A lot of people have been sending us emails requesting information on our thoughts about the news that came out of Hartford yesterday from Howard Baldwin and his attempts to bring the spot light back onto Hartford hockey. Obviously the goal is to bring back the Whalers as an NHL team.
Now, how do we feel about it?
We’re 100% FOR IT.
There is a chance that the Baldwin group could take control of running the Wolf Pack. NOTHING could be better for the franchise than to have someone with deep pockets who’s motivated to seeing the team take off. In fact, like Victor Kiam who as you may recall in 1979 bought Remington Shavers and publically stated in his commercials, “I liked it so much I bought the company," well, I’m in that same boat. After meeting with the organization, if we might paraphrase Mr. Kiam, “I liked it so much that I joined the company.”
We are going to work with them on the sales side in putting this project out there to the business community. We are told there are things going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to and those things that we do know, we are not at liberty to divulge just yet because there is nothing concrete to report. We WILL share what we know as soon as there is confirmation on them. One thing that is worth sharing though is that regardless of how this turns out, we will continue to bring you closer coverage of the Wolf Pack and the AHL than any of the other sources out there.
The official release is posted below. Should you be interested in bringing a group or getting a suite or buying advertising for this event, please write us at Mitch@howlings.net.
Howard Baldwin has had a love affair with the Whalers and the city of Hartford for nearly four decades.
Now, after a 22-year absence from the Connecticut hockey scene, the founder and former managing general partner of the National Hockey League’s Hartford Whalers is back.
Baldwin, his wife Karen and his Whalers Sports and Entertainment enterprise intend to re-establish the Whalers legacy in the Nutmeg State.
To accomplish that goal, Baldwin is committed to rebuilding the Whalers brand with a celebration of hockey in Connecticut at all levels in an effort to put Hartford back on the major-league hockey map.
Among the highlights of Baldwin’s ambitious program:
* A 10-day Whalers Hockey Fest in February 2011 that could include as many as 20 outdoor games between pro, college prep school and high school teams at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. It will be reminiscent of the NHL’s "Winter Classic" at Fenway Park
* The Whalers Summer Fan Fest and Reunion, a three-day (August 12-14) charitable endeavor that includes a golf tournament, an Arthritis Foundation Dinner and a public Whalers Reunion/Fan Fest event at Rentschler Field.
* The Re-establishment of the Whalers Hall of Fame (dormant since 1990) with a new class of inductees.
* A series of fan-oriented ventures, including a social media web site (WhalerNation.TV), an online Whalers retail store, a series of historical Whalers books and DVDs and television programming.
"It’s great to be back," Baldwin said Wednesday during a press conference at Rentschler Field.
"When my wife Karen and I returned to Connecticut, we were determined to bring the Whalers name to the forefront of the hockey world again, not only here in Hartford but throughout Connecticut and New England as well.
So Karen and I and our organization look forward to again becoming a vital part of this community and for the two events and others to become permanent for years to come.
But, nobody can do this alone. There are some wonderful people in this city and this state who have already committed to making this dream a reality. The positive response from our former players, the corporate community, fans and government leaders has been heartwarming.
Remember, together we can do it."
To accomplish his objectives, Baldwin has assembled a veteran front office team at the company’s new offices at 280 Trumbull St. in Hartford.
Among those employed by Baldwin are several executives with NHL experience including Howard Baldwin, Jr. (Whalers, Penguins, Flyers,), Steve Ryan (Penguins, NHL), Mark Willand (Whalers, Penguins), Bob Ohrablo (Florida Panthers), Donna Elkinson Miller (Whalers) and Nick Ruta (Penguins).
Baldwin also noted the support of partners Andy and Greg Cartin, both of whom are Connecticut natives and loyal Whalers fans.
Here is an overview of the key events:
The Whalers Hockey Fest, February 11-20, 2011
The Whalers Hockey Fest will begin with a "The Whalers Hall of Fame Gala" on Friday night, Feb. 11th, in which there will a ceremony to induct the newest members into the reinstituted Whalers Hockey Hall of Fame.
The first of the outdoor hockey games will be played at Rentschler Field the next day, February 12th on "Whalers Pride Day."
