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G R E AT E R H A R T F O R D ' S B U S I N E S S N E W S w w w. H a r t f o rd B u s i n e s s . c o m For more B2B news visit APRIL 13, 2015 Volume 23, Number 20 $3.00 Subscribe online J U N E 4 T H H A R T F O R D For more info: www.CTBEXPO.com Index ■ Reporter's Notebook: PG. 5 ■ Week in Review: PG. 6 ■ The List: PG. 10 ■ Deal Watch: PG. 12 ■ Corporate Profile: PG. 17 ■ Opinion & Commentary: PG. 20 FOCUS: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Promoting Ridership Businesses and colleges will need to a play a significant role if Greater Hartford's new busway transit system is going to be a long-term success. PG. 8 Bunker Mentality Find out what strategies Connecticut golf courses are employing to boost business amid bad weather and declining membership. PG. 3 18 years after departure, Hartford Whalers brand still a money maker By Debra Rughoo Special to the Hartford Business Journal T he Hartford Whalers left town about 18 years ago but the team's ageless logo is still proving to be a money maker. In fact, Whalers merchandise, including hats, sweatshirts and jerseys, still has a cult following not only among fans in Connecticut but around the country. Retailers in and out- side the state are still peddling the team's para- phernalia, drawing customers and revenues. Whalers gear is currently Reebok's top selling non-current, or defunct, NHL hockey team, a company exec- utive said. Even celebrities and athletes still dawn Whalers gear: rapper Snoop Dogg appeared on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" wearing a blue Whalers cardigan; actress Megan Fox was seen sporting a white "Property of Continued on page 16 Bristol Hospital links arms with Yale after Tenet deal evaporates By Matt Pilon mpilon@HartfordBusiness.com A fter spending two years jockeying to be acquired by one of the U.S.'s largest for-profit hospital operators, Bristol Hospi- tal now thinks it can buck a national and statewide trend by remaining an independent community healthcare provider. But that doesn't mean the 154-bed, $138 million hospital will move forward without a dance partner. A key piece of the hospital's strategy, CEO Kurt Barwis said in a recent interview, is building out its fledgling partnership with Yale New Haven Health System, which could eventually include mem- bership in a statewide integrated healthcare network Yale hopes to launch by the end of 2016. Even with a prestigious partner, however, the road to indepen- dence won't be easily traveled. PRESERVING INDEPENDENCE Continued on page 14 Pictured in his office with board chairman John Leone, Bristol Hospital CEO Kurt A. Barwis (foreground) says he is convinced the independent hospital business model can succeed in Connecticut. P H O T O | S T E V E L A S C H E V E R P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D