States... |
N/A | Danbury Ice Arena |
Former New Haven Teams
- Note, no professional hockey teams were active in New Haven as of January 2011
Team Logo Franchise Name Years Active League NHL Affiliate Home Venue New Haven Knights New Haven KnightsThe New Haven Knights were a professional ice hockey team and members of the United Hockey League from 2000-2002. They played in New Haven, Connecticut at the New Haven Coliseum, and were the last team to play at that venue, folding when the Coliseum closed in 2002....
2000–2001 UHL independent New Haven Coliseum New Haven ColiseumThe New Haven Coliseum was a sports-entertainment arena located in downtown New Haven, Connecticut. Construction began in 1968 and was completed in 1972...Beast of New Haven Beast of New HavenThe Beast of New Haven were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League in the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons. The team was based in New Haven, Connecticut, and played at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which was demolished in 2007. The Beast were affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes and the...
1997 to 1999 in New Haven
Previously Carolina MonarchsCarolina MonarchsThe Carolina Monarchs were a short-lived ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the Greensboro Coliseum....
1995–1997
in Greensboro, NCAHL American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
Carolina Hurricanes Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
1 and
Florida PanthersFlorida PanthersThe Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
New Haven Coliseum New Haven Nighthawks New Haven NighthawksThe New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
(1972–92)/
New Haven SenatorsNew Haven SenatorsThe New Haven Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League During The 1992–93 AHL season. The team played their home games at the New Haven Coliseum. The Senators were known as the New Haven Nighthawks. from 1972 to 1992...
(1992–93)1972–73 to 1992–93 AHL American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
(1972–1977)
New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(1972–1973)
New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
(1977–1981 & 1984–1987)
Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(1981–1991)
Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(1992–1993)New Haven Coliseum New Haven Blades New Haven Bladesthumb|250px|right|New Haven Blades1954-1972League: [[Eastern Hockey League]]Affiliate: N/AHome Venue: New Haven ArenaThe New Haven Blades were a popular professional ice hockey team from New Haven, CT from the EHL from that played from 1954 until the league's demise in 1972...
1954 to 1971–72 EHL Eastern Hockey League-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
N/A New Haven Arena New Haven ArenaNew Haven Arena was an indoor arena on Grove Street in New Haven, Connecticut, that served as a venue for ice hockey, concerts, and circuses.The first arena opened in 1914 but burned down in 1924...New Haven Nutmegs 1952 to 19532 EHL Eastern Hockey League-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
N/A New Haven Arena New Haven ArenaNew Haven Arena was an indoor arena on Grove Street in New Haven, Connecticut, that served as a venue for ice hockey, concerts, and circuses.The first arena opened in 1914 but burned down in 1924...New Haven Tomahawks 1951 to 1952 EHL Eastern Hockey League-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
N/A New Haven Arena New Haven ArenaNew Haven Arena was an indoor arena on Grove Street in New Haven, Connecticut, that served as a venue for ice hockey, concerts, and circuses.The first arena opened in 1914 but burned down in 1924...New Haven Eagles New Haven EaglesThe New Haven Eagles were a professional ice hockey team that played in New Haven, Connecticut. The Eagles were one of five inaugural franchises in the Canadian American Hockey League, and a founding member of the American Hockey League.-History:...
/
New Haven Ramblers (1946–1950)1926 to 1951 AHL American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(1936–1950)*
*briefly EHLEastern Hockey League-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
(1943–44)
Can-Am (1926 to 1936)N/A New Haven Arena - 1The Beast of New Haven moved to Connecticut when the Hartford WhalersHartford WhalersThe Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
moved Raleigh, NC to become the Carolina Hurricanes. - 2The EHL League did not operate 1953–1954, so no New Haven team was fielded that season.