1988–89 Hartford Whalers season

National Hockey League team season March 2026 August 2020 NHL 1988–89 1988 Hartford Whalers Adams 4th Wales 8th 37–38–5 21–17–2 16–21–3 299 290 Emile Francis Larry Pleau Ron Francis Kevin Dineen Dave Tippett Joel Quenneville Hartford Civic Center 13,821 (90.8%)https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph.php?tmi=6045 Hartford Whalers Yearly Attendance Graph hockeydb.com Binghamton Whalers (AHL) Indianapolis Ice (IHL) Kevin Dineen (45) Ron Francis (48) Kevin Dineen (89) Ulf Samuelsson (+23) Ulf Samuelsson (181) Peter Sidorkiewicz (22) Peter Sidorkiewicz (3.03) The 1988–89 Hartford Whalers season saw the team finish in fourth place in the Adams Division with a record of 37 wins, 38 losses, and 5 ties for 79 points. They were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in four straight games in the Division Semi-finals. 2 Off-season On June 11, 1988, the 1988 NHL entry draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. With their first round draft pick, the Whalers selected left winger Chris Govedaris from the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey League. Govedaris scored 42 goals and 80 points in 69 games with the Marlboros during the 1987–88 season. With their second round selection, Hartford selected Barry Richter from the Culver Military Academy, where he scored 24 goals and 53 points in 35 games. At the 1988 NHL supplemental draft, the Whalers selected Todd Krygier from the University of Connecticut. In 27 games with the Huskies, Krygier scored 32 goals and 71 points to lead the team in scoring. Following his season with Connecticut, Krygier signed with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League, where he scored a goal and six points in 13 games during the 1987–88 season. The Whalers signed Bob Bodak as a free agent on July 1. Bobak appeared in three games with the Calgary Flames during the 1987–88, earning no points and 22 penalty minutes. He played a majority of the season with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL, where in 44 games, Bobak scored 12 goals and 22 points. On July 6, the Whalers acquired Grant Jennings and Ed Kastelic from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Neil Sheehy and Mike Millar. Jennings appeared in one post-season game with the Capitals, earning no points. He spent the rest of the season with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League, where he scored two goals and 14 points in 56 games during the 1987–88. Kastelic scored one goal in 35 games with the Capitals during the 1987–88 season. On August 3, Hartford signed free agent Al Tuer. Tuer appeared in six games with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1987–88 season, scoring one goal. In 68 games with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL, Tuer scored two goals and 17 points, while racking up 303 penalty minutes. The Whalers also signed Larry Trader, who scored two goals and six points in 30 games with the Montreal Canadiens during 1987–88. At the waiver draft held on October 3, the Whalers lost Stew Gavin and Tom Martin to the Minnesota North Stars. Draft picks Hartford's selections at the 1988 NHL entry draft: Pick # Player PositionNationality College/junior/club team 11 Chris Govedaris Left wing Canada Toronto Marlboros (OHL) 32 Barry Richter Defense United States Culver Military Academy (USHS-IN) 74 Dean Dyer Center Canada Lake Superior State University (CCHA) 95 Scott Morrow Left wing United States Northwood School (USHS-NY) 116 Corey Beaulieu Left wing United States Northwood School (USHS-NY) 137 Kerry Russell Center Canada Michigan State University (CCHA) 158 Jim Burke DefenseUnited States University of Maine (Hockey East) 179 Mark Hirth Center United States Michigan State University (CCHA) 200 Wayde Bucsis Left wingCanada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) 221 Rob White Defense Canada St. Lawrence University (ECAC Hockey) 242 Dan Slatalla Center United States Deerfield Academy (USHS-MA)S Todd Krygier Left wing United States University of Connecticut (ECAC East) Regular season The Whalers finished the regular season with the fewest short-handed goals scored (3) and the most short-handed goals allowed (18).https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1989.html 1988-89 NHL Summary Final standings HAR Record vs. opponents HFD Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 5px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 