Longtime former Hartford Whalers star Kevin Dineen announced Sunday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The 62-year-old former Whalers captain made the announcement on social media.
“This Thanksgiving feels a bit different. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has put a lot into perspective, most of all how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many supportive family and friends,” Dineen wrote. “As #HockeyFightsCancer Month comes to an end, I wanted to share my news because hockey has taught me that no fight is faced alone. For anyone out there battling something heavy—whether it’s cancer or another fight entirely—I want you to know you are not alone.”
This Thanksgiving feels a bit different. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has put a lot into perspective, most of all how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many supportive family and friends. #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/IDnrUjl74T
— Kevin Dineen (@kdino9) November 30, 2025
Dineen is one of the most popular players in Whalers history, and his number 11 is one of six that hangs from the rafters at PeoplesBank Arena. He also had roots to the franchise and Connecticut even before joining the team, as his father Bill coached the franchise (still named the New England Whalers) during the 1978-79 season.
Kevin lived in Glastonbury and attended Glastonbury High during that season, playing for the hockey team.
He was drafted by the Whalers in the third round of the 1982 NHL Draft, and would go on to play 12 seasons in Hartford, from 1984-92 and again from ’95-97. Dineen served as Whalers captain during the team’s final years of existence, and he scored the final goal in Whalers history– a wrister from out in front of the net that would prove the final margin of victory in their last game against Tampa Bay, a 2-1 win. Dineen also gave an emotional address to the crowd after the game, as thousands of fans hung around one last time to show their appreciation for their team.
Dineen scored 250 goals and amassed 544 points in a Hartford uniform, and was named an All-Star twice. He played 19 years in the NHL in total, also spending time with Philadelphia, Ottawa and Columbus, and playing for Carolina after the Whalers’ move. Like his father, he would go on to become a head coach, leading the Florida Panthers from 2011-13, and Chicago Blackhawks from 2014-18.
His wife Annie is from the Hartford area. The two have four children together.