HARTFORD WOLF PACK MAKE FINAL CUTS 

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack made the tough decisions and made tough cuts, sending defenseman Seth Barton,  center Matej Pekar, and forward Cristiano DiGiacinto to their ECHL affiliates, the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Two days ago, Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch had high praise for Barton while Pekar and DiGiacinto signed fan autographs at Trinity College at the Koepppel Community Center after the first period.

19-year-old Maxim Barbashev, still junior eligible and cut loose from his Amateur Try-Out (ATO) deal, heads back to the QMJHL Shawinigan Cataractes. Goalie Brad Arvanitis was released from his Professional Try-Out (PTO) deal and heads to the Maine Mariners (ECHL), who open their camp along with the rest of the ECHL.

Fellow 19-year-old Adam Sykora stays here because he is European and played last year in a pro league in Slovakia.

These moves leave the Wolf Pack with 15 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goalies, making 25 players.

There was a chance that one to three changes could happen on Monday by either trade, release, or via the waiver wire, as the Rangers had to hand in their final roster by 5 p.m. as per CBA regulations to start the NHL season.

CALGARY ARENA

A long-awaited plan was finalized for an $890M new arena development project along with mixed-use development for the Calgary Flames is now formally set after the team, the City of Calgary, and the province of Alberta completed a formal agreement.

They are set to break ground next year with a projected opening by 2026 or 2027. The project will include the new arena of about 18,000-plus seats in downtown Calgary and will include a culture and entertainment district, including a public plaza, community ice rink, restaurants, retail, and residences.

The project will entail the replacement of the Flames’ current home, the Scotiabank Saddledome. The building is known for its iconic saddle-shaped roof and role in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The Saddledome replaced the Calgary Corral, which was their first home when they relocated from Atlanta and the WHA Calgary Cowboys.

The Saddledome is now 40-years-old and no longer meets current NHL standards. It will be demolished once the new arena is completed.

The new arena will house the NHL Flames, AHL Wranglers, WHL Hitmen, CFL Stampeders and NLL Calgary Roughnecks. .

The City of Calgary will contribute $390 million toward the project, the province will chip in $240 million, and the Flames ownership, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), will pay $260 million.

The Flames will commit to the city on a 35-year lease as part of the deal.

NOTES:

Only one player, Drew Worrad, who is dealing with a minor undisclosed injury, is unavailable a week before he will be probably be sent to Cincinnati to get game reps.

Ex-Pack’s Josh Wesley and Brandon Cutler were assigned to the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) by the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Ex-Pack Simon Denis announced his retirement from hockey. He becomes the sixth ex-Pack to retire this off season.

Ex-Pack Brandon Alderson signs with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL).

UCONN opened their season on the road with a non-conference meeting with Colgate University Saturday night winning 4-2 over the Red Raiders who are coached by ex-Pack Mike Harder.

On Sunday afternoon, ended in a 3-3 tie with Ethan Haider in net and sophomore Matt Wood scoring one of their three goals.

On Saturday night, before an SRO crowd, the defending national champion Quinnipiac University Bobcats (ECACHL) battled a non-conference foe, the loaded Boston College Eagles, at the M & T Bank Arena. The Bobcats received a sterling performance in goal from Vinny Duplessis (BU grad transfer) but still lost the game 2-1 with nine seconds left in overtime.

Easton Armstrong, the youngest son of Wolf Pack great Derek Armstrong, had a hat trick, including the 7-6 game winner in overtime, in an early season win for the Wenatchee (WA) Wild (WHL) win over Kamloops Blazers, Pack goalie Dylan Garand’s old junior team.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS