BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The roster wheels were churning on Monday. It was going so quickly that not a single hamster or a gerbil on a Habitrail wheel would have kept pace.

The New York Rangers led the parade of signings by inking the most sought after free agent, Artemi Panarin, away from the Columbus Blue Jackets to a seven-year contract that will pay the Russian winger $11.642 million per year.

Earlier, the Blueshirts sent winger Jimmy Vesey to the Buffalo Sabres for a 2021 third round draft pick.

The Rangers also began their rebuild of the Hartford Wolf Pack by signing two players, center Greg McKegg and forward Danny O’Regan.

McKegg, 27, split his season between the AHL Champion Charlotte Checkers and skated in 41 NHL games with the parent, Carolina Hurricanes in 2018-19. While with the big club, McKegg registered six goals and five assists for 11 points, along with eight penalty minutes. McKegg is a solid two-way player who’s particularly strong in taking draws. He has 146 faceoff wins in 286 (51%) taken this past season.

He also helped Carolina advance to the Eastern Conference Final in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he recorded two goals in 14 playoff games. McKegg recorded his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal/point, which also was the game-winning goal, in Game 4 of the Second Round against the New York Islanders on May 3rd; the goal helped the Hurricanes complete a sweep of the Islanders and advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

While skating in 31 games in Charlotte in the 2018-19 season, the 6-0, 194-pounder registered six goals and 17 assists for 23 points, along with 18 penalty minutes. McKegg tallied at least one point in 17 of his 31 AHL games with the Checkers during the past season, and he recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his last 16 games with Charlotte prior to being recalled by the Hurricanes on Jan. 4, 2019.

McKegg has skated in 132 career NHL games over parts of six seasons (2013-14 – 2018-19) with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and in Carolina, where he’s amassed 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points, along with 40 penalty minutes.

During McKegg’s four-season career (2008-2012) in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he served as the Erie Otters’ captain for parts of two seasons, played in the OHL All-Star Game during the 2009-10 season, and helped the London Knights win the OHL Championship in 2011-12.

McKegg was originally selected by Toronto in the third round, (62nd overall), in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

McKegg’s great uncle is “Leapin” Lou Fontinato, who played parts of seven seasons with the Rangers (1954-1961) in 398 games he had 22 goals and 79 points and 939 PIM. He played his last two years of his 535 game NHL career in Montreal as he had 104 total career points and 1,274 PIM. Led the NHL with an unheard of then 202 PIM in 1955-56 again in 1957-58  for the Rangers and his first year in Montreal 1961-62.

O’Regan like Rangers Head Coach David Quinn and Hartford GM and Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury, are all products of the BU Terriers.

In 70 games with the AHL Rochester Americans, O’Regan, 25, this past season, registered 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points, along with a plus-four rating and 42 penalty minutes. O’Regan helped the Americans advance to the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, and he skated in three playoff games.

The 5-10, 180-pounder right winger has 182 career AHL games over three seasons (2016-19) with the San Jose Barracuda and the Americans. He’s logged 56 goals and 90 assists for 146 points, along with a plus-eight rating and 68 penalty minutes. O’Regan received the Red Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, as he led all AHL rookies with 58 points (23 goals and 35 assists) in 63 games with San Jose. O’Regan was also named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team and played in the AHL All-Star Game in 2016-17. In addition, O’Regan has helped his team advance to the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of his three seasons in the AHL; he has tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) in 21 career Calder Cup Playoff games.

O’Regan has also skated in 25 career NHL games over parts of three seasons (2016-19) with the San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres, registering one goal and four assists for five points, along with two penalty minutes.

Prior to beginning his professional career, O’Regan played four seasons at Boston University (2012-16), registering 66 goals and 88 assists for 154 points, along with a plus-28 rating in 154 games. O’Regan was named to the NCAA (East) Second All-American Team and the Hockey East First All-Star Team as a senior in 2015-16, as he led Boston University in goals (17), assists (27), and points (44) during the season. He also was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2014-15, as he helped Boston University win the Hockey East Regular Season Championship and Hockey East Championship and advance to the National Championship Game.

O’Regan established collegiate career-highs in goals (23), assists (27), points (50), and plus/minus rating (plus-40) in 2014-15. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2012-13, as he became the first freshman to lead Boston University in points since ex-Ranger Tony Amonte in 1989-90. O’Regan is tied for 15th on Boston University’s all-time points list.

O’Regan was born in Germany while his father, former NHL player Tom O’Regan, was playing professionally.

