Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull dies at 84

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull died at the age of 84, the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Monday.

Hull is the Chicago Blackhawks’ all-time leading goal scorer with 604 in 1,036 games. He also played 18 NHL contests with the Winnipeg Jets and nine more with the Hartford Whalers, in addition to suiting up for seven seasons with the Jets in the WHA.

The former winger, who earned the nickname “The Golden Jet,” amassed 610 goals and 560 assists over 16 NHL campaigns, notching another 303 tallies and 335 helpers across 411 WHA contests.

Hull won the Hart Trophy twice, the Art Ross Trophy three times, and helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. The Hall of Fame inducted him in 1983, and the NHL named him one of its 100 greatest players in 2017.

However, several off-ice transgressions overshadowed some of his on-ice achievements. In 1998, a Russian newspaper quoted him as saying Adolf Hitler had “some good ideas” but “just went a little bit too far.” He denied making the comments.

In a 1986 incident, he was convicted of assaulting a police officer who intervened during a dispute between Hull and his then-wife, Deborah. He was also charged with battery, but that was dropped because she didn’t want to testify against her husband. In 2002, Hull’s second wife, Joanne, said he abused her.

The Blackhawks named Hull a team ambassador along with fellow franchise icon Stan Mikita in 2008, but the club removed Hull from the role in 2022.

17-year NHL veteran, Sharks scout Bryan Marchment dies at 53

Former NHL defenseman Bryan Marchment died unexpectedly Wednesday in Montreal, his agent said. He was 53.

Longtime agent Rick Curran confirmed Marchment’s death to The Associated Press. Marchment was attending the NHL draft in Montreal as a scout for the San Jose Sharks.

A cause of death was not immediately available.

“It’s a sad day for for me personally, a very sad day for our organization,” said Mike Grier, who was named Sharks general manager on Tuesday. “He meant a lot to a lot of people in our organization, our players, our staff —anyone who knew Brian, the type of man he was. He was just an honest, a down-to-earth, loving person who just cared about everyone. He had time for everyone in the building. Anyone he came across, he had time for. ”

Marchment played parts of 17 NHL seasons from 1989-2006 with Winnipeg, Chicago, Hartford, Edmonton, Tampa Bay, San Jose, Colorado, Toronto and Calgary. The Scarborough, Ontario native had been working in scouting and other roles for the Sharks and their American Hockey League affiliate since 2007.

The NHL and NHL Alumni Association offered their condolences in statements released Wednesday afternoon. News of Marchment’s death reached GMs while they were attending their annual meeting at the draft.

“Just shocking and devastating news,” Philadelphia’s Chuck Fletcher said. “Very young man. Obviously, you’re thinking of his family and friends right now.”

Grier played with Marchment with the Oilers and said Marchment was quick to treat him with respect and make him feel at home..

“If I ever needed anything, whether it was a home-cooked dinner instead of eating out every day, he and (wife) Kim would have me over,” Grier said. “So, it’s a very difficult day.”

Grier praised Marchment as a hard worker and said members of San Jose’s staff would carry on with their responsibilities at the draft with heavy hearts.

“I gave them some time to regroup and have some time to themselves and process and grieve,” he said. “I know ‘Mush’ — that’s what he would say. He would want us to get back to work and do our best and have the best draft possible, so we’ll get back to work. “

Former Canucks defenseman, coach Jack McIlhargey dies at 68

Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman and coach Jack McIlhargey died at age 68 after battling cancer, the team announced Monday.

McIlhargey spent time with the Canucks as a player from the 1976-77 season until 1979-1980. He played in 167 games with the club, amassing 24 points and over 400 penalty minutes.

He also logged a five-year stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and two seasons with the Hartford Whalers. McIlhargey appeared in 393 career games, totaling 47 points and 1,102 penalty minutes.

The Flyers released the following statement:

After retiring from playing, McIlhargey rejoined the Canucks in 1985 as an assistant coach, and he went on to spend the next 20 years coaching and scouting at various levels within the organization. He finished his coaching career as a Flyers assistant from 2007 to 2010.

