What happens when a major league pro sports team leaves a city? The Hartford Whalers left on April 13, 1997 leaving behind devastated fans. The players left, too except one who stayed and suffered like the fans.

Tiger Burns is an unlikely hero even for a hobbit-sized, smash-faced, hockey goon with 600 fights. Standing 5 3, with one-eye, cauliflower ears, and a full-rigged ship tattoo on his chest, his most unusual feature is this: he loves Hartford and its team, the Whalers. In a league where players date super models, ice princesses and Miss Americas, he is a misfit. But in a league of...