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BY: Gerry Cantlon: Howlings HARTFORD, CT - As training camp nears its opening, Maxim Letunov has followed through and returned to Russia and will play for Torpedo Novgorod (Russia-KHL), where he joins last year's Hartford Wolf Pack and former UCONN teammate, goaltender, Adam Huska. He became the 100th AHL player (now 102) to sign overseas and the 20th player to sign with Russia for next season. He also becomes the eighth former Wolf Pack to sign with Russia/Belarus, despite their supposedly being an international pariah due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He is the ninth heading to the KHL. Letunov will play for his ninth team in his short professional career.  Only two Wolf Pack players have unknown destinations, goalie Tyler Wall and forward Matt Lorito. Former Danbury Trasher, Jon “Nasty” Mirasty, 40, has resurfaced and signed with the Binghamton (NY) Black Bears (FPHL) for next season. He played a season and a half in the Hat City before he was cut by then-coach for Danbury and former New Haven Knights coach, Paul Gillis, for his unwillingness to play some hockey at the Danbury Ice Arena. He played just 36 games and racked up 259 PIM. He is a well-known fighter in minor league circles. He is a native Canadian of Cree heritage and has been playing senior club hockey over the last three years in his native Saskatchewan. He hasn’t played competitive hockey in five years. Mirasty last played competitively with the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs (LNAH), where he had 991 PIM in just 100 league games. He had 677 PIM in 176 AHL games with Syracuse (AHL), and in the ECHL with three teams accrued 405 PIM in 66 games. In the KHL, he played 40 games and had 214 PIM.  He has played the last three years for his hometown Meadow Lake Broncos (SASHL). In 22 games, he had just 56 PIM.  He also played 14 games with other senior clubs and had just 26 PIM according to the Mitch Menick afternoon drive show Former Nighthawk and Springfield Falcon Oleg Mikulchik is the new assistant coach for Avangard Omsk (Russia-KHL) after being the head coach last year for SK Sokol Kyiv (Ukraine-UHL) and we all know why he is no longer there. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The free-agent frenzy has led to completing the 2022-23 Hartford Wolf Pack roster as the usual free agency carnival has come and gone. Incredibly, over 150 players changed addresses, and close to a billion dollars in compensation was doled out. Up in New York, the Rangers lost Andrew Copp, who returned home to Michigan to join the Detroit Red Wings. He will line his pockets with $5.65M per season. Kevin Rooney, the cousin of former New Haven Nighthawk Steve  Rooney, headed West to Calgary to join the Flames and will receive $1.4M per season for the next four years. The Rangers paid dearly to upgrade Hartford. Zach Jordan, whose contract has not yet been posted, comes to Hartford via the Cleveland Monsters. Turner Elson from Grand Rapids (GM Ryan Martin's old stomping grounds) at $750K-NHL/$225K-AHL for two years, a 6'0 195 center. Ty Emberson comes from Tucson (contract yet posted), making it now 12 D going into training camp in the fall. Andy Welinski comes over from Stockton (Calgary) on a one-year $400K-AHL deal. The Rangers made their qualifying offers by Mondaefore the 5 pm deadline as per the CBA, and two were very curious. Defenseman Hájek, who played a grand total of 17 games in New York and five in Hartford on a conditioning stint, was amazingly signed for another year at a cap helpful $800K and shockingly big 6'7 forward Austin Rueschoff (contract not yet posted), who signed as a collegiate free agent two years ago from Western Michigan (NCHC) who spent all last year in Hartford. His season could be broken into three parts; a physical start, showed flashes of a hot stick in the middle of the season, and like the rest of his teammates, a disappearing act in the last third of the season as they had a meteoric meltdown of 8-20-2 and out of the AHL playoffs after being in first at the AHL All-Star break. Tim Gettinger was given an offer who played well in all situations in Hartford in four years and was among the taxi squad call-ups got a one-year extension at amazingly as the lanky 6'6 forward got a one-year deal not yet posted. Not to anyone's surprise, the following were not qualified, thus allowing them to go to free agency. They included goalie Keith Kinkaid, who signed in primary for $750K. He was a main culprit in the late-season collapse with many rough performances. Also departing is goalie, Adam Huska (UCONN-HE). In three years in Hartford performed well but was not consistent enough. Tyler Wall played just 15 games in his two years, despite gaudy Hockey East numbers at UMASS-Lowell where he broke long-standing freshman winning record and career wins, but he never replicated those efforts and never gained the trust of his head coach or fellow teammates. His season ended six weeks early with knee surgery from a freak pre-game injury he suffered in Jacksonville. As of now, Zac Jones and Matt Robertson will be on defense. Robertson is a year from his RFA status. On an AHL deal comes Zach Guittari (Loomis Chaffe). That's half the defense. Hunter Skinner, Brandon Scanlin, and Nils Lundkvist are scheduled to return and could be the other half. Up front, the ever polite, pleasant, and gregarious Ty Ronning never built off his surge in performances in 2020-21 or early last season and sputtered at the end. Reports are Ronning, who lives in Vancouver in the off-season, where his father Cliff played with the Canucks and may sign there and head to nearby Abbotsford. Nick Merkley and Maxim Letunov, acquired at the trade deadline, were not re-signed. Merkley was injured in the next to last game in Bridgeport. Letunov was not a match and may be headed back home to Russia to play in the KHL with Torpedo Novgorod, who has his KHL rights. Despite an 81-point year in juniors, Jake Elmer was buried in the ECHL and never got a call-up. Anthony Greco has already left for Sweden. Mike O'Leary, who had minimal offensive output and was a late-season scratch, is gone to Iowa (AHL). Tanner Fritz, Alex Whelan, and Cristiano Di Giacinto are defensemen who all signed AHL  deals. Fritz will be in Hartford and could push the other two to Jacksonville because of the lack of lineup space. D-man Blake Hillman did well in Providence/ Toledo (ECHL) and was last year's training camp invitee is now under contract, Tim Theocaridis and goalie Parker Gahagan (Florida-ECHL/Milwaukee-AHL) have all been signed to AHL deals; four of the five will be in Hart City or likely the ECHL with the teams' affiliate there, the Jacksonville Icemen. Underperforming Justin Richards was given every chance to succeed on all four lines and special teams. However, he will find a new address, likely in the ECHL, after not being qualified. What the team does with the unhappy Lauri Pajuniemi, a year from his RFA, is yet to be determined. Will Jarred Tinordi return to reprise the mentor role or find a new address with his young family? Three part-time players are heading to separate teams in the Slovak Extra league. Abbott Girduckis (HC Presov), Liam Pecararo (HC Slovan Bratislava), and the second Hamden-born player in team history, Mike Lee (the Gunn School), as he heads to (HC Nove Zamsky). A fourth, James Sanchez, is available for other teams. Defenseman Jeff Taylor scratched more than he played in four years as an insurance policy, just 38 games in that time, signed with Adirondack (ECHL), and has new twins just born. Greg McKegg, who played one game in Hartford and 43 games and five points in New York, was cut loose and headed to Edmonton for a lucrative two-way deal of $750K-NHL/$350K-AHL. Billy Thompson, a one-game emergency from Adirondack, heads to play with defending champions Cardiff (Wales-EIHL) next year. Coming in from Europe draftees are; Karl Henriksson  Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL), Adam Edström (Sweden-Rögle BK). Veteran Gustav Rydahl (Sweden-Farjestad BK) comes on a free agent $750K deal and goalie Olof Lindbom of Kristianstads IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Captain Jonny Brodzinski, with his youngest sibling, Easton, is on an AHL deal and scheduled to return. Then four junior-age players, Will Cullye (Windsor-OHL), Brennan Othmann (Flint-OHL), Matt Rempe (Seattle-WHL), and Roger Korczak (Moose Jaw-WHL), are coming to camp. Othmann has to spend a half-season in juniors after training camp with Flint (OHL) because of the CHL and NHL agreement that prohibits 19-year-olds from being in the AHL full-time unless a team's junior season has ended. He will be WJC eligible, which will be when he turns 20 NEXT January 5th. The last day of next year's WJC when it ends in Halifax and Moncton. Bobby Trivigino, signed at the end of the season from UMASS (HE), will be back. Patrick Khordorenko will be in the house in the last year of his deal. PLENTY OF MOVES The number of AHL'ers off to Europe is 42 as ex-Sound Tiger Josh Ho-Sang departs to Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia-KHL). Despite the Ukraine war, Russia amazingly leads the Euro race with ten signings. Sweden has nine, with Finland inking seven, Germany six and Austria four. NEWS AND NOTES The Wolf Pack 2022-23 schedule with three new opponents expected out in two weeks. The home opener is October 22nd. The Rangers lost Frank Vatrano to Anaheim. They got the backup goalie they sought in ex-Sound Tiger Jaroslav Halak from Vancouver at $1.5M. They also signed forward Vincent (Vinnie) Trochek from Carolina. To battle for the backup spot with a two-year contract, the Rangers signed Louis Domingue of Pittsburgh. He played with four teams last year (two NHL, two AHL). He hurt the Wolf Pack at the end of the year and nearly stole the Ranger series in an emergency relief situation in Pittsburgh. Instead, he got one-way money at $775K. Former CT Whale Cam Talbot was moved from Minnesota to Ottawa for goalie Filip Gustavsson. Ex-Pack Lias Andersson signs a one-year extension $750K deal with LA. Ex-Pack Malte Strömwall has decided to give North America another try and has  signed a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina/Chicago (AHL) for $750K-NHL/$150K-AHL leaving Dynamo Minsk (Belarus-KHL) Brogan Rafferty (Quinnipiac University) leaves for Anaheim-NHL/San Diego-AHL for Seattle-NHL/ Coachella Valley-AHL at $750K/$250K. --Fellow former Bobcat Chase Priskie leaves Florida-NHL/Charlotte-AHL to Buffalo-NHL/Rochester-AHL on a one-year $800K deal. Goalie Alex Lyon (Yale) from the Calder Cup champion Chicago Wolves/ Carolina (NHL) leaves to head off to Florida-NHL/Charlotte-AHL for one year at $750K. Another ex-Pack goalie, Dustin Tokarski, goes from Buffalo to Pittsburgh for a $775K package. Ex-Pack defenseman Anthony Bitetto goes from San Jose to Florida on a one-year, one-way deal at $750K. Max Pacioretty (New Canaan/Taft) was traded from Vegas to Carolina. Calle Järnkrok, the cousin of former Nighthawk Mikael Lindholm, signs a four-year deal with Toronto for $2.1M leaving Calgary. Rangers signed Adam Sýkora, 17, their first pick in last week's draft to a standard three-year ELC deal at $925K-NHL/$80K-AHL and because of his age, he will more than likely be with Medicine Hat (WHL) next year. They took him first overall in the CHL Import draft two weeks ago. SOMMER IN CALI Ex-Pack/Sound Tiger Joël Bouchard and his staff were sacked in early May. Now San Diego has hired the AHL's winningest coach, 65-year-old Roy Sommer (808 wins), ending a 24-year relationship running San Jose's minor league teams to replace Bouchard after just one year. Sommer also had two years as an assistant in San Jose and half a season as an interim head coach. He started coaching in Cali with the Roller Hockey International San Jose Rhinos (formerly Connecticut (New Haven) Coasters). As a young man, he started his minor pro playing career in the old Pacific Hockey League (PHL) with the Spokane (WA) Flyers. Sommer's hockey coaching journey started in Richmond/Roanoke in the ECHL and has taken him to Cleveland, Worcester, Kentucky, and the Bay Area for the last eight years. Cody MacLeod retires from playing in Iowa to become a skills development coach for Minnesota. The brand-new Coachella Valley (CA) Firebirds (Seattle) signed their first two players, Samuel Bucek from MHC Nitra of the Slovak Extra League, who has been in Slovakia. About six years ago, Bucek had three junior years with the Chicago Steel (USHL) twice and the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). Then to take care of the heavy lifting, they inked the capable Ian MacKinnon, who had 145 PM between Providence and Maine (ECHL) and Jacksonville (ECHL) last year, totaling 31 games and remembered for his battles with ex-Pack Mason Geersten two years ago. The team hired the first female assistant coach at the pro level, with Jessica Campbell going to the Firebirds. They got from Detroit ex-Pack goalie Magnus Hellberg ticketed initially for Grand Rapids now has been re-routed to the California desert, Jon Gillies (Salisbury Prep) goes from New Jersey to Arizona. After six years in Cleveland, Justin Scott signs with the Colorado Eagles. Andrew Sorenson of Rockford has the interim tag as head coach at Rockford taken off. Daniel Brickley, the cousin of ex-Pack Connor Brickley, after splitting the year between Chicago (AHL)/Norfolk (ECHL), signs with Västerviks IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan). -Nick Sczerbinski, a QU grad, was named as associate commissioner of the ECACHL after six years in Hamden as the associate athletic director for athletic communications since 2018. The Bobcats had another reason to celebrate as Boston hired Danielle Marmer (2017) to work in Player Development and as a Scouting assistant and became the first female bench hire in team history. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The New York Rangers have just four picks in this year's NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers’ highest pick this year is in the second round at No. 63 and is the only pick the Rangers have through the first three rounds. The draft was held in Montreal following a two-year absence because of the pandemic. The Rangers also have a fourth-round pick (#111), which was initially a Winnipeg Jets’ pick but made its way to New York via the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Brett Howden trade. The Rangers also have pick No. 159 in the fifth round and lastly at number 191 in the sixth round. The Rangers lost their 2022 first-round pick due to the conditions of the trade for Andrew Copp, whom President/GM Chris Drury acquired from the Jets at this year’s trade deadline in exchange for three draft picks and prospect Morgan Barron. The three draft picks were two conditional second-rounders and a 2023 fifth-round selection. The 2022 second-round pick the Rangers sent to Winnipeg became a first-round (number 30) since they reached the conference final, and Copp played in at least half of their playoff games. SECOND PICK For the other conditional second-round pick, the Jets had the option of taking the Blues’ original 2022 pick or the Rangers' in 2023. Instead, Winnipeg decided on this year’s second-rounder (number 55), which the Rangers acquired from St. Louis as part of the Pavel Buchnevich trade that also brought in the recently re-signed Sammy Blais. The Rangers' first selection in the second round (59th overall) was Adam Sykora, no relation to former NHL’er Petr. The young Slovak center showed a lot of little things in all departments, and the Rangers hope he grows into his body. Last week he was the first overall selection by the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) in the CHL Import Draft. The second pick in the third round (97th overall) of the draft, the Rangers selected LW Byrce McConnell-Barker. He's a solid 6’1 and 195-pounds with Sault Ste Marie (OHL) and had 23 goals in 68 games in the first season. FOURTH ROUND In the fourth round (111th overall), a center Noah Laba from Lincoln (USHL), a Colgate (ECACHL) commit next year, had 15 goals, 24 assists, and 39 points in 50 games. In the fifth round (159th overall), the Rangers selected a defenseman, Victor Mancini. He didn’t take the usual route. He's 6’3, 215-pounds, and was at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC). Laba played junior in Sweden for Frolunda HC and was named the team captain in his last season. His father, Bob, was all over the hockey map here and in Europe, from Michigan Tech as a head coach for four years as an assistant at Lake Superior State and Ferris State. He helped develop the fledgling hockey program nationally in South Africa. FIFTH ROUND In the fifth round (161st overall), they took Russian Maxim Barbashav, the younger brother of St. Louis Blue Ivan Barbashav from Moncton (QMJHL). At 6’1, 185-pounds, he has good size, and his first year's numbers include 15 goals and 42 points in 59 games. He was taken as the last pick of the round. The last Rangers pick has a familiar last name, defenseman Zakary Karpa. the son of former Bridgeport Sound Tiger, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Ranger David Karpa from Harvard (ECACHL). Karpa was taken in the sixth round (191st overall). In 33 games in his freshmen year, he had six goals and 12 points. He has a twin brother Jakob. None of these picks will be in Hartford/New York for some time. GEORGIEV FINALLY DEPARTS After five seasons, the Rangers finally traded goalie Alexander Georgiev. The former Wolf Pack was sent to the Stanley Cup champion, the Colorado Avalanche. Georgiev heads west for a third and fifth-draft pick and a third-round selection next year. The strategy increases their draft picks from four to six for Friday’s draft, rounds two through seven. The move came just hours before a CBA imposed the deadline of giving him a qualifying offer of $2.65M. He last played in Hartford for eleven games for the Pack in 2018-19. NHL DRAFT CONTINUED Nick Malik, the goalie son ex-Hartford Whaler, Ranger, Beast of New Haven, and Springfield Falcon, Marek Malik, was taken by Tampa Bay in the fifth round. David Spacek, the son of former Beast of New Haven's Jaroslav Spacek, was called by Minnesota in the fifth round. Landon Sim of London (OHL), the son ex-Sound Tiger Jon Sim, was taken in the sixth round. The youngest son of a former Whaler and the new scout with the Philadelphia Flyers, Sami Kapanen, Konsta Kapanen, was NOT selected. IN MEMORIAM Life intrudes at the worst times. On the eve of the draft, a sad development as former Whaler, a San Jose scout and skills development coach for their AHL team, Bryan Marchment, died suddenly in Montreal at the Sheraton Hotel next door to the Bell Centre at age 53. His son Mason is a member of the Florida Panthers. He also leaves behind his wife Kim, and daughter, Logan. Marchment played for nine NHL teams and was known as an abrasive player in his day, compiling over 2,307 PIM in 926 games and had a long-running feud with Mark Messier and Mike Gartner. QMJHL DRAFT The last of the amateur drafts took place on Monday and Tuesday before the NHL Draft by the QMJHL. The US portion of the league draft took place Tuesday after the main draft saw six members from Connecticut of the 36 players selected. The first one, taken second overall in the US portion, was Lucas St. Louis, the youngest son of current Montreal head coach, Hockey Hall of Famer, and former Ranger, Marty St. Louis. St. Louis, the youngest son of the former Ranger, is regarded as a very talented player from the Greenwich-based Brunswick School and was taken by the Victoriaville Tigres. The following selection was 13th in Stamford’s Matej Teply from the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep by the Acadie-Bathhurst Titan. CT CHIEFS U15 STUD TAKEN Then 17th overall, from Westport, was the Charlottetown (PEI) Islanders took Aryx Siefker of the CT Chiefs U-15 squad (AYHL). He is a Winchendon Prep School (MAPREP) commit next year. Then the following three selections came back-to-back. Taken 22nd was Ryan Lucarelli, from the New Milford-basedthe Val D’Or Foreurs took Canterbury Prep Saints teams. Then Spencer Morrow (Darien), one of the four hockey-playing nephews and nieces of former Whaler and Springfield Indians player Scott Morrow, was selected by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Older brother Scott (a Carolina NHL draftee) is at UMASS, and younger sister Sydney is heading to Ohio State (Big 10) in the fall. The youngest Sophie keeps the family tradition alive by playing with the Shattuck’s St Mary’s Sabres (MNPREP). The last Connecticut player was Blake Burke of Trumbull, who went 24th to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. MORE DRAFT NEWS The first round of the general regional draft featuring selections from the Canadian territories of Quebec in the Canadian provinces that comprise the Maritimes of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland/Labrador area. Tomas Lavoie, a defenseman, was taken first overall by the Cape Breton (NS) Eagles. He is no relation to former New Haven Senator Domenic Lavoie. Four US players were selected in the first round. First went Bill Zannon, who was taken sixth by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies from Northwood Prep (NYPREP). Owen Phillips was taken by his hometown Halifax Mooseheads from the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U-15 (T1EHL) in Pennsylvania. Then Williams Shields of Nova Scotia was taken by Cape Breton at number 11, From upstate NY near Rochester, Bishop Kearney HS (NYPREP). Then the next pick from the Selects Academy program at RI’s Mt. Charles Academy program was Sacha Boisvert by Chicoutimi. The first of four taken from the team. In the later rounds Tyler Wood, a PEI native was drafted from the Selects Academy program at South Kent Prep in the sixth round and 96th overall by Rouyn-Noranda. WOLF PACK 2022-23 Twenty-six players are either under a contract to return on their current contracts for the 2022-23 edition of the Wolf Pack. Even though the team needs an overhaul, there are few roster spots. A particularly vexing issue that has plagued them the past few years is the surplus of defensemen. Zac Jones and Matt Robertson are back under the second year of their contracts for another year. Also, Zach Guittari (Loomis Chaffee) returns on a one-year AHL deal for the Rhode Island native. Another is Nils Lundkvist, who has two years to RFA status and had a less than stellar first year in NY and Hartford, both players are from Sweden. Others who played secondary roles are Brandon Scanlin, Zach Berzolla and Hunter Skinner. Louka Henault was added to the mix. The newcomer just signed from Windsor (OHL). They also just added last year’s training camp invitee among the last cuts Blake Hillman, who split last year with Toledo (ECHL) and s spell with Grand Rapids and most of the second half with Providence to an AHL contract. A question is Jarred Tinordi, a year away from UFA status will he be back reprising the mentor role after being traded at last season’s trade deadline? Up front will see the most significant number of new players. BRODZINSKI BROTHERS Captain Jonny Brodzinski is likely to start the year in Hart City as well as his younger sibling Easton on a new one-year AHL deal. Expected newcomers are Will Cullye (Windsor-OHL), Ryder Korczak (Moose Jaw-WHL), Brennan Othmann (Flint-OHL), and Matt Rempe (Seattle-WHL). From Europe draftee Karl Henrickson, free agent signees Gustav Rydahl (Farjestad BK) and Carl Berglund (who was given a training camp invite), all are from Sweden. Returning on one-year AHL deals are; Tanner Fritz, Alex Whelan and Cristiano Di Giacinto, the last two players were walk-on’s the last two seasons. Patrick Khordorenko comes back on the last year of his contract, and Bobby Trivigno from UMASS will have an entire season to marinate Add one more name to the list, Ryan Lohin, who split last year between Charlotte and Allen (ECHL). Gone is forward Anthony Greco, off to Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL, whoo was a Group 6 UFA. On the bubble as Group 6 (have reached age 25 and not playing enough NHL games under the CBA) is Kris Merkley and Maxim Letunov (UCONN-HE) both were acquired at the trade deadline. Likely neither will be back. RONNING Reports are that Ronning may sign with the hometown Canucks and be sent to Abbottsford (AHL) nearby. The other returning question marks are forward Lauri Pajuniemi, who has one year left before RFA status and had a rocky relationship with the team in the second half while being injury-riddled. Likely gone are underperforming Justin Richards, Mike O’Leary, and fill-in James Sanchez. Three players who had minor roles have gone to three different teams in Slovakia Abbott Girduckis (HC Presov), Liam Pecararo (HC Slovan Bratislava), and defenseman Hamden’s Mike Lee (HC Nove Zamsky). In goal, expect a whole new cast of characters. Already under contract on a three-year ELC coming in Dylan Garand (Kamloops-WHL) and Olof Lindbom (Kristianstads IK Sweden-Allsvenskan) and a new veteran goalie will more than likely be acquired to shepherd them the. through their pro baptism. Likely to be gone will be Keith Kinkaid, Adam Huska (UCONN-HE), and Tyler Wall. LUKE MARTIN On Friday, defenseman Luke Martin was signed. He played a half-dozen games last year with Colorado (AHL) and most of the year with Utah (ECHL) and earned all ECHL Rookie team status. He has an interesting connection to current and past Wolf Pack and Rangers. He played under the stewardship of current Wolf Pack GM Ryan Martin at the US National Development program. Among his teammates then and is a new teammate are Patrick Khordorenko and current Rangers Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren were USNDTP teammates. He follows a long line of Michigan hockey players to suit up in Hartford from Chris Summers, Chris Brown, Steven Kampfer, Al Montoya and Director of Player Development, Jed Ortmeyer. His older brother Kenny is retired from hockey by nine years was a four-year player and senior captain at Yale. MORE CHANGES Coming in at goal under a three-year ELC deal is Dylan Grand (Kamloops (WHL) and Olof Lindbom, with a two-year ELC from Kristianstads IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Add to the training camp net menagerie now is Parker Gaghan who spent part of the year with Florida (ECHL) who went to the Kelly Cup final in a backup role and some time with Milwaukee. Then CT's own Charlie Leddy of Fairfield who spent one year at Avon Old Farms (CTPREP) from the US National Developmental Team (USHL) and played for the US WJC Team was taken by the Devils in the fourth round. He is BC (HE) bound in the fall. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - With approximately 17 of the 20 roster spots set, the Hartford Wolf Pack roster assembly for the 2022-23 season is close to completion. All that is left for management to do is tinkering on the edges with free agent signings and eventual trade acquisitions. The likelihood of trades by the New York Rangers between now and NHL Draft time could change the look of the Pack lineup. In goal, expect to see a whole new cast of characters. Dylan Garand and Olof Lindbom are signed and ready for training camp. Keith Kinkaid, Adam Huska, and Tyler Wall are no longer with the organization. Kinkaid's age and falling from his playing perch is why he was let go. After six years in the building between his years with UCONN and the Wolf Pack, Huska is a gamer but never had an extended winning streak in either college or the pros. Wall was a premium college goalie, but after just 15 games here and nine in the ECHL with the Jacksonville Icemen, he had never had the coaches' or the players' confidence. A late-season injury requiring season-ending knee surgery after suffering a freak pre-game injury in Jacksonville sealed his fate. FREE AGENTS Huska, Tim Gettinger, Anthony Greco, and Nick Merkley are Group 6 free agents, players who have not played enough games by age 25. Therefore, they are UFA (unrestricted free agents). The Rangers signed two of these players in the past, one retired, who never played again (Boo Nieves), and Steven Fogarty, who lasted for a year. Fogarty is now with the Providence Bruins. Joining Garand and Lindbom on the last year of their respective deals is Patrick Khordorenko, who was among the few players to flourish in the dreadful final third of the season. The team will have newcomers, including Will Cullye (Windsor-OHL), Ryder Korczak (Moose Jaw-WHL), Brennan Othmann (Flint-OHL), and Matt Rempe (Seattle-WHL) from Canadian juniors. From Europe, along with Lindbom is Gustave Rydahl, a free agent from Fajestad BK-(Sweden-SHL) and draftee Karl Henriksson (Frölunda HC). Bobby Trivino (UMASS-HE) starts a full season. On the backline, the Pack already has Zac Jones, Matt Robertson, and Zach Guittari under contract. MOVES UNDER QUESTION Ty Ronning, while affable, gregarious, and a standup voice for the organization who has done so at times under the worst circumstances, is a question mark to return. He's played well, in spurts, but like his other teammates sputtered at the end. The other question mark is forward Lauri Pajuniemi, who had a rocky relationship in the second half with the team and missed significant time because of injuries. The question with Pajuniemi is will he return from Finland? Will his North Atlantic neighbor from Sweden, Nils Lundkvist, who struggled in Hart City, be back in the organization? Lundkvist was frozen out in New York and discovered, as it relates to Top-Six forwards and Bottom-Four defenseman, that time is contractually blocked-in both cap space and ice time. Another question surrounds whether Jarred Tinordi, on defense with a burgeoning young family, will return to reprise the Anthony Bitetto mentor role. Bitetto did very well until he checked out and was eventually dealt out. AND YET MORE QUESTIONS Captain Jonny Brodzinski will likely be back in Hartford unless the Rangers offer him a bottom-six role in New York. Should he be in Hartford, he will get the bonus of playing with just signed younger brother next year. All of these are unknowns. Anthony Greco is gone and will likely take his speed to Europe. Matt Lorito, who struggled with high in the zone defensive zone turnovers, will likely return overseas. The underperforming Justin Richards and the inconsistent Austin Rueschoff will likely land elsewhere. Jeff Taylor, the designated scratch-ee, for the last four years, will likely head overseas. Jake Elmer will probably be in the ECHL. NAHL In the NAHL Robertson Cup Finals, the New Jersey (Middletown) Titans won the title with a 3-0 win over the Anchorage (AK) Wolverines. The Wolverines advanced, winning over the St. Cloud (MN) Norsemen coached by ex-Ranger Corey Millen, and the Titans advanced to the finals beating the New Mexico (Albuquerque) ice Wolves. NAHL DRAFT The league's annual draft saw a few Connecticut-related names selected. Richard (DJ.) Hart from Stamford, who played in the USHL Clark Cup Final with the Madison Capitols, is listed as an Ohio State (Big 10) commit next year. He was taken by the Janesville (PA) Jets in the first round (11th overall). He also had five games with NAHL's Odessa (TX) Jackalopes. Jakob Karpa, the youngest son of ex-Sound Tiger/Wolf Pack and Ranger David Karpa, was taken by in the third round (65th overall) by the Lone Star (Ft. Worth, TX) Brahamas. He played for the Wenatchee (WA) Wild (BCHL) last year. Riley Bassen, the son of former Springfield Indian/Whaler Bob Bassen, was taken by the Corpus Christi (TX) Ice Rays from the Dallas Jr, Stars U-16 Elite (T1EHL) team. Lone Star took Stamford's Jakub Teply in the fourth round (116th overall) from the South Shore (MA) Kings (NCDC). Wolcott's Oliver Flynn, a former Connecticut Chief (EHL), who played for the Loomis Chaffe Pelicans, and was with the Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC), was taken in the fifth round (137th overall) by the Kenai River (AK) Brown Bears. He is a UCONN (HE) commit next year. In 2019 the Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) selected him, as did the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) three years ago. Connor Welsh of Greenwich, a BC (HE) commit for next year, went in the eighth round (219th overall). Welsh played for the Sioux City (IA) Musketeers. After that, he went to (USHL) the Maryland Black Bears. In the ninth round (250th overall), Jason Siedem, formerly of Avon Old Farms, who played last year for the Cowichan Valley (BC) Capitals (BCHL) and the Blackfalds (AB) Bulldogs (AJHL), was taken by the Minnesota Wilderness. Springfield (MO) Jr.Blues took him last year. The Danbury Hat Tricks had four selections on the day. They had the first overall pick and took Jacob Lavallée from Cote-de-Sud Everest (QJHL). He played two games for the Val d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) and was a 2019 draft selection of the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL). The team didn't select again until the fourth round (88th overall). They took Wyatt Stefan, the son of former NHL'er Patrik Stefan, who played last year for New Jersey Rockets and Ridge (NJ) HS from the Detroit Little Caesars program. In the fifth round (117th overall), they selected a Belarussian player, Denis  Radchenko. He is from the Yunost Minsk junior team. The forward checks in at 6'5 and 200lbs. With their final selection in the sixth round (146th overall), they went in-house and selected Reece Tamburo from the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NA3HL). The team also announced the formal completion of the purchase of the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Knights franchise that became the Hat Tricks. MORE PLAYER MOVEMENT Calle Själin, a 2017 fifth-round Rangers draft pick, has elected to sign with the Florida Panthers. He has played with Leksands IF (Sweden-SHL) and comes from a long line of Swedish league players. Currently, brother Pontus is playing Division 2. His father, Jörgen, played Divison-1. His uncle, Jens, played as high as Swedish junior. His grandfather, Kent, also played. Själin's Entry Level Contract (ELC) is for two years and pays $925K in the NHL and $80K in the AHL. As per the new CBA, he is the first hockey-playing member of the family to come to North America. Ex-Pack Patrick Newell departs Sterjen (Norway-NEL) for Fehérvár AV19 (Hungary-IceHL) next season. Ex-Pack Shawn “Odie” O’Donnell heads from Dornbirner EC (Austria-IceHL) to EHC Freiburg (Germany DEL-2). Another ex-Pack, Simon Denis, comes back to North America from the Tokohu Free Blades (Japan-ALIH) and signs with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL). Another ex-Pack, Sean Day, gets a one-year extension from the Syracuse Crunch, which includes a pay raise to a two-way $750K-NHL/$200K-AHL deal. Then ex-Pack/Sound Tiger Joe Whitney, who had the shortest reign as a Pack team captain (two days faster than Cole Schneider) for half a season, hangs them up after a four-year career in Europe with the Iserlohn Roosters (Germany-DEL). Ex-Sound Tiger Matt Donovan leaves for Europe again after departing the Milwaukee Admirals for Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL) next year. Now 22 AHL players have signed overseas. MORE MOVES Former UCONN forward Kale Howarth signs a one-year AHL deal in Rockford. Greenwich's Luke Esposito, the nephew of Mark Messier, signs with the Bakersfield Condors. Former Ranger head coach and New Haven Nighthawk's assistant coach, John Tortorella, finds his way to the Philadelphia Flyers as their new head coach. Former New Haven Knights (UHL) player Alexsei Lazarenko was