BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – With the completion of the 2020-21 AHL season, it’s time for hockey teams to begin the process of summer reflection, accounting, and planning for the future at all levels of the sport.
The accounting ledger will be plenty red across the board from the NHL to Junior A hockey. How each organization and league will adjust to the post-pandemic world, one thing is for certain; it will contain more reduced staffing organization-wide.
At the junior level, the Everett Silvertips’ (WHL) Garry Davidson was relieved of his GM position strictly for financial concerns and not from any hockey issues. In addition, the Robert Morris University Colonials (AHA) canceled its men’s and women’s programs last week unexpectedly.
AHL GETTING YOUNGER
The AHL will become even younger than it ever has and likely will have a more homogenized schedule, a goal since the Pacific Division was born. The likely scenario is a regular season in the 70-72 range.
Also, the number of independently-owned AHL teams will continue to shrink with the sale of the Rockford Ice Hogs to the Chicago Blackhawks just before the end of the regular season.
SPORTS GAMBLING IN CONNECTICUT
In Hartford, the hope for the recently signed sports gambling law by Governor Ned Lamont is that it is a savior of the XL Center preserving AHL and college hockey in Hart City, but the devil is the details of the law.
What percentage of the new sports gambling entity, which will be run by the Indian casinos, sub-contracted to the CT Lottery division, and licensed to 15 individual contractors, will be responsible for the 64 million dollar installment? A quarter, half, or all of it?
The new sports betting entity will have five entities to deal with the State of Connecticut. the Indian casino’s, Connecticut Lottery, the independent licensee’s, and Spectra/Northland, who have operational responsibility at the XL Center plus the CRDA, which oversees the building owned the city of Hartford.
What are the chances of conflicts with that many chefs in the kitchen?
BONDING
This comes despite the bonding of $64 million, $10 million more than was asked for, passed by the General Assembly just a week before the shutdown caused by the pandemic.
The Governor controls the Bond Commission, and he has been clearly reluctant to grant it, not putting it on the bond agenda since January. Moreover, there is no real sign that he will do so before the General Assembly session ends in June.
The reasons seem obvious. The long-term state borrowing is running against the Governor’s “debt diet” and the significant legislative opposition, despite its passage to keep pouring money into the XL Center.
Despite all the hurdles over the last eight years and the interminable negotiations with Northland Corporation regarding the title to the atrium at the XL Center, they still hold and acquire the Trumbull block for three years resolution in sight.
FREIMUTH
Could the proposed sports betting setup at the XL Center be a part of the recent discussions with Northland to resolve their impasse? Maybe.
CRDA Executive Director Mike Freimuth stated two weeks ago, the effort to get the XL Center re-boot across the finish line was ongoing, but time was working against them.
“This all is critical to the future of the XL. Right now, there is a lot of re-write going on in the legislature, but we’re nearing the end of the session. I’m confident something will get done, what that will be; I really don’t have an answer right now. We’re monitoring things right now, so much of it is out of our control.”
When asked if any deal has to be approved by the casinos and the General Assembly and then signed by the Governor, Freimuth replied, “I’ve said it before, the longer this goes on, the harder the stresses will be on the overall systems of the building as time goes by.”
It’s doubtful, however, that sports betting will be the Hail Mary that will finally get the more than obviously needed re-boot of the XL done.
HOCKEY DRAFT
This summer, hockey will be an adventure post-COVID.
The NHL Entry Draft will see the selection process be much more complicated with truncated seasons or no seasons altogether, so players’ rankings are essentially a major crapshoot this year.
Of the 228 North American skaters listed and ranked, just four come from the US college ranks, and they primarily played conference-only regular season schedules. Among the first six players, three are from Michigan, and one from the Vermont Catamounts (HE).
The Central Scouting Bureau (CSB) released their last list before the July 23-24 event, which will be held remotely via video-conferencing, and a month later than usual.
CONNECTICUT NAMES
A few Connecticut names are among the list of eligible skaters and goalies.
