FROM THE CREASE with BRUCE BERLET 

By Bruce Berlet

PORTLAND, Maine – A week ago Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., Carl Hagelin experienced the biggest bummer of his hockey life.

Saturday night at Cumberland County Civic Center, Hagelin began “the next chapter of my life” while trying to put the aftereffects of the University of Michigan’s 3-2 overtime loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA championship game in his rear-view mirror.

The former Wolverines’ captain will make his pro debut with the Connecticut Whale in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division semifinal series against the Portland Pirates. The 22-year-old Hagelin from Sodertalje, Sweden, watched the Whale’s 3-2 loss Thursday night, but after a third practice with his new team, coach Ken Gernander had a five-minute chalk talk with him after the morning skate and decided to have the speedy left wing replace rugged Justin Soryal on a line with Ryan Garlock and Kelsey Tessier.

“He’s got pretty good speed, and I’m told he’s someone who can kill penalties, which has been an important factor, so hopefully he can help us out in that regard,” Gernander said, alluding to the Whale allowing two power-play goals against in Game 1.

Gernander said he had the post-practice discussion with Hagelin just to go over a few details of the Whale’s system.

“Everybody plays things a little bit differently,” said Gernander, who also had a video session with the team before the optional morning skate that most veterans skipped. “It’s been practice (for Hagelin), so we’ll see how he does in a game. But if he uses his speed and works at it, I think he’ll be a good addition.”

Hagelin said the Whale’s system isn’t much different than it was at Michigan.

“We used to swing a lot on the breakouts and turnovers instead of stop-and-go,” he said. “So I have to get in my head that when we get the puck, you have to stop and go instead of swing toward the other side. That’s about it, other than be smart with the puck. But that’s how it is in any league.”

The excitement of his first pro game wasn’t something that Hagelin thought about four years ago.

“Coming in as a freshman (at Michigan), I didn’t really think much about playing in the pros,” Hagelin said. “I came (from Sweden) to get a good degree (sports management) and play hockey at a high level. I didn’t really know what to expect, but things worked out well, and hopefully it’s time for me to prove myself while I’m here.”

Hagelin’s first pro game ended a whirlwind week that began with the difficult loss to UMD in his collegiate swansong, three days of meetings and talks with his former teammates and coach, Red Berenson, and a meet-and-greet with the Whale players and coaches Wednesday morning at the XL Center in Hartford.

After signing an entry-level contract, the New York Rangers’ sixth-round pick in 2007 was scheduled to practice with the Whale on Wednesday. But blood work and other doings in Ann Arbor, Mich., delayed his departure, and he arrived minutes after the Whale finished practice. He immediately circled the XL Center locker room, extending his right hand to introduce himself to his new teammates.

Hagelin didn’t know any of them except injured right wing Chad Kolarik, a former teammate at Michigan.

“He texted me after he knew I was coming,” said Hagelin, who hadn’t attended any Rangers training camps because of injuries. “It’s good to have someone you know. It makes it a lot easier.”

Kolarik smiled and said, “Just wanted to make sure he was doing all right.”

Hagelin was a freshman and Kolarik the senior captain the previous time Michigan reached the NCAA Frozen Four, losing 5-4 in overtime to Notre Dame in the semifinals. The loss this year was harder for Hagelin to stomach because it was his final collegiate game.

“It was obviously devastating for days,” Hagelin said. “(Tuesday) we were looking at a video from the game, and it’s tough to see that last goal go in in overtime. I said goodbye to a lot of guys, but I’ll be going back for graduation April 28. I just said a few words to the team for next season and then had a nice chat with coach before heading to Hartford.”

Hagelin hopped on a plane in Detroit at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and arrived at the XL Center as the Whale was finishing practice and preparing to board the team bus for a three-hour ride to Portland. Kolarik gave Hagelin a quick tour of his new surroundings and had him sign for his per diem and choice of meal for the team dinner that night. Then they were part of a team lunch with some of Hagelin’s new teammates, sharing friendly jabs with goalie/Whale MVP Dov Grumet-Morris about attending and playing at Michigan and Harvard.

The 6-foot, 187-pound Hagelin is the seventh youngster to sign an amateur tryout contract with the Rangers in the last three weeks, though most still have college or junior eligibility. Hagelin had to join them at the ATO level because his entry-level contract doesn’t start until next season.

Hagelin signed after he led the Wolverines in goals (18), assists (31) and points (49) in 44 games and was named to the All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association first team and won its award for best defensive forward. His numbers were a near carbon copy of his junior year, when he had 18 goals and 32 assists in 45 games. He finished his Michigan career with 61 goals and 91 assists in 172 games as the Wolverines qualified the NCAA tournament all four seasons.

But the end came suddenly and sadly for Hagelin when Minnesota-Duluth’s Kyle Schmidt streaked down the slot, took a pass from Travis Oleksuk and scored 3:32 into extra time.

