The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. In 1997, the Whalers franchise was moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where it became the Carolina Hurricanes.

Most reggae fans will recognize the name, "The Wailers."

The Wailers are probably the most well known reggae band in the world. Formed as a ska, rocksteady and reggae group in Kingston, Jamaica in 1963, the original lineup consisted of Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, Bunny Livingston (aka Bunny Wailer), Bob Marley, Peter McIntosh (aka Peter Tosh), and Cherry Smith. Braithwaite, Kelso, and Smith departed by 1966, leaving the trio of Livingston, Marley, and McIntosh. In the early 1970s, a rhythm section consisting of the Barrett brothers Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Carlton (Carlie) Barrett was added to the Wailers.

Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh no longer wanted to tour (for their own reasons) and the original Wailers broke up in 1974, with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh going on to pursue successful solo careers. At this point, Island Records president Chris Blackwell decided to market Bob Marley as a rock&roll band, and the name was changed to "Bob Marley & The Wailers".

The Wailers Band was the backing band for Bob Marley from 1974 until his death in 1981.

OUR TEAM CREST

Just as our Wailers name is a play on the Hartford Whalers with a nod to our reggae theme, our team crest brings together elements from the Hartford Whalers as well as our brother team, Team Rasta.

The interlocking W and H, which of course stand for "Wailers Hockey", are culled from the old Hartford Whalers logo:

First off, we have changed the green, white and blue of the Whalers to more appropriate red, gold and green, the colors that represent Rastafarian culture.

Secondly, we have replaced the whale's tale with our Team Rasta "Lion Stick" logo, emblazoned over the sun rays that can also be found in the Team Rasta crest.