O’Regan has represented the United States in several international tournaments including winning a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship while playing alongside current Rangers Brady Skjei, and Jacob Trouba. O’Regan also played alongside Skjei, and Trouba, with the U.S. National Team Development Program during the 2011-12 season. In addition, O’Regan, and Skjei were teammates with the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.

O’Regan was originally selected by San Jose in the fifth round, 138th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rangers then continued their revamp of the Wolf Pack to make it a more competitive team that can win games, as well as create an environment for young players to grow and build some organizational depth by announcing the signing of three players who all have won titles, been team-leaders. They will join McKegg and O’Regan to combat the laissez-faire hockey that has plagued the Pack the past five years.

Defenseman Vincent LoVerde, a veteran of eight pro seasons, has spent the last two years with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. In 68 games with the Marlies in 2018-19, the right-handed shooting LoVerde scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, while serving 33 minutes in penalties.  In 13 playoff games with Toronto, LoVerde had six assists. In 2017-18, LoVerde helped the Marlies to a Calder Cup, the second of his career.

LoVerde, a 30-year-old native of Chicago, captained the LA Kings’ AHL affiliate’s for the previous three seasons, two with the Ontario Reign and one with the Manchester Monarchs.  In 2014-15 with Manchester, LoVerde won his first Calder Cup title, in the Monarchs’ last season in the AHL. In 432 career AHL games with the Marlies, Reign, and Monarchs, LoVerde has totaled 45 goals and 107 assists for 152 points and has registered 316 penalty minutes.  He played collegiately with Miami (OH) University when they were in the CCHA conference.

Thomas McCollum, a 29-year-old netminder, just completed his tenth season of pro hockey, playing 34 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. The 6-3, 215-pounder went 12-10-10, with a 2.72 goals-against average, a .899% save percentage and had two shutouts.  McCollum was a first-round draft choice (30th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.

McCollum has seen action in 315 total AHL games with the Admirals, Grand Rapids Griffins, Charlotte Checkers, and Stockton Heat.  His career AHL stats are 147-117-23, with a 2.72 GAA, a .907% save percentage and 11 shutouts.  McCollum won a Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012-13.

Prior to turning pro, McCollum played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, with the Guelph Storm and Brampton Battalion.

Harry Zolnierczyk enters his ninth pro campaign. He played last season up I-91 with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds as they tortured the Wolf Pack. The 5-11, 186-pound Toronto native had a pro-career-high 51 points, including a team-leading 36 assists (15-36-51), along with 38 penalty minutes, in 72 games.

The former Brown University (ECACH;) product has skated in 84 career NHL games, with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators, totaling seven goals and six assists for 13 points, plus 93 penalty minutes.  Zolniercyczk has always been a fleet skater and has an agitating side as well has played in 426 career AHL contests with the Thunderbirds, Adirondack Phantoms, Norfolk Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, San Diego Gulls, and Milwaukee Admirals, the 31-year-old Zolnierczyk has amassed 106 goals and 137 assists for 243 points, along with 446 PIM.

Zolnierczyk was originally signed as a free agent by the Flyers March 8, 2011.

There were several signees with Wolf Pack and Connecticut connections.

Former Connecticut Whale and Ranger, Mats Zuccarello. He left the Dallas Stars to lay roots in Minnesota with the Wild where he signed a five-year/$30 million deal with former New Haven Nighthawk, now Wild GM, Paul Fenton.

Bolton, CT native Ron Hainsey signed a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators for $3.5 million.

Former Kent Prep player, Noel Acciari, leaves the Boston Bruins and signs with the Florida Panthers earning a nice pay increase from $750K a year to $1.6M per year for four years totaling $5 million.

Ex-Pack/Whale goalie, Cam Talbot, heads back out West and signs with the Calgary Flames for $2.75M on a one year deal.

Former Yale Bulldog, Ken Agostino, departs the Devils and the swamps of New Jersey for the Maple Leafs on a two-year deal for a very cap friendly, $700K per year.

Now ex-Pack, John Gilmour, as expected, left the Connecticut capital and choose to sign with the Buffalo Sabres who were among 13 suitors for the offensive-minded defenseman. He signs a one-year, one-way NHL deal at $700K.

Former assistant captain Rob O’Gara, the other Wolf Pack Group 6 free agent remains unsigned at this writing.

Gilmour’s now former teammate, Chris Bigras, landed a similarly sweet deal signing a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He will play with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a two-year, one-way deal paying him $700K per year.

