Hartford Whalers Returning to the NHL ... for a Night

For the first time since 1997, the Hartford Whalers will be returning to the ice in the NHL … kinda.

On Sunday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes will don the iconic green Whalers sweaters when they host the Boston Bruins in honor of the team’s first “Whalers Night.”

The Hurricanes, who were previously the Whalers before the team move from Hartford to North Carolina in ’97, have long turned their back on the team they previously were.

That changed when new owner Tom Dundon took over. Almost immediately after he purchased controlling interest from Peter Karmanos, the Hurricanes began selling Whalers gear at PNC Arena.

“Brass Bonanza,” which used to play after every Whalers goal, will undoubtedly be blaring on Sunday in Raleigh. Pucky the Whale mascot, another Whalers staple, will sound the warning siren before the game.

After Whalers Night, the Hurricanes will wear Hartford sweaters again on March 5 in Boston, 100 miles from the team’s old home.

Meet your guide

Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”