Which NHL team relocated from Hartford to become the Carolina Hurricanes?

The Hartford Whalers relocated from Hartford, Connecticut, to North Carolina and became the Carolina Hurricanes. The move took place in 1997, after the franchise completed its final NHL season in Hartford.

The organization began as the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association in 1972. It moved to Hartford in 1974 and joined the NHL in 1979, adopting the Hartford Whalers name. The team struggled with attendance, arena limitations, and financial pressures, eventually leading owner Peter Karmanos to pursue relocation.

The franchise initially played in Greensboro while a new arena was being prepared in Raleigh. It became the Carolina Hurricanes and later won the 2006 Stanley Cup. The change is sometimes confused with other NHL relocations: the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche, while the Atlanta Thrashers became the modern Winnipeg Jets. The Hurricanes retained several Whalers connections, including team records and elements of the old organization.