By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack played their 2,000th game this past weekend, which featured a boatload of activities.

Among all the faces from the past to return to the XL Center, one of the most important and influential in the team’s history to make their way back was the team’s voice for over 20 years, Bob Crawford.

Also returning to the XL Center was Todd Hall. While now just a retired player, Hall is now a head coach for Hamden High School and is enjoying the life he and his wife Melissa have built watching their two girls grow up. In his last season, Hall was in Binghamton after sailing to the ECHL in Charlotte with the Checkers after the first month of the season.

Hall was happy to find the team was relocating to Hartford in the Whalers’ absences, and family and friends could see him play.

“We heard rumors late in the season. I was on a one-year contract with the club and an option for the second year. I figured I wouldn’t get the second year if they moved to my home state. If they stayed in lovely Bingo, they would resign me,” said Hall. “It obviously worked out for me and my family. The rest was, as they say, is history.”

Terry Virtue, has been a free spirit, one of his more comical moments came as an opponent (he played with Providence, Springfield and Worcester) trying to get back to Hartford.

The only two New England cities he didn’t skate for were the Manchester (NH) Monarchs and Portland (ME) Pirates.

“Yeah, it was unique; Dirk Graham and I didn’t get along, and neither did too many other players either.

“I had a great time in Hartford, and truth be told, I was nearly traded to them in the 2002-2003 season, but it didn’t work out. I was here, and yeah, on the opening faceoff in a game between Springfield and Hartford, I skated up and whispered in Kenny’s ear if he could see if they would trade for me, I REALLY wanted outta Springfield,“ Virtue said with a chuckle. “I think Kenny was a little shocked by my request. He wasn’t sure if I was kidding or not, but this was a serious request.”

Stefan Cherneski’s career was terribly cut short at just 40 games over a three-year span, by a catastrophic knee injury in his first 11 games. He would skate just 29 games, but the team never forgot about him as he was enduring the most grueling rehab, but the damage was too great.

The very funny and bright, engaging Cherneski doesn’t regret anything and any chance when the Wolf Pack calls, his answer is always yes.

“It’s all good, it had its moments (his career), but I made a lot of good friends because of the Wolf Pack. So, when they ask, it’s always a privilege to wear the sweater again, “ commented Cherneski, who has settled in greater Hartford and has put his mathematical acumen to work, showing why he was the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year two years in a row.

Who can ever forget the last game before he had to sign his financial settlement, ending his career? John Paddock, in a tremendously kind act let him skate the full final minutes of the game that were his professional moments, it was genuinely one of the most emotional in the history of the Wolf Pack.

“Man, what Steph went through was brutal.

“First of all, Steph was a talented player and an even better person. He worked really hard every day in practice and always had a smile.

“Unfortunately, he was injured before he had a chance to flourish. I witnessed his rehab, and it was still hard to imagine what he was going through. He was in pain, but still wore a smile no matter what. Even after the first surgery didn’t take and went through all that painful rehab, he had to go through it all again. It was the same surgery and the same painful recovery. He stayed tough through it all.

“(It) showed how huge a competitor and warrior he is,” remarked Hall, the first of six Connecticut natives to play for the Wolf Pack (Chris Winnes-Ridgefield was in the first year with Hall, a RI firefighter).

“Two were born here in CT in Kevin Colley New Haven (five Pack games, where his late father Tom was a legend with the New Haven Nighthawks in the mid-70’s AHL) and Josh Wesley Hartford (father Glen a Whaler at the time.)

The others are Ryan Haggerty (Stamford-played at Trinity Catholic CTPUB and now is an assist coach at New Canaan CTPUB), David Hallisey (Wethersfield/Westminster Prep (Simsbury)-played one game), Mike Paliotta (Westport/Choate Rosemary-Wallingford) and Mike Lee (Hamden/Frederick Gunn School) who played for Hall in high school. He is still playing in Slovakia.

Crawford has landed on his feet very well, and he is now working in NHL services in New York. He helps coordinate all the league special projects and PR work for the NHL Draft, the outdoor games, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the recent All-Star game.

“My experience (in Hartford), it’s hard to put into words. It was essentially my entire working life prior to this current gig, and it shaped much of who I am. I’ll always treasure the experiences and memories and all the great people that I was privileged to meet and work with,” commented Crawford, whose two children he and his wife had are out of college now.

Jed Ortmeyer, Director Ranger Player Personnel, an ex-Pack, was signing some autographs before the game on Saturday,

”I remember when I went to the first camp with Rangers. Dale “Diesel” Purinton was there and very politely asked me if I wanted a towel or water. I thought he was part of the training staff. Going out for warm-ups, and he’s out there skating with us! What dope I was.”

He remembers the battles with Springfield: “All those games were wars. They had Trevor Gillies and Mitch Fritz at the time.

“I dreaded those games, going to them and then coming home; I was happy, I survived!

“I didn’t spend much time here  (2003-04), but we had a good playoff run (16 games) when I came back from my injury in New York (torn hamstring), but I enjoyed Hartford.”

He was sitting as a solitary figure before game time, signing autographs; several fans didn’t know who he was despite a name card sitting right in front of him.

Ortmeyer handled the inquiry with a smile, grace, and aplomb.

Dispensing advice, like a young father, he was imparting wisdom to the kids, “Remember two things, work hard (which he did) and have fun.”

Ortmeyer nearly didn’t have a career at Michigan, where he had a torn ACL and was facing his second medical redshirt season with the Wolverines. Against his doctor’s advice, he played anyway.

“Yeah, slapped on the old brace and went out there,” Ortmeyer said.

You do need an ACL, hockey player or not.

“The doctor mentioned it in passing,” joked Ortmeyer, who still resides in Nebraska.

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By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

ALLENTOWN, PA – Brandon Scanlin scored his second goal in as many games on Friday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, but it would not be enough to push the Wolf Pack to victory against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Phantoms scored twice in the first period, then tacked on two more in the third as they prevailed 4-1 in the season finale between the two teams.

At 18:26 of the first period, the Wolf Pack went to the penalty kill for the second time in the contest when Connor Mackey’s clearing attempt ended up out of play. On the ensuing powerplay, the Phantoms extended their lead to 2-0 via Olle Lycksell’s second tally of the night.

Tanner Laczynski’s pass from the left-wing side found Lycksell on the backdoor, and he one-timed home his second goal of the night at 19:32. The goal was Lycksell’s fifth in six games against the Wolf Pack this season.

For the second time in as many meetings, the Phantoms opened the scoring. A clearing attempt failed to exit the Wolf Pack zone, instead ending up on the stick of defenseman Ronnie Attard. Attard quickly turned and fired a puck toward the goal, which clipped the stick of Lycksell and found the back of the net at 14:47.

The goal, Lycksell’s 13^th of the season, was his first goal since November 24^th. It snapped a 12-game drought for the forward.

