2023-06-12 15:27:19
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont took advantage of the Arizona Coyotes’ setbacks to encourage a return of the Hartford Whalers.
In an interview with the News 8 WTNH network, the politician revealed that he contacted National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman to inform him that he had set up a group of investors ready to buy the Youtes.
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“I’m working hard on it,” Lamont said. I spoke with Gary Bettman. Currently, the Coyotes have no place to play on a permanent basis. So they are trying to find a solution. Connecticut is definitely on their radar. We love hockey here.”
“There are a lot of ideas in the air,” he added of his conversation with the commissioner. I had to tell him that this place is enthusiastic regarding hockey. They won’t have to subsidize this team, people will love it.”
The future of the Coyotes in Arizona took a beating in May, when the people of Tempe rejected, in a referendum, the proposed plan for the development of a new district which was to include a new arena for the NHL club.
Prove themselves
Founded in 1972, the Whalers played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) until 1979 and then joined the NHL. The franchise moved to Raleigh and became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997.
Connecticut will have to do its homework to find an NHL team, according to Lamont.
“We’re going to have to prove ourselves,” he said. We’re going to have to show that we can sell the luxury suites, we’re going to have to show that we have a group of buyers if they want to make a change. We also need to prove that we’re ready to upgrade the XL Center to make sure it’s NHL ready. I think we can do those three things.”
In addition, the governor recalled that his administration already had a project worth $80 million to redevelop the XL Center. He said, however, that this one is not enough to attract the Bettman circuit.
“It’s enough to start, it’s enough to build basic luxury suites. To reach NHL standards, it would cost a lot more.”
Currently, the sports hall located in Hartford can accommodate up to 16,294 spectators. This is where Wolf Park is located, the New York Rangers’ farm club in the American Hockey League.
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