Another ex-Pack, Chris Mueller, signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning / Syracuse Crunch earning the same $700K for one year.

Ex-Sound Tiger, Aaron Ness, scored the same $700K deal with the Arizona Coyotes / Tucson Roadrunners for two years.

Connor Clifton, the former Quinnipiac University Bobcat, signed a three-year extension at a million per year with Boston. He has one year left at $725K.

Other players who have been made UFA’s and could be signed over the next few days include:

Anaheim: Ex-Pack, Adam Cracknell

Columbus: former Sound Tiger, J.F. Berube, signed with Philadelphia.

Detroit: Wade Megan (Salisbury Prep)

Edmonton: Ex-Pack, Al Montoya

Minnesota: Landon Ferraro, the son of former Hartford Whaler, Ray

Nashville: Ex-Pack, Cole Schneider

Ottawa: Ex-Pack players Oscar Lindberg, Brian Gibbons, and Adam Tambellini

Pittsburgh: Ex-Pack, Chris Summers

Tampa Bay: Ex-Pack’s Dan Girardi, and Marek Mazanec

Toronto: Ex-Sound Tiger, Steve Olesky.

Washington: Ex-Pack, Jayson Megna, and goalie, Parker Milner (Avon Old Farms).

The Calder Cup champion Checkers watched as two more players depart. Pat Brown went to the Las Vegas Golden Knights / Chicago Wolves (AHL)  on a $700K – NHL / $450K – AHL next year. His contract pays him $700K on a one-way in the second year. Andrew Poturlarski departs for California signing with the Anaheim Ducks / San Diego Gulls.

Riley Barber of the Hershey Bears signs with Montreal/Laval for $700K-NHL/$400K-AHL.

Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) leaves Cleveland and signs a one year $700K deal with the Florida Panthers / Springfield Thunderbirds.

Daniel Carr, the AHL’s regular season MVP, leaves Chicago (AHL) and signs with the Nashville Predators / Milwaukee Admirals for $700K.

Tomas Jurco rescued from Springfield by Charlotte, signs with the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year, one-way $750K contract.

Former Whaler, John Stevens Sr., signs as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars.

Nick Lukko (Salisbury Prep), the son of NHL power executive, Peter Lukko (Florida) has retired to become the assistant coach with Reading (ECHL) next year as he was their captain last season.

In a very lesser note, the Wolf Pack’s secondary affiliate, the Maine Mariners, tendered qualifying offers to five players including two ex-Pack’s in Greg Chase, the nephew of former Whaler, Kelly  Chase, and Alex Kile.

(NOTE: Some parts of a Hartford Wolf Pack press release were used in the formation of this story)

The post CANTLON: NHL/AHL FREE AGENCY first appeared on Howlings.

Trio of Veterans Brings over 1,200 Games of NHL/AHL Experience, and three Calder Cup Titles, to Hartford Roster

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, July 1, 2019:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury announced today that the Wolf Pack has signed defenseman Vincent LoVerde, goaltender Tom McCollum and forward Harry Zolnierczyk to AHL contracts.

LoVerde, a veteran of eight pro seasons, has spent the last two years with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.  In 68 games with the Marlies in 2018-19, the 5-11, 207-pound LoVerde scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, while serving 33 minutes in penalties.  In 13 playoff games with Toronto, LoVerde had six assists, good for second among Marlie defensemen, and a tie for third overall on the team, in helpers.  In 2017-18, LoVerde helped the Marlies to a Calder Cup, the second of his career.

Prior to joining the Toronto organization, LoVerde, a 30-year-old native of Chicago, captained the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate for the previous three seasons, two with the Ontario Reign and one with the Manchester Monarchs.  In 2014-15 with Manchester, LoVerde won his first Calder Cup title, in the Monarchs’ last season in the AHL.  In 432 career AHL games with the Marlies, Reign, and Monarchs, LoVerde has totaled 45 goals and 107 assists for 152 points and has registered 316 penalty minutes.  Before turning pro, he played four seasons of CCHA action with Miami University.

McCollum, 29, just completed his tenth season of pro hockey, playing 34 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.  The 6-3, 215-pound native of Amherst, NY, went 12-10-10, with a 2.72 goals-against average, an 89.9% save percentage and two shutouts.  A first-round draft choice (30^th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, McCollum has seen action in three NHL games with the Red Wings in his career and has logged 315 total AHL games with the Admirals, Grand Rapids Griffins, Charlotte Checkers, and Stockton Heat.  His career AHL stats show a record of 147-117-23, with a 2.72 GAA, a 90.7% save percentage and 11 shutouts.  McCollum won a Calder Cup with the Griffins in 2012-13.

