By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team had assigned forward Ryan Carpenter to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. In addition, the club has traded forward Austin Rueschhoff to the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations.

Carpenter, 32, has scored 28 points (13 g, 15 a) in 31 games with the Wolf Pack this season. In Hartford’s last game on Saturday night, he collected three points (1 g, 2 a) in the club’s 4-1 victory over the Syracuse Crunch. In addition to his time in the Connecticut capital this season, Carpenter has scored three points (1 g, 2 a) in 22 games with the Rangers.

The native of Oviedo, Florida, has skated in 330 career NHL games with the Rangers, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights, and San Jose Sharks.

Rueschhoff, 25, has appeared in 31 games with the Wolf Pack this season, scoring eleven points (2 g, 9 a). The native of Wentzville, Missouri, joined the Rangers as a free agent on March 20^th, 2020.

In 113 career AHL games, all with the Wolf Pack, Rueschhoff has scored 43 points (20 g, 23 a).

The Pack is back at the XL Center on Sunday, March 5^th, when the club welcomes the Charlotte Checkers to town for a 3:00 p.m. puck drop. For tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com.

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The post NEW YORK RANGERS MAKE MOVES AFFECTING HARTFORD WOLF PACK first appeared on Howlings.

HARTFORD, CT – The first round of the 2021 NHL entry draft was completed Friday night.

The event, held virtually for covid-19 considerations, was a mixed bag. The first few players went as expected, but some surprises followed and a major late-round shocker as well.

There were also a few players selected with connections to Connecticut who were selected.

The New York Rangers, the parent club of the Hartford Wolf Pack took Brennan Othmann, an 18-year-old 6’0 175lbs. forward with the 16th pick.

Two years ago, Othmann played for the Flint Firebirds (OHL). In 55 games he registered 17 goals and 33 points. Last season, with the OHL on hiatus due to Covid-19, Othmann took an unorthodox route to continue to play.

CONTINUING TO PLAY

Since he is a Canadian with dual citizenship in Switzerland, he went there and played in the elite men’s league with EHC Olten (NLA). In 34 games, Othmann had seven goals and 16 points.

His father, Gerry Othmann had an 11-year professional hockey career. His uncle Robert, who still resides in Switzerland, after completing a 15-year playing career went on to coach the game at various levels of Swiss hockey over the last five years.

Othmann’s midget hockey was played with the traditionally strong Don Mills Flyers (GTHL) program.

CONNECTICUT CONNECTED SELECTIONS

The 24th pick by the Florida Panthers was Newtown’s Mackie Samoskevitch. The selection was announced by former Hartford Whaler, and Ranger, Shane Churla, the Panther Director of Amateur Scouting.

Samoskevitch skated for the Shattuck’s St. Mary’s Sabres (MNPREP) program playing with current UCONN Huskies center Artem Schlaine. He is a commit to the University of Michigan (Big 10) in the fall. They had three current Wolverines and two incoming freshmen all drafted. They could be an early favorite to be in the NCAA Frozen Four which will be played in Boston next spring.

Chase Stillman, the grandson of a former New Haven Nighthawk Bud Stefanski, was chosen 29th by the New Jersey Devils. With the OHL sidelined he played with Esbjerg (Denmark-DHL). In eight games he had nine goals and 16 assists.

In 2019-20, Stillman played for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL). In the 59 games that he played in, Stillman tallied 13 goals and 34 points. The team was coached by his father, former NHL’er, Cory Stillman.

ANOTHER CONNECTICUT CONNECTION

Moving up a few notches early in the draft was Cole Sillinger, the son of ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger and NHL’er, Mike Sillinger. He was taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets thirteenth overall out of the Sioux Falls (SD) Stampede. While playing there, he earned USHL Rookie-of-the-Year honors. In 31 games, Sillinger registered 24 goals and 46 points.

The first two picks came from the University of Michigan program. The first was 6’6 defenseman, Owen Power by the Buffalo Sabres, and the second was the first-ever NHL selection by the Seattle Kraken. They chose Power’s teammate, Matthew Berniers.