Lycksell’s second goal of the night at 19:32, his 14^th of the season, would prove to be the game-winning goal.

The Wolf Pack drew within one early in the second period, as Scanlin found the back of the net for the fifth time this season. Mac Hollowell fired a pass to Scanlin, who was pinching in on the left-wing side. Scanlin collected the puck and quickly snapped home his second goal in as many games.

Hollowell’s assist was his 26^th of the season and 27^th point. That establishes a new career high for the blueliner.

The second period also saw a pair of fights, as Matt Rempe dropped the gloves with Rhett Gardner at 10:54. Then, at 16:08, Louis Domingue got into a scrap with Phantoms’ captain Garrett Wilson. The tussle would result in game misconducts for both Domingue and Wilson, ending their nights.

That forced Dylan Garand into action for the final 23:52 of regulation time.

2:41 into the third period, the Phantoms expanded their lead when Jacob Gaucher found a rebound and roofed his third goal of the season. Then, at 12:07, Victor Mete put the game out of reach with his first goal of the campaign.

Mete’s shot from the blue line missed the net but bounced off the boards behind the Hartford goal, hit the skate of Garand, and found the back of the net.

The win was the Phantoms’ first regulation victory over Hartford since February 10^th, 2023. It snapped a seven-game point streak (6-0-1-0) for the Wolf Pack against the Phantoms.

Hartford’s first home game of 2024 will be tomorrow night as they host the Providence Bruins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.

About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and public safety, and more.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers’ newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

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HARTFORD, CT – Hartford Whaler legend Gordie Roberts took an unconventional route to pro hockey. Now, at 65, he returned to Hartford for the first time since participating in that infamous frozen Whale Bowl on a Saturday in January 2012.

The Roberts family is heavily vested in pro hockey. Gordie is the youngest of four hockey-playing brothers and the uncle to two more former pros. He is also the only one of his siblings not to go to Michigan State.

He played one year with the Detroit Jr. Red Wings, then in the Southern Ontario Hockey League (SOJHL) to start his career.

“It’s funny Mark and Marty Howe were ahead of me by a few years in the league. The Junior Red Wings got in to start and was the only team to play just over the border in Southern Ontario then.

“I can say the Canadian teams and fans didn’t like an American team playing there that much. We had a few fights then, we developed some strong rivalries back then. You had to earn their respect.”

Roberts reversed course and took an unusual path in the mid-1970s. He ventured North to play in the rough and tumble Canadian major junior Western Canadian Hockey League (WCHL-now the WHL). The league featured legendary brawlers like ex-Whaler Archie Henderson, one-time New York Ranger Barry Beck, and the big and tough Rick Dorman.

He landed with the Victoria Cougars posting 64 points in 53 games.

Roberts had the playing ability with skill and finesse and was tough enough to handle the nightly brawn and brawling of the WCHL.

“I was originally drafted by Sudbury (Wolves) of the Ontario Hockey. I went to a weekend in Sudbury, then a weekend in Victoria. It was a big difference between those two towns. I really liked Victoria. It’s a really beautiful city, and we had a very good team that year.

“We had a strong team. Mel (Bridgeman) could play it tough and score. Kim Clackson was one of the toughest players I played with or against, period; and (Curt) Fraser was a warrior out there.

“We had a good team. I was very fortunate to play on a first-place team. We beat a really good, tough New Westminster (Bruins) team that year. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be with. I was the only American in the league at that time. You had to earn your spurs back then,” Roberts said.

The following season, he made another radical change. He was still 17 but signed an 18-year-old contract as an underage free agent. He wasn’t drafted by either the NHL or WHA, so he exploited a loophole in the 20-year-old NHL draft system then and signed with the New England Whalers as an “underage” player. It allowed him to bypass the NHL and start with the upstart WHA New England Whalers.

Because Roberts had an early October birthday, once he turned 18, he could begin to play for the Whalers.

“The WHA was trying to stay one step ahead of the NHL all the time and that worked in my favor. My brother Doug signing with the Whalers was a big factor too. He was able to help show me the way a little bit, because I was so young then. Ironically, all of the underage guys who came after me, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Rod Langway, were just some of them.”

Four years later, five underage players, all like Roberts at age 18 and undrafted, signed with the WHA Birmingham Bulls. They challenged the pro hockey draft system and won their court case, overturning the 20-year-old draft system and forcing the NHL to change how they drafted players. That ruling is still in effect.

“I wasn’t ready for the NHL then, but Hartford and WHA Whalers gave me an important valuable experience on and off the ice. Hartford was the launching pad for my career.”

Once signing, Gordie had the opportunity to play with his older brother Doug for two seasons in Hartford at the start of his career.

“Naturally, I looked up to him. He was 15 years older than I was. We had that extra bond between us and it brought us closer together. I came in early as an offensive player in my career, I was 80% of a player then and really the WHA Whalers were a great proving ground early on,” remarked Roberts.

Four of his six years in Hartford were with the WHA Whalers, and then the first two with the Whalers in the NHL as an anchor of their defense.

Tim Sheehy, an original New England Whaler who played against  Doug Roberts, Sr. in Edmonton, got a chance to play with Gordie in his last WHA season for the Whalers when he was reacquired. “Gordie had very good size, moved the puck well, and both Roberts played an experienced game. He (Doug) was college educated, and both had good heads on their shoulders, and both had a great feel for the game.”

Gordie was taken “back” by the Whalers from the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL-WHA 1979 Expansion draft. His NHL draft rights reverted to Montreal, who had selected him as their seventh choice in the third round (54th overall) in 1977. There was no place in Montreal for the young Roberts to play, and one of the reasons he stayed with the NHL Whalers.

On December 16, 1980, after six seasons in Hartford, Gordie was traded to the Minnesota North Stars for Mike Fidler. During his Hartford stay, he was a teammate of “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe and assisted on his last NHL goal in April of 1980. For Howe, it was ironic that the final goal came against Detroit, where he was a living legend.

“It was really a treat not only to have played with Gordie, but playing against him my rookie year in a series with Houston. It was an even more intimidating experience than when I played with him. You really could realize then how good he was, despite he had been retired for five years by then. When Gordie Howe was on the ice you knew it, let’s put it that way,” Roberts said with a laugh. “I had the privilege to also play with legends like Dave Keon, Johnny McKenzie, Rick Ley, and Bobby Hull. I was so lucky to play with these icons of the game.

The Whalers gave me a very memorable experience. I didn’t have a college degree, but I got a master’s in hockey, playing from age 18-22 with guys like that. I learned so much,” Roberts stated.

Roberts would go on to play six years with Minnesota. He was a solid contributor at both ends of the ice. He was eventually dealt twice in a month. On February 8, 1988, he was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers for future considerations.