Prior to turning pro, McCollum played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, with the Guelph Storm and Brampton Battalion.

Zolnierczyk, who is entering his ninth pro campaign, played last season with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds.  The 5-11, 186-pound Toronto native had a pro-career-high 51 points, including a team-leading 36 assists (15-36-51), along with 38 penalty minutes, in 72 games.

The former Brown University Bruin has skated in 84 career NHL games, with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators, totaling seven goals and six assists for 13 points, plus 93 penalty minutes.  In 426 career AHL contests with the Thunderbirds, Adirondack Phantoms, Norfolk Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, San Diego Gulls, and Milwaukee Admirals, the 31-year-old Zolnierczyk has amassed 106 goals and 137 assists for 243 points, along with 446 PIM.

Zolnierczyk was originally signed as a free agent by the Flyers March 8, 2011.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com.

The post CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK SIGN VINCENT LoVERDE, TOM McCOLLUM, AND HARRY ZOLNIERCZYK first appeared on Howlings.

The Younger brother of Phil Kessel traded to Maine

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – February 17, 2019 – The Mariners announced the acquisition of defenseman Blake Kessel from the Jacksonville IceMen on Sunday. In exchange, the Mariners send future considerations to Jacksonville. Blake is the younger brother of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel.

A native of Verona, WI, Kessel was drafted at the age of 18 by the New York Islanders in the 6^th round of the 2007 NHL draft. He played for three seasons at the University of New Hampshire before beginning his pro career with the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms in 2011. Since his rookie season, he’s played primarily in the ECHL with six different organizations (Trenton, Bakersfield, Orlando, Atlanta, Kalamazoo, and Jacksonville), but has also suited up for five AHL teams (Adirondack, Rockford, Rochester, Toronto, and Milwaukee). The well-traveled blueliner has played 193 career ECHL games and 85 in the AHL.

Kessel, 29 years old, has been a solid point producer on the back end over his ECHL career. With 137 career points, he’s put up three seasons of 30 points or more. He was named an ECHL All-Star in 2014-15 while with Orlando, and had his best offensive season in 2016-17, when he put up 40 points (10 goals, 30 assists) between Atlanta and Kalamazoo. Kessel has also played overseas in Finland, Germany, and Slovakia (last season). This season in 7 games with Jacksonville, he has one goal and two assists.

The Mariners are in the midst of a five game road trip, playing next on Wednesday night in Reading at 7:00 PM. They will then visit Adirondack and Manchester over the weekend. The next home game is Sunday, February 24^th at 3:00 PM against the Worcester Railers. 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.

The post KEELEY: MARINERS ACQUIRE KESSEL FROM JACKSONVILLE first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Greenville Road Warriors announced today that forward Andrew Rowe has been reassigned to the team by the Philadelphia Flyers from the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League.

Rowe comes to Greenville after beginning his second professional season with the Phantoms. In Adirondack he has posted three goals and an assist in 14 games. His most recent goal on January 20th against Albany was his first game winner of the season. Including his rookie season, Rowe has 16 points (10G, 6A) and 24 penalty minutes in 69 games with the Phantoms.

As a rookie last season Rowe, a 6-2, 180-pound winger, earned eight points (6G, 2A) in 10 regular season games with the Road Warriors. He went on to skate in 11 Kelly Cup playoff games for Greenville and notched 6 points (3G, 3A).

Rowe is expected to be in the lineup when the Road Warriors take on the Florida Everblades tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home on Thursday, February 9, 2012 to take on the Kalamazoo Wings. Join us for a Throwback Thursday presented by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News and New Rock 93.3. Throwback Thursday feature select draft beers, fountain drinks, hot dogs, and pretzels for just $2, and college students can get in for just $6 with a valid ID. Your group of 10 or more can also get a discount off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability by booking in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK to book your group outing with the Road Warriors.

The post ROWE BACK IN GREENVILLE first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Jason Chaimovitch, Vice-President of Communications

All-time attendance record set for outdoor AHL game at Citizens Bank Park

A crowd of 45,653 fans – by far the largest gathering ever in the 76-year history of the American Hockey League – packed Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Friday evening to watch the Adirondack Phantoms take on the Hershey Bears in the third AHL outdoor game ever played.

Game Box-Score: http://bit.ly/wzZw08
Photo Gallery: http://on.fb.me/wxadxw

The figure more than doubled the previous single-game attendance mark in the AHL. Last year’s outdoor event between Connecticut and Providence drew 21,673 fans at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., and the inaugural outdoor game between Syracuse and Binghamton in 2010 saw a crowd of 21,508 fans pack the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

The city of Philadelphia is now home to both the regular-season and playoff records for single-game AHL attendance. In 2005, a capacity crowd of 20,103 fans packed the Wachovia Center (now the Wells Fargo Center) to watch the Phantoms clinch the Calder Cup championship.

The Bears and Phantoms were fierce in-state rivals during the 13 seasons that the Phantoms called Philadelphia home before moving to Glens Falls, N.Y., in 2009.

In addition to the record crowd in attendance, the game was televised live across Canada on Sportsnet and locally on The Comcast Network in Philadelphia. It will be rebroadcast on NHL Network in the U.S. on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 6.5 million fans per season have attended AHL games across North America since 2001

The post AHL HISTORY MADE IN PHILADELPHIA first appeared on Howlings.

VERSUS    

It wasn’t pretty that’s for sure, but the Connecticut Whale, behind a Pavel Valentenko missile from the high slot with 17 seconds left in regulation beat the Adirondack Phantoms 2-1 at the XL Center before 2,389 Wednesday night.

The play that won the game for the Whale was the same one that Assistant Coach J.J. Daigneault ran successfully twice last season. The first time with Valentenko and the next time with current New York Ranger Stu Bickel.

“Originally I had Blake Parlett out there but then called him back and sent Valentenko out,” Daigneault said.

Obviously it worked.

It wouldn’t have worked though if Kris Newbury, back wearing the Assistant Captain’s A on his sweater with veteran defenseman Wade Redden out indefinitely with a leg injury, hadn’t won the face-off Kris Newbury with Tyler Brown as cleanly as he did.

Newbury sent the puck through his legs and back to Brendan Bell stationed behind the Whale’s top center and to his left. Bell received the puck just outside the left-wing face-off circle and quickly moved the puck over to Valentenko who stationed himself at the top of the high slot.  Valentenko unleashed an absolute nuclear missile that bore it’s way straight through Adirondack Phantoms’ goalie Jason Bacashihua (4-3-1 , 24 saves) with just 16.2 seconds left.

“(Faceoffs) are an important part of my game, and something I take a lot of pride in,” Newbury said. “Every time I’m in there, I try to win it and get it back (to the defense). With (Valentenko) shooting the puck, you have a good chance to win the game.”

Valentenko, who’d missed the net badly to the left in a similar situation earlier in the game. However that missed shot went straight to newcomer Jeff Prough and fired it right past Bacashihua for both his first AHL goal and point of his young career. It was a power play goal that gave the Whale, at the time, a 2-1 lead.

In this opportunity though, Valentenko made no qualms about it to anyone that if he got the puck he was going to score by, much as Babe Ruth reportedly called is  shot, Valentenko did and it worked out… nicely.

But in terms of the overall game, this was one of those grind it out, 1990’s New Jersey Devils kind of games. The Phantoms were playing the same 1-3-1 defensive trap that caused such a stir when Tampa Bay played Philadelphia several weeks ago. It’s the very thing that at the NHL level they’re trying to get away from. That kind of a defense strips all the passion and all the joy from a hockey game. When that defense is employed, the game becomes just dump and chase and fall back to go get it. All the fluidity that makes hockey such a magnificent sport to watch suddenly disappears and all that’s left is, well…dull.

But that is what it is and for the Whale, the problem with a game like that is that when there’s zero room in the neutral zone, players can’t make errant or big risk passes. At 4:07 Parlett did just that and it cost the Whale. Parlett’s pass was picked off by Garrett Roe at the right point and he quickly moved it to Brown who found a wide open Mike Testwuide who slipped it into the left side of the net past Chad Johnson (10-4-3, 27 saves).

Andre Deveaux tied the game in the second period when the 6’4, 232 pounder came out from off the right wing boards with Andy Thomas hanging on him like a cheap suit. Deveaux made a nifty backhander from the right circle that beat Bacashihua over the stick side shoulder.

Tye McGinn tied the game at two at 10:52 of the second frame when he came straight up the slot, took a pass from Cullen Eddy and fired it past a defenseless Johnson.