5px solid; 1988–89 regular season1988-89 Hartford Whalers Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/HAR/1989_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 18, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; October Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |1||L||October 6, 1988||2–5 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||0–1–0 |- |2||L||October 8, 1988||2–6 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||0–2–0 |- |3||L||October 9, 1988||1–3 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||0–3–0 |- |4||W||October 12, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||1–3–0 |- |5||W||October 15, 1988||7–5 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||2–3–0 |- |6||L||October 19, 1988||4–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||2–4–0 |- |7||W||October 22, 1988||8–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||3–4–0 |- |8||W||October 26, 1988||7–1 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||4–4–0 |- |9||L||October 28, 1988||3–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||4–5–0 |- |10||W||October 29, 1988||3–0 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||5–5–0 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; November Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |11||L||November 1, 1988||3–5 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||5–6–0 |- |12||W||November 3, 1988||5–3 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||6–6–0 |- |13||L||November 5, 1988||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||6–7–0 |- |14||L||November 7, 1988||3–6 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||6–8–0 |- |15||T||November 9, 1988||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||6–8–1 |- |16||L||November 10, 1988||2–7 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||6–9–1 |- |17||W||November 12, 1988||3–1 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||7–9–1 |- |18||L||November 16, 1988||3–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||7–10–1 |- |19||L||November 18, 1988||2–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) ||7–11–1 |- |20||L||November 19, 1988||2–5 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||7–12–1 |- |21||W||November 23, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||8–12–1 |- |22||W||November 26, 1988||4–2 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||9–12–1 |- |23||L||November 30, 1988||3–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||9–13–1 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; December Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |24||W||December 2, 1988||6–1 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||10–13–1 |- |25||L||December 3, 1988||2–4 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||10–14–1 |- |26||W||December 6, 1988||9–0 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||11–14–1 |- |27||W||December 8, 1988||5–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1988–89) ||12–14–1 |- |28||W||December 10, 1988||4–1 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||13–14–1 |- |29||L||December 14, 1988||3–4 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||13–15–1 |- |30||T||December 15, 1988||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||13–15–2 |- |31||L||December 17, 1988||2–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||13–16–2 |- |32||L||December 19, 1988||1–2 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||13–17–2 |- |33||L||December 21, 1988||3–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||13–18–2 |- |34||L||December 23, 1988||4–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||13–19–2 |- |35||L||December 26, 1988||3–4 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||13–20–2 |- |36||T||December 28, 1988||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||13–20–3 |- |37||W||December 30, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||14–20–3 |- |38||W||December 31, 1988||3–2 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||15–20–3 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; January Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |39||L||January 2, 1989||4–5 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||15–21–3 |- |40||W||January 4, 1989||5–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||16–21–3 |- |41||W||January 10, 1989||2–1 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||17–21–3 |- |42||L||January 