“As time went on, I became a more-steady stay-at-home defenseman. I was able to adapt and change my role. My passing and skating were always my strength, and I used them well to keep myself in the NHL. It was a combination of the good Lord looking after you out there, and I also was a bit of a fitness buff in the summer as I learned more of what it took to be a pro. I prided myself on having played 20 -years in the NHL,” commented Roberts.

Then after 11 games in Philadelphia, Roberts was packing again—this time to St. Louis to join the Blues on March 8, 1988. The trade, again, was for the euphemistic future considerations in pre-CBA times.

“I was in Philly a short time; it didn’t work out. I was lucky to go to St. Louis just as Bobby Hull’s son Brett arrived there and had the pleasure to play with him. I was traded once in my first 13 years; then everybody wanted me,” Roberts said with a laugh.

Roberts found himself in Pittsburgh for the next two seasons and helped the Penguins win two Stanley Cups with Mario Lemieux.

“That capped my career to play with another legend and win a Stanley Cup, I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Roberts.

At the end of his career, in his last two seasons, he played for the Boston Bruins, going over 1,000 games. He played game 1,000 on December 9, 1992, in Buffalo against the Sabres and became the first American player to accomplish that feat.

“I took great pride in it. As you got older as a player, it’s a unique milestone, but to be the first American player was very special, and in Boston, where my brother had played too. All my brothers had played at Michigan State when there were no other Americans playing there. That made it extra special for me,” Roberts added.

Over his 15-year career, Roberts played in 1,097 NHL games totaling 420 points and 1,258 PIM. In addition to his NHL career, he had 300 WHA games and just over 600 games with Hartford between the WHA-NHL.

He also represented the US at two World Championships and the 1984 Canada Cup.

He finished his playing career playing in the old IHL, coming out of retirement first as a playing/assistant coach with the Chicago Wolves.

“That was the first year of the Wolves’ existence, and that was special, starting out with a brand-new team. I got to play with another icon in Al Secord, who had a prolific career with NHL Blackhawks and goalie Wendell Young (the team’s GM, the past 14 years and 20 total with the team).

“The IHL was kind of like the old WHA, a mixture of older and younger players, and allowed me to extend my career a few more years. I was able to get into coaching a little bit that year, but like the WHA, the league went out of business.”

Roberts came out of retirement a second time to play the following year with the IHL Minnesota Moose before the team was relocated to Winnipeg to become the first edition of the Manitoba Moose. Roberts would add another 111 IHL games to his playing resume.

“That was a lot fun the Moose gave me one more crack it, and I got in about 50 (37) games that year.”

Like his brother Doug before him, Gordie gave coaching a whirl in his post-playing days.

He became an assistant coach for two years and one as Director of Player Development for the Arizona Coyotes (nee Phoenix Coyotes) in their first three years after the team had relocated from Winnipeg.

“It was very brand new to me when the team was in Arizona. I gained a lot experience that I didn’t have at all in the management portion of the game.”

He was honored to be elected to the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

“I take a lot of pride as an American player, who made it when it was really a Canadian player dominated game back then. To be one of those first players right up there with NHL players at that time, was tremendous sense of accomplishment I felt,” said Roberts.

Roberts settled in Minnesota with his late wife Marlo and became a scout for Montreal for nine years before leaving the program.

“I finally got with Montreal after they drafted me, so many years ago, so it was really ironic. I went into scouting with them and used the experiences I had with Arizona and really got into scouting, which, I loved and flourished in it.”

Following his NHL career, Roberts began earnestly to use his hockey career master’s degree as an assistant coach with Division III Hamline (Saint Paul, MN) University.

He continued his hockey journey diving into the challenging world of Minnesota high school hockey. He was the head coach for Elk River, where he ran the bench for four years. While there, he coached current Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman/forward Blake Hillman in his first year and Hershey Bear Benton Maas in his last year.

Then Roberts moved on to Maple Grove, where he was an assistant coach for three years. He finished out his involvement in hockey as a coach in the pandemic year of 2020 and retired from the game after coaching prospects Conor Kelly (Chicago), Cal Thomas (Arizona), and Kyle Kukkonen (Anaheim).

“There aren’t too many openings at this level and I was very fortunate to get one. Elk River was a very wonderful experience as was Maple Grove. It’s the very beginning stage of hockey and was lucky I coached a few players, who went on to play college, minor pro and pro hockey.”

Induction to the NHL Hall of Fame would be a fitting final stamp on a long pro hockey career that started in Hartford for Gordie Roberts.

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The post GORDIE ROBERTS, HARTFORD WHALER LEGEND first appeared on Howlings.

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – Salary cap restrictions forced The New York Rangers to be very frugal during the NHL Free Agency market. Only time will tell if they spent wisely or foolishly.

It was a tornado-like free agency for the rest of the NHL, where billions of dollars were exchanged even in a tight salary cap market. There are still a few moves left to be made for the Hartford Wolf Pack for their upcoming late September training camp. The best two words to describe the coming 2023-24 Wolf Pack campaign would be “Younger” and “Change.”

Turner Elson is expected back for the second year of his deal, but one contract is still outstanding. The team believes that it will be signed shortly. That is the contract of Tanner Fritz. He is said to be close to signing it. He needs to secure and finalize medical care for his son. His return is, however, open-ended since it’s still not signed.

In September, the team saw a bevy of new players coming through the shipping and receiving doors at the XL Center. Alex Belizle (Montreal/Laval), Connor Mackay (Calgary/Arizona), Mac Holwell (Toronto AHL/NHL), and Nikolas Brouillard (San Diego) on paper will be here. It is possible that Riley Nash (Charlotte) could be headed to Hartford if he doesn’t make the team in New York.

Departed from Hart City are Tim Gettinger (Detroit/Grand Rapids), Ryan Carpenter (San Jose AHL/NHL), Will Lockwood (Florida/Charlotte), and Wyatt Kalynuk (St. Louis/Springfield).

NOTES:

The Wolf Pack has released five secured playing dates without a full schedule. There are no times or opponents named yet.

The guaranteed dates are October 20th, November 25th, January 13th, February 10th, February 16th, and March 1st.

A full schedule will likely be released during or following the AHL Board of Governors’ (BOG) annual meeting in mid-July.

The Chicago Wolves are operating as an independent team. “GM Wendell Young is free to negotiate with anybody, so I think it’s likely and won’t be surprised if a player or two is sent to them by an NHL team and not their AHL team. If and when that happens, there will be some bruised feelings,” said a long-time industry source.

Since they’re out of Chicago, there is no word on where the Carolina Hurricanes will place their prospects next year. That is likely to be high on the AHL BOG agenda.

One thing to keep a long-term eye on is what the Ottawa Senators, under the new ownership of Michael Andulauer, will do with the Belleville Senators.

Howlings was told it’s a three-step process in Ottawa. Step 1 is to secure ownership in Ottawa (Check)—step 2. Secure the land, building the new 21st-Century downtown arena, the Canadian national capital Step 3. Turn to secure a closer farm team relationship. They’re looking at the possibility of Gatineau or another Western Quebec location to extend their brand.