The Whale are now off for the next several days and will reconvene on Monday at Webster Bank Arena for another GEICO Cup battle with their franchise and in-state rival with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

(To listen to all the post-game reaction as well as full details on this contest, you’ll find them after the jump)

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

STANDINGS:

(Standings provided by TheAHL.com)

VIDEO:

Ken Gernander: 

Kris Newbury: 

Brendan Bell: 

Pavel Valentenko: 

* Injury Update from Gernander (Paraphrased)

Wade Redden, it’s still undetermined the extent of the injury or how long he will be out.

Mats Zuccarello, Not close to skating yet. Will be several weeks yet

Aaron Voros, will begin skating again after the Christmas break

Kelsey Tessier, took a puck in the face in practice. Took seven stiches to close it. Would have played but the swelling near his eye had it practically shut. Should be fine  for Monday’s game with the Sound Tigers.

LINES:

Audy-Marchessault – Newbury – Deveaux
Bouchard – Owens – Thuresson
Bourque – McKelvie – Prough
Grant – Tanski

Bell – Nightingale
Baldwin – Parlett
Valentenko – Klassen

Johnson
Talbot

(Assistant Captains Bold and Italicized)

SCRATCHES:

Wade Redden – Lower Body – Indefinite
Mats Zuccarello – Lower Body – Several Weeks
Aaron Voros – Undisclosed – Day-To-Day
Kelsey Tessier – Facial Swelling – Day-To-Day

THREE STARS:

1. CT – P. Valentenko
2. CT – B. Bell
3. ADK – M. Testwuide

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Referee:
Terry Koharski (10)
Jon McIsaac (39)

Linesmen:
Luke Galvin (2)
Derek Wahl (46)

NEXT GAME:

The Whale are off now for their Christmas break. They return to the ice on Monday night when they travel to Bridgeport to take on the Sound Tigers.

Bob Crawford will be on the air with the pre-game show Monday night from the Webster Bank Arena starting at 6:50pm on WCCC.com.

To watch the game live, you can purchased it for $6.99 at AHL-live.

For Ticket information for all home games, call (860) 548-2000.

Too far away or can’t make it? Listen live at WCCC.com or from your cell phone or computer you can get all the live action via our Twitter page: @HowlingsToday for all games both home and away.

SCORE-SHEET:

Adirondack Phantoms 2 at Connecticut Whale 3 – Status: Final
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Adirondack 1 1 0 – 2
Connecticut 1 1 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Testwuide 3 (Brown, Rowe), 4:07. 2, Connecticut, Deveaux 7 (Newbury, Bell), 16:19. Penalties-Prough Ct (tripping), 11:48; Eddy Adk (boarding), 14:16.

2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Prough 1 (Valentenko, Bell), 8:28 (PP). 4, Adirondack, McGinn 5 (Akeson, Roe), 10:52. Penalties-Jancevski Adk (tripping), 6:45.

3rd Period-5, Connecticut, Valentenko 3 (Bell, Newbury), 19:43. Penalties-Bouchard Ct (hooking), 11:27; Brown Adk (hooking), 16:38.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 11-11-7-29. Connecticut 6-8-13-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 / 2; Connecticut 1 / 3.
Goalies-Adirondack, Bacashihua 4-3-1 (27 shots-24 saves). Connecticut, Johnson 10-4-3 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-2,389
Referees-Terry Koharski (10), Jon McIsaac (39).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Derek Wahl (46).

The post WHALE: “I AIN’T ‘FRAID OF NO GHOSTS” first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Bob Crawford, Voice of the Connecticut Whale

The Whale (16-8-1-3, 36 pts.) gained three out of a possible four points in a pair of home games this past weekend, remaining ahead of the Adirondack Phantoms by four points for first place in the Northeast Division.  The Whale hosted Bridgeport at the XL Center on Friday night, defeating their GEICO Connecticut Cup rivals handily, 6-3, before the arch-rival Providence Bruins came to town on Saturday. Connecticut was edged by Providence, 2-1 in a shootout, in that contest. Kris Newbury recorded five points on the weekend for the Whale with a goal Saturday and four assists Friday, the Whale’s first four-point game of the season.

This week:

The Whale’s last game before the Christmas holiday is this Wednesday night, December 21, as they host the Adirondack Phantoms for the first time this season at the XL Center, with faceoff at 7:00 PM.  The Whale then return to action Monday night, the night after Christmas, December 26, visiting Bridgeport for a GEICO Connecticut Cup tilt (7:00).  Connecticut is back home Tuesday night, December 27, for a 7:00 Northeast Division game against the Albany Devils.

