CANTLON’S CORNER: THE LATEST ON THE XL CENTER 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT –  The future of the home of the Hartford Wolf Pack, XL Center remains in a state of status quo, according to CRDA Executive Director Michael W. Freimuth.

“The complex needs work, but nothing has changed. We lost a couple of events at the Convention Center. Everybody has a different ‘handle’ on it, different labor costs, contracts, and there are a lot of issues right now to deal with.”

The proposed sale by OVG of the management and food & concessions doesn’t faze him. However, Friemuth sounds a note of caution. “We knew about this, and there was a chance this was going to be happening with OVG’s offer. These types of deals happen a lot and are usually going to take three-to-six months for the regs. This is so big, complicated, some cross-border properties, contract issues, it’s likely to take six-to-twelve months. The deal of the XL’s size and scope; it could take that long.”

The sports betting hubs for Connecticut were just federally approved last week. However, it remains an ongoing process.

“We’re working with the Connecticut Lottery (the overseer of the project as per how the law is written) on sports betting now. There is no definitive route or timetable laid out yet.”

THE ATRIUM MESS

The atrium inside the XL Center, whose title’s owner is Northland Corporation, has been the subject of a three-year plus negotiation.

“There is no progress on the lease or sale of the retail space either.”

When asked if the exiting of St. Joseph Pharmacy from the XL to its West Hartford campus was a sign of progress, Friemuth replied, “That is a Northland issue, so any new plans are with them.”

EX-PACK PLAYERS ON THE MOVE

Ex-Pack and New York Ranger Artem Anisimov leaves the Ottawa Senators to join the Colorado Avalanche.

Ryan Donato, the son of ex-Pack/Bridgeport Sound Tiger Ted Donato, the Harvard coach and a team USA WJC assistant, signs with his fifth team in five years. Keeping with the theme of playing for teams that start with an S, he departs the San Jose Sharks and heads to the expansion Seattle Kraken on a one-year, one-way deal paying $750K.

Another ex-Pack, Sylvain Lefebvre, who coached the San Diego Gulls over the last several years, was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets and then unhired after refusing to get a Covid vaccine.

Ex-Pack defenseman Zach Tolkinen (Quinnipiac) signs with the Ft. Wayne Komets (ECHL).

Ex-Wolf Pack, Conor Allen, who played with two Czech Republic teams last year, Motor Ceske Budejovice, and on loan with BK Mlada Boleslav. Allen has retired from playing.

OTHER PLAYERS MOVING

Patrick Mullen, the son of ex-NHL’er Joe Mullen, and nephew of ex-New Haven Nighthawk, Tom Mullen, goes from Belfast (Northern Ireland-EIHL) to ASC Corona Brasov (Romania-MOL).

Three college pro signees, all from the AHA, go to the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL). The first two are from Niagara University (AHA), Ben Sokay and Jack Billings. Jack Pappalardo from Holy Cross (AHA) signs with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL).

The college conference breakdown shows Hockey East with 29, the Big 10 has 23, the NCHC has 17, the AHA has 11, ECACHL with eight, CCHA, formerly the WCHA, has four, and independent Arizona State has two. In addition, 94 Division-I players signed North American pro deals, and 38 Division-III have signed.

Nikita Scherbek goes from the Texas Stars to HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL). 82 of last season’s AHL’ers have signed overseas, and 28 of the leagues’ 31 AHL teams have lost at least one player.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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