The cap future our source remains bullish on.

“Many are saying a three-or-four million bump next year. I’m more conservative, we have an unknown future economically. I think two million seems more likely.”

The never-ending drama-fest in Arizona is likely to continue.

“Gary Bettman has shown no appetite for relocation, so I think in the near future they will remain there. To be honest, there are two issues; one, the Coyotes need a better building and likely better ownership. Realistically, look, the NHL and the league ownership don’t want to jeopardize future expansion fees, so they will continue to accept Arizona as is.”

One-time Wolf Pack and former Ranger forward Julien Gauthier has left Ottawa, where he was traded to, after starting the season in Hartford. He signed a free agent deal with the New York Islanders for a two-year, one-way money deal for $775K/ Year 1/$800K Year 2.

Ex-Pack Adam Cracknell moves from Tucson to Henderson. Joining him is ex-Pack Mason Geersten on a one-way deal at $775K.

Chase Priskie (Quinnipiac) moves from San Diego to Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.

Goalie Strauss Mann (Greenwich/Brunswick School) heads from San Jose (AHL) to Laval next season.

Ex-Sound Tiger Cole Coskey re-signs with the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL).

Former UCONN Husky (HE) Ben Freeman signs another deal with Greenville (ECHL).

The Bridgeport Islanders signed three players. Two of them are from last year, Cole Bardreau and Jeff Kubiak. The third is Joey Cipollone (Loomis Chaffe) from the national champion Quinnipiac University Bobcats, making 25 ECACHL players to have signed pro deals.

Cipollone’s cousin Anthony, a sophomore, returns to Quinnipiac and is also a Loomis Chaffe-Windsor grad.

The number of signees by conference: Hockey East-37, NCHC-36, the CCHA-31, the Big 10 has 30, the AHA-20, Division I Independents-13, Division III-32, and Europe bound Division I and III-54.

Undergrads that left early 38, going to Canadian colleges four, and back to US juniors two, and nobody has left for Canadian major junior yet.

The transfers at the grad level are 44, and at undergrad, in-school transfers are 59. The total number of players signing pro deals in North America and Europe across the board are at Division I and III; 284.

The son of new Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette, III, the namesake of Peter Jr., signs a one-year deal with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), where his father started his coaching career in 1997.

Jarrod Gourley, the former UCONN defenseman, goes from Utica/Adirondack (ECHL) and heads home to Alberta after signing with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Graham McPhee, the son of one-time New Haven Nighthawk/Ranger and current President of the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, George McPhee, signs a new deal with the Belleville Senators (AHL).

Ex-Sound Tiger Mason Jobst re-signs with Rochester.

The former UCONN captain, Miles Gendron, signs with the Belfast Giants (Northern Ireland-EIHL).

Another former teammate, UCONN forward Carter Turnbull, signs with HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL).

Ex-CT Whale Christian Thomas signs a new deal with HC Bolzano (Austria-IceHL).

Ex-Pack Nick Merkley re-signs with Dynamo Minsk (Belarus-KHL).

Martin Kaut leaves San Jose for HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czechia (Czech Republic)-CEL).

As expected, Zach Fucale, the former #1 draft pick of Montreal and a Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears member, joins Vitali Kravtsov with Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia-KHL). He makes 42 AHL players, with 23 of 32 AHL teams affected by players signing in Europe.

Leon Gawanke’s transfer back home to Germany was canceled as he signed a new deal with Winnipeg/Manitoba.

With 22 signees, Sweden is far ahead of the countries players are heading to.

The Arizona State Sun Devils have shed their independent label. Starting next season, the school has chosen to become the ninth member of the NCHC conference. Surprisingly, there weren’t a part of a Western expansion, as part of a necessary Western presence that is required with the number of players in the western part of the US-the largest growth area is in Texas, Arizona, and Southern California.

Clarkson announces alcohol will be sold at games on campus this fall. Now that they have broken the barrier, colleges, and beer companies will make a significant money grab for beer sales and sponsorship deals.

James Shannon (Greenwich/Brunswick School) commits to Quinnipiac University. He played last year with Coquitlam (BCHL) and Sloan Farmer (Old Greenwich/Brunswick School). He uncommitted collegiately and departed for the Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL). Jake Kloss (Canterbury Scool-New Milford) migrates to Wilkes Barre/Scranton (NCDC).

Team dismantlement has even reached the high school level. The Taft (Watertown) Rhinos, the New England School champion, loses its star goalie Rudy Guimond, drafted by Detroit in the sixth round (169th overall) in last month’s NHL draft. He heads to Cedar Rapids (USHL) next year, then goes to Yale (ECACHL) the following year.

J.J. Lemieux goes to the Rochester Jr. Americans (NAHL). Zave Greene moves on to Wesleyan University (NESCAC) in Middletown. Joining Greene are Hayden Haynes (Old Greenwich) and Henry Metz, both of Salisbury School.

Liam Kilfoil, despite a high pick in the QMJHL Draft (3rd overall by Halifax), heads to Dubuque (USHL) next year, collegiately still uncommitted.

Peter Unger departs Frederick Gunn School for the Northern Cyclones (NCDC) along with 6’7″ Will Reardon (Loomis Chaffe), who is a commit to the Holy Cross Crusaders (AHA) in 24-25. Then, teammates Dylan Thorn and Kyle Smyth both leave for the Grand Prairie Storm (AJHL).

Former player Mike Murtagh leaves Nanaimo (BCHL) and is expected to attend UCONN (HE) in the fall. He was drafted this year by Minnesota (NAHL) and last year by Sioux City (USHL).

Former Loomis Chaffe player Ryan Staple, who switched prep schools to St. George’s Prep (RIPREP) last year, heads to Yale next year. Matt Hanscom departs Westminster Prep (Simsbury) for the Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL), coached by ex-Pack Ryan Tobler. He’ll hook up at RPI (ECACHL) with current teammate Ryan Shaw 2024-25.

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced roster moves:

The Wheeling Nailers have acquired defenseman Pavel Vorobei from the Icemen to complete the terms of a future considerations trade made on January 21, 2022, that sent forward Brendan Harris to the Icemen.

In addition, the Reading Royals have acquired forward Ben Hawerchuk from the Icemen to complete the terms of a future considerations trade made on October 20, 2021, that sent defenseman Kyle McKenzie to the Icemen.

Today was the ECHL’s deadline for teams to complete all Future Consideration trades made during the 2021-22 season.

Full and partial season packages for the 2022-2023 season are currently available!   Contact the Icemen office at 904-602-7825, or visit jacksonvilleicemen.com for more information.

#YourCityYourTeam

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The post REED: JACKSONVILLE ICEMEN ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – Tuesday, The New York Rangers announced that the club had assigned defenseman Zac Jones, to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.