Cole Sillinger, the son of ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger, Mike Sillinger, is in the CSB tenth spot. He played this year for Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) and was slated to play for the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) this year, but dual citizenship allowed him to play US junior hockey.
Matthew “Mackie” Samoskevich (Newtown), who played for the Chicago Steel (USHL), is slotted by CSB at #26. He is a University Michigan Wolverines (Big 10) commit for the fall.
Chase Stillman, the grandson of former Hew Haven Nighthawk, Bud Stefanski, is ranked 35th by CSB. He was to skate for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL), but their season was canceled. So instead, he skated for Esbjerg (Denmark-DHL) and Esbjerg-2 (Denmark second division) on loan this season. He also skated for Canada at the World Under-18 tourney in Plymouth, Michigan.
Darien defenseman Scott Morrow, who played for the Shattuck’s St. Mary’s Sabres (MNPREP), one of the top prep programs in the nation, de-committed from North Dakota (NCHC) and instead will be attending UMASS-Amherst (HE), the defending national champions, in the fall. He is ranked 39th on the CSB list.
MORE NAMES
Matt Fusco, the son of former Hartford Whaler, Mark Fusco, finished up at Dexter School (MAPREP) and joined his brother John in the fall at Harvard University (ECACHL). His entire family, including uncles and cousins, are Harvard alumni. He is ranked 97th on the CSB list.
Shane LaChance. The son of Bristol-raised former NHL’er, Scott LaChance, and his uncle ex-Sound Tiger/Danbury Trasher Bob LaChance, played for the Boston Junior Bruins (NCDC) and is ranked 110th by CSB. His grandfather is former BU coach Jack Parker.
Ryan St. Louis (Riverside/Brunswick School), the eldest son of NHL Hall-of-Famer and former New York Ranger, Marty St. Louis, is heading to Northeastern (HE) in the fall. He was ranked 125th by CSB. He played for the USNDTP (USHL) team and the U-18 team this year.
Matt McGroarty, (Westport/Brunswick School) and a Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) commit in the fall is ranked 205th.
GOALIES
Just 32 North American goalies are listed. One of them is incoming UCONN (HE) Husky freshmen Logan Terness from the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL). His CSB ranking is 13th.
Among the 150 skaters internationally includes Simon Robertsson, the son of former Hartford Wolf Pack, Bert Robertsson. He skated for the recent Swedish World U-18 team. During the season, he split time playing for Skelleftea AIK (J-20/SHL) and is ranked 11th by CSB.
Oliver Kapanen is the nephew of former Whaler, Sami Kapanen. He ranked 22nd by CSB and skated for KalPa Kuopio (Finland U-20) and joKP (Finland- Mestis Division-2). He also played for the Finnish U-18 team in the recent tournament.
David Spacek, the son of former Beast of New Haven player Jaroslav Spacek, is ranked 75th by CSB and played for the HC Plzen (Czech Republic U-20).
INTERNATIONAL
In international goalies, there are just 13 players ranked. Nick Malik, the son of former Whaler, Ranger, and Beast of New Haven defenseman, Marek Malik, is in the tenth spot by CSB.
He was slated to return to play with the Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Greyhounds this season. Instead, he skated for the team his father is an assistant coach for, HC Frydek-Mistek (Czech Republic Division-2) and the Czech Republic WJC team. He has signed a provisional contract with KooKoo (Finland-FEL) for the upcoming season.
AHL PACIFIC DIVISION
The championship series went to a third and decisive game. A late third-period wrister by the Bakersfield Condors’ Tyler Benson went through to the short-side on Henderson goalie Logan Thompson ended it. The win allowed the Condors to knock off the Henderson Silver Knights at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas 3-2 before a crowd of 7,420 fans. The Condors won the John Chick trophy as the Pacific Division winner and concluding the truncated 2020-21 AHL season.
