MCNAUGHT A MCFORWARD FOR THE MCWHALE

WHALE SIGN FORWARD RANDY McNAUGHT

*           *           *           *

Six-Foot-Five, 221-pound Winger was Seventh-round Ranger Draft Pick in 2010

Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Whale has signed forward Randy McNaught to an American Hockey League contract.

McNaught, a 6-5, 221-pound native of Nanaimo, B.C., comes to the Whale from the University of Calgary, where he was scoreless with 24 penalty minutes in 12 games this season.  Last year McNaught, 21, was with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants, but his season was limited to eight games by injury.  In those eight contests, McNaught had a goal and an assist for two points, along with 27 PIM.

A seventh-round (190^th overall) selection by the parent New York Rangers in the 2010 NHL Draft, McNaught suited up for 154 total contests in a four-year WHL career with the Chilliwack Bruins, Saskatoon Blades and the Giants.  His career stats include 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points, and 321 penalty minutes.

RANDY McNAUGHT’S AMATEUR RECORD

(Stats via hockeydb.com)

The Whale return to action this Friday night, January 27, as they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the XL Center.  Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and that begins the Whale’s “Trading Card Weekend”, as 5,000 fans will receive the Whale’s second set of player trading cards, sponsored by Webster Bank.  The featured players for this set are All-Star Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Cam Talbot, Ryan Bourque, Kelsey Tessier, Jordan Owens and, in a historical tribute, former Hartford Wolf Pack star Ryan Callahan, now captain of the parent New York Rangers.

Then the next night, this Saturday, January 28, when the Springfield Falcons visit the XL Center for a 7:00 game, will feature a giveaway of additional sets of the first group of Whale trading cards.  That array included cards of All-Star Mats Zuccarello, Wade Redden, Kris Newbury, Chad Johnson and Carl Hagelin.  Also, after the game on Saturday night, Audy-Marchessault and Zuccarello will conduct an autograph session in the XL Center atrium to sign their cards.

Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr..  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, visit ctlottery.org.

(Photo courtesy of NewYorkRangers.com)