In the third round (68^th overall) by the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Jones has skated in 27 games with the Wolf Pack in his rookie professional season. Jones has scored 18 points (4 g, 14 a), including his first professional goal, with the Pack in 2021-22. He currently leads all Wolf Pack defensemen in scoring.

Jones has also skated in eight NHL games with the Rangers during the 2021-22 season, scoring an assist. Jones has skated in 18 total NHL games and scored five assists in his career.

The Wolf Pack plays a three-in-three set this weekend, starting on Friday at 7:05 p.m. when they visit the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. The Pack returns to the XL Center on Saturday, February 26^th, for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the Providence Bruins on ‘Hartford Hockey Heritage Night.’ The Wolf Pack will also be hosting Hockey ‘N Hops and Hockey ‘N Vine. For ticket packages and single-game tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com.

The weekend concludes on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. when the Wolf Pack visits the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

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BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack scored three times in the second period, including twice on the powerplay, to knock off the rival Springfield Thunderbirds by a final score of 5-1 on Wednesday night. The win was Hartford’s fourth in their last five games.

Tim Gettinger fired a puck around the wall in the offensive zone on the Wolf Pack’s second powerplay of the hockey game. Jonny Brodzinski found the loose puck then started to storm towards Springfield starter Charlie Lindgren. Brodzinski elected to fire a pass across the ice, connecting with Anthony Greco. Greco let a one-timer fly that beat Lindgren at 1:22 of the second period to break a 1-1 tie. The goal, Greco’s ninth of the season, was Hartford’s first powerplay goal since January 8^th.

For the second game in a row, the Wolf Pack opened the scoring. Alex Whelan won a puck battle behind the Springfield goal, then put a centering pass into the slot for Mike O’Leary. O’Leary rang his quick shot off the goal post and by Lindgren for his second goal of the season 9:59 into the game. Hartford nearly extended the lead in the final minute, but Lindgren shut the door twice.

Seconds later, the Thunderbirds took advantage of their netminder’s key saves. Mackenzie MacEachern found Alexey Toropchenko, who wired a perfect shot over the shoulder of Keith Kinkaid to tie the game with just 2.1 seconds left in the opening period.

Greco gave the Wolf Pack the lead 82 seconds into the middle frame, kicking off Hartford’s best stretch of the evening. At 4:15, on the heels of another Wolf Pack powerplay, Ty Ronning scored his ninth goal of the season. Tanner Fritz danced his way into a high-danger scoring area, then sent a pass to Ronning, who fired home the insurance marker. Austin Rueschhoff picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

Brodzinski tacked on his second point of the night at 19:00 of the second period, scoring a goal. Gettinger fired a shot from the slot that Lindgren made the save on. The rebound bounced to Lauri Pajuniemi, who could only see the puck bounce off his skate. However, the puck took a good bounce and went right through the crease to Brodzinski. The captain released the puck into an empty net for his team-leading 13^th goal of the season. The goal, Hartford’s second on the advantage on the night, also marked the sixth game in a row where Brodzinski scored.

Kinkaid slammed the door shut in the third period, stopping all eight T-Birds shots. Fritz put the exclamation mark on the victory at 15:51, hitting an empty net from center ice for his sixth goal of the season.

The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday night! Join us for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs, presented by Nomads Entertainment, as the Providence Bruins come to town. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, journey with us to a galaxy far, far away for ‘Star Wars Night’ at the XL Center! The Lehigh Valley Phantoms will be in town, with puck drop also set for 7:00 p.m.

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HARTFORD, CT – Goalie Adam Huska made his NHL debut against Colorado in a tough 7-3 loss. He was sent down in an exchange of goaltenders with veteran Keith Kincaid going back to New York.

He is the third UCONN player to play in the NHL.  The first was Todd Krygier (Hartford Whalers / New Haven Nighthawks), an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). The other was Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), the Husky’s highest-ever draft pick.

Krygier played for ten years and in 543 NHL games. He was taken in the pre-CBA era feature – the NHL Supplemental Draft.

NOTES

One-time UCONN Husky defenseman David Drake of the Reading Royals (ECHL) signs a PTO deal and is loaned to the Providence Bruins (AHL).

Goalie Jon Gillies (Salisbury Prep) signs a one-year, two-way deal worth over $2 million with the St. Louis Blues and replaces the recalled Charlie Lindgren (older brother of ex-Hartford Wolf Pack and New York Ranger Ryan) in Springfield. They have 13 players and staff test COVID positive over the last two weeks.

Lindgren will see his old team Montreal who drafted him in 2010 on Saturday. He played 24 games in his first years as a pro. Lindgren was named the game’s second star on Thursday in a 6-2 win.

St. Louis signed Gillies. He was 3-1-0 in four AHL games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Providence Bruins (three games) with a 1.76 GAA, and a .939 save percentage and won his only ECHL game in Portland with the Maine Mariners. He played in twelve games (3-5-0) in the NHL in Calgary in 2017-18.

Gillies was the backup for St. Louis tonight to Lindgren against the Detroit Red Wings.

OTHER NEWS

Matt Peca (Quinnipiac University) was called up by Blues.

Former Springfield Falcon Devan Dubnyk signs a deal with Charlotte Checkers.

Nick Hutchison, a one-time former Avon Old Farms player has gone from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) and has earned a recall to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Two ex-Yale players are on the move. Matt Foley, who’s currently with Wheeling (ECHL) signs a PTO deal with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).  Ted Hart, a Maine resident, signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL).

Two Beast of New Haven sons were taken in the WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday. In the first round (14th overall), the Prince Albert Raiders selected Ryder Ritchie, the son of Byron Ritchie from the Rink Academy of Excellence U-18 (CSSHL) in Kelowna, BC. Ronan Buckberger, who is the youngest son of Ashley Buckberger, went in the fifth round (94th overall) to the Swift Current Broncos, who acquired the pick from the Moose Jaw Warriors. He skated for the Saskatoon Contacts U-18 (SMAAAHL).

The players who were eligible were 2006-born players residing in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon in Western Canada.

In the US portion of the draft, Tory Pitner of El Cerrito, California was taken 17th of 44 players taken by the Edmonton Oil Kings. Pitner played for the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep program. California led the US portion with 15 selections.

Forward Aidan Park from the Shattuck’s St. Mary’s U-16/U-18 (MNPREP) program went 19th (Playa Vista, CA) by the Calgary Hit Men. He was coached at one-time by former Wolf Pack great Derek Armstrong, who was coaching the LA Jr. Kings.

Australian whiz current leading Springfield scorer Nathan “Stormy” Walker scored his first-ever NHL hat trick in his first game of his recall Thursday evening against Detroit was naturally the game’s first star

Former Springfield Falcon Devan Dubnyk signs a deal with the Charlotte Checkers.

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BY: Jason Chaimovitch, The AHL.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … Today, the American Hockey League announced the four people selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2022.

Honored by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the 17th group of enshrinees are Keith Aucoin, Nolan Baumgartner, Dave Creighton, and Bill Torrey.

