BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – While the Hartford Whalers may be defunct, the legacy of the team lives on – through their sons, as three were drafted.
Two sons of the former Whalers were drafted in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators.
The first was defenseman Jake Sanderson (above) from the US National Development Program (USNTDP) that plays in the USHL. Sanderson will play for the University of North Dakota (NCHC) this season.
Sanderson had seven goals and totaled 29 points in 56 games.
His father, Geoff Sanderson, was drafted in the second round (35th overall) of the 1990 NHL Draft by Hartford.
The pair also share being drafted from unique home addresses.
Geoff was drafted from Hay River in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada. The town no longer exists. Jake is from Whitefish, Montana. He is the second Montanian drafted by the NHL, but the first in the first round.
Sanderson (the younger) has outstanding speed and puck handling skills. They are his trademarks and despite his current 175-180 pound body, he plays with an edge to his game and is expected to grow into his frame.
He played a lot of his minor hockey in the Calgary area.
Ridly Greig was taken 28th overall. He is the son of former Whaler and Springfield Indian, Mark Greig, who is currently a Western Canada scout for the Philadelphia Flyers and who was taken in the first round (15th overall) by the Whalers in 1990.
The younger Greig skates for the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) and last season compiled 26 goals and 60 points in 56 games.
The delayed start to the WHL season saw Greig sign a contract overseas with Karlskrona HK (Sweden-HockeyEttan).
The third son of a former Whalers player selected on Day Two of the draft, was John Fusco, from the Dexter School (MAPREP). He is the son of ex-Whaler, Mark Fusco. The younger Fusco is Harvard University (ECACHL) bound, like his Dad and his, Uncle Scott (New Jersey Devils draftee), he was taken in the seventh-round (189th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A younger brother, Matt Fusco, enters his senior season at Dexter.
