1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
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) |
Penalties in minutes | Stu Grimson (218) |
Plus/minus | Sami Kapanen (+6) |
Wins | Sean Burke (22) |
Goals against average | Sean Burke (2.69) |
<1995–96 |
1997–98 > |
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.
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
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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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | W | October 5, 1996 | 1–0 | Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 1–0–0 |
2 | W | October 8, 1996 | 7–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 2–0–0 |
3 | L | October 12, 1996 | 0–6 | @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 2–1–0 |
4 | W | October 17, 1996 | 3–1 | @ New York Islanders (1996–97) | 3–1–0 |
5 | W | October 19, 1996 | 6–2 | New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 4–1–0 |
6 | W | October 24, 1996 | 4–1 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 5–1–0 |
7 | L | October 26, 1996 | 3–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 5–2–0 |
8 | T | October 30, 1996 | 2–2 OT | New York Islanders (1996–97) | 5–2–1 |
9 | T | October 31, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 5–2–2 |
10 | L | November 2, 1996 | 2–3 | Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 5–3–2 |
11 | L | November 4, 1996 | 1–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 5–4–2 |
12 | W | November 6, 1996 | 5–1 | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 6–4–2 |
13 | L | November 8, 1996 | 1–4 | Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 6–5–2 |
14 | W | November 9, 1996 | 4–3 OT | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 7–5–2 |
15 | W | November 12, 1996 | 4–3 | @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 8–5–2 |
16 | W | November 14, 1996 | 2–1 | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 9–5–2 |
17 | T | November 16, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 9–5–3 |
18 | W | November 20, 1996 | 3–1 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 10–5–3 |
19 | L | November 22, 1996 | 1–7 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 10–6–3 |
20 | T | November 23, 1996 | 3–3 OT | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 10–6–4 |
21 | L | November 27, 1996 | 2–6 | Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 10–7–4 |
22 | T | November 29, 1996 | 1–1 OT | @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 10–7–5 |
23 | W | November 30, 1996 | 6–3 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 11–7–5 |
24 | T | December 3, 1996 | 4–4 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 11–7–6 |
25 | W | December 5, 1996 | 4–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 12–7–6 |
26 | W | December 7, 1996 | 6–4 | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 13–7–6 |
27 | W | December 11, 1996 | 5–2 | Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 14–7–6 |
28 | L | December 12, 1996 | 2–3 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 14–8–6 |
29 | L | December 14, 1996 | 0–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 14–9–6 |
30 | L | December 16, 1996 | 2–5 | @ New York Rangers (1996–97) | 14–10–6 |
31 | W | December 17, 1996 | 5–3 | St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 15–10–6 |
32 | L | December 20, 1996 | 1–4 | Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 15–11–6 |
33 | W | December 21, 1996 | 6–5 OT | Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 16–11–6 |
34 | L | December 26, 1996 | 1–5 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 16–12–6 |
35 | W | December 28, 1996 | 3–2 | Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 17–12–6 |
36 | L | December 29, 1996 | 3–4 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 17–13–6 |
37 | L | January 1, 1997 | 2–3 OT | @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 17–14–6 |
38 | L | January 2, 1997 | 4–5 OT | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 17–15–6 |
39 | T | January 4, 1997 | 1–1 OT | Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 17–15–7 |
40 | L | January 6, 1997 | 4–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 17–16–7 |
41 | L | January 9, 1997 | 2–3 | @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 17–17–7 |
42 | L | January 10, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 17–18–7 |
43 | L | January 12, 1997 | 1–2 OT | @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 17–19–7 |
44 | L | January 15, 1997 | 0–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 17–20–7 |
45 | W | January 20, 1997 | 3–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) | 18–20–7 |
46 | W | January 22, 1997 | 2–1 OT | Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 19–20–7 |
47 | L | January 24, 1997 | 2–5 | New York Islanders (1996–97) | 19–21–7 |
48 | W | January 25, 1997 | 5–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 20–21–7 |
49 | L | January 30, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 20–22–7 |
50 | L | January 31, 1997 | 3–6 | @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 20–23–7 |