Monday, December 19 – Cigna/CT Whale “Hockey in the Streets” Kickoff Event – Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center, 5:00 PM

Cigna and Whale are teaming up in a new program to bring hockey to the streets of Hartford and area towns for boys and girls ages 6 to 12 years. Sponsored by The Cigna Foundation, the “Cigna Hockey in the Streets” outreach will involve a series of Connecticut Whale street-hockey clinics hosted by Whale players.  The kickoff for the program is tonight, at the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center, 444 Albany Avenue in Hartford, starting at 5:00 PM.   Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra will join selected Whale players, Whalers Sports & Entertainment chairman/CEO Howard Baldwin, Cigna chief information officer Mark Boxer and Jim Scherer, Senior VP and CEO of YMCA of Greater Hartford, in celebrating the kickoff of Hockey in the Streets, as Whale players trade shots, passes and saves with area youngsters.

Wednesday, December 21 vs. Adirondack Phantoms at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

· This is “Ugly Holiday Sweater Night”.  Fans who wear an ugly holiday sweater to the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can get a 50% discount on upper-level seats and lower-level end-zone seats.

· The Whale take on the Phantoms for the third time this season Wednesday night, Connecticut has split the first two meetings with Adirondack.

· Adirondack defeated the Whale, 6-3, on opening night October 8, before falling to Connecticut, 4-2, in the rematch October 28, both at Adirondack.

· The Phantoms lost two out of three games this past weekend, dropping both decisions against the Binghamton Senators. Adirondack triumphed Saturday, 4-3, in a road tilt against in-state opponents the Syracuse Crunch.

· Ben Holmstrom tallied four points in the week’s action, with three goals and an assist. Denis Hamel leads the Phantoms in overall scoring with 23 points on the season (11-12-23).

· The Phantoms (15-11-1-1, 32 pts.) trail the Whale by four points in the Northeast Division entering the week.

· Radio – CT Whale “Rockin’ Hockey” live, with Bob Crawford, Garry Swain and Mark Bailey, on “The Rock”, 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Monday, December 26 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Webster Bank Arena), 7:05 PM

· This is the sixth GEICO Connecticut Cup meeting of the year between the Whale and Sound Tigers.  The Whale are 2-1-1-1 through the first half of the ten-game series, but have only a regulation loss and an overtime loss to show for two previous visits to Bridgeport.

· Former Hartford Wolf Pack Brent Thompson’s Sound Tigers have lost six straight games in regulation, and are 1-7-1-1 in their last 10.  That slide has dropped them to 11-14-3-1 for 26 points and into the basement of the Northeast Division.

· Bridgeport point-scoring leader Tim Wallace (9-11-20 in 24 GP) and leading goal-scorer David Ullstrom (12-2-14 in 17 GP) both remain on recall to the parent New York Islanders.

· Radio – CT Whale “Rockin’ Hockey” live, with Bob Crawford on “The Rock”, 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Tuesday, December 27 vs. Albany Devils at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

· This game is “Student Rush Night” at the XL Center.  College and high school students presenting a valid student ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center will receive 50% off upper-level seats and lower-level end-zone seats.

· The Devils (12-11-3-2, 29 pts.) currently stand third in the Northeast Division, three points behind Adirondack and seven points behind the first-place Whale.

· Steve Zalewski leads the Devils in points and goals, with 8-9-17 in 28 games.

· This is the third meeting of the year between the Whale and Devils, and Albany’s first of two visits to the XL Center.  The Whale lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Devils October 14, before registering their first win over Albany in the two-year history of the Devils franchise November 5, also a 3-2 shootout verdict.

· Radio – CT Whale “Rockin’ Hockey” live, with Bob Crawford, Garry Swain and Mark Bailey, on “The Rock”, 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Recent Transactions:

Tim Erixon – Recalled from the Whale by the New York Rangers December 14 and returned December 16

Jeff Prough – Recalled by the Whale from the Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) Dec. 14

Brendan Connolly – Signed by the Whale to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement Dec. 15 and released December 17

Stu Bickel – Recalled from the Whale by the New York Rangers Dec. 18

Whale Tales:

To celebrate the Holiday season, the Whale are offering a “Holiday Hat Trick” package.  A package of four Upper Level tickets, four Whale winter hats and four Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards is only $80, with upgrades available.  Purchase your Holiday Hat Trick package through the Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366.

Fans who purchase Whale season tickets, or a mini-plan, before December 31 will be entered to win a round-trip excursion via limousine to a New York Rangers regular-season home game at Madison Square Garden.  Current season seat-holders and mini-plan-holders are also automatically entered.

