Richardson turns away all 37 shots; Swamp Rabbits set Greenville hockey history

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

ESTERO, Fla. – Jordan Timmons poked home the only goal of the game 49 seconds in, but Luke Richardson stole the show with 37 saves on 37 shots, earning his first pro shutout and vaulting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 1-0 win on Saturday night. The win also sets a new record for Greenville professional hockey, with the 2023-24 Greenville Swamp Rabbits becoming the fastest team to 30 wins, having done so in 42 regular season games.

Jordan Timmons fired home the game’s only goal, and it was so early that fans were still finding their seats. Just 49 seconds into the action, Ben Freeman took a turned-over puck behind the net and left it for Timmons streaking behind. Timmons fired a backhander that was thwarted by the blocker of Florida’s Cam Johnson in net, but Freeman fed the rebound back to Timmons. He poked at the puck hard enough to play it over the goal line, giving the Swamp Rabbits the only goal of the game they’d need and a 1-0 advantage (Freeman collected the only assist). Moments later, Luke Richardson, in net for the Swamp Rabbits, made a game-breaking save on his blocker post with an outstretched leg pad at the last second and rode that momentum to 12 total saves in the opening 20 minutes.

Richardson’s pads stayed hot, denying another 13 shots in the middle frame and an additional 12 in the final 20 minutes. He held on with Florida’s goaltender pulled for the extra attacker and held on for a 1-0 win, the first shutout of his professional career.

Richardson’s record improved to 5-1-1-0 on the season with his 37-save shutout collected. As mentioned above, this year’s Swamp Rabbits team became the fastest to 30 wins in a regular season in all of Greenville professional hockey history, accomplishing the task in 42 regular season games. The previous was set by the 1999-2000 Greenville Grrrowl, who earned their 30^th win in 45 regular season contests.

The Swamp Rabbits head home for a “three-in-three” against three opponents, beginning with the South Carolina Stingrays. Puck drop for Friday, February 2^nd, is slated for 7:05 p.m. EST.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.

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By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Josh McKechney posted his second consecutive two-goal night, Max Coyle buried his first professional goal, and Luke Richardson weathered the Floridian storm as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits shut down the reigning Kelly Cup Champions–the Florida Everblades–by a score of 3-2. Luke Richardson stoned 27 of 29 shots from the Everblades, while Evan Cormier stopped 29 of 32 from the home team. With the win, the Swamp Rabbits sport a 23-9-1-0 record and remain atop the Eastern Conference and South Division with 47 points, winning three straight and recording a point in four consecutive games.

Unlike their first game of 2024 a night ago, the Swamp Rabbits left the first deadlocked in a scoreless affair with the Everblades. Halfway through the second frame, Logan Lambdin opened the scoring for the Everblades after Kyle Neuber rifled a shot from the top of the right circle but took an awkward bounce off a stanchion behind the net. With ideal placement to the left of Greenville’s netminder, Luke Richardson, Lambdin collected his sixth goal of the 2023-24 season via a high-slot rebound at 13:49 of the second frame (Neuber had the lone assist). Greenville answered in short order, as Josh McKechney collected his 11th goal of the season, burying a loose puck near the net following a faceoff less than two minutes later. McKechney pushed the Swamp Rabbits ahead in the final minute of the period on the power play after he collected a Carter Souch feed, waited patiently on Cormier’s right post, and forced himself across the crease with just 33 seconds left. The goal was his fourth in half as many games.

The Everblades utilized their own special teams to equalize the game again, forcing the eventual overtime festivities. Just 1:05 into the final period, Nathan Staios fired home a shot that appeared to be initially stopped by Richardson but rolled behind him and leveled the game at 2-2.

It didn’t take long for the Swamp Rabbits to celebrate their triumph and collect the second point up for grabs. Just 44 seconds into overtime, Carter Souch hit Max Coyle, charging into the Everblades zone off the bench. From the high slot, the rookie unleashed a wrister from the top of the slot, solidifying the Swamp Rabbits win by a 3-2 score.

The Swamp Rabbits close their weekend slate with a road trip to North Charleston Coliseum to rematch their rival–the South Carolina Stingrays–tomorrow at 3:00 PM EST.

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By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

ESTERO, FL – Despite a third-period surge, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell short in their comeback effort, as they fell 6-4 to the Florida Everblades on Thursday night at Hertz Arena.