“We didn’t play our best game, might have been a little tired from (beating) North Dakota (in the semifinals),” Hagelin said. “But they got a lot of power plays (10 to the Wolverines’ five), and you get a bit more tired when you have to kill that many penalties.”

Then there was the disallowed goal only 4:20 into the game after Hagelin and Chris Brown jammed the puck away from goalie Kenny Reiter and into the net.

“(The referee) said he intended to blow the whistle, but people who watched the game said the puck was over the (goal) line when he blew it,” Hagelin said.

But Hagelin & Co. could take some satisfaction from rallying from a 9-5-4 start before the “Big Chill at the Big House Game” on Dec. 11 in which the Wolverines routed archrival Michigan State 5-0 before a record 104,173 fans, though the announced crowd of 113,411 surpassed the previous hockey record of 77,803 fans from the 2010 World Championships’ opening game at Veltins-Arena in Germany. That was about five times the AHL’s largest crowd, the 21,673 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on Feb. 19 for the Whale’s 5-4 loss to the Providence Bruins.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hagelin said of “The Big Chill” game. “We skated (in Michigan Stadium) the entire week, and then when we stepped on the ice, it was packed. And I had a lot of Swedish fans who were watching, too.”

The Wolverines closed the season on a 20-5 run, including 12 wins in 13 starts, to capture the CCHA regular-season title before the abrupt ending. Even before Hagelin’s first practice with the Whale, Kolarik was pushing for his new/old teammate’s inclusion in the lineup after watching some Wolverines games this season.

“He should get into a game,” Kolarik said. “He’ll help the team out for sure. He’s really good in his own zone and is a fast, skilled guy. He played on the second line when he was a freshman.”

“(Kolarik’s) line was a good line to look up to,” Hagelin said.

Hagelin’s teammates at Michigan also included former New Canaan High and Taft-Watertown standout Max Pacioretty, who was sidelined with a several concussion and fractured vertebrae when hit into a stanchion by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara on March 9. Pacioretty has resumed skating, but it’s unknown when he might be able to play again.

“He also was on the first line when I was a freshman,” Hagelin said. “(The Chara check) was tough to see. It was tough to see an old friend like that get hurt.”

But for now, Hagelin is trying to continue to enjoy his time with his new teammates and adhere to the advice of another “old friend.” He is rooming on the road with Kolarik, who has tried to offer as much as help as possible, on and off the ice.

“The last three days have been a lot of fun,” Hagelin said. “The guys have been really nice to me, so I feel like I’m part of the team already. I’ve talked to a lot of the guys, and Kolarik has been taking care of me really well. He has been a great friend and obviously helps a lot. He knows what’s going on and has been there before. It’s fun to be around him. He’s good friends with a lot of guys on the team, and they respect him, so if I’m around him, I’m going to be around a good guy. And he has always been a real sniper. He has got it all.”

Ironically, Kolarik has been frustrated by a hamstring injury that’s even worse than the one he sustained while at Michigan. Kolarik, acquired Nov. 11 from the Columbus Blue Jackets for former Hartford Wolf Pack left wing/captain Dane Byers while playing for the Springfield Falcons, has been skating during and after practices for several weeks but is uncertain when he might be able to return.

But with Hagelin around now, Kolarik can again be “a big brother” for someone who might become a linemate.

“I told him not to be nervous, just play hockey,” Kolarik said after his latest post-practice skate and “fun game” with the healthy scratches and assistant coach Pat Boller on Saturday morning. “You’ve got more time with the puck than you think out here, so just move his feet and play his game. He’s played hockey all his life, which is what I tried to tell myself when I got called up (by the Rangers in January). It seemed to work for me, and it should work for guys coming here.

“Just do what got you here. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. He’s a hard-working kid and one of the best-conditioned out there, so if he moves his feet he can (take advantage of) a little bit of a goal-scoring touch. He’s not going to blow the puck by the goalie, but he’ll pot a few, and I think he’ll help out with depth and penalty killing. I think he’ll be a huge part of our PK that struggled for us two nights ago. He won best defensive forward (in the CCHA), so he knows how to take care of his own end. And I think he’ll bring that extra pop.”

But Kolarik’s thoughts couldn’t completely wipe away Hagelin’s lingering sting from the previous Saturday night.

“This is a new chapter, obviously, but it’s kind of annoying when I look back at that game,” Hagelin said. “It was tough loss, and I don’t think I’m going to get over it until summer.”

Carting around a Calder Cup might erase that bad memory for good.

Besides Soryal, the Whale also scratched goalie Jason Missiaen, defensemen Jyri Niemi, Dylan McIlrath and injured Michael Del Zotto and forwards Kale Kerbashian, Shayne Wiebe, Andrew Yogan and injured Kolarik, Devin DiDiomete and Todd White. Del Zotto, DiDiomete and White didn’t make the trip. The Pirates scratched defenseman Corey Fienhage and forwards Maxime Legault, Dennis McCauley and Shawn Szydlowski.

The best-of-seven series resumes Sunday at 6 p.m. at the XL Center, where the teams split four games in the regular season. Game 4 is at the XL Center on Tuesday night at 7.