For the first time in 13 years the Whalers Alumni Team will take the ice and square off against the rival Boston Bruins Alumni. That game will include the Whalers Hall of Fame Ceremony when the new Hall of Famers will be inducted into the Whalers Hall in a ceremony at center ice.
The Whalers Alumni team will be announced in the days ahead and many of the Whalers all-time greats are expected to participate.
The Alumni game will be followed by a collegiate game and a high-profile high school match-up.
February 13th is slated to be "UConn Hockey Day" at Rentschler Field — an exciting double header that features the UConn men vs. Sacred Heart, followed by the UConn women vs. Providence College.
The following week will feature an exiting array of quality amateur hockey events, coordinated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment consultants Bobby Crawford (former Whaler and USA Hockey Regional Director) and Paul Stewart (NHL veteran and ECAC Hockey director of officiating).
Several teams and universities have expressed a strong interest in participating and specific match-ups will be announced soon.
On Saturday February 20th a team of hockey legends square off against the Mystery Alaska Hollywood team. Among the movies produced by Baldwin’s company is "Mystery Alaska." The theme of the game will be the same as the film — perseverance and a town convincing the hockey world of the greatness of their hockey roots, much like Baldwin is trying to do now.
"The whole week is designed to be very affordable as you will see from the pricing," Baldwin said. "Most importantly, this is meant to be fun and meant to be a way to put the Whalers name back on the icescape.
We want to make this an annual event and build this market back to what it once was and will be again."
Festival Tickets for the entire can be purchased online at WhalersSports.com. Information on phone orders and individual game tickets will be forthcoming.
Whalers Reunion and Fan Fest – August 12-14 (information at WhalersSports.com)
Thursday, August 12:
Whalers Celebrity Golf Classic at Tunxis Plantation.
Estimated start time is 11:00 a.m.-registration prior to tee-off. Format is a 4-person
shotgun with lunch on-the-fly. Foursomes will include a sponsor and his/her invited guests… There will be a silent auction at the reception and dinner to benefit the Whalers Foundation for Whalers Alumni in need.
Friday August 13:
Whalers Arthritis Foundation Dinner at the Marriott Downtown Hartford. A VIP cocktail reception for players and sponsors opens this event.
Players will be seated at sponsored tables during the dinner. There will be both a silent and live auction during the dinner. All proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation.
After dinner, players will take the stage to share their memories of Hartford and their playing days, plus update guests as to their current careers.
Saturday, August 14:
Whalers Fan Fest and Reunion 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Rentschler Field, East Hartford
This is a memorabilia/collectibles show, plus! Fans have the opportunity to connect and
reconnect with the players; get a few autographs, take a photo or two with their favorite players and purchase collectibles from top memorabilia dealers.
The reunion will re-unite the 1985-86 Whalers but will also include many other special guests.
New Whalers merchandise will be available for sale. Interactive games will be set up. Live bands will play and radio station remote broadcasts will fill the day.
100% of Gate proceeds go to the Whalers Wives Foundation and assist former players in need.
According to Baldwin, "The Whalers Reunion will mark the first time the fans have had a chance to interact with the special group of Whalers who played here in the 1980s. It will be great to see the Alumni again and the fact that all three events benefit worthy charities makes its even more special."
Baldwin concluded by noting: "In addition to everything we’ve announced today we are aggressively pursuing other exciting projects to re-establish the Hartford hockey market. Those fans who support us now will be given first priority when these next projects become reality."
More information can be found at www.WhalersSports.com.
Comments (6)
Craigsays:
June 3, 2010 at 1:35 PMMitch,
Not to be negative towards this effort in any way, but can you shed some light on how this time it is any different than when the team left in the first place?
Questions still remain as to how to get a new arena financed and where it would be built. Does Mr. Baldwin have a plan and financial backing for this effort?
And why spend money on an outdoor arena? I can see this as a nice benefit for the community but I don’t see how this will bring Hartford any closer to getting an NHL franchise.
What do you honestly think the chances are of Hartford getting a franchise over Kansas City, Quebec or Winnepeg?
Mitch Becksays:
June 3, 2010 at 3:03 PMCraig,
I’m not taking your comments as negative at all. I just think you aren’t fully aware of the situation which is completely understandable.
First issue: The team leaving.