14, 1989||6–9 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||17–22–3 |- |43||L||January 16, 1989||3–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||17–23–3 |- |44||L||January 18, 1989||1–3 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||17–24–3 |- |45||W||January 19, 1989||6–4 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||18–24–3 |- |46||W||January 21, 1989||5–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||19–24–3 |- |47||W||January 23, 1989||5–0 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||20–24–3 |- |48||T||January 25, 1989||3–3 OT|| align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||20–24–4 |- |49||W||January 27, 1989||8–6 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||21–24–4 |- |50||L||January 28, 1989||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||21–25–4 |- |51||L||January 31, 1989||3–5 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||21–26–4 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; February Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |52||L||February 3, 1989||0–1 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) ||21–27–4 |- |53||L||February 4, 1989||3–5 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||21–28–4 |- |54||W||February 9, 1989||5–2 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||22–28–4 |- |55||W||February 11, 1989||7–3 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||23–28–4 |- |56||W||February 15, 1989||4–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||24–28–4 |- |57||W||February 18, 1989||4–3 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||25–28–4 |- |58||L||February 19, 1989||6–7 OT|| align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||25–29–4 |- |59||L||February 21, 1989||4–7 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||25–30–4 |- |60||W||February 23, 1989||4–2 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||26–30–4 |- |61||L||February 25, 1989||1–9 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||26–31–4 |- |62||W||February 26, 1989||8–6 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||27–31–4 |- |63||W||February 28, 1989||3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||28–31–4 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; March Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |64||W||March 2, 1989||2–1 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||29–31–4 |- |65||L||March 4, 1989||1–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||29–32–4 |- |66||W||March 5, 1989||3–0 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||30–32–4 |- |67||W||March 8, 1989||7–3 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||31–32–4 |- |68||L||March 11, 1989||3–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||31–33–4 |- |69||T||March 12, 1989||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||31–33–5 |- |70||W||March 14, 1989||8–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1988–89) ||32–33–5 |- |71||L||March 16, 1989||1–6 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||32–34–5 |- |72||L||March 18, 1989||2–8 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1988–89) ||32–35–5 |- |73||W||March 19, 1989||3–2 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||33–35–5 |- |74||W||March 22, 1989||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||34–35–5 |- |75||L||March 23, 1989||3–6 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||34–36–5 |- |76||W||March 25, 1989||4–0 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||35–36–5 |- |77||L||March 28, 1989||2–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||35–37–5 |- |78||W||March 30, 1989||9–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||36–37–5 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid; April Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |79||W||April 1, 1989||6–1 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||37–37–5 |- |80||L||April 2, 1989||2–3 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||37–38–5 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Playoffs April 2024 Division semi-finals Canadiens 4, Whalers 0 Adams Division Semi-finals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Hartford Whalers Montreal Forum Hartford Civic Center yes April 5 2 – 6 www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/198904050MTL.html 1 1 12:09 – pp – Keane (1) – (Svoboda, Chelios) 16:24 – Smith (1) – (Svoboda) Ferraro (1) – (MacDermid, Babych) – 