Bakersfield featured Luke Esposito (Greenwich/Brunswick School), the nephew of former Rangers and NHL great Mark Messier. It also featured former Yale defenseman Phil Kemp, who scored in Game 3, and ex-Wolf Pack, Adam Cracknell.
Henderson’s roster included ex-Wolf Pack Danny O’Regan and Jake Leschshyn, the son of former Hartford Whaler Curtis Leschyshyn.
AHL ATLANTIC DIVISION ALL-STARS
Morgan Barron and Tarmo Reunanen were named to the Atlantic Division All-Star squad. The pair were among the most consistent performers in the shortened season, and both earned some NHL time at the end of the season.
Barron was among the top rookie scorers, and Reunanen top rookie defenseman in scoring.
2020-21 AHL Atlantic Division All-Stars
G – Jeremy Swayman, Providence Bruins (8-1-0, 1.89 GAA, .933 save %, 1 SO)
D – Samuel Bolduc, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (24gp, 6+8=14pts., +5, 1 PPG)
D – Tarmo Reunanen, Hartford Wolf Pack (21gp, 4+13=17pts., 2 PPG)
F – Morgan Barron, Hartford Wolf Pack (21gp, 10+11=21pts., +8, 6 PPG)
F – Cameron Hughes, Providence Bruins (25gp, 5+16=21pts., 1 PPG, 1 SHG)
F – Jakub Lauko, Providence Bruins (23gp, 5+14=19pts., +11, 2 PPG)
PLAYER & COACHING MOVEMENT
Scott Pooley leaves the Toronto Marlies and signs with Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL). His father, Paul, and his twin brother Perry played for five years in minor pro hockey between Sherbrooke (AHL) and Ft. Wayne (IHL).
Former Wolf Pack, Hubert Labrie, leaves Belleville (AHL) and signs with Iserlohn (Germany-DEL). His last AHL goal was scored in Hartford three years ago. He is the 14th player to sign for Europe, with 10 of the league’s 31 teams have seen a player leave.
Ex-CT Whale, Casey Wellman, departs Kunlun (China-KHL) for Kärpät Oulu (Finland-FEL). Another CT Whale, Blake Parlett, departs Tappara (Finland-FEL) to Nuremberg (Germany-DEL).
Former Wolf Pack and Ranger Dale Weise signs a one-year contract with IK Oskarshamn (Sweden-Allsvenskan). It was officially announced Monday by the team.
Former Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger, Chris Langkow, signs with Fehérvár (White Castle) AV19 (Hungary-IceHL).
-Former Sound Tiger Mark Louis, after a year with HK Dukla Michalovice (Slovakia-SLEL), returns to play with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL), who resume playing in the fall.
According to Swedish hockey media, Ex-Wolf Pack Carl Klingberg is close to signing a deal with Örebro HK (Sweden-SHL) departing EV Zug (Switzerland-LNA).
The contract being offered is said to be 300K Swedish Kroner, a month or over a six-month regular season period that’s 1.8M Swedish Kroner, which is about $215K in US currency for the season.
URQUHART RETURNS TO HIS ALMA MATER
Ex-Pack defenseman, David Urquhart, leaves the San Diego Gulls after three seasons and returns to Montreal to become the head coach of his alma mater, the McGill University Redbirds (OUAA).
He is ninth in all-time for a defenseman in points in school history. He’s tied with former NHL head coach Mike Babcock.
Drayson Pears of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) signs with HC Cholet (France FFHG Division-2), making 74 collegians signed in Europe and 87 total collegians to sign pro deals in North America and Europe.
Goalie Dixon Grimes, the son of former New Haven Senators center Jake Grimes, signs his junior contract with the Guelph Storm (OHL), who drafted him two years ago. He played with the Listowel Cyclones (GOJHL).
The ECHL Coralville, Iowa expansion team, affiliated with the Minnesota & Iowa Wild, announced its nickname as the Heartlanders. The Trois-Rivieres team is likely waiting for the end of the Canadiens playoff run before making the announcement.
