HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The former owner of the Hartford Whalers says he and the NHL’s New York Rangers are ending their marketing agreement for the Connecticut Whale minor league hockey team.
Howard Baldwin’s partnership took over marketing and other operations of the American Hockey League franchise in Hartford in 2010. He also changed the name from the Hartford Wolf Pack to the Connecticut Whale.
Baldwin said in a statement Tuesday evening that he and the Rangers agreed to end their deal. He cited high operational costs and fixed expenses but didn’t elaborate.
The Rangers would resume operating the team.
Baldwin has been trying to convince the NHL that the city deserves a big league team. The Whalers left town in 1997 to become the Carolina Hurricanes.
Rangers’ officials didn’t immediately return messages Wednesday.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
