CANTLON: HARTFORD WOLF PACK OFF SEASON VOL 9 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The New York Rangers have just four picks in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers’ highest pick this year is in the second round at No. 63 and is the only pick the Rangers have through the first three rounds. The draft was held in Montreal following a two-year absence because of the pandemic. The Rangers also have a fourth-round pick (#111), which was initially a Winnipeg Jets’ pick but made its way to New York via the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Brett Howden trade. The Rangers also have pick No. 159 in the fifth round and lastly at number 191 in the sixth round.

The Rangers lost their 2022 first-round pick due to the conditions of the trade for Andrew Copp, whom President/GM Chris Drury acquired from the Jets at this year’s trade deadline in exchange for three draft picks and prospect Morgan Barron.

The three draft picks were two conditional second-rounders and a 2023 fifth-round selection. The 2022 second-round pick the Rangers sent to Winnipeg became a first-round (number 30) since they reached the conference final, and Copp played in at least half of their playoff games.

SECOND PICK

For the other conditional second-round pick, the Jets had the option of taking the Blues’ original 2022 pick or the Rangers’ in 2023. Instead, Winnipeg decided on this year’s second-rounder (number 55), which the Rangers acquired from St. Louis as part of the Pavel Buchnevich trade that also brought in the recently re-signed Sammy Blais.

The Rangers’ first selection in the second round (59th overall) was Adam Sykora, no relation to former NHL’er Petr. The young Slovak center showed a lot of little things in all departments, and the Rangers hope he grows into his body.

Last week he was the first overall selection by the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) in the CHL Import Draft.

The second pick in the third round (97th overall) of the draft, the Rangers selected LW Byrce McConnell-Barker. He’s a solid 6’1 and 195-pounds with Sault Ste Marie (OHL) and had 23 goals in 68 games in the first season.

FOURTH ROUND

In the fourth round (111th overall), a center Noah Laba from Lincoln (USHL), a Colgate (ECACHL) commit next year, had 15 goals, 24 assists, and 39 points in 50 games.

In the fifth round (159th overall), the Rangers selected a defenseman, Victor Mancini.

He didn’t take the usual route.

He’s 6’3, 215-pounds, and was at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC).

Laba played junior in Sweden for Frolunda HC and was named the team captain in his last season.

His father, Bob, was all over the hockey map here and in Europe, from Michigan Tech as a head coach for four years as an assistant at Lake Superior State and Ferris State. He helped develop the fledgling hockey program nationally in South Africa.

FIFTH ROUND

In the fifth round (161st overall), they took Russian Maxim Barbashav, the younger brother of St. Louis Blue Ivan Barbashav from Moncton (QMJHL).

At 6’1, 185-pounds, he has good size, and his first year’s numbers include 15 goals and 42 points in 59 games. He was taken as the last pick of the round.

The last Rangers pick has a familiar last name, defenseman Zakary Karpa. the son of former Bridgeport Sound Tiger, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Ranger David Karpa from Harvard (ECACHL). Karpa was taken in the sixth round (191st overall).

In 33 games in his freshmen year, he had six goals and 12 points. He has a twin brother Jakob.

None of these picks will be in Hartford/New York for some time.

GEORGIEV FINALLY DEPARTS

After five seasons, the Rangers finally traded goalie Alexander Georgiev. The former Wolf Pack was sent to the Stanley Cup champion, the Colorado Avalanche. Georgiev heads west for a third and fifth-draft pick and a third-round selection next year. The strategy increases their draft picks from four to six for Friday’s draft, rounds two through seven.

The move came just hours before a CBA imposed the deadline of giving him a qualifying offer of $2.65M.

He last played in Hartford for eleven games for the Pack in 2018-19.

NHL DRAFT CONTINUED

Nick Malik, the goalie son ex-Hartford Whaler, Ranger, Beast of New Haven, and Springfield Falcon, Marek Malik, was taken by Tampa Bay in the fifth round.

David Spacek, the son of former Beast of New Haven’s Jaroslav Spacek, was called by Minnesota in the fifth round.

