BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – Most of those looking to don the red, white, and blue of the Hartford Wolf Pack were present and accounted as the team starts its 25th season. In training camp were 17 forwards, ten defensemen, and five goalies.
Among those returning to Hartford include linemates Tim Gettinger and Ty Ronning, both on one-year deals.
Also returning are veteran forwards Jonny Brodzinki and Anthony Greco, who are both in the last of their two-year deals before they hit UFA status. In addition, Paul Thompson is on the outside looking in. Other returnees include center Justin Richards, the son of former Hartford Whaler Todd Richards.
Coming to Hartford as a free agent from the Bridgeport Islanders is Tanner Fritz. The Pack roster will also include Mike O’Leary, James Sanchez, Austin Rueschoff, Jake Elmer, entering the third year of his ELC (entry-level contract) deal. Elmer spent last season with the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) before it became officially affiliated with Hartford this year. Other notables are Quinnipac grad Alex Whalen and Finnish rookie Lauri Pajuniemi.
DEFENSE
One standout name will man the blueline for the Wolf Pack, Anthony Bitetto, who played in two games last season, is back on the backline after a stint in New York with the Rangers.
Returning to protect the net on defense are returnees Tarmo Reunanen, Zach Giuttari (Loomis Chaffe), Hunter Skinner, and rookie Zack Berzolla from Colorado College (NCHC). Also returning is veteran Jeff Taylor, who was a scratch most nights for the team.
Mason Geertsten’s physical toughness and overall presence was lost to a division rival. The New Jersey Devils picked Geertsten off waivers when the Rangers tried to send him to Hartford.
Three other players from last season are now in Europe. Vincent LoVerde, last season’s captain, is now in Austria. Fellow defenseman Patrick Sieloff decided to sign in Germany, and Patrick Newell is skating in Norway.
DECISIONS TO BE MADE
Foward Gregg McKegg, who cleared waivers Monday, has a decision to make on whether or not he will report to Hartford. He could seek a deal in Europe, as others have in the past, or decide to retire as goalie Martin Biron did six years ago. Biron is now an analyst on the NHL Network.
Last season McKegg did play in Providence for the P-Bruins for a few games while a member of the Bruins organization.
A decision looms for another defenseman, Libor Hájek. The Rangers are wrestling with whether to keep in New York or sneak him through waivers and play him in Hartford. Going that route, as it went with Geertsten, could lead to losing him for nothing after re-signing him in the off-season to a new one-year deal.
MORE DEFENSE
The best defense rookies are Braden Schneider and Matt Robertson. There’s a very slim chance that Nils Lundkvist, who’s battling fellow neophyte Zac Jones for the last spot to play in New York, could be sent down. The two are fighting to see who will play with Patrick Nemeth in New York. Nemeth played in Dallas for the Stars last year.
The Pack filled out its roster for training camp. However, it will look for roster depth for the upcoming season with Chris Martenet and Blake Hillan at defense and Brandon Hawkins (forward) from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL), and Ara Nazarian from Jacksonville (ECHL).
GOALIES
Pack goalies currently feature Keith Kinkaid as the in-house vet. Four other players are vying for a shot to play at the XL Center as well.
Adam Huska is now in his sixth year playing in the building after his stint at UCONN (HE). Tyler Wall, who struggled last year in his first pro season, had a strong camp in New York. Francois Brassard was also looking to make an impression in the net, who was the practice netminder last year and didn’t play but played ten games in with Allen Americans (ECHL).
OTHERS TRYING TO MAKE THE TEAM
Also, in Pack camp, from their new Double AA affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen, is signed forward Derek Lodermeir, a former QU player, defenseman, Brandon Fortunato, forward Chris Brown, the son of former New Jersey Devil Doug Brown.
Defenseman Victor Hadfield is in the mix as well. He is on a Professional Try Out (PTO) deal. He is the grandson of former Ranger great Vic Hadfield, who played on the 1970’s GAG line (Goal-A-Game) line with Jean Ratelle and the great, recently deceased Rod Gilbert. Hadfield committed in the summer to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues (OUAA).
Goalie Charles Williams, who played in Hartford three years ago, is trying out.
Forward, Cristiano DiCiacinto is in camp on a PTO. He played in the Canadian college ranks and hailed from New Brunswick, Canada (Acadia University-AUAA).
NOTES
The Rangers and the rival New York Islanders will tango on Saturday at 7:00 PM at the Webster Bank Arena in their pre-season finale.
As expected now, ex-Pack, Will Cullye was sent back to the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) and their new head coach ex-Pack, Marc Savard.
Ex-Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger Chris Langkow signs a one-year deal with HC Nové Zámky (Slovakia-SLEL).
Ex-Pack Alex Kile goes from the Florida Everblades (ECHL) back to the Maine Mariners (ECHL). Kile was the team’s first-ever signee years ago.
Former Sound Tiger goalie François” Frank” Marrotte, who played two games in Bridgeport and 13 in Allen (ECHL), takes a shot at the San Diego Gulls camp.
Jake Jarmenko, of Minnesota State-Mankato, signs with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). He becomes the 99th college player to sign with a North American team, 19th in the NCHC conference, and 137th overall to sign with a North America/Europe pro team.
