1995-96 Regular Season Whalers vs. London Knights The Detroit Whalers were in their sixth season of operation in 1995-96. The team, called the Detroit Jr. Red Wings from 1992-95, was coming off an OHL championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup Finals. However, Jr. Red Wings were evicted from Joe Louis Arena. Owner Peter Karmanos had the team play in two home arenas for the 1995-96 season: 250-seat Oak Park Arena and the 20,804-seat Palace of Auburn Hills, while construction of a new arena in Plymouth was ongoing. The team was renamed "Detroit Whalers", after the NHL's Hartford Whalers, which Karmanos also owned. Peter DeBoer replaced Paul Maurice as general manager and head coach (who was hired as Whalers coach that offseason). The Whalers finished in first place in the OHL's Western Division, with a 40-22-4 record. Their 84 points were just two points ahead of second place Sarnia and 3 ahead of third place Sault Ste. Marie, but 11 points ...