Connor Brickley Recalled by NY Rangers, Drew Melanson Summoned from Maine & Derek Pratt signed to PTO
BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, February 14, 2019: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury today announced three Wolf Pack player transactions.
The parent New York Rangers have recalled forward Connor Brickley from the Wolf Pack, while the Wolf Pack have recalled forward Drew Melanson from their ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, and have signed defenseman Derek Pratt to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement.
Brickley has skated in 13 games with the Wolf Pack since being acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators January 14, in exchange for Cole Schneider. Brickley has two goals and four assists for six points in action with the Wolf Pack, and in 52 games between Hartford and the Milwaukee Admirals, has totaled nine goals and eight assists for 17 points, plus 20 penalty minutes.
Brickley has 67 games of NHL experience in his five-year pro career, all with the Florida Panthers, and has registered five goals and 12 assists for 17 points, along with 33 penalty minutes. In 247 career AHL games with the Wolf Pack, Admirals, San Antonio Rampage, Portland Pirates and Charlotte Checkers, the former University of Vermont Catamount has amassed 59 goals and 60 assists for 119 points, plus 173 PIM.
Melanson, a rookie out of Boston University was scoreless, with three shots on goal, in three games in an earlier stint with the Wolf Pack. The 5-11, 182-pound Paramus, NJ native is tied for second on the Maine club in points, with ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 43 games. He also has 14 penalty minutes. Melanson, who signed an AHL contract with the Wolf Pack June 20, played five games in a Wolf Pack uniform after the end of his college season last year, notching one assist.
Pratt is a first-year pro out of the University of Connecticut, where he played four seasons. In 44 games with the Mariners this season, the 6-2, 190-pound Pratt has two goals and 11 assists for 13 points and has served 60 minutes in penalties, which is most among Maine defensemen and second overall on the team.
A 24-year-old native of Mount Hermon, MA, Pratt served as UConn’s captain the last two seasons and had one goal and 11 assists for 12 points, along with 37 penalty minutes, as a Senior last year. He also suited up for four ECHL games with the South Carolina Stingrays and had five penalty minutes in one game with the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs. In 141 career Hockey East games with UConn, Pratt totaled two goals and 19 assists for 21 points, plus 129 PIM.
The Wolf Pack’s next game is this Saturday night, February 16, when they head to Bridgeport to take on the Sound Tigers. Faceoff is 7:00 PM and all of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, and online at newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV.
The Wolf Pack are next on home ice this Sunday, February 17, hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 3:00 PM. That is another chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”, which includes two tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas, all for just $40.
Tickets for all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.
Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2018-19 AHL season can be found online at hartfordwolfpack.com. To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
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KEELEY: MELANSON, PRATT HEADED TO HARTFORD
Melanson recalled, Pratt loaned to Wolf Pack
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – February 14, 2019 – In a pair of roster moves made on Thursday, forward Drew Melanson and defenseman Derek Pratt are both headed to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Melanson on recall, for the second time this season, and Pratt on a loan.
Melanson gets his second AHL stint of the season, after initially being called up on December 21st. He appeared in three games his first time up, with no points. He had one assist in five games for the Wolf Pack last season. The 24-year-old forward from Paramus, NJ is currently third on the Mariners in scoring with 10 goals and 17 assists in 43 games.
Pratt (24 years old from Mount Hermon, MA) will get his first look at the AHL, but was in training camp with Hartford and played for the Rangers at the annual Traverse City Prospects Tournament in September. In 44 games with the Mariners this season, Pratt has two goals and 11 assists. He scored the game-tying goal in last night’s Mariners comeback win over Worcester with 2:00 remaining in the third.
The Mariners are on the road for five games starting Friday night against the Norfolk Admirals in Norfolk, VA at 7:00 PM. The next home game is Sunday, February 24th at 3:00 PM, when Worcester comes to town again. A full team autograph session will follow the game. Single game tickets can be purchased at MarinersofMaine.com or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.