GAME SHEET: Click here

Greenville entered the game with early offensive pressure but saw the Everblades break the scoreless frame at the 12:49 mark, as Sean Josling scored his sixth of the season. Greenville ended the period with a successful kill of a major penalty to Anthony Beauchamp for boarding, taking the 1-0 deficit to the break.

In the second, Greenville answered Josling’s goal at 1:40 as Carter Souch scored his team-leading 10th of the season after the Everblades turned the puck over on their defensive end. Shortly after, at 2:27, Mark Louis threw the puck into the Florida net for his first goal as a Swamp Rabbits, giving Greenville the 2-1 lead. At 6:45, Andrew Fyten tied the game for the Everblades before Oliver Chau re-established Florida’s advantage at 11:42. With less than two seconds to play in the period, Logan Lambdin added to Florida’s lead, sending the game into the second intermission with the Everblades leading 4-2.

Early in the third, Bobo Carpenter extended Florida’s lead to three goals, scoring at the 3:17 mark. At 3:43, Tanner Eberle responded for Greenville with his seventh of the season, cutting the Florida lead down to a pair of goals. At 14:06, Brannon McManus fed Souch a cross-ice pass that Souch buried into the net for his second of the game. Despite a late push by Greenville, Florida saw Patrick Holway score the empty net goal for the eventual 6-4 final.

W: Johnson

L:  Bednard

With the loss, the Swamp Rabbits dropped to 20-9-0-0 but remained atop the Eastern Conference Standings. Florida’s win improves its record to 12-9-4-0.

The Swamp Rabbits and the Everblades remain in Estero on Friday night, as they drop the puck at 7:30 p.m.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …

Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier AA Hockey League member.

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By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings, announced today that GreenvilleVets.com has partnered with the team to present Waggin’ Wednesdays for the 2023-24 season. Waggin’ Wednesdays allow fans to attend Swamp Rabbits games with their four-legged friends.

GreenvilleVets.com, Trusted Veterinarians of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, is a local group of five small animal hospitals: Augusta Road Animal Hospital, Five Forks Animal Hospital, Sugar Creek Animal Hospital, Paris Mountain Animal Hospital, and Thornblade Animal Hospital. Each hospital is privately owned by the veterinarians who work at each location.

“We’re thrilled to be the Trusted Veterinarians of the Swamp Rabbits and the presenting partner of Waggin’ Wednesdays,” said Josh Schmitz from GreenvilleVets.com. “We’re excited  to meet all of the fans and their pups at these games this season.”

In addition to Waggin’ Wednesdays, the Swamp Rabbits announced a pair of Waggin’ Weekends that include additional dog-friendly games during weekend contests.

A complete list of Waggin’ Wednesday and Waggin’ Weekend games is below:

Waggin’ Wednesdays:

December 6, 2023, vs Cincinnati – 7:05 p.m
Dec. 13, 2023 vs Atlanta – 7:05 p.m
Dec. 20, 2023 vs Atlanta – 7:05 p.m
Jan. 10, 2024 vs Orlando – 7:05 p.m

Waggin’ Weekend:

February 16, 2024 vs South Carolina [Outdoors Night] – 7:05 p.m
April 14, 2024 vs Savannah [Fan Appreciation Day] – 3:05 p.m

The Swamp Rabbits return home to Bon Secours Wellness Arena after a perfect seven-game road trip on Friday, December 1, for a game against the Atlanta Gladiators at 7 p.m.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …

Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina.

The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ AA’ Hockey League member.

About GreenvilleVets.com …

We are a group of small animal hospitals located here in the Greenville area. We are privately owned by the veterinarians working at each location.  We are a true family who not only cares about the fur babies and their families who come to see us but for one another as well.

We are always here for the community, ensuring we see sick patients the same day and getting to know each family to provide care that fits their needs. Quality care and quality of life is a top priority for our team. We’re happy to offer preventive care, surgical services, sick visits, dental care, in-house diagnostics, digital X-rays, & ultrasound.

We are excited to serve each community as your local veterinarians in the communities we are a part of.