Individual tickets for the Whale’s first two home playoff games are on sale at the XL Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets also can be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ctwhale.com.

Playoff ticket packages that include tickets to all 16 possible home playoff games are also available, plus rollover options and incentives for 2011-12 season tickets. To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call 860-728-3366. More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

THE ALL-HUMANITARIAN AWARD

The Charlotte Checkers may not win the Calder Cup, but they’ve already clinched the Humanitarian Award – perhaps in all of sports.

When the Albany River Rats left upstate New York for North Carolina at the end of last season (sound familiar Whalers fans?), 11-year-old Zach “Bug” Bennett was determined to follow his favorite hockey team. Bennett fell in love with hockey and the River Rats about the time he was suffering the worst of his neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue and creates skin and bone abnormalities. The tumors can be removed, but there’s no cure for the disease.

Bennett has had more 20 operations, including the amputation of both legs, but he never lost his love for the players he idolized who had moved 700 miles away. And the AHL franchise didn’t forget one of its biggest fans.

At their final regular season game last weekend, the Checkers presented Zach and his family with keys to a new home. The Bennetts had put their house up for sale after deciding they had to follow Zach’s team to Charlotte. Hockey was important, but there also was better specialized care for Zach.

But money was a major problem. Zach’s mother, Danielle, had a stroke when she was pregnant with Zach that left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to work. His father, Randy, has been out of work since February 2010 when he had back surgery.

The Checkers’ gesture was a godsend.

“Stuff like this you don’t hear about all the time,” Randy Bennett said. “It’s hard to even come up with the words. They’ve done so much for us. We knew they were doing some fundraising and thought that would cut the mortgage down. But then to turn around and have them tell us we have no mortgage, that right there was very emotional for us.”

But not as emotional as watching Zach walk into their new home.

“When they presented us with the house, he literally walked into the house with his prosthetic stumps,” Bennett said. “He has a deal with some of the guys. If they win, he has to work with his stumps, he has to practice walking. But he made a decision even if they don’t win he’s going to practice. That tells me what kind of influence they have on him and what they really mean to him.”

The Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, decided they had to do something for Zach when they brought him and his family to Charlotte in January for a weekend reunion with the players.

“Once we met the family and this wonderful little child, Michael Kahn, our owner, said, ‘I think we all know what we need to do here. Figure out a way to get them to Charlotte,’ ” Checkers chief operating officer Tera Black said. “At the risk of sounding a little emotional, there are very few relationships that you get to witness as part of being a professional sports organization that are actually very moving to you.”

Zach is close to six or seven players, especially Brad Herauf, a hard-nosed forward who texts him every day to check on how he’s doing and how school is going.

When asked his favorite thing about hockey, Zach quickly said, “The fights.”

The answer didn’t surprise his father.

“I think that’s how he relates to them,” Randy said. “They’re fighters, and he’s been fighting so long.”

Even in the worst of times in Albany, Zach almost always went to the Times Union Center to cheer the River Rats.

“Zachary’s the type of person, when he was in the hospital he literally told the doctor he needed to get out by 3 o’clock on a Saturday: ‘You need to let me go home because I have a game to go to,’ ” Randy said. “We as parents didn’t really want to take him because he was a little in that loopy state coming off a surgery. But he wanted to go. We couldn’t deny him because we know how much it means to him, and he was just as loud that night.”

There’s not supposed to be any cheering in the press box, but it’s hard not to wish anything but success for the Checkers. Unless/until they face their former ECHL affiliate, the Whale.

RANGERS TO OPEN NEXT SEASON IN SWEDEN

The Rangers will open next season with two games in Stockholm, Sweden, against playoff teams, the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 7 and the Los Angeles Kings and standout goalie Jonathan Quick of Hamden on Oct. 8. With Madison Square Garden shut down through late October for reconstruction, the Rangers will be on the road for the exhibition season and first month of the regular season. The Rangers are expected to play a few preseason games in Europe after several in the United States. The start of the 2011-12 season will be especially enjoyable for standout goalie Henrik Lundqvist, a native of Sweden.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” Lundqvist said. “I heard some talk about it the last few weeks, and to go to Sweden for a couple of games and maybe go to Gothenburg (for an exhibition game), that’s my hometown, that would be very special. But that’s next year. I can think about it and enjoy it over the summer.” Hagelin has to hope he sticks with the Rangers long enough to visit his homeland. … Rugged left wing Lane MacDermid, son of former Whalers right wing Paul MacDermid, was one of 10 players that the Boston Bruins called up from the Providence Bruins, who didn’t make the AHL playoffs. Goalie Anton Khudobin and forwards Matt Bartkowski and Steven Kampfer were the only players to report to the NHL Bruins, who play Montreal Canadiens in the first round. The others will remain in Providence to train with the P-Bruins coaching staff. MacDermid, a fourth-round pick in 2009, had seven goals, 12 assists and 158 penalty minutes in 78 games this season.