CANTLON’S CORNER: (1/14) WEEKEND NEWS 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The New York Rangers West Coast and five-game road swing produced a shutout, and it was a Hartford “im-Pack-ful” win with three ex-players making contributions against the San Jose Sharks.

Ex-Pack forward Chris Kreider scored twice, including his first-ever shorthanded NHL goal, his 20th of the season (empty-net), and the 200th of his career.

This year, Ex-Pack defenseman Braden Schneider scored his first goal in either the NHL or AHL, a one-timer after coming off the bench into the offensive zone.

Ex-Pack goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who was fresh off the COVID protocol list, pitched his fifth shutout stopping 37 shots.

Ex-Pack, Anthony Greco made his Rangers debut. Greco is from Queens, New York.

COVID KEEPING BUSY IN RANGERSLAND

Four Rangers forwards remain in COVID protocol as the team heads east to play the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, ending their mini-road trip under acting head coach Kris Knoblauch. They play the Toronto Maple Leafs at home next Wednesday.

Monday, Knoblauch will likely be returned to Hartford.

OLYMPIC INVITEES

Ex-Wolf Pack, Steve Kampfer, playing with the AK Bars Kazan Snow Leopards in the Russian-based KHL, was selected to represent the US on the Olympic team. Unfortunately, the entire KHL is currently taking a COVID pause in play because of a severe team outbreak.

Kamfer has had a remarkable season and was named a KHL All-Star. In addition, he played in the first-ever KHL regular season game in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Because there will not be NHL players in the Olympics, Kamfer is on the US Olympic team.

Aaron Ness, a former Bridgeport Sound Tiger currently with the Providence Bruins, ironically Hartford’s next opponent Friday night, was sent a ticket to the dance.

Two former Yale Bulldogs, Ken Agostino, with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-KHL), and Brian O’ Neill, who is skating for Jokerit Helsinki Jokers (Finland-KHL), were also invited.

The Czech Republic announced their squad. Among the names is David Spacek, the son of former Beast of New Haven defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. He was selected and played for the Czechia team at the aborted WJC tournament and is rewarded with an Olympic invite. The forward is currently with Frölunda HC Indians (Sweden-SHL).

One ex-Pack is among their 24 invites in defenseman  Tomas Kundratek (HC Ocelari Trinec Czech Republic-CEL).

MORE INVITATIONS

The referees and linesman crews were named for the men’s side. For the US refs, Andrew Bruggeman and two US linesmen, William Hancock II and Brian Oliver, are among the 26.

On the women’s side, there are two US refs. Kelly Cooke, who has done some AHL games, and Chelsea Rapin were invited. In addition, Lineswoman Jacqueline Spresser and Sara Strong are among the 22 officials selected.

MOVEMENT

Brandon Fortunato was released by the Hartford Wolf Pack from his PTO and heads back to Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL).

The New York Islanders recalled Bridgeport Islanders Austin Czarnik and Grant Hutton.

The Rochester Americans released defenseman Dallas Drake (UCONN).

Goalie Alex Lyon (Yale University) was returned to Chicago Wolves (AHL) by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ex-Pack Phil DiGuiseppe was recalled from the Abbotsford Canucks to the Vancouver Canucks.

Another former Wolf Pack, Daniel Wolcott, was recalled from the Syracuse Crunch by the parent Tampa Bay Lightning.

A former emergency goalie who never got to play, Brandon Kasel is loaned by the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) to the Utica Comets (AHL).

Charles Williams, an ex-Pack goalie, moves from the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) to the Rochester Americans on a PTO.

Another ex-Pack, Alex Kile, heads from the Maine Mariners (ECHL) on loan to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Mike McKee (Kent School) heads from the Tulsa Oilers (ECHL) on loan to San Diego Gulls on a PTO.

Ex-Sound Tiger Steve Olesky was suspended by the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) after 16 games and was removed from the roster.

Wolf Pack Liam Pecararo was selected to represent the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL All-Star Classic, held in Jacksonville on Monday (7 PM NHL Network) for the second time in his young career.

By design, Josh Nicholls was released by the Kunlun Red Star (China-KHL). Nicholls signs with Storhamer IL Dragons (Norway-NEL) with the Beijing Olympics approaching.

Matej Baca, the nephew of former Hartford Whaler and Springfield Indian Jergus Baca, is traded to his third Slovak team this year. He goes from HK Dukla Michalovce to HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL).

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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