In Hartford, Whalers are gone but fan support lives on

Steve Miller/Associated Press

The Hartford Whalers played their final game in Hartford, Conn., on April 13, 1997, after an 18-year run in that city.

Richard Mei/Associated Press

Whalers captain Kevin Dineen addressed the fans after the team's final game at the Hartford Civic Center.

Bob Child/Associated Press

Goalie Sean Burke and the Whalers went out winners, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in their final game in Hartford.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

In 18 seasons from 1979 to 1997, the Whalers went 534-709-177, including countless battles against their regional rivals from Boston.

Richard Mei/Associated Press

Peter Karmanos bought the Whalers in 1994 for $47.4 million.

Kevin Dupont/Globe Staff

The Hartford Wolf Pack, an AHL franchise in the New York Rangers' organization, began playing in Hartford in 1997.

Christopher Capozziello/New York Times

Howard Baldwin, a former owner of the Hartford Whalers, took control of the Wolf Pack franchise in 2010 and ran the team as the Connecticut Whale until 2013.

Kevin Paul Dupont/Globe Staff

The building once known as the Hartford Civic Center is now called the XL Center.

Kevin Paul Dupont

The Whalers were often derided for playing "in a mall" because the entrances to the Hartford Civic Center were surrounded by shops and restaurants. Today, many are closed and the place is quiet when not hosting events.

Mike Townsend/Fox CT

While the Whalers have been gone for more than a decade, merchandise with the team's logo remains available and popular.

The Connecticut Lottery even sells a Hartford Whalers scratch ticket.

Stephen Dunn/Hartford Courant

A contingent of diehard fans remains in Connecticut, and rallies and reunions, including this one in 2010, are held on a regular basis.