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Greenville Swamp Rabbits (7-1-0-0) vs. Florida Everblades (3-5-1-0)

November 12, 2023 | 3:05 PM ET | Regular Season Game #9
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Referees: Marc-Olivier Phaneuf (23), John Lindner (6),
Linesmen: Tyler Willie (78), Felix-Antoine Voyer (57)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Pregame Coverage begins at 2:45 PM 
LISTEN: Bon Secours Rabbits Radio Network
WATCH: FloHockey Live Stream
Voice of the Swamp Rabbits Mark Shelley (Play-by-Play) and Matt Caldwell (Analyst) on the call

SWAMP RABBITS VS EVERBLADES SERIES 

Regular Season Record:

Overall: (2-0-0-0) Home:(2-0-0-0) Away: (0-0-0-0)

Last Meeting:

November 11, 2023 – Greenville 3 vs Florida 2 OT

Next Meeting:

December 28, 2023, Greenville at Florida

22-23 Regular Season Record:

Greenville : (3-1-2-0)

All-Time Record:

(57-55-20)

ECHL STANDINGS 
Standings

QUICK BITS

1999 IS NOTHING MORE THAN A MEMORY

The Swamp Rabbits currently hold the best starting record in franchise history. With their 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades on Saturday, November 11, the Rabbits improved to 7-1-0, surpassing the Johnstown Chiefs’ 1999-2000 record of 6-2-0 in their first eight games.

DEFENDING THE WELL

With their second consecutive win over the Florida Everblades–the reigning Kelly Cup Champions, the Swamp Rabbits kept their perfect record while playing at Bon Secours Wellness Arena intact. With the win, Greenville remains undefeated in all six home contests, outscoring visitors 21-11.

WELCOME BACK, INO

Tyler Inamoto netted his first two goals in as many games against the Florida Everblades. His first was on Friday, November 10, just 1:56 into the game, to give the Rabbits an early 1-0 lead. The following day, down 2-1 against the same opponent, Inamoto wristed a shot to the top left to level the score at 2-2 with 7:20 left in the middle frame.

BIG TIME BOBBY

Bobby Russell has netted the game-winning goal against the Everblades in back-to-back games. Last night’s goal came 4:29 into overtime to keep the Rabbits perfect at home. The goal gave the Rabbits two points in the standings and lifted Russell into a tie with Atlanta’s Luke Prokop for the most game-winners in the ECHL by a defenseman (2).

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …

Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ AA’ Hockey League member.

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By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Bobby Russell’s overtime winner lifted the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades on Saturday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena to keep the Swamp Rabbits perfect on home ice.

GAME SHEET: Click Here

Greenville began the game on the defense, as the Everblades came out firing, recording 16 shots to the five of the Swamp Rabbits in the first period.

In the second, Florida opened the scoring, as Zach Tsekos netted a shorthanded goal just 1:14 in. Greenville fell into a 2-0 deficit at 5:37 as Wilmer Skoog scored his first career goal from a rebounding puck. Greenville’s offense responded with a goal at 6:36, as JD Greenway swept a loose puck into a wide-open net for his first of the season. Later, at 12:40, Tyler Inamoto sniped his second goal in as many games into the Everblades net to tie the game at 2-2.

The two sides skated to a scoreless third period despite combining for 23 shots (12-11, Florida), sending the Rabbits into overtime for the first time this season.

After Greenville goaltender Ryan Bednard made several key saves on Florida shooters in the extra period, Bobby Russell netted his second goal in as many days, winning the game for the Swamp Rabbits at 4:29.

Three Stars –

1. 1. Bobby Russell (GVL)
   2. Ryan Bednard (GVL)
   3. Tyler Inamoto (GVL)

W: Bednard
L: Cormier

With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improve to 7-1-0-0, while the Everblades fall to 3-5-1-0. The victory ensures that Greenville remains unbeaten (6-0) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and is off to the best start in franchise history at 7-1. The previous best start through eight games was 6-2-0-0 by the 1999-00 Johnstown Chiefs before relocation to Greenville in 2010.

The Swamp Rabbits and the Everblades conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon, November 12, at 3 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s L.A. Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.

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By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (6-1-0-0) vs. Florida Everblades (3-5-0-0)

November 11, 2023 | 7:05 PM ET | Regular Season Game #8
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Referees: Marc-Olivier Phaneuf (23), John Lindner (6),
Linesmen: Tyler Willie (78), Felix-Antoine Voyer (57)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Pregame Coverage begins at 6:45 PM 
LISTEN: Bon Secours Rabbits Radio Network
WATCH: FloHockey Live Stream
Voice of the Swamp Rabbits Mark Shelley (Play-by-Play) and Matt Caldwell (Analyst) on the call

SWAMP RABBITS VS EVERBLADES SERIES 

Regular Season Record:

Overall: (1-0-0-0) Home:(1-0-0-0) Away: (0-0-0-0)

Last Meeting:

November 10, 2023 – Greenville 5 vs Florida 1

Next Meeting:

November 11, 2023 Greenville vs Florida

22-23 Regular Season Record:

Greenville : (3-1-2-0)

All-Time Record:

(55-55-20)

ECHL STANDINGS 
Standings

QUICK BITS

DEFENSE TO OFFENSE

Five different Swamp Rabbits defensemen found themselves on the scoresheet in Friday’s opening win over the Everblades. Tyler Inamoto and Bobby Russell netted first-period goals, marking the first time this season that two Greenville defensemen have scored in a game. Max Coyle, who assisted on Russell’s goal, Ethan Cap, who recorded an assist in Colton Young’s shorthanded goal, and Max Martin, who assisted Ethan Somoza’s empty-net goal, each found themselves onto the score sheet in the win. The five combined points are the most by the Swamp Rabbits’ defense in a game this season.

TANNER TURNS IT ON

The first 5 games of the season saw Tanner Eberle, who posted the third-most points (49) for the Swamp Rabbits in 22-23, total a pair of assists. Over the two most recent victories, Eberle has returned to his lethal scoring form, posting back-to-back games with a goal and an assist. In last night’s victory, he recorded the team’s second shorthanded goal of the season, which came on the same kill as the first.

ICE, ICE, IGGY

Last Wednesday, Jacob Ingham recorded the team’s first loss of the season in the 7-4 defeat to the still-undefeated Atlanta Gladiators. The Rabbits gave Ingham a chance for a bounce performance last weekend, and he took full advantage of it, earning impressive wins over Savannah and Jacksonville. Last night, the Reign prospect stopped a season-high 40 shots en route to his third straight win. Over the past three games, Ingham has allowed just four goals, stopping 100 of 104 shots faced.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …

Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.

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By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Jacob Ingham stopped a season-high 40 shots as he led the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 5-1 win over the Florida Everblades on Friday night to remain unbeaten at home.

GAME SHEET: Click here

Greenville wasted little time opening the scoring on the night, as Tyler Inamoto scored his first of the season just 1:56 into the game. The Swamp Rabbits maintained the momentum and netted a second goal at 7:58, as Bobby Russell snapped his first of the season into the net. Less than two minutes later, at 9:07, Greenville took command of the game with a shorthanded goal, the team’s first of the season, from Colton Young, who tipped Ethan Cap’s pass into the goal. On the same Florida power-play, the Rabbits, again, scored a shorthanded goal, as Tanner Eberle scored his second of the season at 10:10. After the fourth goal, Florida replaced starting goaltender Cam Johnson with Evan Cormier.

In the second, despite a lopsided 12-3 shot total in favor of the Everblades, Florida was held off the board. Tempers began to flare late in the period, resulting in multiple penalties to both sides.

Early in the third, the Everblades ended Jacob Ingham’s shutout bid, as Bobo Carpenter defected his fourth of the season into the net at 1:42. At 18:53, Ethan Somoza solidified the 5-1 final score, as he netted his second of the season into the empty net. Ingham stopped all 14 shots he faced in the final frame.

Three Stars –

1. Jacob Ingham (GVL)
2. Tanner Eberle (GVL)
3. Tyler Inamoto (GVL)

W: Ingham

L: Johnson

With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improve to 6-1-0-0, while the Everblades fall to 3-5-0-0.

The Swamp Rabbits and the Everblades continue their weekend set tomorrow, November 1, at 7 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.

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HARTFORD, CT – Hartford Wolf Pack news is everywhere in this early part of the season.

The Pack recalled defenseman Seth Barton and forward Drew Worrad from their ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones. It’s the first recall of the season as the Pack prepares for a busy weekend by adding some insurance depth.

Both are just paper transactions. The team will shortly announce the termination of Barton’s contract; he signed a European deal.

Worrad’s situation is more complex but is not a contract termination situation.

The Pack hosts the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday at 7 p.m. at the XL Center.

On Saturday, the Wolf Pack will start their weekend by hitting the road to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a matchup with the Penguins at 6 p.m. On Sunday, the Pack will make their way to Allentown, where they will face off with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at 5 p.m.

The Pack has had to change the starting times for two games. November 11th, 7 p.m. start against the Providence Bruins moves to 7:30 p.m. because of a doubleheader with UCONN men’s basketball and the changeover required from the hard court to ice. The second is a December 30th holiday period date with the Bridgeport Islanders, which moves back an hour to 6:00 p.m.

Ex-Pack Vinni Lettieri was recalled from the Iowa Wild by the Minnesota Wild.

Easton Brodzinski, younger brother of Pack captain Jonny Brodzinski, was the last cut of the Jacksonville  Ice Men (ECHL). He signed with the Allen (TX) Americans.