Remember, the team was doing very well both in ticket sales and in merchandise sales under Howard’s leadership. It was only after his partners required him to sell the team that the problems started. The team moved well after Howard had left the organziation. While Howard ran it, it was a highly successful venture.
Second Issue: New building
The key issue here is what Bill Daly spoke of, “…is its need for a state-of-the-art arena.” That doesn’t mean a NEW arena. The XL Center can and would be upgraded to meet and exceed those requirements.”
Third: An Outdoor Arena
The organization isn’t BUILDING an arena. They are using Renschler Field and doing an outdoor game much like the NHL New Year’s game.
Fourth: Getting an NHL franchise
The biggest issue facing the Hartford group is that the perception of Hartford being a BAD hockey market is prevelant in any conversation that ever comes up in terms of getting a team here. The NHL is also aware of the fact that the Wolf Pack only draw about 4,100 per game which is just AWFUL.
Until the area is rebuilt as a viable market and the Pack continue to draw flies it will never get even the slightest serious consideration. HOWEVER…should this and various other upcoming promotions continue to work and should the Wolf Pack start drawing in the 8,000 – 9,000 range pretty regularly AND the building gets upgraded…you then have a viable arguement that can be presented to the league.
As broadcaster Pat Sheehan said so well at yesterday’s press conference, if something isn’t done then the chances of a team coming here are ZERO. On the other hand if this does work and the team does start to draw and things like this put up big numbers, Hartford would then be a viable market OVER the others that you mentioned strictly because it will have a CURRENT and PROVEN track record on which to build.
Then of course there’s the always logical arguement of stranger things have happened…
Brucesays:
June 4, 2010 at 8:19 AMWell said Mitch and Pat. If you do nothing, you have no chance to succeed. Support of the Wolf Pack HAS to increase to prove to outsiders that there’s more hockey interest in the area. Hopefully, Howard gets control of the XL Center and the Wolf Pack from Gottesdiener. Then hopefully the Summer Reunion in August and the Winter Classic in February start to demonstrate the interest of hockey around here. Then hopefully that interest carries over to attendance at Wolf Pack games. It’s a long voyage, but you have to start somewhere.
Marksays:
June 4, 2010 at 9:31 AMWell said, Bruce. I’m only guessing here, but I think Gottesdiener is stonewalling Howard’s attempts to take over the Wolf Pack. It’s probably no coincidence that this press conference at The Rent was literally hours after Gottesdiener was forced to hand over control of the facility to the Bushnell. I don’t think this would be happening if Gottesdiener was still in control. I also think the reason the alumni game is not being played at the XL Center is Gottesdiener runs it and doesn’t want to work with Howard. Perhaps this whole outdoor Whalers Hockey Fest was spawned from Gottesdiener’s stubbornness. If so, then something good came out of it. It’s going to be awesome. Again, this is all speculation on my part.
I agree with Mitch…the best thing would be for Howard to take over the Wolf Pack. Whether he renames them the Whalers (which I have mixed feelings about) or not, he knows hockey. He’s won a Stanley Cup. He took a team from Boston to Hartford and then got that team into the NHL. He knows his stuff. He’s determined. If he has control and wants 9,000 people at a game, he’ll get 9,000 people at a game. That’s why I’m feeling good about the NHL coming back…because Howard is determined to make it happen, whether Gottesdiener works with him, or Howard has to work around him.
There are only two sure ways to fail: never start and to quit after you start. Howard started, and he has never quit. This is going to be a fun ride and we’ll enjoy the spoils in due time.
Bensays:
June 4, 2010 at 3:14 PMI’m a Whalers/Wolf Pack fan and I attend games as much as I can last year was about 6 games. To me watching the attendance dip is depressing and for the last 3-4 years this market seemed like a lost cause……… enter Mr. Baldwin. This is exactly what the Wolf Pack, the Whalers, the fans, the market needed, someone championing this market while leading the charge. The next step to overcome is warming Whalers, and Wolf Pack fans up to the idea of working together for the cause.
Brusays:
June 23, 2010 at 4:57 AMBrilliantly said, Ben. While Gottesdiener not wanting to work with Baldwin is depressing, hearing and seeing via blog comments Whalers fans demeaning Wolf Pack fans, and vice versa, is equally nauseating. We’ll never has another shot at the NHL if everyone doesn’t work together. As John Lennon said, “Give peace a chance.”