Hartford Whalers Documentary Comes to SHU Community Theatre

The Whalers is a documentary film about one of Connecticut’s most beloved sports teams. The film explores the rise of the team, along with the impact and community the Whalers created in Hartford and Connecticut. The documentary is produced the School of Communication, Media & the Arts at Sacred Heart University and based on the book of the same title by SHU Alum and sportswriter Pat Pickens. Pat is one of the co-directors of the film and several SHU students played major roles in the film’s production. Prior to the show, guests are encouraged to attend the pre-show concert by The Zambonis. The Zambonis are a Connecticut-based indie-rock band that have a unique catalog of songs exclusively about ice hockey. Following the film a spirited Q&A with the filmmakers will be held.

Moderator:

Geno Gonnello is a creative producer and on-air talent for Sports Illustrated who graduated from Scared Heart’s communication program in 2017 and the graduate program in 2019. In his time in the media industry before Sport Illustrated, he worked as a reporter and anchor for News 12 and worked on “Catch 98”, a documentary that aired on ESPN and SEC Network about famous women’s basketball player Tamika Catchings.
Panelists:

Pat Pickens is a seasoned sportswriter and storyteller who is the author of the 2021 nonfiction book “The Whalers.” Pat’s work has been published in The New York Times, NHL.com, Associated Press and many others
Tal Pinchevsky is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who previously worked as a national sportswriter with the New York Times, ESPN, the Wall Street Journal and NHL.com. His book, “Breakaway,” was published in 2013 and acquired by Harper Collins. After serving as a regular contributor to NPR’s national sports show, “More Than A Game,” he began working across multiple platforms with a variety of partners ranging from iHeart to Ventureland to the National Hockey League to TSN to ESPN.

SPONSOR: The SHU Community Theatre

TICKETS: Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from this link.

PRESS: Media coverage is welcomed. Please contact Deb Noack at 203-396-8483 or noackd@sacredheart.edu for further information.

About Sacred Heart University

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu