The Danbury Whalers and TK's American Cafe in Danbury are proud to announce that on Saturday, February 21st at 7:35 pm when the Danbury Whalers take on the Watertown Wolves it will be the teams 4th Annual Tribute to New Hockey.

The night is officially named the Kevin Tennyson New Haven Hockey Night – sponsored by TK’s American Café.  This is in tribute to a Danbury Whalers off-ice official who passed away this off-season.

The night will be about paying tribute to the 76 years (1926-2002) of professional hockey history in the City of New Haven.

The Danbury Whalers will wear throwback New Haven Knights jerseys for that night’s game. The jerseys will be auctioned off and signed by the players. The jersey to be worn will have the purple, silver, & black look of the Knights from the 2000-2002 season.  The base color of the jersey is white.

The jersey will also feature a KT patch in honor of Kevin Tennyson.

A special jersey has been added – Danbury Whalers Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations Phil Esposito played for the Knights in the 2000-01 season.  His #44 replica jersey will be included in the team auction.

On Kevin Tennyson:

The following are excerpts from the Danbury Whalers press release following Kevin’s passing on September 14th

Hockey was such a big part of Kevin’s life.  He went to his first New Haven Nighthawks game around 1975 and fell in love with the sport.  The New Haven Coliseum and its atmosphere had captured him forever.   Kevin collected many items of memorabilia and had developed a New Haven Hockey Museum. 

Kevin had so much love and pride for New Haven Hockey and its history.  So much that he co-authored a book on that subject with his dear friend Heather Bernardi.

In the Danbury Whalers second season, along with Tom Kennedy of TK’s American Café we put together a New Haven Hockey Tribute Night.  Kevin was a big part of that event.  He offered information, contacts, his museum, his keepsakes, everything.  The night and the ones in follow up seasons would not have been as successful if not for Kevin’s assistance. 

While Kevin lived in North Haven, he made the trip weekly to Danbury to work for the Whalers.  He was dedicated to his craft.  Hockey and his friends was something he would never give up regardless of the distance traveled.

While technically a neutral objective part of the game in his role as a statistician, Kevin was a huge fan of New Haven resident, Danbury Whalers Head Coach – Phil Esposito.  It was often joked by his friend and fellow statistician Joe Chippeo,that Kevin was the President of the Espo fan club.

TK’s American Café in Danbury is the sponsor of the night and the postgame party following will be at TK’s.  Owner, Tom Kennedy commented, “What New Haven means to me is immeasurable.  We got our start there.  We met so many fans there.  It’s special to recognize New Haven.

If you are a fan of New Haven Hockey this is a night you won’t want to miss.  Last year was pretty good.  If you have any thoughts and ideas on how we can make this night better, contact Herm Sorcher at 973-713-7547 or email hsorcher@thedanburywhalers.com