Two ex-Pack sign early season deals in Europe after the first month of their regular season. Anthony Greco, a Pack player two years ago, switches Swedish teams and signs with Linköping HC (Sweden-SHL). Adam Clendening, from last year’s team who was without a deal in North America or Europe and attended Ranger’s training camp on a Professional Try Out (PTO) deal, has signed with Ilves Tampere (Finland-FEL), where he joins ex-Pack Ville Mekanen.

Mike Dalhuisen (Quinnipiac University ECACHL) departs HC Bolzano (Italy-IceHL) and heads to Gyergyói HK (Romania-MOL), where he joins ex-Pack Devin DiDiomete as a teammate.

Sam Gagner, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk/Ranger Dave Gagner, after attending the Edmonton Oilers’ training camp on a PTO, was cut and signed with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).

Rob Schremp, the ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger of one game and Springfield Falcon finds himself in Hong Kong. He lands as the head coach, Director of Hockey Ops, and Youth Hockey Supervisor for the RBC Jr. Tigers, teaching the game to a new market and generation of young players. He is also the European scout for the Youngstown (OH) Phantoms (USHL).

Among the coaches and instructors are all-time Wolf Pack leading scorer and AHL Hall of Famer Brad “Shooter” Smyth. Smyth’s older brother has lived and worked in Hong Kong for ten years.

Jakob Karpa, the son of ex-Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger and former Ranger David Karpa, is skating with the Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) and committed to Trinity College (NESCAC). His twin brother Zakary is entering his third year at Harvard (ECACHL). He was a Rangers’ draftee last year.

He could be in Hart City this spring when the college season ends if he’s offered a short-term and long-term deal to leave Harvard.

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By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – Hartford Wolf Pack news is starting to trickle out as New York Rangers training camp has officially opened, with a few tidbits still to come.

The Rangers dropped their first pre-season game in Boston 3-0 to the Bruins as young netminder Brandon Bussi put up a 29-save shutout.

Likely Pac-bound forward Will Cullye had a strong game for the Rangers. Adam Sýkora rang one off the crossbar late in the second for NY.

The game featured several Wolf Pack players, including goalie Louie Domingue.

Domingue played the second half of the game and lost a skateblade on one save.

After the game, the Rangers assigned six players to the Wolf Pack. They include goaltender Olof Lindbom, defensemen Seth Barton, Zach Berzolla, and Ryan McCleary, the son of former New Haven Senator Trent McCleary, who is signed for an overage year with his hometown Swift Current Broncos (WHL). He was traded to them by the Portland Winterhawks about a month ago.

Forwards, Maxim Barbashev, the younger brother of Las Vegas Golden Knight Ivan Barbashev, was moved in a QMJHL trade last month from Moncton Wildcats to the Shawnigan Cataractes.

Barbshev, at 19, will be headed there as per the NHL-CHL agreement once the Wolf Pack training camp ends or whenever the organization ends his PTO deal.

Barbashev turns 20 on December 18th. Sahil Panwar is a summer free agent signee by the Wolf Pack.

Ex-Pack/Ranger bust, despite five points in five games, Vitali Kravtsov was injured early in his KHL season with Traktor Chelyabinsk. He is out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury and is out a week to ten days into it.

Kenny Agostino, a former Yale Bulldog, following his deal being scuttled in Sweden after being in Russia the last two years, signs in Germany with Düsseldorfer EG (DEL).

MATT GILROY

Ex-CT Whale/Ranger Matt Gilroy is now an assistant coach with the USNDTP U-18 team (USHL), replacing current Ranger assistant coach and former Yale/Sacred Heart assistant coach Dan Muse.

A great Gilroy story.

The Wolf Pack once put up a game-time trivia question on the scoreboard asking what college Gilroy attended.

On the scoreboard, they put up Boston College. Except Gilroy spent four years at BC’s rival Boston University.

A staff member had to go to the locker room between periods to grab him for a radio interview. Gilroy was NOT pleased. “How stupid are you people? I spent four (expletive) years at BU!”

In the post-game, Howlings jokingly asked Glroy at the end of the interview what school he attended.

He responded bitterly, then ripped the organization for screwing it up.

Matt Barnaby Jr. (Avon Old Farms-AOF), the son of the former Ranger, stays in the Sunshine State and heads over from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) to the Florida Everblades (ECHL).

Nicolas Sykora, the son of NHL’er Petr Sykora, commits to Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) in 2026-27.

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