“For more than eight decades, the American Hockey League has been built on principles of excellence both on and off the ice,” said Scott Howson, AHL President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of these four distinguished individuals exemplified those principles at the highest levels throughout their careers, and the AHL Board of Governors unanimously endorses the Selection Committee’s recommendation for their induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2022.”

ANDREWS IN HOF

In addition to the Class of 2022, this season’s induction ceremony will include long-time AHL President and CEO David Andrews, who was previously selected as the lone member of the Class of 2021. The American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for February 7 in Laval, Que. as part of the 2022 AHL All-Star Classic festivities.

Formed in 2006 to recognize, honor, and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the American Hockey League, the AHL Hall of Fame is housed online at ahlhalloffame.com and is accessible to fans worldwide with the click of a mouse as part of the AHL Internet Network.

Since 1936, the American Hockey League has served as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters, and staff of all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of NHL players each year are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers.

CLASS OF 2022: KEITH AUCOIN

One of the most decorated players ever to skate in the American Hockey League, Keith Aucoin was undrafted out of NCAA Division III Norwich University in Vermont and broke into the AHL with his hometown Lowell Lock Monsters in 2001-02. He recorded 857 points in 769 games over parts of 13 AHL seasons with Lowell, the Providence Bruins, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Albany River Rats, Hershey Bears, Toronto Marlies, and Chicago Wolves, retiring as the seventh-leading scorer in league history. Aucoin won the Calder Cup with Hershey in 2009 and 2010 and was the AHL’s MVP and scoring champion for the 2009-10 season after tallying 106 points in 70 games. In addition, he played in a record-tying six AHL All-Star Classics and was voted a First Team (2009, 2010, 2012) and Second Team (2006, 2007, 2011) AHL All-Star three times each.

CLASS OF 2022: NOLAN BAUMGARTNER

Nolan Baumgartner spent most of his 16-year professional playing career in the AHL, appearing in 878 games and notching 83 goals and 307 assists for 390 points with the Portland Pirates, Norfolk Admirals, Manitoba Moose, Philadelphia Phantoms, Iowa Stars, and Chicago Wolves. Baumgartner appeared in three AHL All-Star Classics, was a standout two-way defenseman and well-respected leader, and was selected as an All-Star playing captain at the 2010 event. Baumgartner also accrued 29 points in 86 postseason games, including an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals with Manitoba in 2009. The Calgary native, a first-round draft pick by Washington in 1994, served as an assistant coach for Vancouver’s AHL affiliates in Chicago and Utica for five seasons before being promoted to the Canucks in 2017.

CLASS OF 2022: DAVE CREIGHTON

A prolific American Hockey League scorer during the 1950s and 1960s, Dave Creighton played 21 professional seasons between 1948 and 1969, becoming one of only four players in hockey history to skate in at least 600 games in both the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League. The native of Port Arthur is tied for 25th all-time in AHL, scoring 692 points (258 goals, 434 assists) in 800 contests over parts of 14 seasons with the Hershey Bears, Rochester Americans, Buffalo Bisons, Baltimore Clippers, and Providence Reds. Creighton served four seasons as head coach of the Reds — including three as player/coach — and won the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s most valuable player in 1967-68. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 87.

CLASS OF 2022: BILL TORREY

Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Torrey began his front-office hockey career as the publicity director for the American Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Hornets in 1961. He remained active with the AHL throughout his illustrious career as an NHL executive, including four straight Stanley Cup championships as general manager of the New York Islanders and 25 years of service with the Florida Panthers. A trusted advisor and mentor, Torrey served on the Executive Committee of the AHL Board of Governors for two decades. In addition, he was a member of the AHL Hall of Fame selection committee from its inception in 2006. Torrey passed away in 2018 at the age of 83.

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The post CHAIMOVICH: AHL NAMES 2021 HALL-OF-FAMERS first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – With the first round of the NHL playoffs on the verge of completion, there is news from all over the globe with the sport still making news.

AHL ALL-STAR GAME

The AHL has moved the All-Star Classic out of 2021 and ahead to 2022. They kept the game in Laval at the Place Bell just outside of Montreal.

“The All-Star Classic is a signature event of the American Hockey League, and although the decision to postpone it was difficult, it was unfortunately unavoidable given the exceptional circumstances we are currently going through. However, the organization is very excited to know that this is only a postponement and that Laval will still welcome the best players in the AHL during the 2021-22 season. “Place Bell remains the perfect place to host an event of this magnitude. We are very grateful to our fans for their loyalty during this difficult time. We also want to thank the American Hockey League for their trust throughout this process,” said Groupe CH Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, France-Margaret Bélanger.

“While we are disappointed that we will not be able to hold our All-Star Classic festivities in 2021, we look forward to continuing the work that is already underway with the Rocket organization and are excited to have the city of Laval and Place Bell host the AHL’s annual showcase event in 2022,” said American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson in a joint public statement.

OTHER MOVES

The ECHL announced they will start their season on December 4th with a complete 72-game schedule.

The OHL made an announcement that December 1st will be their start date and that they will play a slightly reduced schedule from 68 games down to 64.

They will work with the Canadian government regarding the cross-border issue with their US-based teams in the Saginaw (MI) Spirit, Flint (MI) Firebirds, and the Erie (PA) Otters since presently the border remains closed.

The WHL responded to the current world situation by delaying the start for its opening date from October 2nd to December 4th. They have three teams based in the US. The Portland (OR) Winterhawks, who presently have serious civil unrest issues in the city, and the Winterhawks are currently in bankruptcy with a sale to be announced any day now. The other teams are the Spokane (WA) Chiefs and the Everett (WA) Silvertips.

The QMJHL has no US-based franchises, but an inter-border issue between Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes remains.

The Charlottetown Patriot-Guardian newspaper says the QMJHL made a formal proposal on a Return-To-Play plan to the provincial governments of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island). The schedule would be reduced from 68 to 60 games, and would include making three new divisions that will be based on geography to reduce travel, overnight hotel stays, and would scale back training camps basically in half from 60 to 34 players.

The league still has August 26th set as an opening date for camp.

The new divisions would be an Atlantic, which would include Acadie-Bathurst, Cape Breton, Halifax, Moncton, and Saint John. Four-of-the-five cities have had old AHL franchises.

The second group includes Blaineville-Boisbrand, Drummondville, Gatineau, Rouyn-Noranda, Sherbrooke, and Val-d’Or with the third division consisting of Baie-Comeau, Chicoutimi, Quebec City. Rimouski, Shawinigan, and Victoriaville.

The league has an ambitious starting date of October 1, which will more than likely be changed.

In the KHL, Alexei Morozov, the league’s President, announced its season will begin on time on September 2nd, but that all teams in the league will start their respective seasons in Russia in an attempt to mitigate cross-border issues during the pandemic.

The five teams are Jokerit Helsinki (Finland), Dynamo Riga (Latvia), Dynamo Minsk (Belarus), Barys-nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) and the Kunlun Red Star (China).

The Beijing-based team that just signed ex-Hartford Wolf Pack forward, Danny Kristo, will play in the former KHL city of Mytischi which is roughly 15 miles Northeast of Moscow along the Yauza River near the Yaroslavl rail-line and is easily accessible.

A three-nation, six-team Baltic Cup tournament has been organized and might be an early blueprint for a new local regional league separate from the KHL.

Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia will send two teams each for the round-robin tournament to be played just before Christmas time.

Darius Kasparaitis, the former New York Ranger, and Wolf Pack d-man will be the General Manager of one of the teams from his native Lithuania. Former Ranger, Sandis Ozolins, currently a KHL assistant coach with Torpedo Novgorod, will manage one from Estonia while former Flyer and NHL’er Ukrainian, Dainius Zubrus, is slated to be involved as well.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

Player movement is starting for the AHL and especially at with college athletes demonstrating just how different the roster landscape will be for 2020-21.

AHL free-agent signee, Jarrett Burton, leaves the Rochester Americans for a new contract with the Iowa Wild.

According to Rhode Island-based, minor pro and college hockey reporter, Mark Divver, Derek Sheppard is leaving the Charlotte Checkers and moving north to join the Providence Bruins.

The Rangers 2018 fourth-round draft pick, Nico Gross, much like Nils Lundkvist, won’t be in Hartford for the 2020-21 season, Instead, the 20-year-old defenseman will be skating with EV Zug (Switzerland-LNA). He played for the Oshawa Generals (OHL) last year.

Zach Malik, the oldest son of former Hartford Whaler, Ranger, and Beast of New Haven, defenseman, Marek Malik, will join his father with HC Frydek-Mistek (Czech Republic Division-2) for the 2020-21 season leaving the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). The elder Malik is still the team’s assistant coach while his younger brother, Nick Malik, has not made a commitment yet as to whether he will return to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL).

Goalie Mark Sinclair transfers from the University Alabama-Huntsville Chargers (WCHA) to the Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA).

Former UCONN Husky, Karl El-Mir, signs with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) while his former UCONN teammate, Derek Pratt, re-signs with the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL) for next season. Another former Husky, Ben Freeman, (Falmouth, ME) signed his first professional deal with the Maine Mariners (ECHL) the Double AA affiliate of the Rangers and Wolf Pack. Brant Harris, another former Husky, leaves Mora IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan) and heads to HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia-SLEL).

Ex-Wolf Pack, Shawn St. Amant, leaves the Ft. Wayne Komets (ECHL) and signs with Gyergyoi HK (Romania-ERLH), which plays in a 10 team league based in Romania and Hungary.

Andrew Gaus, (Taft Prep/Yale University) leaves Colorado College (NCHC) after his grad transfer year and signs with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).

Henry Bowlby becomes the third Harvard University player and fifth in the ECACHL to leave school early and goes on to sign an ELC deal with the Florida Panthers (NHL) and their yet-to-be-announced new AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.

Colin O’ Neill, UMASS-Lowell (HE), signs with Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) as does defenseman, Clark Kuster, of St. Cloud St. Huskies (NCHC).

Brendan Van Riemsdyk, the younger brother of James (Philadelphia) and Trevor (Carolina) has finished his career with the Northeastern Huskies (HE) and signs with Reading Royals (ECHL) making 30 Hockey East players that have signed pro deals. The other conference breakdown see NCHC with 25, the Big 10 has 20, the WCHA is at 18, the ECACHL has 18, and the AHA sees 14 signings. Division-I independent, Arizona State, has three.

Now 126 players have signed pro deals in North America. A total of 227 have now signed North American and European pro deals.

Two transfers to report, one in Division-III which saw Matthias Gervais (Canterbury School-New Milford) go from the University of New England (CCC) to Elmira College (UCHC) and the other sees Christian Hayes leave Division-I, Holy Cross (AHA), for Trinity College (NESCAC) of Hartford.

That makes 27 school transfers this off-season.

Karlis Cukste, an unsigned fifth-round San Jose Sharks draft pick from the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (ECACHL) has signed a try-out deal at home with Dynamo Riga (Latvia-KHL).

Kaspar Kotkansalo departs a year early from Boston University (HE) to sign with Assat Pori (Finland-FEL).

Adam Winborg of the University of Michigan (Big 10) heads to AIK (Sweden-SHL) on a loan.

Jordan Fogarty departs the Princeton University Tigers (ECACHL) and signs with Virserums SGF (Sweden Division-3).

Spencer Fox from Wesleyan University (NESCAC) (Middletown) signs with IFK Falkoping (Sweden Division-3).

Latvian Filip Buncis had signed an AHL two-way with Wilkes Barre/Scranton (AHL)-Wheeling (ECHL), but because of the pandemic will play at home for Zemgale (Latvia-LHL).

Patrick Demel of AIC (AHA) becomes the fifth member of last year’s team to graduate. He is currently on a try-out deal with HC Vitkovice (Czech Republic-CEL).

Brent Raedeke, the nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk, Mark Raedeke, leaves Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL) for the Iserlohn Rooster next year, not the Cologne Sharks as previously reported.

The AHL also continues to see players leave or elect not come and will play at home.

The Wolf Pack’s Yegor Rykov is loaned to CSKA Moscow (Russia-KHL) likely ending the Rykov experiment. After supplanting former Wolf Pack, Sean Day, his star was bright. He played in 27 games but soon fell into disfavor with management, and by the end of the season, he was a passenger being scratched for nine of the Wolf Pack’s last ten games including the last game in March against the Providence Bruins where the team instead played rookie Zach Giutarri in his first pro game. Rykov’s KHL rights were traded from SKA St. Petersburg to CSKA Moscow last week paving the way for the deal.

Rodrigo Abols, who played last season for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) was loaned by the team’s parent, the Florida Panthers, to Orebro HK (Sweden-SHL) for the 2020-21 season.

Otto Leskinen, of the Laval Rocket (AHL), was loaned by the Montreal Canadiens to KalPa Kuopio (Finland-FEL).

The Utica Comets (AHL) lost Carter Camper, who signs with Leksands IF (Sweden-SHL).

Marko Dano of the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) is a free agent. He has expressed a desire to start the year with HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic-CEL).

The Bakersfield Condors’ Kirill Maximov was loaned by the Edmonton Oilers to CSKA Moscow (Russia-KHL).

Michael Spacek, of the Manitoba Moose (AHL), was loaned by the Winnipeg Jets to Tappara (Finland-FEL) while teammate, Andrei Chibisov, was loaned to Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia-KHL). teammate, Leon Gawanke, is staying home and was loaned from the Manitoba Moose to Eisbaren Berlin (Germany-DEL) who’s Sports Manger is ex-New Haven Nighthawk, Stephane J.G. Richer.

