BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, January 28, 2019: As part of the AHL All-Star Classic, which began last night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA with the AHL Skills Competition, and concludes with tonight’s AHL All-Star Challenge, the American Hockey League is also holding an “Executives Game”, in which executive staff personnel from around the AHL will take part in a scrimmage.
Hartford will be represented in the tilt by XL Center general manager, and head of Wolf Pack business operations, Chris Lawrence. Lawrence’s participation in the Executives Game is an extension of his utilization of the game of hockey to spread goodwill throughout the Hartford area. Lawrence volunteers his time throughout the hockey season to the Hartford Police Athletic League (PAL), which offers inner-city youth the opportunity to learn hockey skills with weekly ice time at the XL Center.
“Hockey left an indelible impact on my life,” Lawrence said, “the synergies between competitive sports and the business world are endless, and having a chance to pass along those experiences to a community that has embraced my family and I, is a true blessing.”
A four-year letter winner at Michigan State University, who captained MSU to an NCAA championship as a Senior in 2006-07, Lawrence organizes PAL’s weekly skating sessions, running drills and teaching basic hockey skills to the PAL skaters, many of whom have never had the opportunity to skate before. Additionally, through his involvement with the Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation, Lawrence has also headed up equipment donations that help strengthen the PAL program, and allow it to provide an enriched experience for the kids. PAL is an organization Lawrence truly believes in, and he encourages his staff at the XL Center to get involved with PAL skates throughout the season.
Today’s Executives Game, which will face off at 2:30 PM, marks Lawrence’s return to competitive hockey for the first time since the glory of his Frozen Four title season in 2007. Born and raised in Havertown, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Lawrence played one season of USHL Junior Hockey with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, and two years with the Pittsburgh Forge of the NAHL, before heading to Michigan State. He hung up his skates after the 2007 championship, to begin the off-ice career that has led him to his current position with the XL Center and the Wolf Pack.
Defenseman John Gilmour is representing the 2018-19 Wolf Pack in the All-Star Classic, and more information about the event can be found at theahl.com.
The Wolf Pack’s first action after the All-Star break is this Friday night, February 1, when they travel to Springfield to take on the Thunderbirds. Faceoff is 7:05 PM and all the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, and online at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV.
The next Wolf Pack home game is this Saturday night, February 2, a 7:00 PM game vs. the Rochester Americans. That is “‘90’s Throwback Night”, featuring a fanny pack giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by ProHealth Physicians.
Tickets for all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.
Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2018-19 AHL season can be found online at hartfordwolfpack.com. To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
