Rough Seas in Hartford

The other day, a source told the Hartford Courant that the New York Rangers have severed ties between them and Whalers Sports & Entertainment. The group founded by Hartford Whalers founder Howard Baldwin Sr. had taken over the day-to-day operations of the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack late in the summer of 2010, later rebranding the team the Connecticut Whale that November.

The first game under the new banner had an attendance of over 13,000 to the XL Center Veteran's Memorial Colesium in a shootout win over their in-state rivals, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Which showed optimism that the fans in Hartford were still there. Later that season, the Whale hosted a week long outdoor hockey festival at Rentchler Field in East Hartford, CT which was highlighted by a Boston Bruins- Whalers alumni game followed by the Whale hosting division rivals, the Providence Bruins that broke the AHL's single game attendance record. But weather took a huge chunk out of Baldwin's wallet with the cost of snow removal as he winter of 2010-11 brought record snowfall to New England.

I have heard to this day, that WSE had not paid the full tab to the city of East Hartford and AEG, who runs Rentchler Field as well as the XL Center, for the event. Sources also told the Courant that WSE had not paid the bill for the uniforms from last season. All of which has WSE in the hole for $1.5 million dollars. WSE's financial status has always been a concern for the Rangers and with negotiations for a new lease (current lease, that has a rent of $25,000 per game, expires after the 2012-13 season) have become stagnent between Baldwin and AEG, the Rangers have decided to end the agreement. More info is on the Hartford Courant's website, just search "Baldwin" or "Hockey" for links on the home page.

Earlier today, a press conference was held in the XL Center atruim to announce that the University of Connceticut would be moving to the highly competitive Hockey East Conference beginning in 2013. Which can pose a problem for scheduling between UConn and the AHL franchise if a new lease is agreed to. Note that I didnt say the Whale because with WSE owning the rights to the name, a name change is uncertain.

Could this be the end of professional hockey in the city of Hartford after next season? Only time will tell.



NOTE: This is just my interpretation of the situation.