A STEP UP 

Jared Nightingale will not likely be heading back to Charlotte any time soon. The 6’ 3” defenseman has signed an AHL Contract after playing 22 games on a Professional Try-Out Contract. Nightingale has done a good job patrolling the blue line for the Wolf Pack and continues to develop. His upside is as a physical defenseman and it seems as  if his future in the organization is bright.

Bob Crawford, the radio and television voice of the Hartford Wolf Pack tells Howlings, "Since his very first game this year with the
Pack, when he scored a huge goal and was First Star in a big divisional win,
Jared has been a solid contributor on the blueline.  I think he brings a
real good combination of size, smart aggressiveness and positional play."

WOLF PACK SIGN DEFENSEMAN JARED NIGHTINGALE TO AHL CONTRACT

* * * *

AHL Deal Replaces Third-year Veteran’s PTO

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed defenseman Jared Nightingale to an American Hockey League contract.

Nightingale had been playing on a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement since joining the Wolf Pack December 10 from the ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers. In 22 games with the Pack, the 6-3, 205-pound Nightingale has scored one goal and added four assists for five points, while logging 34 penalty minutes and posting a +5.

In 21 games with the Checkers prior to being summoned by the Wolf Pack, Nightingale, a 26-year-old third-year pro, had six assists and 106 penalty minutes. Last season Nightingale saw two games of action with the Wolf Pack, registering four PIM, and he also skated in five AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, picking up one minor penalty. In 65 games with Charlotte in 2007-08, Nightingale, a native of Jackson, MI, scored three goals and added 11 assists for 14 points, while amassing 196 minutes in penalties. That led the Checkers’ squad in PIM and was the third-most among ECHL defensemen.

Before turning pro, Nightingale played four seasons at Michigan State University. He got into 10 AHL games with Springfield in 2005-06, following the completion of his Senior season, posting a goal, an assist and 18 penalty minutes. He also suited up for nine AHL contests in 2006-07 for the Iowa Stars (2-0-2, 4 PIM).

(Jared Nightingale photo courtesy of msuspartans.cstv.com)