Time For Carolina Alumni Game: Hurricanes Versus Whalers

by Bob Wage on Aug 31, 2011 4:00 PM EDT

There are several successful alumni games for charity around the league. It's time to seriously consider having one right here in Carolina.

The Hurricanes have been in town for over 10 years, have won a Stanley Cup, and are building a nice foundation of history here on Tobacco Road. But not only do the Canes have the relatively short history of Carolina to draw from, they also have the history of the Whalers to consider as well.

In an alumni game such as this, why not combine the best of both worlds and make this a unique event? Have former Hurricanes play against former Whalers.

Of course there will be some crossover as several players have played for both teams, but as the rosters are constructed, reasonable decisions can be made where to place these players. I took a stab at this myself and provided a brief explanation for my choices.

Hurricanes

Captain - Rod Brind'Amour (no need for explanation)

A - Jeff O'Neill (drafted by Whalers but scoring hero when in Carolina)

Sami Kapanen (All Star as Hurricane, once was fastest skater in NHL)

Kevyn Adams (had career year when it counted in 2006)

Bates Battaglia (part of famous "BBC Line" in 2002, local guy and perfect fit)

Keith Primeau (time to bury the hatchet and welcome former Captain back to Carolina?)

Jeff Daniels (many faithful years with the organization)

Martin Gelinas (gritty winger, scored huge goal in 2002 playoffs)

Doug Weight (brief stay in Carolina, but winning Cup here trumps that)

Mark Recchi (see above)

Gary Roberts (resurrected career here)

Darren Langdon (Carolina's best ever enforcer)

A- Glen Wesley (jersey is hanging from rafters)

Bret Hedican (smooth skater, was key part Cup win and 2002 run)

Aaron Ward (also key part of Cup win and 2002 run)

Sean Hill (had best years of career while in Carolina, important role in 2002)

Niclas Wallin (his OT playoff game-winners earned him "secret weapon" moniker)

Marek Malik (sometimes maligned Whalers draft pick was big in 2002 and was a great teammate)

Arturs Irbe (still holds several franchise records)

Kevin Weekes (without him, the Canes don't advance past the Devils in 2002 playoffs)

Whalers

Captain - Ron Francis (again, no need for explanation)

A - Kevin Dineen (one of the franchise's all time best)

Pat Verbeek (8th most assists in franchise history, 4th most powerplay goals)

Blaine Stoughton (7th most points in franchise history, tied for 3rd with most hat tricks)

Geoff Sanderson (8th most points in franchise history)

Ray Ferraro (10th most points in franchise history)

Andrew Cassels (4th most assists in franchise history)

Robert Kron (played in Hartford and Carolina, 9th most games played in franchise history)

Sylvain Turgeon (8th most goals scored in franchise history)

Brendan Shanahan (again, time to bury the hatchet with a one time unpopular player?)

Mike Rogers (most points in a season for franchise, twice)

Tom Webster (leader back in the WHA days)

A - Rick Ley (his number 2 was retired before Wesley's)

Randy Ladouceur (dependable franchise player, former captain, and one time assistant coach)

Adam Burt (long time resident on Hartford blueline, 5th most games in franchise history)

Mark Howe (listed as defenseman and forward, versatile scorer)

Zarley Zalapski (most goals for defenseman in single season)

Dave Babych (most points for defenseman in single season)

Mike Liut (most shutouts and wins for Hartford)

Sean Burke (most games played for Hartford)

Most of the players listed above were very popular with the fans and that is an important factor because you want the fans to come out and cheer for their favorites. (Not everyone is 100% retired, but all are currently out of the NHL.)

A couple of the players were not very popular at times, like Keith Primeau and Brendan Shanahan. But as former team captains, they should be invited.

Where did I go wrong with the rosters? Let me know in the comments.

For those thinking that a game like this might not draw enough interest to make it worthwhile, think again. A charity hockey game at the RBC back in 2008 drew an estimated 6,000 fans just to watch local policemen line up against the firemen. To have the opportunity to see so many stars under one roof at the same time would be too much for most hockey fans in the area to pass up.

This seems like a win/win proposition. The players would enjoy it, (plus have a chance to mix in some golf), fans would have the chance to see some favorites again, and the charity, (perhaps the Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation), would benefit greatly.

Make it happen.

(some photos from the Police versus Firemen event)

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Comments

WAY COOL

Only one thing……..we dont need no stinking Primeau !!!!!!!

Very nice job…loved it

by littlepig on Aug 31, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Great idea and well conceived lists! Good work, man!

by jb_online on Aug 31, 2011 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

Bring on the hockey baby!!!