Landon Sim of London (OHL), the son ex-Sound Tiger Jon Sim, was taken in the sixth round.

The youngest son of a former Whaler and the new scout with the Philadelphia Flyers, Sami Kapanen, Konsta Kapanen, was NOT selected.

IN MEMORIAM

Life intrudes at the worst times.

On the eve of the draft, a sad development as former Whaler, a San Jose scout and skills development coach for their AHL team, Bryan Marchment, died suddenly in Montreal at the Sheraton Hotel next door to the Bell Centre at age 53.

His son Mason is a member of the Florida Panthers. He also leaves behind his wife Kim, and daughter, Logan.

Marchment played for nine NHL teams and was known as an abrasive player in his day, compiling over 2,307 PIM in 926 games and had a long-running feud with Mark Messier and Mike Gartner.

QMJHL DRAFT

The last of the amateur drafts took place on Monday and Tuesday before the NHL Draft by the QMJHL.

The US portion of the league draft took place Tuesday after the main draft saw six members from Connecticut of the 36 players selected.

The first one, taken second overall in the US portion, was Lucas St. Louis, the youngest son of current Montreal head coach, Hockey Hall of Famer, and former Ranger, Marty St. Louis.

St. Louis, the youngest son of the former Ranger, is regarded as a very talented player from the Greenwich-based Brunswick School and was taken by the Victoriaville Tigres.

The following selection was 13th in Stamford’s Matej Teply from the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep by the Acadie-Bathhurst Titan.

CT CHIEFS U15 STUD TAKEN

Then 17th overall, from Westport, was the Charlottetown (PEI) Islanders took Aryx Siefker of the CT Chiefs U-15 squad (AYHL). He is a Winchendon Prep School (MAPREP) commit next year.

Then the following three selections came back-to-back.

Taken 22nd was Ryan Lucarelli, from the New Milford-basedthe Val D’Or Foreurs took Canterbury Prep Saints teams.

Then Spencer Morrow (Darien), one of the four hockey-playing nephews and nieces of former Whaler and Springfield Indians player Scott Morrow, was selected by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Older brother Scott (a Carolina NHL draftee) is at UMASS, and younger sister Sydney is heading to Ohio State (Big 10) in the fall.

The youngest Sophie keeps the family tradition alive by playing with the Shattuck’s St Mary’s Sabres (MNPREP).

The last Connecticut player was Blake Burke of Trumbull, who went 24th to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

MORE DRAFT NEWS

The first round of the general regional draft featuring selections from the Canadian territories of Quebec in the Canadian provinces that comprise the Maritimes of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland/Labrador area. Tomas Lavoie, a defenseman, was taken first overall by the Cape Breton (NS) Eagles. He is no relation to former New Haven Senator Domenic Lavoie.

Four US players were selected in the first round.

First went Bill Zannon, who was taken sixth by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies from Northwood Prep (NYPREP).

Owen Phillips was taken by his hometown Halifax Mooseheads from the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U-15 (T1EHL) in Pennsylvania. Then Williams Shields of Nova Scotia was taken by Cape Breton at number 11,

From upstate NY near Rochester, Bishop Kearney HS (NYPREP).

Then the next pick from the Selects Academy program at RI’s Mt. Charles Academy program was Sacha Boisvert by Chicoutimi. The first of four taken from the team.

In the later rounds Tyler Wood, a PEI native was drafted from the Selects Academy program at South Kent Prep in the sixth round and 96th overall by Rouyn-Noranda.

WOLF PACK 2022-23

Twenty-six players are either under a contract to return on their current contracts for the 2022-23 edition of the Wolf Pack.

Even though the team needs an overhaul, there are few roster spots.

A particularly vexing issue that has plagued them the past few years is the surplus of defensemen. Zac Jones and Matt Robertson are back under the second year of their contracts for another year. Also, Zach Guittari (Loomis Chaffee) returns on a one-year AHL deal for the Rhode Island native.

Another is Nils Lundkvist, who has two years to RFA status and had a less than stellar first year in NY and Hartford, both players are from Sweden.

Others who played secondary roles are Brandon Scanlin, Zach Berzolla and Hunter Skinner.

Louka Henault was added to the mix. The newcomer just signed from Windsor (OHL). They also just added last year’s training camp invitee among the last cuts Blake Hillman, who split last year with Toledo (ECHL) and s spell with Grand Rapids and most of the second half with Providence to an AHL contract.

A question is Jarred Tinordi, a year away from UFA status will he be back reprising the mentor role after being traded at last season’s trade deadline?

Up front will see the most significant number of new players.

BRODZINSKI BROTHERS

Captain Jonny Brodzinski is likely to start the year in Hart City as well as his younger sibling Easton on a new one-year AHL deal.

Expected newcomers are Will Cullye (Windsor-OHL), Ryder Korczak (Moose Jaw-WHL), Brennan Othmann (Flint-OHL), and Matt Rempe (Seattle-WHL).

From Europe draftee Karl Henrickson, free agent signees Gustav Rydahl (Farjestad BK) and Carl Berglund (who was given a training camp invite), all are from Sweden.

Returning on one-year AHL deals are; Tanner Fritz, Alex Whelan and Cristiano Di Giacinto, the last two players were walk-on’s the last two seasons. Patrick Khordorenko comes back on the last year of his contract, and Bobby Trivigno from UMASS will have an entire season to marinate

Add one more name to the list, Ryan Lohin, who split last year between Charlotte and Allen (ECHL).

Gone is forward Anthony Greco, off to Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL, whoo was a Group 6 UFA. On the bubble as Group 6 (have reached age 25 and not playing enough NHL games under the CBA) is Kris Merkley and Maxim Letunov (UCONN-HE) both were acquired at the trade deadline. Likely neither will be back.

RONNING

Reports are that Ronning may sign with the hometown Canucks and be sent to Abbottsford (AHL) nearby. The other returning question marks are forward Lauri Pajuniemi, who has one year left before RFA status and had a rocky relationship with the team in the second half while being injury-riddled.

Likely gone are underperforming Justin Richards, Mike O’Leary, and fill-in James Sanchez.

Three players who had minor roles have gone to three different teams in Slovakia Abbott Girduckis (HC Presov), Liam Pecararo (HC Slovan Bratislava), and defenseman Hamden’s Mike Lee (HC Nove Zamsky).

In goal, expect a whole new cast of characters. Already under contract on a three-year ELC coming in Dylan Garand (Kamloops-WHL) and Olof Lindbom (Kristianstads IK Sweden-Allsvenskan) and a new veteran goalie will more than likely be acquired to shepherd them the. through their pro baptism.

Likely to be gone will be Keith Kinkaid, Adam Huska (UCONN-HE), and Tyler Wall.

LUKE MARTIN

On Friday, defenseman Luke Martin was signed. He played a half-dozen games last year with Colorado (AHL) and most of the year with Utah (ECHL) and earned all ECHL Rookie team status.

He has an interesting connection to current and past Wolf Pack and Rangers.

He played under the stewardship of current Wolf Pack GM Ryan Martin at the US National Development program.

Among his teammates then and is a new teammate are Patrick Khordorenko and current Rangers Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren were USNDTP teammates.

He follows a long line of Michigan hockey players to suit up in Hartford from Chris Summers, Chris Brown, Steven Kampfer, Al Montoya and Director of Player Development, Jed Ortmeyer.

His older brother Kenny is retired from hockey by nine years was a four-year player and senior captain at Yale.

MORE CHANGES

Coming in at goal under a three-year ELC deal is Dylan Grand (Kamloops (WHL) and Olof Lindbom, with a two-year ELC from Kristianstads IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan).

Add to the training camp net menagerie now is Parker Gaghan who spent part of the year with Florida (ECHL) who went to the Kelly Cup final in a backup role and some time with Milwaukee.

Then CT’s own Charlie Leddy of Fairfield who spent one year at Avon Old Farms (CTPREP) from the US National Developmental Team (USHL) and played for the US WJC Team was taken by the Devils in the fourth round.

He is BC (HE) bound in the fall.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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