Ranking all 15 NHL third jerseys from the 2018-19 season

15. Philadelphia Flyers

14. Winnipeg Jets

13. Washington Capitals

12.Anahiem Ducks

11. New York Islanders

10. New Jersey Devils

9. San Jose Sharks

8. Colorado Avalanche

7. Arizona Coyotes

6. Edmonton Oilers

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

4. Vancouver Canucks

3. Carolina Hurricanes

2. St. Louis Blues

1. Calgary Flames

Burke: ‘You’ll see Jesus before you see a team back in Hartford’

Brian Burke doesn’t see a spot for Hartford on the NHL map.

Appearing on “Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup” on Wednesday, and asked whether the NHL’s return to the Connecticut capital is a possibility, Burke retorted, “You’ll see Jesus before you see a team back in Hartford.”

The former general manager of the Hartford Whalers – from 1992-1993 – described a desolate market that was known as the “roaring ’80s” during his tenure, noting that many big employers and high-paying jobs uprooted for nearby Manhattan.

The resulting loss of industry and jobs eventually stripped away at the local economy and contributed to the Whalers moving to Raleigh, N.C. in 1997, where the club rebranded as the Carolina Hurricanes.

Despite the loss in Hartford, the passion for the team still exists. Recent years have seen Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy leading those discussions, as he’s floated the idea of renovating the XL Center – the Whalers’ former home – to lure the NHL’s return. He also invited the nearby New York Islanders, then in search of a new arena, to make their digs in the old barn.

Earlier this season, the Hurricanes, under new owner Thomas Dundon, paid tribute to the franchise’s legacy, bringing back team gear with the iconic Whalers logo and the unforgettable Brass Bonanza goal song.

Meanwhile in Hartford, while the XL Center now houses AHL hockey, the market itself is still seemingly behind Seattle, Houston, and Quebec City on the NHL’s expansion radar.

As for Burke, the former president of hockey operations with the Calgary Flamesresigned from the club earlier this week, later accepting a role with Sportsnet as a playoff analyst.

Connecticut governor invites Dundon to bring Hurricanes back to Hartford

If the Carolina Hurricanes are serious about embracing their Whalers heritage, Connecticut governor Dannel P. Malloy wants Hartford to be part of it.

New ‘Canes owner Tom Dundon has stated he wants the team to start donning Whalers gear on occasion, and Hartford jerseys are now available to purchase at Carolina home games.

Malloy took it to another level Friday by officially inviting the Hurricanes to return to Hartford and play a regular-season outdoor game at Rentschler Field.

“As you are no doubt aware, Whalers fandom remains strong in Connecticut and throughout the region,” Malloy wrote to Dundon. “Nearly 20 years after the team left, Whalers gear remains the top-seller among non-current NHL teams, and the Whalers Brigade continues to host a successful radio program.”

Malloy goes on to suggest games could be played at XL Center, and even argues Dundon might just like what he sees in regards to a new permanent home.

“I am convinced that the Hurricanes’ reception in Connecticut – combined with our prime market dynamics – would make clear that Hartford is a far more viable long-term home for the team than Raleigh.”

Connecticut unveils Whalers-themed license plates

Now there’s something worthy of cuing up “Brass Bonanza.”

The state of Connecticut has unveiled a new license plate design that features the iconic Hartford Whalers logo, 21 years after the team left.

The franchise relocated to Raleigh and now plays as the Carolina Hurricanes, but passion for the Whalers never left Hartford.

“I ask the Whalers fans to get out there and purchase those license plates because maybe then they will come back,” said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, according to the Associated Press.

“We’ll keep hoping. It was two decades ago that we lost on the Whalers, but in our hearts we have not.”

The plates start at $60, and $45 from each sale will go toward a new infusion and dialysis center at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

It’s not the first time Connecticut has pushed for the NHL to return in some form. Last February, Gov. Dannel Malloy invited the New York Islanders to play out of the XL Center (the Whalers’ former home) when it seemed they had run out of options for a new arena in New York.

The state has also discussed a $250-million renovation to the XL Center, which opened in 1975, to bring it up to modern standards in an effort to lure the NHL back.

Islanders focused on Belmont Park arena, no backup plan in place

The New York Islanders are all in on Belmont Park.