51 | L | February 5, 1997 | 2–5 | @ New York Rangers (1996–97) | 20–24–7 |
52 | W | February 6, 1997 | 5–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 21–24–7 |
53 | L | February 8, 1997 | 2–3 OT | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 21–25–7 |
54 | L | February 12, 1997 | 2–3 | New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 21–26–7 |
55 | L | February 13, 1997 | 0–4 | @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 21–27–7 |
56 | W | February 15, 1997 | 2–1 | Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 22–27–7 |
57 | L | February 16, 1997 | 2–4 | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 22–28–7 |
58 | T | February 19, 1997 | 2–2 OT | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 22–28–8 |
59 | W | February 21, 1997 | 7–2 | New York Rangers (1996–97) | 23–28–8 |
60 | W | February 22, 1997 | 2–0 | Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 24–28–8 |
61 | T | February 26, 1997 | 2–2 OT | Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 24–28–9 |
62 | L | February 28, 1997 | 2–3 | San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 24–29–9 |
63 | L | March 2, 1997 | 2–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 24–30–9 |
64 | W | March 5, 1997 | 2–0 | Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 25–30–9 |
65 | W | March 7, 1997 | 2–0 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 26–30–9 |
66 | T | March 8, 1997 | 1–1 OT | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) | 26–30–10 |
67 | W | March 12, 1997 | 6–3 | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 27–30–10 |
68 | L | March 13, 1997 | 0–6 | @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 27–31–10 |
69 | L | March 15, 1997 | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 27–32–10 |
70 | L | March 16, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 27–33–10 |
71 | L | March 20, 1997 | 1–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 27–34–10 |
72 | L | March 21, 1997 | 0–2 | @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 27–35–10 |
73 | L | March 25, 1997 | 0–4 | Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 27–36–10 |
74 | W | March 27, 1997 | 5–2 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 28–36–10 |
75 | W | March 29, 1997 | 2–1 | New York Rangers (1996–97) | 29–36–10 |
76 | L | April 2, 1997 | 1–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 29–37–10 |
77 | T | April 3, 1997 | 5–5 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 29–37–11 |
78 | W | April 5, 1997 | 4–1 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 30–37–11 |
79 | W | April 7, 1997 | 4–2 | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 31–37–11 |
80 | L | April 9, 1997 | 4–5 | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 31–38–11 |
81 | L | April 11, 1997 | 4–6 | @ New York Islanders (1996–97) | 31–39–11 |
82 | W | April 13, 1997 | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 32–39–11 |
Playoffs
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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
- October 1, 1996 - Espen Knutsen traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Kevin Brown.
- October 9, 1996 - Brendan Shanahan and Brian Glynn traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Paul Coffey, Keith Primeau, and Detroit's 1997 1st round draft pick (Nikos Tselios).
- November 9, 1996 - Andrei Nikolishin traded to the Washington Capitals for Curtis Leschyshyn.
- December 15, 1996 - Paul Coffey and Hartford's 1997 3rd round draft pick (Kris Mallette) traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Kevin Haller, Philadelphia's 1997 1st round draft pick (later traded to San Jose - San Jose selected Scott Hannan), and Hartford's 1997 7th round draft pick (previously acquired, Carolina selected Andrew Merrick).
- March 5, 1997 - Hnat Domenichelli, Glen Featherstone, New Jersey's 1997 2nd round draft pick (previously acquired, Calgary selected Dimitri Kokorev), and Vancouver's 1998 3rd round draft pick (previously acquired, Calgary selected Paul Manning) traded to the Calgary Flames for Steve Chiasson and Colorado's 1997 3rd round draft pick (previously acquired, Carolina selected Francis Lessard).
- March 18, 1997 - Mark Janssens traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Bates Battaglia and Anaheim's 1998 4th round draft pick (Josef Vasicek).
- March 18, 1997 - Gerald Diduck traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Chris Murray.
- March 18, 1997 - Hartford's 1997 5th round draft pick (Adam Edinger) traded to the New York Islanders for Derek King.
- March 18, 1997 - Kelly Chase traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Toronto's 1998 8th round draft pick (Jaroslav Svoboda).
Free agents acquired/lost
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Draft picks
Hartford's picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft
Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
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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
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ How's It Goin', Pete? Part 4
- ↑ The Recorder
- ↑ The Patriots Nix Hartford, Stay in Foxboro - Background