College students can get discounted tickets to Whale weekday games with the Whale’s “Ditch the Dorms” deal.  For Monday through Friday home games, students who show a valid student ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can get $2 off Upper Level tickets and $5 off Lower Level seats.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats, mini plans and great group discounts, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr.. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, visit ctlottery.org.

CATCH THE WHALE AT WWW.CTWHALE.COM

The post WHALE WEEKLY: December 19-27, 2011 first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors announced today that defenseman Cullen Eddy has been recalled by the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League.

Assigned to the Road Warriors by the Phantoms on October 18, Eddy has racked up 11 points (3G, 8A) in 12 games for Greenville this season. The 6-0, 195-pound blueliner is tied for the league lead in points by a defenseman while he is second in the league with seven points (2G, 5A) on the power play.

A second year pro, Eddy has 15 points (4G, 11A) in 28 career games with the Road Warriors. He spent a majority of his rookie season with the Phantoms and picked up 10 points (3G, 7A) and 40 penalty minutes in 47 games. He began this season in Adirondack and had an assist in two games prior to coming to Greenville.

Cullen Eddy Player Profile

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to face the Gwinnett Gladiators on Thursday, December 8 at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Come out for the Road Warriors’ Throwback Thursday which features $2 draft beers, fountain drinks, pretzels and hot dogs, and $6 tickets for college students with a valid ID. Throwback Thursdays are sponsored by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News, and New Rock 93.3. Don’t forget about great group packages that get you discounts off of the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative and book their group outing.

The post CULLEN EDDY PROMOTED TO AHL’S PHANTOMS first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt

GREENVILLE, SC – Last night former Greenville Road Warriors defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon played in his first National Hockey League game as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the first former Road Warriors player to play an NHL game.

A 22-year-old defenseman, Bourdon played in five regular season games and 10 Kelly Cup playoff games as a member of the Road Warriors in 2010-11. He registered two assists during the regular season and added three helpers during post-season play.

In his NHL debut against the Carolina Hurricanes, Bourdon logged 15:49 of ice time, was a +1, and took a minor for interference during the first period. The 6-0, 225-pound rearguard was a third round draft pick of the Flyers (#67 overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry draft. A third-year pro, Bourdon has played 121 games in the American Hockey League with the Adirondack Phantoms and has posted 32 points (3G, 29A) along with 160 penalty minutes.

Bourdon is the 474th former ECHL player to suit up in the NHL.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to face the Gwinnett Gladiators on Thursday, December 8 at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Come out for the Road Warriors’ Throwback Thursday which features $2 draft beers, fountain drinks, pretzels and hot dogs, and $6 tickets for college students with a valid ID. Throwback Thursdays are sponsored by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News, and New Rock 93.3. Don’t forget about great group packages that get you discounts off of the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative and book their group outing.

The post MARC-ANDRE BOURDON BECOMES FIRST ROAD WARRIORS ALUM TO PLAY IN NHL first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

PRINCETON, NJ – Nic Riopel of the Greenville Road Warriors is the Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Nov. 7-13.

The 22-year-old was 2-0-0 with a goals against average of 1.44 and a save percentage of .954 in two victories over South Carolina last week as the Road Warriors improved to 6-5-0 on the season.

Riopel opened the week with 28 saves in a 5-2 win on Thursday and then made 35 saves, and stopped five out of seven attempts in the shootout, as the Road Warriors prevailed 2-1.

A native of Beloeil, Quebec, Riopel twice won Goaltender of the Week honors during the 2010-11 season with Greenville. This season he is 6-1-0 with a goals against average of 3.00 and a save percentage of .905. His six wins are tied for third in the league.

A fifth-round selection (142nd overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Riopel has played in 45 career ECHL games with Greenville, posting a record of 30-13-2 with two shutouts, a 2.82 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. He is also 7-13-0 in 21 career games in the AHL with the Adirondack Phantoms. Previously he played in 173 games in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, where he was named QMJHL Player of the Year in 2009.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to face the Gwinnett Gladiators on Thursday, December 8 at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Come out for the Road Warriors’ Throwback Thursday which features $2 draft beers, fountain drinks, pretzels and hot dogs, and $6 tickets for college students with a valid ID. Throwback Thursdays are sponsored by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News, and New Rock 93.3. Don’t forget about great group packages that get you discounts off of the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative and book their group outing.

The post RIOPEL TOPS ECHL first appeared on Howlings.