2 years to the Cup

by Caniac233 on Aug 31, 2011 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

It’s a great idea, I just don’t see it happening. Karmanos really doesn’t acknowledge any of the Whalers history except when it’s convenient. As you note, the #2 was retired in Hartford but unretired when the franchise moved. Any reason why #9 doesn’t hang from the rafters? Too many of the Whalers on your roster left the franchise on bad terms…Sanderson and Burke especially. And the feud between Karmanos, Rutherford and Primeau went far beyond just hockey, it got personal.

by atrione on Aug 31, 2011 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

Whoa Bob !!

great Idea…and yes i think many of the fans would by tickets to see this match up but will Mr K & JR be willing to do this…then who would poll the players you listed to see if and who would be willing ? again…a fantastic Idea…but while hopeful..not sure JR’s magic Pimphand could pull that off…Gawd…what a great Idea…why didn’t anybody think of this sooner…Thanks again Bob..

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Aug 31, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

i like it

i think i would have opted for john garrett over burke for the whale. and i would have had to find a way to get gordie on there somehow

by brass bonanza on Aug 31, 2011 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

i would have had to find a way to get gordie on there somehow

Agreed. Plus, having the chance to see Mr. Hockey would bring a few more folks out.

When my opinions and reality don't coincide I re-evaluate my opinions, not reality.

by C-Leaguer on Sep 1, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

A Few Random Things

I don’t think you would get Zarley Zalapski to any event related to the Whalers. He hated it here. Of course the fans turned on him almost instantaneously. It was nothing he did. He was just traded here for our supposed most popular players. It was not like he asked for this.

There is no reason why Hartford fans would hate Brendan Shanahan. Heck, we barely noticed he was here in the first place. The 95-96 season average a little over 11K a game. If I remember correctly there were nine sub 10k home games. But of course we had to whine and moan because he asked to be traded. We sure got the best of him eh?

Considering the behavior and attitude exhibited by the fans here in CT over the years I don’t really blame Canes management for barely acknowledging the Whalers.

by VinceCT on Sep 1, 2011 5:00 AM EDT reply actions

I’d pay through the nose to see this game just to hear Brass Bonanza after goals

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Sep 1, 2011 6:25 AM EDT reply actions

Great idea....

…and I would love to see it (as a former resident of Connecticut in the ’80’s and a Durham resident now), but I don’t really see it happening. PK wants nothing to do with the Whaler franchise, and the Whalers fans don’t seem to like the ‘Canes very much, at least from what I read on the interwebs. There are many former Whalers as well who just didn’t like the franchise at all, and didn’t endear themselves to the fans either – sometimes the Mall seemed to have more opposing team’s fans than Whalers fans. I will still wear my Whalers gear on occasion however, as they are a part of NHL history – and a part of MY history with hockey. The Hurricanes were a big reason I moved to the area, and I will continue to support them.

I agree with Stinky – I would LOVE to hear Brass Bonanza after goals again one day….

by marcmd on Sep 1, 2011 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

someone with time on his/her hands

needs to start a “big back brass bonanza” online petition, to be followed-up by a highly publicized rally in front of the RBC Center, and signs in the stands.

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Sep 2, 2011 6:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Not going to happen. The team is firmly opposed to playing the brass bonanza. Pete played it before Game 1 of the Devils series in 06. Just after or at the end of warm up. He was informed not to play it again. Source – Wife who was retail assistant manager at the time.

Also, FWIW, I think the rights to the song were retained by the Connecticut Sports Authority who also own the name, logo, and Jersey design.

When my opinions and reality don't coincide I re-evaluate my opinions, not reality.

by C-Leaguer on Sep 2, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha...

ESPN is STILL bitter.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Sep 2, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate to take props but I will!..

I brought this idea up on August 1 in a thread entitled “Is it time for hockey yet?”. My idea was for a celebrity tournament to be held around the end of July / beg. of August just as the hockey lull turns into anticipation. Here is the thread and responses:

Celebrity Hockey Tourney?
I read on Twitter where the Sabres are hosting a celebrity hockey game this week. I hate to give them props, but that’s a great idea! I wonder if the Canes are willing to do this? It sure would create a lot of buzz and gather a few fans. We could see Bates, ONeill, Brindy, Wesley, Francis, Irbe lace ’em up again and play a little.

by CanesBigHitter on Aug 3, 2011 9:13 AM PDT reply actions

Better yet…
’Canes Country Celebrity Hockey. Team Stinky vs. Team Sittler27, or something like that…

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: “I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently.”
by Sergeant Stinky on Aug 3, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m in and will play for the highest bidder.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 3, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I’ll be Ron the Ref.
I can barely skate and I took lessons at the Ice House last year.

by CanesBigHitter on Aug 3, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking knee hockey on the inflatable WHAMMO! water rink referenced above

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: “I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently.”
by Sergeant Stinky on Aug 3, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions

by CanesBigHitter on Sep 1, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

I sent the idea to Mr. Karmanos on Twitter.

I sent the celebrity hockey tourney idea to Mr Karmanos on Twitter (@karmanosunplggd ) back at the beg. of August, but never heard a reply. Not suprising…

by CanesBigHitter on Sep 1, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Well....

all we can do as Fans is try and we did…but how about we get ahold of Mike & company in the front office and talked with them..hel;l Bob probably hase more physical contact with them than we do…hey…just a thought…

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Sep 1, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions