To Our Valued CT Whale Fans,
Thank you so much for your interest in our team and in our efforts to bring back the great Whaler brand to the city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut. It’s hard to believe we are about to conclude our second year of operation with the team. The next couple of months is going to be a very critical time period for our efforts in Hartford. We therefore wanted to reach out to you directly so you hear from us directly as to what will be transpiring.
The first issue that we must deal with for the future is establishing a long-term and permanent home for the Connecticut Whale at the XL Center — under lease terms that enable us to properly operate our business in a professional manner. In order for us to be able to operate beyond 2013, we must have a lease arrangement with the XL Center that is competitive with other AHL teams. Right now we are operating under lease terms that are far and away the most onerous in the American Hockey League.
In no way is this meant to be a criticism of the current building management team or anyone else for that matter. We recognize full well that things that were done in the ‘90s have put an unfair burden on current operations at the XL Center, which of course includes us. However, these obligations will no longer exist after next season. Therefore it is imperative that as we go into the future these burdens are no longer passed on to the prime tenant (i.e. the Connecticut Whale). It is our responsibility to you and to all our loyal fans and sponsors to do what we have to do in the next 30-60 days to solidify hockey in Hartford for the next 10 years.
The month of March is an exciting month for the Connecticut Whale. During the month of March and the first half of April we have 12 home games, all on attractive weekend dates. This coming Saturday night, March 10th, we have the first Connecticut Hockey Hall-of-Fame night. This will be an annual event. Some of the players being inducted with this first group are former Whaler greats Mike Liut, Pat Verbeek and Blaine Stoughton as well as our great coach and former Wolf Pack player Ken Gernander, three-time US Olympian Julie Chu as well as former New York Ranger, Hall-of-Famer, Brian Leetch.
The month of March is hockey time. This is a time when playoffs are upcoming and the games are increasingly meaningful. We are counting on your attendance to as many of these games as possible.
Finally, rest assured on behalf of our partnership and each dedicated person that works for the Connecticut Whale, executives, coaches, and players alike, it is a privilege to play in this city and to have your support. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Howard Baldwin, Chairman/CEO
Howard Baldwin, Jr., President/COO
Whalers Sports & Entertainment/Connecticut Whale
Comments (3)
centriststudentsays:
March 8, 2012 at 3:30 PMReblogged this on centriststudent and commented:
This seriously matters for Hartford, hockey fans, and the XL Center. We must lobby the owners of the Center and the Whale to negotiate a better deal. A cheaper deal. Our prices are frankly high, higher than average, and above the threshold for thousands of hockey fans in CT. Lowering the cost of the building and tickets does not debase the value of the team. Our market (both NHL and AHL combined) is in the upper tiers of value despite losing our Whalers 15 years ago.
Now unfortunately I am at college, so I will miss a majority of these games, aside a few during spring break. So if you love our team, our city, and want it to continue to succeed, get out and play!
Joshua Warnocksays:
March 8, 2012 at 4:22 PMBut they don’t own the CT Whale, the Rangers do.
Mitch Becksays:
March 8, 2012 at 4:32 PMJosh,
You’re wrong. The Baldwins actually DO own the CTWhale. They do NOT own the players. In that you’re right; the Rangers do. The Rangers have a separate agreement with the Baldwins whereby the Rangers provide the players for the CTWhale franchise and the Baldwins market that team. It’s the same as the rest of the AHL. Well, most of the AHL. Take the Springfield Falcons for example. Bruce Landon owns a small part, but the team belongs to Charlie Pompea. They own the franchise while Columbus owns the players. Same thing… Hope that clears it up for you.