HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are surrounded by news.
The injuries to Filip Chytil, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin created a serious salary cap problem for Team President and General Manager of the New York Rangers, Chris Drury. In an effort to bank as much money for a rainy day, i.e., the trade deadline (or signing Patrick Kane), the Rangers have been making paper transactions shuffling Jonny Brodzinski, Connor Mackey, and Louie Domingue back and forth between Hartford and New York.
Seth Barton could have been used, but he opted to leave and sign with KooKoo (Finland-FEL).
UCONN gained a recruit commit for next year with a famous New England hockey name. Mason Kesselring started this year with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and was recently traded to the Fargo (ND) Force (USHL). His father, Casey, was a 1990s-era Hockey East star with Merrimack College (1994-1998). He also had a five-year minor pro career. His brother Michael is with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
Nico Gross, a Rangers draftee in Switzerland, looks to be staying there after signing a deal with HC Davos (NLA), ending a four-year relationship with EV Zug.
Hockey history with Arizona.
For the first time in 35 years, two “Gordie Howe Hat Tricks,” which is a fight, a goal, and an assist all in one game by players on one team, were recorded.
To add to the oddity, the last time that happened was in Winnipeg when the Jets saw Peter Taglianetti and Andrew McBain accomplish that feat.
In Arizona, it happened with Liam O’Brien and Jack McBain, who is the son of ex-New Haven Senator Andrew McBain.
After six games with the Orlando Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), the Syracuse Crunch signs ex-Pack goalie Brandon Halverson.
After four games with the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL), ex-Sound Tiger Yannick Turcotte heads overseas for Ferencvárosi (Hungary-MOL).