The Ontario Reign’s (AHL) Tobias Bjornfot was loaned to Djurgardens IF (Sweden-SHL). Martin Frk also with Ontario and the Los Angeles Kings, is looking at possibly heading to HC Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic-CEL).

Moritz Seider of the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) was loaned to Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL), while his teammate, Filip Zadina, saw his loan deal with HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic-CEL) be officially announced.

Tim Berni, who was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets was loaned out to the ZSC Zurich Lions (Switzerland-LNA) for the season.

The Hershey Bears (AHL) have lost Alexei Protas who was loaned by the Washington Capitals to Dynamo Minsk (Belarus-KHL).

Dominik Masin, now formerly of the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) was announced to have signed a deal with Amur Khabarovsk (Russia-KHL) located closer to China than Russia.

Carter Camper (Utica) deal with Leksands IF (Sweden-SHL) was announced.

Linus Sandin, the older brother to Toronto Marlies/Maple Leafs prospect, Rasmus Sandin, and who was under contract by the Philadelphia Flyers will remain in Sweden with HV 71 under a loan.

61 AHL players have signed or were loaned to Europe from last year. 23 of 31 AHL teams have lost at least one player to Europe.

Ex-Pack, Kodie Curren, who signed a two-year, one-way deal with the Anaheim Ducks in June. is now apparently in talks with his old team, Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL), for him to start his season in Europe. Anaheim also loans goalie, Lukas Dostal, for another year to Ilves Tampere (Finland-FEL). He would have been in San Diego with the Gulls. Ilves Tampere also adds Artuu Ruotsalainen on loan from the Buffalo Sabres.

Mathias Bromé, who was under contract by the Detroit Red Wings, leaves Mora lK to play for Orebro HK in another loan situation. Since the 2020-21 NHL/AHL season and training camps are not going to start before December 4th, it’s possible the AHL season in San Diego will likely be a truncated one getting him ready with game time in Sweden is on the table.

All of these loans and movement agreements are likely short-term, three-month contracts.

Mike Murtaugh of the Gunnery School (Washington, CT), has committed to UCONN (HE) for 2023-24. The private prep school has formally changed its name to the Gunn School.

Shaun McEwen of the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep U-15 team makes a commitment to UMASS-Amherst (HE) for 2023-24. McEwen was drafted by Tri-City (USHL) and in Canadian major junior by Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) this season.

Kyle Tomaso of Pomfret School (CTPREP) commits to the Division-III Trinity College Bantams (Hartford) (NESCAC). Ned Blanchard (West Hartford ) graduates Westminster Prep of Simsbury and commits to Trinity as well.

Nick Wallace makes a commit to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (ECACHL) for the 2022-23 season. He skated for Bergen Catholic (NJPUB) and a few games with Tri-City (USHL) last year. He was a 2019 draft choice of Tri-City and by the Owen Sound Attack (OHL).

Samuel Timonen (Avon Old Farms), who played for the Stamford-based, CT Jr. Rangers (NCDC) last season, heads home to play for IPK (Finland Division-1). He is the son of former Flyer and Nashville Predator, Kimmo Timonen, who played over 1,100 games in his NHL career.

Malik Alishlalov (Westminster Prep), a UCONN (HE) commit for 2021-22, leaves the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) and returns to Russia for his last season of junior hockey with Krasnaya Armiya Moscow (Russia-MHL).

British born goalie Ben Churchfield departs after his junior year from Division III University of New England (CCC) and signs with the Sheffield Steelers (England-EIHL) making 52 Division-I and III college players to sign contracts in Europe.

GOOD NEWS FOR GOOD PEOPLE

One-time Bridgeport Sound Tigers head coach, and former New Haven Nighthawks and Yale University player, Dave Baseggio, has been named as the first Director of Pro Scouting for the newest NHL expansion team, the Seattle Kraken by GM and former Whaler great, Ron Francis.

Baseggio played for the Nighthawks (1991-92), who, at the time, were one of the last two independent teams in AHL history. The Worcester Ice Cats were the other. He played for half of a season after a trade from Rochester. It was the last-named Nighthawks team in the Elm City. He played at Yale (1985-1989) and was the captain his senior year.

Baseggio has always maintained a sunny optimism despite some serious impediments he has endured over his career.

He inherited a very poor Sound Tigers roster (2005-2006) in his only season as head coach after spending four years as an assistant coach. He lost out on an opportunity to coach his alma mater, despite the late Tim Taylor’s preference that he would be named his successor. Despite taking his team to the playoffs his contract was not renewed in Bridgeport after that season.

Baseggio went off to the Peoria Rivermen (2006-2008), who had migrated to the AHL, but, much to his surprise, he was relieved of his duties after just two years.

He then applied for the head coaching job in Chicago (AHL) with the Wolves, but the St. Louis Blues held him to the last year of his deal, closing that door, so he returned to Connecticut.

He kept busy in Connecticut working with every major college it seemed. Yale, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart as well as getting to every Bridgeport and Hartford game he could before hooking up with Anaheim.

Baseggio spent 12 years in total with the Ducks, seven as a pro scout, and three as their Director of Scouting. He worked his way up to Assistant GM in Anaheim for three years and went through a very laborious sale of the family’s Connecticut coastline home. He moved to California before being pushed aside with the arrival of former Vancouver GM, Dave Nonis. Now he gets the dream of coaches and scouting people to start with a fresh clean slate with a brand new team.

He will be operating out of Connecticut.

“I’m very honored to have been chosen and I am looking forward to the exciting challenge of building the Kraken team from the ground up with our talented and diverse team in hockey operations.”

Baseggio brings some New Haven hockey DNA to his scouting department with the addition of Lorne Henning, who did work in Montreal last year as a scout. Henning played four games for the very first New Haven Nighthawks team in 1972-73.

William White, the son of former New Haven Senators defenseman, Scott White (their team MVP), and who is currently the GM of the Texas Stars and Assistant GM in Dallas. The younger White played Division-III college hockey in New London at Connecticut College (NESCAC).

The Seattle Kraken also added an Ontario scout in former New Haven Nighthawk, John Goodwin.

Francis also added his long-time teammate, friend, and former Whalers great, Ulf Samuelsson.

Samuelsson also played for the Rangers, was an assistant coach there as well as with the Wolf Pack and Avon Old Farms.

STILL PLAYING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

Former Rangers and Wolf Pack left-winger, Jan Hlaváč 43, is still actively playing, leaving HC Vrachlabi (Czech Republic Division-3) and heading to BK Nova Paka also in Division 3.

Hlavac’s older brother, Petr Hlaváč, will be the team’s head coach and Sports Manager this season. It’s Petr’s sixth season as a coach. The team plays in the 24 team league as part of the North Division.

The post CANTLON: HOCKEY OFF-SEASON NEWS & NOTES VOLUME 21 first appeared on Howlings.