Whalers Hockey Alumni Celebrated at Hartford Baseball Stadium

The Hartford Yard Goats’ seventh annual Whalers Alumni Weekend offers fans two chances to meet nearly two dozen former players.

Jul 24, 2024 7:36am EDT | Updated Jul 24, 2024 7:43am EDT

HARTFORD, CT — For the seventh straight summer, the sounds of “Brass Bonanza” will echo through the capital city as the Hartford Yard Goats host nearly two dozen former New England/Hartford Whalers hockey players and special guests during the annual Whalers Alumni Weekend at Dunkin’ Park.

Two-time NHL All-Star and team captain Kevin Dineen, who scored the last goal in Whalers history in 1997, returns for the second straight year for the festivities. He’ll be joined by debutants Joel Quenneville, Kent Manderville, Archie Henderson and Stewart Gavin.

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Other former players set to appear include WHA Hall of Famer Andre Lacroix, Wayne Babych, Norm Barnes, Bill Bennett, Jeff Brubaker, Yvon Corriveau, Bob Crawford, Scott Daniels, Dan Fridgen, Mark Janssens, David Jensen, Paul Lawless and Gerry McDonald. Special guests include Foster Hewitt Memorial Award-winning broadcaster Chuck Kaiton, former Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins star Mike Corrigan, and former minor league player Mark Bousquet, who memorably played Andre “Poodle” Lussier in the classic Paul Newman hockey film, “Slap Shot.”

“It’s always a fun weekend to see friends and fans,” Bousquet told Patch. “The Yard Goats organization always treats us players with such respect. Such a class act celebrating Old Time Hockey.”

The alumni will be on hand for a luncheon on Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can mingle with former ice stars, get autographs, participate in on-field batting practice, and receive a limited edition poster. Proceeds will benefit the Yard Goats Foundation.

Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased on the Yard Goats website, www.yardgoatsbaseball.com.

Prior to the Yard Goats’ game against the Harrisburg Senators on Saturday, the former Whalers will be signing autographs on the stadium’s concourse. Gates open at 4 p.m., and the game is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday, the Yard Goats will take the field in specially designed hockey-style jersey uniforms. Friday’s game starts at 7:10 p.m.

You can buy tickets for the match here.