an assistant coach this year for Rilat Kharkiv (Ukraine-UHL). Due to the invasion by Russia, their season ended early and had no playoffs. GORDIE CLARK Rangers former Pro Scout Gordie Clark, 70, who worked for the Rangers for 19 years in several capacities in Player Development and Scouting and with the Sound Tigers as Director of Hockey Operations earlier this century and was with the Islanders for eight years, was let go by the Rangers. Gordie's son, Brendon Clark, was an American scout of college and junior hockey; after twelve years was terminated. The senior Clark had a very distinguished playing career in the 1970s, first with the UNH Wildcats (ECACHL), then the Rochester Americans, then with the Springfield Indians, and 21 games in the WHA with the Cincinnati Stingers and with the first edition of the Maine Mariners before finishing his playing career in Germany. His only NHL time was with the Boston Bruins for eight games, where he posted an assist. His brother, Gary Clark, played at UNH, mainly in the Canadian Maritimes senior league. No word on whether Gordie will continue with another organization or retire to his native Nova Scotia and if Brendon will catch on with another team. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Sam Anas tallied twice for the second straight game and posted three points. Dakota Joseph scored a late power play goal propelling the Springfield Thunderbirds to a 3-2 win past the Hartford Wolf Pack, who dropped their fifth game in their last six. Hartford (.553) held onto fourth place and have a minuscule point percentage lead over tomorrow night’s opponent, the Hershey Bears (.548) who were shut out 2-0 in Providence by the second-place Bruins. Rookie Nils Lundkvist was called for the penalty and Anas began the winning play by launching the first shot. It was stopped by Huska. Veteran James Neal got a piece of the shot and Joseph was all alone in front of the net and was able to bury his fifth of the season into the back of the net at 15:09. The defensive duo of Matt Robertson and Zac Jones were both victimized just 19 seconds into the penalty. “We had a good first period and really good in the third period. We got a good power play goal, but they got two. I don’t think we deserved five penalties.” That was as far as Head Coach Kris Knoblauch would go in his criticism of the officiating. The Pack thought they might engineer a third-period comeback scoring a power play goal of their own at 6:36. Lauri Pajuniemi returned to the lineup and uncorked a rocket of a shot for his tenth of the season into the open right side of the net. His game has been missed and his whole game impressed Knoblauch. “For a guy who has hardly played in three or four weeks (one game in the last five weeks) to not only score a goal but play a heckuva of a game was not easy for a guy to come into our lineup. Lauri was impressive for us.” Springfield was granted another early power play in the second period. A power play specialist in his playing days in Hartford, Springfield Head Coach, Drew Bannister, put out five forwards and struck gold. “Springfield has very good and dangerous players whether they have five or four forwards or not out there. There tough to defend against.” Hugh McGing and James Neal were stopped, but three times was the charm as Anas scored his second goal in two games and collected his 18th of the season. Adam Huska kept the score close with some key goaltending. At 8:40 James Neal on a breakaway took away the intended right side of the net. Then just after the goal, the Thunderbirds' Mathias Laffiere was denied and then Anthony Greco hit his third post in two games. “Adam did a good job making it only a one-goal game after 40 minutes. He played really well for us. We gave up too many odd-man rushes.” At 14:58, former Wolf Pack Josh Wesley, the son of former Hartford Whaler Glen Wesley, came from his own zone and sprung Will Bitten for a breakaway. Huska made the stop. Puck management, or lack thereof, was the culprit in a less than a sterling second period where the Pack only generated five shots. “We were atrocious. We turned the puck over way too many times at the blue line whether on the attack or defending," Knoblauch said. "Six were a direct result of turning the puck over at the blue line. Nothing had to do with defending, it was the puck management.” With 2:05 left, Springfield’s Hugh McGing was stopped on the doorstep as Huska lost his stick in the process. Defenseman Zac Jones was backchecking and assisted him in keeping the puck out. The Wolf Pack grabbed the lead as rookie Brandon Scanlin sent a blast from the point. It was blocked in front and Jones found the biscuit and sent a short pass to Patrick Khordorenko who whistled his seventh goal of the season past Charlie Lindgren for a 1-0 lead at 12:37. “Scanlin played well he played a very good game for us, kept it simple, got the puck for us played very well, has a good shot from the point. and made a nice play and it can be a bit overwhelming in playing your first game from college he played a really good game.” The big guns of Springfield came through as Joseph was down low and found Anas and he scored his 17th goal and hit the half-century mark in points in the process. Anas was on the left-wing goal line and able to have his shot in a tight area. He had eyes and eluded Huska with 3:33 left. Huska made several big stops early as the Thunderbirds had an advantage in shots. He stopped two back-to-back attempts by Hugh McGing. Mathias Laffiere is the rookie from the Montreal area and has had one goal in the first 40 games. He left Matt Robertson in the dust. He got around Huska who went for the poke check but lost that battle, however, Laffiere hit the side of the net. Nick Merkley made a nice play in his second Wolf Pack game had a solid bid for his first goal on the right-wing. He made a good move on Lindgren who reached back and just made the save and the officials reviewed and confirmed no goal. LINES Merkley-Fritz-Lorito Ronning-Greco-Khordorenko Richards-Rueschoff-Pajuniemi Taylor-Whalen-O’Leary Tinordi-Skinner Jones-Scanlin Robertson- Lundkvist Huska Kinkaid SCRATCHES Guittari Gettinger (out until next week) Girduckis Reunanen DiGiacinto (still dealing with the effects of a facial laceration, day-to-day) NOTES Aaron Luchuk's release was simply a numbers game. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings SYRACUSE, NY - A three-goal third period sparked by a goal and two assists from Otto Sompii led the Syracuse Crunch over the Hartford Wolf Pack 4-2 on Wednesday night. The Wolf Pack (27-19-5-2) have lost three in a row and have a .575 winning percentage which puts them just ahead of the fifth-place Hershey Bears (.570). Syracuse (26-21-6-2) has a .546 winning percentage just behind the Belleville Senators who are in fourth place at .549 in the North Division for their last playoff spot. The Wolf Pack head across the border to Canada to play the Laval Rocket on Friday and then on to Belleville on Saturday. GAMEPLAY The Crunch struck first with two goals in the first five minutes while holding Hartford without a shot on the net. Sompii went out on a two-on-one by Simon Ryfors and as Matt Robertson sprawled out on the ice, slid past him with a toe drag before Sompii went upstairs on Adam Huska for his fifth at 2:04. Just a couple of minutes later, ex-Pack Darren Raddysh migrated from his right point to the left wing where Ryfors was controlling the puck off a feed from Sompii. Ryfors dropped it off and Raddysh did the rest. Raddysh made a little dipsy-doodle move in the left-wing circle on Nils Lundkvist and put his sixth goal of the season going bar down, increasing the Crunch lead by two goals at 4:19. Raddysh scored for the second straight game and the sixth time in the last fifteen games. MORE GOALS At 14:44 Gabriel Fortier took the puck from Sompii behind the net and snapped his eleventh goal of the season dashing hopes of a comeback. The Pack closed out the scoring. Jeff Taylor was high along the right-wing boards. He found Zac Jones alone at the back door and deposited his sixth with exactly two minutes to go. The Pack finally showed some life albeit too late on the next shift pulled Huska for the extra attacker and only Anthony Greco got a shot with 48 seconds to go that didn’t go in ending his eight game scoring streak. In the first period, Syracuse scored in the last minute of play registering its lone power-play goal by Alex Barré-Boulet after second-year pro, Cole Koepke, skated in short-handed past Tarmo Reunanen who pulled him down. An unforced turnover by Nils Lundkvist went to Boulet who went behind the Wolf Pack net. He was looking to chip a backhanded pass out front to Raddysh, who was a wide-open. Barré-Boulet’s attempt went off the back of the net and right back to him. Huska reacted to the move, but Barré-Boulet swept in and stuffed in his ninth goal of the season in the open right side. Huska reacted thinking Barré-Boulet was coming out on the left side. WOLF PACK TIE THE GAME The Wolf Pack tied the game at one each five minutes into the second. Hunter Skinner came down the right-wing boards. He fought off a slash by Charles Hudon and dished off the puck to Justin Richards. On his 24th birthday, Richards moved into open ice in the slot about fifteen feet out before rifling his sixth goal of the season upstairs over the left shoulder of Syracuse netminder Max Lagace. Syracuse dictated play the rest of the period as the Pack to five shots on goal while they took twelve shots on Huska. NOTES Rangers sent down Morgan Barron late in the day and he wasn’t available to play. He wasn’t getting any game time. Calle Järnkrok, the cousin of ex-New Haven Nighthawk Mikael Lindholm is traded from Seattle to Calgary to play with his cousin Elias. Ty Smilanic of Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) had his rights traded from Florida to Montreal for Ben Chiarot. Ex-Pack Ryan Dmowski (Old Lyme/the Gunn School) goes from South Carolina (ECHL) to Idaho (ECHL) after spending two months in Hershey. Chase Zieky (Avon/Avon Old Farms) departs Idaho for Greenville (ECHL) as does goalie Matt Tugnutt (Sacred Heart University) Ex-Pack Peter Holland 31, retires from hockey. Syracuse didn’t dress ex-Packs P.C. Labrie and Brandon Crawley, but did dress ex-Pack Daniel Walcott along with Day and Raddysh. LINES Fritz-Gettinger-Rueschoff Ronning-Khordorenko-Greco Richards-Lorito-Greco Whalen-O’Leary-Taylor Jones-Lundkvist Robertson-Skinner Bitetto-Tinordi Reunanen Huska Kinkaid HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Austin Rueschoff, Ty Ronning, and Jonny Brodzinki paced the Hartford Wolf Pack scoring the game's last four goals to lead their team to a 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins. The Pack (25-15-4-2) eeked into second ahead of Providence by a .609 to .605 winning percentage, The Bruins (23-14-3-3) fell to third place. "We won the battles, did the little things, and we worked hard for the win. We got the W," Ronning said of the win. After a slow start, the Pack came on strong finishing their checks and forcing Providence into penalties while scoring timely goals. KNOBLAUCH REACTS "We did a pretty good job," commented Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch. "On identifying plays in the neutral zone, we did a good job in their decision making and their execution. When we were in Springfield we didn't have the execution. We were giving the puck away and making poor decisions. For sixty minutes we did a pretty good job and you're never going to go through a game without any mistakes." A power play halfway through the period gave the Pack the cushion they were looking for as Patrick Khordorenlo's backhand of a Ronning play made it 4-2. Anthony Greco used his speed to get the play going, as Ronning earned his eleventh of the season batting the puck out of mid-air a few minutes later at 11:37. Ronning delivered the final blow to the Bruins in the second half of the game. "Speed, possession, and compete. I thought we checked all those boxes tonight. I knew I had to get in up in the air, but now maybe as I first wanted, but it was big goal that helped us." RONNING SOARING After a slow start, Ronning's enthusiasm for the game and good solid Saturday night crowd (5,385) was evident post-game. After his rocky start, head coach Kris Knoblauch was encouraged by his goalie, Adam Huska. At 2:56 of the first period, Huska turned the puck over to Jonna Koppanen after stopping Alex-Olivier Voyer. It was not the start the team was looking for. Despite all of it, Ronning remained in his rooting section. "He is a professional hockey player and he knows how to lead the charge. He's been phenomenal all season long for us and it's fun to watch him play." FIRST PERIOD BLUES In the first period, the Pack has been outscored 51-30. The Pack surrendered the opening goal adding to the garish -21 and for a fourth straight game. Captain Jonny Brodzinski scored the first Pack goal with his team-best 36th point. Brodzinski used his speed to create space and sent a backhanded pass to Matt Lorito, whose low shot found the back of the net for his second Wolf Pack goal. "We've had to a lot of lineup juggling lately and we separated the Greco-Brodzinski-Gettinger line who has performed so well for us. They and the team have dried up (offensively) for us. So, putting Richards, Ronning, and Rueschoff was honestly, a last-minute thing," said Knoblauch. His hunch has paid off with critical goals scored in the last two games. Austin Rueschoff (team-best five shots) scored off a rebound five minutes later, going upstairs for his twelfth goal of the season. Justin Brazeau converted Jack Studnicka's pass after Jarred Tinordi's clearing attempt was knocked down by Cam Hughes. He found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season at 16:32. The Pack escaped the period even though they needed to dodge a bullet. A last-second faceoff in the right circle was won cleanly by Studnicka. He sent it back to Brady Lyle. His shot caught every Wolf Pack player by surprise, sailed past Huska, and hit the glass behind the net as the teams went into the first intermission. SECOND PERIOD The second period produced just one goal as defenseman Nils Lundkvist held pointless, but superb defensively in Springfield got rewarded as again