Hartford Whalers

The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979–97. In 1997, the Whalers franchise moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, where they became the Carolina Hurricanes. They later moved to Raleigh, North Carolina upon the completion of their new arena, then known as RBC Center and now PNC Arena.

The team joined the WHA in its inaugural season in 1972. Originally based in Boston, Massachusetts, they were known as the New England Whalers throughout their time in the league. They moved to Hartford in 1974, and joined the NHL in the NHL–WHA merger of 1979.