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The third pick moved up from where scouts thought he might wind up. The selection was forward Mason McTavish by the Anaheim Ducks.

SURPRISE

The biggest surprise of the first round was at the 29th selection.

The Montreal Canadiens chose Logan Mailloux who declared he did not want to be drafted earlier in the week. Mailloux is dealing with an incident that occurred last year in Sweden while the London Knights (OHL) player was on loan to SK Lejon (Sweden HockeyEttan, Division I, Third Tier).

Mailloux, 18, was fined by local police for showing a photo that depicted him and a woman engaged in a sexual act to his teammates via Snapchat. The photo was taken without her consent.

The woman went to local police, and while Mailloux was not arrested, he was charged with invasion of privacy and defamation. He paid a fine that amounted to just over $1,300 in US Currency.

“I feel that this would allow me the opportunity to demonstrate an adequate level of maturity and character next season,” Mailloux wrote in his own press release. “(It would) provide all the NHL teams the opportunity to reassess my character towards the 2022 NHL draft.”

A player can’t be de-certified once you’re in the Central Registry for the draft. Once you’re eligible, you can be drafted and the Canadiens elected to select Mailloux.

Rounds 2-7 will be conducted on Saturday starting at 11 AM on the NHL Network.

PLAYER AND COACHES MOVEMENT

The Rangers traded forward Pavel Buchnevitch to the St. Louis Blues in a move to clear cap space but to also add grit to the lower six forwards. While Buchnevich is a popular 20-goal scorer, the Rangers got back 25-year-old Sammy Blais and a 2022 second-round pick to be held in Montreal at the Bell Centre two years later than was originally planned.

The Blueshirts also initiated the buyout of defenseman Tony DeAngelo. The oft-troubled rearguard was exiled after a January 30th post-game fight near the locker room with another ex-Pack, goalie Alexander Georgiev.

It’s a safe bet to expect a few more trades, especially to alleviate the glut of (as of Friday) 19 signed defensemen in the organization. Qualifying offers will officially be made on Monday to RFA’s and they will have until Wednesday to either accept or reject them.

WOLF PACK SCHEDULE

The Wolf Pack’s 2021-22 regular season schedule was released on Friday. The Wolf Pack will play 72 games dropping two home and road games.

Both the home and regular-season openers are on the schedule for Friday, October 15th against the renamed Bridgeport Islanders.

On Saturday, October 16th, the Pack travel northbound on I-91 to play the Springfield Thunderbirds, who return to action after taking a (Covid) year off. They will have a new affiliation with the St. Louis Blues and their head coach is ex-Wolf Pack, Drew Bannister.

The Pack will finish the first weekend playing the Providence Bruins at 3 PM in Hartford on Sunday, October 17th.

PLAYERS MOVING

Ex-Pack Shawn O’Donnell signs with his third Denmark team in two years. O’Donnell signed his name on a contract with SonderyskE for next season departing from Esbjerg Energie after being traded by Odense.

Another AHL player heads to Europe in Robert Lantosi. He leaves Providence for Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL). a Swedish SHL team making 48 players leaving for Europe and six to sign with a Swedish SHL team.

Ex-Sound Tiger Victor Bartley has left Unia Oswiecim (Poland-PZIHL). He announced he was retiring in the spring, but signed with the Kunlun Red Star (China-KHL).

Matt Boucher, the son of former NHL defenseman Philippe Boucher, signs an AHKL deal with the Colorado Eagles.

Connor Doherty (Sacred Heart University) signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL), the former Double AA affiliate of the Wolf Pack.

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The post CANTLON: NHL DRAFT DAY ONE RESULTS & NEWS first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT –  This is the final look at hockey news until The Hartford Wolf Pack opens training camp.

TRAVERSE CITY TOURNAMENT

The roster for the New York Rangers that will compete in the 2018 Traverse City tournament is set.

The annual prospects tournament that’s held in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or the “UPEE,” as its known, will feature prospects from eight NHL teams. The Detroit Red Wings hosted tourney runs from September 7th until the 11th. For the Rangers, this is their 12^th straight appearance in the tournament, which was almost postponed this year because of renovations being done on the arena.

There are two divisions in the tournament named after legendary Red Wings players. The Rangers will play in the Ted Lindsay division which features Detroit, the Dallas Stars, and, the Minnesota Wild. The other division is named after Gordie Howe and prospects from the St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will battle it out.

This is the 20^th year of the tournament. The games are played in the Centre Ice Arena.

When the Rangers unveiled their roster, it had ten players on it who spent either all of last season or part of it in Hartford.

Leading the charge on the ice will be forwards Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and wearing the “C” for the second prospects tournament in a row will be, Ty Ronning.

There are other familiar forward names.

Gilbert Fontaine is expected to take a stronger role in the offense this fall. Dawson Leedahl is on the roster and then there are two collegians who signed with the team in the offseason and had late-season auditions in Hartford last spring. They are Drew Melanson from Boston University, where he played under new Rangers head coach, David Quinn, and Justin Salvaggio from the UNH Wildcats (HE).

On the backline will be the Rangers’ highly-regarded prospect, Ryan Lindgren. He played ten games at the end of the season after leaving Minnesota (Big 10). Lastly, there’s defensive-minded defenseman Brandon Crawley.

The rest of the newcomers include some highly thought of talent acquired in trades or were drafted.

Up front, is Brett Howden who was acquired from Tampa Bay in the trade for ex-Wolf Pack duo Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. Two European free agent signees include Sweden’s Mikael Lindqvist, and Finnish native, Ville Meskanen. Tim Gettinger from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) starts his first pro camp.

Two draft picks from June include the Swiss-born, Nico Gross (Oshawa OHL), who was just one of two 17-year-olds who played in last year’s WJC (World Junior Championship). The other was the first overall draft pick by Buffalo, Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin. The other draftee is defenseman Joey Keane (Barrie Colts OHL).

On defense, Sean Day, a Ranger #1 pick two years ago, arrives for his first camp. Libor Hajak was acquired in the Tampa Bay trade. He went to the Memorial Cup final with Regina (WHL) where he was coached by ex-Wolf Pack championship coach, John Paddock, plus former UCONN defenseman and captain Derek Pratt. He signed in the offseason with the Rangers new Double AA affiliate, the Maine (Portland) Mariners. Tyson Helgeson, who played four games at the end of the year, will be there but is heading to Royal Military College in Calgary (CWUAA) after the tourney.

In goal, Chris Nell returns for his second tournament after playing for three teams last year. His battery mate has a familiar last name. He’s Jeremy Brodeur, the son of the NHL’s recently named Hall-Of-Famer, Marty Brodeur. Brodeur the younger, played for the Allen (TX) Americans last year. His father recently left St. Louis where he was an Assistant GM. He’s returned to the New Jersey Devils where he will head the team’s business development department.

PLAYERS & COACHES MOVEMENT PLUS HOCKEY NEWS

Dan DeSalvo becomes the 17th member of last season’s Hartford Wolf Pack roster to sign elsewhere. DeSalvo inks an AHL deal with the Cleveland Monsters.

Another ex-Sound Tiger defenseman, Jesse Graham, signs with the Utica Comets.

Ex-Pack, Tanner Glass, who split last year between Stockton and Calgary, signs with GHC Bordeaux (France-FREL) for next season. He is the 74th AHL’er to sign for Europe this season.

Ex-Pack, and New York Ranger, Ryan “Hollywood” Hollweg has been forced to retire due to a knee injury incurred while playing for HC Plzen (Pilsener) of the Czech Republic Elite League (CEL). It was announced the by the team’s GM/Head coach and former Ranger and HC Plzen teammate, Martin Straka.

Hollweg played six seasons in the Czech Republic and returned last season after a year off from the knee injury, but despite a contract renewal for this season, the injury’s effects stayed with him. In Hollweg’s last pro season, he played 41 games with two goals, amassing just four points, and 87 PIM.

Ex-Pack, Josef Balej, leaves Medvescak Zagreb (Croatia-AEHL) to MaHK Zlina (Slovakia-SLEL)

Brandon DeFazio, the ex-Sound Tiger, and son of former Nighthawk, Dean DeFazio, goes from Kunlun (China-KHL) to Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL)

Another ex-Sound Tiger defenseman, Chris Lee, officially retires from Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia-KHL) and saw his number 4 retired.

Adrian Gajor, from Plainville, CT, and last played for the Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack, signs with Cracovia Krakow (Poland-PZIHL).

Nick Lukko, a Salisbury Prep grad, signs a one-year AHL deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Jarrid Priviters (Gunnery Prep) departs the University of Vermont (HE) and who played a few games with Manchester (ECHL) after his college season ended, has signed with Greenville (ECHL).

Ex-Pack, Desmond Bergin, who played in two games on emergency recalls with the Wolf Pack last year, re-signs with Adirondack (ECHL).

Former UCONN Husky, Brian Morgan, re-signs with Reading (ECHL). He split last year between Pensacola (ECHL) and Reading,

Ryan Obuchowski, the former Yale Bulldog, signs again with Toledo (ECHL).

Devin Buffalo goes from Dartmouth College (ECACHL) to Greenville (ECHL). Trey Phillips goes from the University of Vermont (HE) to Jacksonville (ECHL) while Demico Hannoun of Northern Michigan (NCHC), leaves early and signs with Indy (ECHL). A Division III player heads to Europe in Tim Santopaolo. He goes from Aurora University (NCHA) to Svegs IK (Sweden Division-2).

That makes 197 Division I players who have signed North American pro deals and a grand total of 261 collegiate players have signed North American and European deals.

UMASS-Amherst (HE) gets a grad school transfer in Jake Pritchard from St. Lawrence (ECACHL).

Julian Pacliero becomes the new assistant coach with UMASS-Lowell (HE). Joe Howe leaves Denver University (NCHC) and takes an assistant coach’s position with the University of Alaska (WCHA).

Another former Husky, Joona Kunnas, was released in training camp from HC Mulhouse Scorpions (France-FREL) and signed with HC Anglet.

Ex-Sound Tiger, Tobias Stephan, has gone from EV Zug (Switzerland-LNA) to HC Lausanne (Switzerland-LNA)  where he signed a three-year deal.

Adam Jakopin, the cousin of former Wolf Pack and Beast of New Haven, John Jakopin, goes from Lindenwood University (NAIA), a college club hockey program, to HK Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-AEHL).

Nick Hale, of Salisbury Prep, is a Yale University (ECACHL) commit in 2019-20. He will play this season for the Brooks (AB) Bandits (AJHL)

DJ King, the son of ex-Whaler Derek King, leaves the US National Development Team playing in the USHL, to play Canadian major junior with the London Knights (OHL). He has dual citizenship and is eligible to play for either of the two country’s WJC team in December.

Two more sons of Whalers have entered the organized hockey ranks. Geoff Sanderson’s two boys will be playing US College hockey in the near future.

Ben Sanderson from the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) has committed to Colorado College (NCHC) in 2019-20. His youngest son, Jake, goes from the Canadian prep program at The Edge School (CSSHL) to the US National Development U-17 Team this year. That team plays out of Plymouth, MI. He has given a commitment to North Dakota (Big 10) for 2020-21.

A very well-written piece from Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times concerning Jerry Bruckheimer, who along with David Bonderman, is on course to bring the NHL to Seattle.

The article stated that it looks like a November presentation to the NHL Board Of Governors (BOG) and likely a December BOG vote on their expansion franchise application. If approved, they will become the 32^nd NHL team. That should jibe well with the fact that by that time that vote comes, renovations on the Seattle Key Arena will have begun.

Bruckheimer also discussed placing a USHL American Junior A franchise in the new building. The USHL is primarily situated in the American Midwest with no Western state teams at all.

While building your brand and the sport in the American Northwest is good, he failed to acknowledge the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, who have been in the city and the greater Seattle area (now in Kent, WA south of Seattle) for 33 years. The Thunderbirds have built a very strong brand name of their own and have helped grow the sport of hockey at the grassroots level in a city that used to have just an old semi-pro league team in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. There are also three other WHL teams in the state of Washington.

One of those three is within an easy driving distance of Seattle. The Everett Silvertips has been in business for 18 years and is North of the city. The Spokane Chiefs have operated for 33 years and are in eastern WA near the Idaho border and a fourth team is in Kennewick, WA near the Oregon border. That team, the Tri-City Americans, have been there for 30 years along with the Portland (OR) Winter Hawks, who make up the US Division of the WHL.

The real growth of hockey is currently happening in the American Southwest where Texas, Arizona, and West California, lead the way. Oregon and Washington will try to build upon what has been done over the past 30 plus years in those areas.

The NHL has a very important relationship with Canadian major junior hockey and with the governing body, the CHL (Canadian Hockey League). Perhaps some of the BOG will educate Bruckheimer’s Seattle Hockey Partners LLC, of that relationship during the courting period. The group needs to be aware and not trample on it during the stampede of euphoria when Seattle gets its NHL team.

Read the article HERE.

GERLING SCORES CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER AND NAMED MVP

The AIHL (Australian Ice Hockey League) Goodall Cup has a new owner, and a former UConn Husky was the hero.

The Canberra (CBR) Brave captured their first-ever title winning in overtime after falling short in the final two consecutive years. They have Trevor Gerling to thank for it.

At 11:38 of overtime, Gerling was coming as the trailer on the left wing on a three-on-two break.

Gerling, in his royal blue uni sporting number 78, was billowing in the back. He took a left-wing drop pass from Wehebe Darge (three assists) and roofed a shot over the right shoulder of Sydney Bears goalie, Anthony Kimlin for their 4-3 title win. The celebration from the packed house was wild at the O’Brien Sports Arena in Melbourne, the yearly hosts of the Grand Final.

Ryan Louth had a strong game for Sydney with a goal and two assists. They all came in the second period which allowed the Bears to take a 3-2 lead into the third.

Gerling was named the tournament MVP and Canberra, Australia’s capital city was celebrating a major title.

The semifinal saw the Canberra (CBR) Brave with Gerling, the league’s co-leading scorer with 67 points in 24 regular games played, against the Melbourne Mustangs. The Brave won decisively 5-1 with Gerling scoring two goals and had an assist. Then the Perth Thunder where shut down by the Sydney Bears 3-0 in the other semifinal.

CBR set a new AIHL regular season points record in their short season league with 72 points. Gerling was tied for the league’s scoring lead with Perth’s Pier-Oliver Grandmaison with 67 points. However, Grandmaison led the league with 43 assists to go along with 34 goals including a hat-trick in the last game of the regular season against the Melbourne Ice in a 6-2 victory.

Cheshire’s Rob Malloy and his Newcastle Northstars were knocked out of their chance to capture the fourth and final playoff spot after a 5-4 shootout loss in the second to last game of the season.

The game saw Newcastle tally the first two goals in the game and a 3-1 lead in the second period after converting on a five-minute major penalty for a hit to the head. The penalty set off numerous skirmishes for the rest of the period. Newcastle held their lead through the third when Perth mounted a rally to tie the game.

Perth won the last game of the year 5-3 to break the tie with 39 seconds in regulation.

Malloy finished his sixth AIHL season with 18 assists and 24 points in 25 games.

“Not going to lie,” said Malloy via e-mail, “I’m pretty happy the season is over. Nothing really worked and it was a pretty frustrating season.”

He will be involved in international competition when he heads to Queenstown, New Zealand. There he will play in a three-game series next week against the Kiwis where he will catch up with his old pal, Berlin’s Adam Blanchette. He will play next year in Serbia for Australia at the IIHF World Championship tournament.

Nearby in New Zealand, there is a new Birgel Cup champion.

The Southern (Queenstown) Stampede, seeking their fourth straight championship loss to the West Auckland Admirals in a 2-1 championship game win on the road.

It was West Auckland’s first ever NZIHL title with Berlin’s Adam Blanchette the team’s assistant coaches dream.

The post CANTLON’S CORNER: WOLF PACK OFF SEASON VOLUME 19 first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The dog days of summer are here. Hockey reporters across the globe are taking their vacations before the start of training camps in September. However, because MOST reporters are off enjoying some time off, does not mean that there isn’t any hockey news. There’s plenty.

PLAYER & COACHING MOVEMENT

As expected, now former Wolf Pack forward, Adam Tambellini, signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators. Cantlon’s Corner reported late in the season that there was strong interest from the team in Tambellini by the Canadian capital’s city.

Tambellini’s deal will pay him $650K in the NHL and $85K for his play in the AHL, which is where he’s likely to start the season, in Belleville. In his three full seasons, he collected 46 goals and 99 points in 211 games. Tambellini was never once was recalled by the New York Rangers. Tambellini was drafted in the third round by the Rangers in the 2013 draft. Last year, he had a career-high of 16 goals and 32 points in 69 games.

Ex-QU Bobcat Bo Pieper signs with Reading Royals (ECHL) this year.

Ex-CT Whale, Mike Pelech, goes from the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) to the Rangers former Double AA affiliate, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Former Wolf Pack, Caleb Herbert, who had an eight-game recall from Greenville to Hartford last year, and a longer recall with the San Jose Barracudas (AHL), and a one-game stint with the Utica Comets signs with Utah (ECHL).

Jesse Schwartz is the last graduating UConn Husky from their first Hockey East roster last spring to sign a pro contract. He inks a deal with the Rangers new Double AA farm team, the Maine Mariners (ECHL). Joining him, in a trio of announced signings, are fellow Hockey East player, Garrett Cecere (Northeastern), and the son of the former New Haven Nighthawk/Senators, Brad Jones, who’s in his second pro season, Mitch Jones. His younger brother, Max Jones, is an Anaheim Ducks draftee who will be in San Diego this season.

Brady Shaw, the son of ex-Whaler, Brad Shaw, signs with the Orlando (ECHL) after being with Colorado (ECHL) last year.

Ex-Sound Tiger, Olivier Labelle, goes from GHC Bordeaux (France-FREL) to Indy (ECHL).

Ex-Sound Tiger, Josh Winquist, goes from Orlando (ECHL) to Colorado (AHL).

Logan O’Connor, the son of former Utica Devil, Myles O’Connor, exits the University of Denver (NCHC) a year early to sign with the Colorado Avalanche’s new AHL franchise.

Joe Sullivan, of St. Lawrence (ECACHL), signs with the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL) while Brady Norrish of R.I.T. (AHA) signs with Idaho (ECHL). That makes 222 total collegiate players to sign pro deals since school has ended.

One time Trinity College assistant, Paul Kirtland, leaves Dubuque (USHL) to be the new assistant coach for the Sacred Heart University Pioneers (AHC) this fall.

Ex-Sound Tiger, Bracken Kearns, last years’ winner of the AHL’s Fred T. Hunt Award while with Binghamton, has moved to Europe. Kearns signed with EHC Linz (Austria-AEHL).

Rod Pelley, a longtime Albany Devils captain, who had his highest single-season goal output (13) courtesy of playing against the Wolf Pack, leaves Stockton for SonderyskE (Denmark-DHL). The gritty centerman leaves after 556 AHL and 256 NHL games.

After just one full season, Jordan Boucher leaves Laval for Orebro HK (Sweden-SHL).

62 AHL players from 24 teams have signed to play in Europe since the 2017-18 season ended.

Former Wolf Pack captain, and ex-Sound Tiger, Aaron Johnson, goes from Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL) to Sheffield (England-EIHL).

Ex-Sound Tiger, James Wright, who split last year with Barys Astana (Kazakhstan-HK) and HC Vladivostok (Russia-KHL), heads for Linkopings HC (Sweden-SHL) next season.

Nick Malik, the youngest son of former Whalers, Rangers, and Beast of New Haven defenseman, Marek Malik, will get to play for his father’s team.

The younger Malik, 16, played split-time with HC Vitkovice U-18 and U-20 teams last year. He was signed by HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic-CEL) for the 2018-19 season and then loaned to HC Frydek-Mistek (Czech Republic Division-2) where his father has been the assistant coach the last four years.

His older brother, Zach Malik, came to North America last year. He played with Sudbury (OHL) 38-0-12-12.

Peter Quenneville, the ex-Quinnipiac Bobcat, after playing in three countries last season signed with Sparta Sorpsborg (Norway-NEL). The three teams Quenneville played for included HC Dynamo (Czech Republic-CEL), then moving to SaiPa (Finland-FEL) before landing with the Aalborg Pirates (Denmark-DHL) who captured the Danish title.

XL CENTER UPDATE

The process of evaluating the bid by Oak Street Realty LLC of Chicago has begun.

The CRDA and its Venue committee have begun a Q & A on their bid submission.

“We have started a dialogue with (Oak Street Realty). A series of initial questions have been communicated with them, and by no means has the bid been accepted in the formal sense. We have a process that is underway, so we can make a determination on this bid and we’re very early in that process,” said Venue Committee member Kim Hart. “I don’t expect we will have an answer till sometime in the fall, we don’t have a firm time deadline.”

CRDA Executive Director, Mike Freimuth, has been an “umpire” about this process that was initiated a year ahead of time.

“We’re still working through all of this. It’s going to take time,” Freimuth said while keeping the cards close to the vest.

It’s probable that sometime shortly after the election, decisions, including several critical ones, will be made.

WHALER WEEKEND WITH THE YARDS GOATS

The Second Annual Hartford Whalers celebration with the Double AA Eastern League baseball, Hartford Yards Goats (Colorado Rockies), took place on Saturday, July 28^th as the Yards Goats entertained the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays) at Dunkin Donuts Park.

The festivities started with a luncheon at the Yard Goats upper deck club area. There were meals served, mingling with the players, they took batting practice, ran the bases and other special events. Also included was a limited edition poster.

New players who attended included New England Whaler great, Andre Lacroix who played in all seven years of the WHA, David A. Jensen, Don Nachbaur – who’s now an assistant coach with the LA Kings and played with the New Haven Nighthawks, as well as rough and tumble, Jeff Brubaker. Also attending for the first time was the colorful Paul Lawless who played with the Whalers and another CT team the New Haven Senators. Rick Ley also attended for the first time. Ley played with the New England and Hartford Whalers. He was also the head coach of the NHL Whalers from 1989-1991 and spent one year as an assistant in 1981-82, which was his first year after retiring. He played all seven seasons of the WHA’s New England Whalers history.

Also in attendance was the NHL radio voice of the Whalers, Chuck Kaiton. He returned after officially being dropped as the Carolina Hurricanes radio play-by-play voice last week. Kaiton spent the last 39-years covering the Whalers and Hurricanes. In addition, several off-ice personnel, including Equipment Manager and Trainer, Skip Cunningham, and Bob Gorman respectively, were on hand making the trip from North Carolina.

A very special guest was Paul D’Amato, who is best known as Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken, from the all-time classic hockey movie, “Slapshot.” Whaler fan favorite Tony Harrington sang the National Anthem. Lastly, Wayne “Scoop” Knight who was the Whaler, and Wolf Pack Director of the ice crew for 35 years, and who has the nickname, “Doctor Ice” was there to enjoy the festivities.

The returning players from last year’s event included Bill Bennett, Bob Crawford, Brian Propp, Dave and Wayne Babych, as well as a big favorite, Ed “Boxcar” Hospodar, who shot his ceremonial first pitch with a hockey stick and started his pro career as a New Haven Nighthawk.

Jordy Douglas, Mark Janssens, Marty Howe, Norm Barnes, Scott “Chief” Daniels, and Yvon Corriveau, who are all still living in the area made it as well.

Several who wanted to come, such as Paul Fenton, who recently took the job as the new GM of the Minnesota Wild, and his new assistant coach Dean Evason, another former Whaler were both unable to attend.

Joel Quenneville, Kevin Dineen, and Ulf Samuelsson, who are all behind the bench in Chicago were also unable to attend. This past weekend was also the Blackhawks convention in Chicago. All expressed hope to be there next summer. Dineen and Samuelsson’s number 11 and 5 respectively hang in rafters of the XL Center.

There was an autograph session for the fans prior to the game.

The post CANTLON’S CORNER: WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON VOLUME 14 first appeared on Howlings.