... and the Roof Came Tumbling Down

Sports Illustrated, January 1978: 

The architect and the structural engineers had wanted to create something daring and visually spectacular when they designed the Civic Center Coliseum in Hartford, Conn. So they included in their plans "a delicate roof that would appear to float high above thousands of spectators," as one of them wrote in Civil Engineering magazine. Late last week independent engineers were examining the rubble that once was the Coliseum's "delicate roof," a roof that appeared to have floated 85 feet straight down, shattering into a million pieces under the weight of a huge layer of snow and ice.

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Video: Three Fights vs. Vancouver Canucks 1995-96

Three fights vs. Canucks featuring Kevin Dineen, Adam Burt and Kelly Chase

Happy Birthday to Scot Kleinendorst

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Whaler Nation Birthday: Adam Burt

The native of Detroit, Michigan, Adam Burt spent a year each in the NOHA with the North Bay AA club and Detroit Compuware. In 1985-86 he began a four-year association with the OHL's North Bay Centennials. Burt was a tower of strength on the club's blueline through his offensive talents and physical approach to the game. He was drafted 39th overall by the Hartford Whalers in 1987 then was returned to junior.

Burt joined the Whalers as a regular in 1989-90 and became a stalwart for several years. He was a solid point man on the power play and developed into the defender matched up against the top forwards on the opposition. He remained with the franchise when it relocated to Carolina in 1997-98 the joined the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade the next season.

The veteran was steady during Philadelphia's first round playoff loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1999 and was a steady presence on the blueline in 1999-2000 when the club reached the third round of the post-season. Burt sought a new challenge by signing as a free agent with the Atlanta Thrashers in July 2000. He was playing a useful role on the club's young defence when he suffered a season-ending neck injury in January 2001. He was expected to miss the first half of the 2001-02 season after disc-fusion surgery on his neck.

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This Date in Whalers History: Bliizard Forces Two Players to Serve as Linesmen

On Jan. 15, 1983:  Due to a blizzard, linesman Ron Foyt was the only official to arrive for the start of a Whalers-Devils game, so two players who were scratched -- Whalers defenseman Mickey Volcan and New Jersey's Garry Howatt -- served as linesmen while Foyt served as referee. ``I had the best seat in the house,'' Volcan said after Ron Francis' goal gave the Whalers a 2-1 victory.

Mickey Volcan served as a linesman during an NHL game on Jan. 15, 1983.

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Full Game WHA Video Posted - Whalers vs. Soviet National Team

Here is the full game video of the Whalers greatest WHA game ever

-- a Dec 27, 1976 upset over the Soviet National team

Sami Kapanen To Team with His Son in Finnish Pro League

From Yahoo Sports/Puck Daddy

Sami Kapanen played 12 seasons in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers, endearing himself to fans with his versatility and hustle.

Now 39, he spent the last four years playing for KalPa Kuopio in SM-liiga over in Finland.

On Saturday, Kapanen will make history, following in the proud familial tradition of Gordie, Mark and Marty Howe: Playing on the same professional team as his son for the first time.

Full Article Here

February 08, 1997|By MICHAEL ARACE; Courant Staff Writer

MONTREAL — If the Whalers had a poster boy this season, it would be Sami Kapanen. He is certainly not the team's most precious piece, nor is he among its most celebrated. But he embodies everything the Whalers have experienced the past two months.

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January 12, 1987: Randy Ladouceur is acquired by Hartford Whalers from Detroit for Dave Barr

Steady Randy Ladouceur was a great pick up by Emile Francis.

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38 Years Ago Today: The Whalers Played Their First Game in Hartford

January 11, 1975:  The Whalers First-ever game in Hartford.  Relive the memories here

Bobby Holik: When There's More To Love Than Hockey

Bobby Holik says, essentially, his personal life is none of our business.

And Bobby Holik, essentially, is correct.

As a bright, enthusiastic consumer of everything North American last year, the rookie newcomer combed through practically every magazine and newspaper printed in the Western Hemisphere. So he knows he is on the right track when he reminds the sports writer that he works for The Courant, not the National Enquirer

"I know this is America, but I don't have to tell you everything about my personal life," Holik said.

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