The Whalers

“Hockey fans continue to have a fascination with the Whalers franchise, with good reason. From the rough early years, to the development of an exciting young team that thrilled one of sport’s most underrated fan bases, to the final years of controversy and chaos, Pat Pickens’s account of the team’s colorful history is a terrific read. It’s filled with memories from over a dozen figures who continue to have a powerful impact on the NHL to this day.”–Rick Peckham, former play-by-play announcer for the Whalers and Tampa Bay Lightning“Pat Pickens’s book captured more than a historical account of a sports franchise but rather a story about the deep connection between Hartford and its Whalers. Through cheers and tears the characters in the book remain fondly connected to Hartford.”–Mike Liut, Whalers goalie, 1985-90“We may not have realized how special the Hartford Whalers were at the time, but as I look back it was a privilege to play for the team. I still keep in touch and get together with many of my ex-teammates from those days, which were unlike any other in my pro career. The Whalers brought back fond memories of my time playing in Hartford.”–Paul Lawless, Whalers forward, 1982-88Pickens does a magnificent job in giving the bigger picture surrounding the franchise. No professional sports entity exists in a vacuum. There is always a wider context. Throughout The Whalers, one learns about the layers of external factors that impacted the franchise and ultimately led to its move from Hartford to Raleigh. Contemporaneous occurrences and trends within the NHL and other major sports leagues, the regional and national economy, demographic data, political realities, and statewide cultural realities and quirks are some among several outside factors that Pickens strategically and informatively weaves into his narrative and analysis. Lastly, the decisive and unambiguous conclusions by Pickens are appreciated, commendable, and refreshing.– “The New England Journal of History”

Pat Pickens is a writer for NHL.com. Previously, he was an editorial producer for MLB.com and a freelance sportswriter for The New York Times. From 2008 to 2013 he was sports editor at the Fairfield Citizen in Connecticut.