15 Years of Whalers Hockey

[Schultz]

That's the title of this great book i just purchased. It has over 250 photos documenting the first 15 years of Hartford Whalers hockey. The book was written in 1987 by Jack Lautier. If your a Whaler fan this book is one you've got to get. Here's some interesting facts on the Whalers: Larry Pleau became the first player in Whaler history on April 19,1972, Teddy Green was their first captain, their first game in franchise history was at Boston Garden against the Philadelphia Blazers on Oct 12,1972. There's a picture of Green and Sanderson taking the ceremonial puck dropping before the first game. When the roof collapsed on the Hartford Civic Center on Jan. 18, 1978, they played in Springfield,Ma until Feb 1980 when the Civic Center reopened. Over 4000 ticket holders banded together as members of the "91 Club" Bobby Hull joined the team during the 1979-80 season playing only 9 games and then retiring the next year. Nick Fotiu and Jack McIlhargey were teammates in the 1980-81 season. The 1980-81 team may have been one of the toughest. Besides Fotiu and McIlhargey they also had Nachbaur, Lupien, Boutette, Neufeld, Gordie Roberts and Brubaker. At the end of the book are listings of all their scoring stats and the league standings from the 1972-73 WHA season to the 1986-87 NHL season. Also among the pictures at the end of the book is a rare fight photo of Fotiu and Vancouver Blazer Rick Jodzio!

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Schultz

That's the title of this great book i just purchased. It has over 250 photos documenting the first 15 years of Hartford Whalers hockey. The book was written in 1987 by Jack Lautier. If your a Whaler fan this book is one you've got to get. Here's some interesting facts on the Whalers: Larry Pleau became the first player in Whaler history on April 19,1972, Teddy Green was their first captain, their first game in franchise history was at Boston Garden against the Philadelphia Blazers on Oct 12,1972. There's a picture of Green and Sanderson taking the ceremonial puck dropping before the first game. When the roof collapsed on the Hartford Civic Center on Jan. 18, 1978, they played in Springfield,Ma until Feb 1980 when the Civic Center reopened. Over 4000 ticket holders banded together as members of the "91 Club" Bobby Hull joined the team during the 1979-80 season playing only 9 games and then retiring the next year. Nick Fotiu and Jack McIlhargey were teammates in the 1980-81 season. The 1980-81 team may have been one of the toughest. Besides Fotiu and McIlhargey they also had Nachbaur, Lupien, Boutette, Neufeld, Gordie Roberts and Brubaker. At the end of the book are listings of all their scoring stats and the league standings from the 1972-73 WHA season to the 1986-87 NHL season. Also among the pictures at the end of the book is a rare fight photo of Fotiu and Vancouver Blazer Rick Jodzio!

It is a great book and Jack Lautier is a very nice man. I got his number from Stan Fischler another nice man and he was gracious and a total down to earth guy. I spoke with Jack after the Whalers moved to Greensboro and he was just super.
I recommend the book like Schultz has indicated.

[Blues 34]

I asked on another site and will ask here as well can you get this at a store like Borders.

Thanks Guys

[Schultz]

This book i'm sure is long out of print. I bought my copy on Ebay and it's the first copy i've ever seen in the 4 years that i've been searching the site for hockey stuff. It came out in 1987.

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Schultz

This book i'm sure is long out of print. I bought my copy on Ebay and it's the first copy i've ever seen in the 4 years that i've been searching the site for hockey stuff. It came out in 1987.

It's been around for a long time and Schultz is right. It might take some work to find a copy.
I think Lautier writes up in Bristol if I remember for the Bristol Press and covers the Wolfpack now. You may be able to write Jack there.

[Blues 34]

Originally Posted by bigjack

It's been around for a long time and Schultz is right. It might take some work to find a copy.
I think Lautier writes up in Bristol if I remember for the Bristol Press and covers the Wolfpack now. You may be able to write Jack there.

Thanks bigjack and Schultz. I will look on E-bay or try and get ahold of Lautier.

Bob Plager wrote a book called tales from the Blues Bench which was a collection of Stories in his life in Hockey which is very cool and it is still out there. I met him at a camp for the Worcester Ice Cats and got to BS with him for an hour or so and he said that there might be a vol 2.

[kingcobrafan]

Originally Posted by Blues 34

Bob Plager wrote a book called tales from the Blues Bench which was a collection of Stories in his life in Hockey which is very cool and it is still out there. I met him at a camp for the Worcester Ice Cats and got to BS with him for an hour or so and he said that there might be a vol 2.

Geez, could that guy throw a hip check or what? I can only imagine how good his book is.

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by kingcobrafan

Geez, could that guy throw a hip check or what? I can only imagine how good his book is.

I'd like to buy that book and yes a lost art in today's game.
Keep your head up with Bob Baun, Brian Glennie, Brad Park, Ron Harris, Doug Jarrett, Fred Barrett, Leo Boivin, Denis Potvin, Bob Gassoff, Barc the Spark, and of course Bobby Plager.
Barry Beck and Jeff Beukeboom threw monster body checks but not hip checks.