In September, the Islanders submitted a proposal to build an arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., and the club remains hopeful that the bid will be approved.

“We think we have something that really will galvanize the community in a very positive way,” Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky told Jim Baumbach of Newsday. “It will galvanize the fan base and we think it’s a tremendous opportunity for the Long Island area to have a world-class, really state-of-the-art arena.”

The Islanders have spent the past three seasons at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a 2012-built facility that was originally designed for the NBA’s Nets, meaning great views for basketball fans but poor sight lines on hockey nights.

The Islanders moved to Brooklyn after playing out of the antiquated Nassau Coliseum since 1972. While issues have occurred at the Barclays Center, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has ruled out a return to Long Island.

The Islanders can end their current lease agreement as soon as this offseason, while the Barclays Center has the same option following the 2018-19 campaign.

As for Belmont Park, the Islanders aren’t the only team wanting to build a new stadium at the site. There is also interest from the New York City FC, a Major League Soccer club partially owned by MLB’s Yankees.

There is no timeline for when the Belmont Park proposal will be approved, but Islanders ownership remains hopeful. Ledecky also added a “Plan B” isn’t in place should the Belmont Park plan be unsuccessful, but noted ownership has no intention of leaving New York.

“We want to be crystal clear that we love New York and we love the metro New York area,” Ledecky said. “We want to stay in the New York area and Belmont Park is the place for us.”

In February, Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy invited the Islanders to use the XL Center as a temporary, or even permanent, home. The XL Center is owned by the City of Hartford and is the former home of the since-relocated Whalers.

Where the Islanders ultimately play could also be a significant factor in the future plans of captain John Tavares, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July.

‘Brass Bonanza’ composer dies at 94

The man who wrote one of hockey’s most recognizable and most beloved team anthems has died at the age of 94.

Jacques Ysaye, who composed “Brass Bonanza,” a song that became synonymous with the Hartford Whalers, died last week in Belgium, according to his Facebook page.

Ysaye, who was also known under the pseudonym Jack Say, wrote the tune in the mid-1970s, and it was Whalers’ theme song from 1977 until Brian Burke discontinued its use upon taking over as the club’s general manager in 1992.

When Burke left to take a job with the NHL several years later, the team re-adopted the song and kept it until moving to North Carolina to become the Hurricanes in 1997.

“His motto was no more Mr. Nice Guy,” former Whalers assistant GM Pierre McGuire told NHL.com’s Evan Weiner in 2008 when asked about Burke’s decision. “He thought the Brass Bonanza was too nice, so he got rid of it. For a lot of players, coaches, and fans, it was (the Whalers’ signature song). Brian wanted to do it his own way. Eventually, after Brian left and went to the league, the song came back.”

It was playing as the Whalers skated off the ice for the final time on April 13, 1997, and is still frequently played at other sports venues to this day.

Several NHL organists, including Kyle Hankins of the Nashville Predators and Dieter Ruehle of the Los Angeles Kings, play it during games, and it has previously been used by the AHL’s Connecticut Whale (now the Hartford Wolf Pack) and the University of Connecticut.

Ysaye titled the song, “Evening Beat” when he originally composed it.

For the full story of how it became the Whalers’ anthem, read this 2010 piece by the Hartford Courant’s Jeff Jacobs.

Connecticut proposes $250M renovation to create NHL-ready arena

Build it and they will come.

That seems to be the approach of Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy, who proposed that his state invests $250 million to renovate the XL Center – the former home of the Hartford Whalers – in an effort to return the NHL to the state capital.

Partial funding for the proposed project was included in Wednesday’s state budget announcement. The project would add a second concourse to the XL Center and increase its seating capacity from the current number of 14,750.

Connecticut made headlines on Friday when Malloy and Hartford mayor Luke Bronin offered use of the city-owned facility to the New York Islanders after it was reported the Brooklyn club may need to vacate Barclays Center following the 2018-19 season.

The XL Center was home to the Whalers until 1997, when the NHL franchise uprooted for Raleigh and became the Carolina Hurricanes. The arena currently houses the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, the minor-league affiliate of the New York Rangers.