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HARTFORD GAZETTE
Hartford - City Police had to break up a small protest outside Hartford Grizzlies Stadium this afternoon. About 75 fans came out to protest the direction the team is heading.
"We haven't even made the playoffs since we won the title. And that was back in 2009, seven years ago," said disgruntled fan Sean McGee. "We want some change around here and we want it now!"
The Grizzlies made a change in the front office this off-season, bringing in a new General Manager. But that is not enough for these die-hard faithful.
"This team has been around for 14 years. Do you know how many times they've been to the playoffs? Three. Three?!? That's unacceptable," stated Tyler Dupis. "When I hear the name Grizzlies, I think loser."
Dupis started a Facebook petition to change the name of the team. Dupis, a long time hockey fan, has been contacting whoever he can in an attempt to bring back his beloved franchise, the Hartford Whalers. "I've been trying to bring back the Whalers since they left in '97. I've given up on the NHL but this team can do the right thing and get rid of the name 'Grizzlies' and bring back the Whalers."
Are the Whalers making a return?
The Hartford Whalers move in 1997 to Carolina and became the Hurricanes. Many fans have been trying to "bring back the Whale" ever since. "If we can't have the Whalers in the NHL, we want them in the IFL," said Dupis.
Team ownership, via press release, stated the date to attempt to change a team name for this season has already passed, per IFL rules. If the fans want the name changed, they should contact team officials to make their demands.
Hartford - City Police had to break up a small protest outside Hartford Grizzlies Stadium this afternoon. About 75 fans came out to protest the direction the team is heading.
"We haven't even made the playoffs since we won the title. And that was back in 2009, seven years ago," said disgruntled fan Sean McGee. "We want some change around here and we want it now!"
The Grizzlies made a change in the front office this off-season, bringing in a new General Manager. But that is not enough for these die-hard faithful.
"This team has been around for 14 years. Do you know how many times they've been to the playoffs? Three. Three?!? That's unacceptable," stated Tyler Dupis. "When I hear the name Grizzlies, I think loser."
Dupis started a Facebook petition to change the name of the team. Dupis, a long time hockey fan, has been contacting whoever he can in an attempt to bring back his beloved franchise, the Hartford Whalers. "I've been trying to bring back the Whalers since they left in '97. I've given up on the NHL but this team can do the right thing and get rid of the name 'Grizzlies' and bring back the Whalers."
Are the Whalers making a return?
The Hartford Whalers move in 1997 to Carolina and became the Hurricanes. Many fans have been trying to "bring back the Whale" ever since. "If we can't have the Whalers in the NHL, we want them in the IFL," said Dupis.
Team ownership, via press release, stated the date to attempt to change a team name for this season has already passed, per IFL rules. If the fans want the name changed, they should contact team officials to make their demands.
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