14:59 3:59 – sh – Walter (1) – (Carbonneau) Young (1) – (Peterson, Quenneville) – 16:55 6:25 – McPhee (1) – (Skrudland, Svoboda) 8:02 – pp – Näslund (1) – (Smith) 17:50 – Skrudland (1) – (McPhee) No scoring Roy (1-0) (25 saves / 27 shots) Whitmore (0-1) (27 saves / 33 shots) April 6 2 – 3 www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/198904060MTL.html 1 1 No scoring No scoring 0:36 – Skrudland (2) – (Green, McPhee) 17:02 – pp – Smith (2) – (Näslund, Svoboda) 18:25 – McPhee (2) – (Gilchrist, Carbonneau) No scoring No scoring Young (2) – (Quenneville, Turgeon) – 7:03 MacDermid (1) – (Anderson, Samuelsson) – 14:10 Roy (2-0) (27 saves / 29 shots) Sidorkiewicz (0-1) (14 saves / 17 shots) April 8 5 – 4 1 www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/198904080HAR.html 2 1 No scoring 17:00 – pp – Jennings (1) – (Francis, Babych) Smith (3) – (Näslund, Chelios) – 10:47 0:56 – Dineen (1) – (Evason, Quenneville) Courtnall (1) – (Carbonneau) – 4:10 Durfresne (1) – (Courtnall, Carbonneau) – 4:38 Carbonneau (1) – (Unassisted) – 15:28 12:52 – sh – Evason (1) – (Tippett, Samuelsson) 15:54 – Shaw (1) – (Babych, Turgeon) Richer (1) – (Skrudland, Corson) – 5:01 No scoring Hayward (1-0) (23 saves / 27 shots) Sidorkiewicz (0-2) (23 saves / 28 shots) April 9 4 – 3 1 www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/198904090HAR.html 2 1 No scoring 19:04 – Ferraro (2) – (Babych) Näslund (2) – (Smith, Keane) – 1:59 Richer (2) – (Walter) – 7:08 No scoring Smith (4) – pp – (Svoboda) – 2:56 5:29 – Babych (1) – (Côté, Evason) 14:55 – Lawton (1) – (Francis, Babych) Russ Courtnall (2) – (Unassisted) – 15:12 No scoring Roy (3-0) (43 saves / 46 shots) Whitmore (0-2) (36 saves / 40 shots) Montreal wins series 4 – 0 Player statistics Forwards Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points Player GP G AST PTS PIM Kevin Dineen 79 45 44 89 167 Ron Francis 69 29 48 77 36 Ray Ferraro 80 41 35 76 86 Scott Young 76 19 40 59 27 Paul MacDermid 74 17 27 44 141 Dave Tippett 80 17 24 41 45 John Anderson 62 16 24 40 28 Jody Hull 60 16 18 34 10 Sylvain Turgeon 42 16 14 30 40 Dean Evason 67 11 17 28 60 Brian Lawton 35 10 16 26 28 Carey Wilson 34 11 11 22 14 Brent Peterson 66 4 13 17 61 Don Maloney 21 3 11 14 23 Tom Martin 38 7 6 13 113 Torrie Robertson 27 2 4 6 84 Ed Kastelic 10 0 2 2 15 Mark Reeds 7 0 2 2 6 Dallas Gaume 4 1 1 2 0 Terry Yake 2 0 0 0 0 Jim Thomson 5 0 0 0 14 Defensemen Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points Player GP G AST PTS PIM Dave Babych 70 6 41 47 54 Ulf Samuelsson 71 9 26 35 181 Norm Maciver 37 1 22 23 24 Sylvain Côté 78 8 9 17 49 Grant Jennings 55 3 10 13 159 Joel Quenneville 69 4 7 11 32 Randy Ladouceur 75 2 5 7 95 Brad Shaw 3 1 0 1 0 Scot Kleinendorst 24 0 1 1 36 Al Tuer 4 0 0 0 23 Adam Burt 5 0 0 0 6 Jim Pavese 5 0 0 0 5 Goaltending Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Player GP W L T SO GAA Peter Sidorkiewicz 44 22 18 4 4 3.03 Mike Liut 35 13 19 1 1 4.25 Kay Whitmore 3 2 1 0 0 3.33 1988-89 Hartford Whalers at Hockey Reference Awards and records Peter Sidorkiewicz, Goaltender, NHL First All-Rookie Team 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game Kevin Dineen, Reserve, Prince of Wales Conference Transactions The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1988–89 season. Trades July 6, 1988To Washington CapitalsNeil Sheehy Mike MillarTo Hartford WhalersGrant Jennings Ed Kastelic October 6, 1988To Chicago BlackhawksFuture ConsiderationsTo Hartford WhalersMark LaVarre December 26, 1988To New York RangersCarey Wilson 5th round pick in 1990 – Lubos RobTo Hartford WhalersBrian Lawton Don Maloney Norm Maciver March 6, 1989To Washington CapitalsScot KleinendorstTo Hartford WhalersJim Thomson March 7, 1989To Detroit Red WingsTorrie RobertsonTo Hartford WhalersJim Pavese Waivers October 3, 1988To Minnesota North StarsStew Gavin October 3, 1988To Minnesota North StarsTom Martin December 1, 1988From Minnesota North StarsTom Martin Free agents Player Former team Mike Tomlak University of Western Ontario (OUAA) Ross McKay University of Saskatchewan (CWUAA) Bob Bodak Calgary Flames Al Tuer Minnesota North Stars Larry Trader Montreal Canadiens Chris Lindberg University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) Player New team Gord Sherven Sportbund DJK Rosenheim (Germany) Mike McEwen EHC Olten (Switzerland) Shawn Cronin Washington Capitals References Category:Hartford Whalers seasons Hart Hartford Hartford Category:1980s in Hartford, Connecticut