used his speed to go wide around the net found him all alone at the blue line and fired his second into the net on a one-timer at 11:44 just past the midway juncture at. Now Huska more than made up for his early mistake. First ex-Pack captain Steven Fogarty and one bid and then late in the period a pair of saves on Lyle and then Tyler Lewington from the points back-to-back with big-time saves. He also got help from his defense in the form of Tarmo Reunanen, as a seventh defenseman making a return to the lineup blocked Edwards Tralmarks on a break-in with under five minutes to go in the period. Then right after, Anthony Greco, on a Tanner Fritz pass, was robbed by Kyle  Keyser. LINES Gettinger-Brodzinski-Greco Ronning-Richards-Ruesschoff Lorito-Fritz-Whalen O'Leary-DiGiacinto-Khordorenko Robertson-Lundkvist Giuttari-Tinordi Skinner-Bitetto Reunanen Kinkaid Huska SCRATCHES Pajuniemi (upper-body out since February 4th) Luchuk (lower-body out minimum three weeks) Taylor James Sanchez Wall NOTES The team went with an 11-7 lineup format for a second night in a row dressing Tarmo Reunanen as the extra D. Jeff Taylor was dressed as the extra forward last night. "We haven't made up our minds yet. Heck, we might go with 12 forwards, who knows?" Knoblauch said. With a short timeframe and in-game turnaround, he decided to go with Keith Kinkaid in the net. Providence lost skill forward Oscar Steen with a facial injury just 6:46 into the game when the puck came off the glass quickly and caught him there. He didn't return, forcing the Bruins to play down one forward. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings STORRS, CT - As if on cue, the first-morning dew on campus heralded a new hockey season for the UCONN Huskies and their head coach, Mike Cavanaugh. “I’m excited to be with the team and to make a deep push in Hockey East and maybe the NCAA tournament (both at the Boston Garden this year). We’ll have our fifth practice today, and I hope we’ll have 16 before next weekend’s first game with Sacred Heart (University) at the XL Center.” SHU is the Division I level team UCONN has had trouble with and has not beaten them at the D1 strata. “Not only have our freshmen, but none of our sophomores have played there, so we want to get them acclimated to the building,” remarked Cavanaugh. LAST YEAR The team, which posted a 10-11 record last year and lost to Providence College in the playoffs’ opening round, hasn’t advanced in Hockey East post-season action. They have a slew of grad transfers, and it’s different but not unique to future opponents. “It was like they were recruiting us in (goalie) Darion Hanson (Union College), Kevin O’Neil (Yale), and (Jarrod) Gourley (Arizona State). They didn’t play last year. They spoke to us, and I have spoken to their coaches, who would love to have had them back for a fifth year, and they spoke highly of them. “Boston University, our second opponent, has seven (transfers). We just have three, and they have been committed to us for a long time. They give us a different perspective and are a great for me and a great resource for our players,” remarked Cavanaugh. IN NET In net, Hanson will share duties with Logan Terness, who’s a highly touted freshman from Trail (BCHL). They will also have one goalie coming off labrum (hip) surgery, Matt Pasquale. They will also have one having it, Ryan Keane (Coppell, Texas), who both had zero time behind the off to the NHL, Tomáš Vomáčka, who played every second last year. “It’s wide open; not a lot of them played last year. Darion has the most experience of the three goalies, so I expect he’ll get the most work early, but we have five or six practices to go before that decision is made.” Upfront, the Huskies have a solid returning cast led by last year’s Hockey East top scorer, senior Jonny Evans. They’ll also have senior Carter Turnbill, and after not being offered a contract, 6’6 center from the Czech Republic, Jachym Kondelik (Nashville). FIRSTOV Vladislav Firstov (Minnesota) is giving Cavanaugh a rare luxury they haven’t had. "This is the best depth we’ve had since I’ve been here. We really don’t have a fourth line. I can spread Jonny on one line, Vladdy Firstov on another, Carter Turnbull on one, Jachym (Kondelik) on another. This could be the strength of our team this year.” On defense, Yan Kuznetsov and Tomas Vomáčka went pro, Kuznetsov, though, was a surprise. “Tomas, a goalie, they offered him a contract, and they give out only five or six goalies. One, you gotta take it, and it shows they think he can play. So, you have to take the contract. Yan, by the same token, was a surprise. It wouldn’t have hurt him to come back,” remarked his now-former head coach. SOPHMORES His younger sophomore class with Hudson Schandor, Artem Schlaine, Cassidy Bowes, and Nick Capone (East Haven/Salisbury School) (Tampa Bay 6th round #157) got to know Hockey East last year, introduced themselves, and got quality minutes. He has high hopes for Capone. “He is really a good player. He can do a lot of things (well) that can translate to getting to the next level. I want him to be more of a factor night in and night out. I want him to play a power forward game like Tom Wilson without the suspensions, antics, and penalties. I want him averaging three or four shots a game, and he’s capable of that, and can bring that intimidation factor to the game too.” On the backline, Jake Flynn and Carter Berger, are a pair that have made early good impressions. CAPTAIN KINAL On his team’s new captain, Roman Kinal, Cavanaugh was philosophical. “He’s on a trajectory like (former defenseman) Wyatt Newpower was (now with Cleveland-AHL). He struggled on-and-off the ice in the classroom the first year and struggled with his play and injuries in his second year.” His freshmen class is a more traditional mix in net with a high-end goalie prospect in Terness, who’s in the mold like Adam Huska and Tomas Vomacka, who both came before him. There’s also a late defenseman to commit, Aidan Metcalfe, and in-state kid Jake Veilleux (South Windsor/Selects Academy at South Kent Prep), another BCHL grad from the Victoria Grizzlies, and Sasha Telguine. “Aidan was a surprise. He is a big kid, strong, skates well; Veilleux can play forward or defense. He’s pretty versatile, and Sasha has a lot of skill. We’re not going to have to rely on them because we’re a veteran team. Injuries in a season will happen, so it’s good to have some players to slide into those positions, on a veteran-laden team.” POSTSEASON HOPES The change in the post-season conference playoff system to the one-and-done structure from the three-game series that Cavanaugh has advocated for over the past several years. “I think you’ll see more conferences going toward it. It mirrors our national tournament. Shooting for Boston is a team goal.” The new captain Kinal replaces Adm Karascik (Ridgefield/Avon Old Farms) will play a post-grad year at ND. “The (Boston) Garden has been talking about all (offseason and all year) Hockey East is there, the Finals (Frozen Four) are there. We’ve been talking about it all year to get to the Garden; that’s our goal. That’s our long-term goal. We also, of course, have individual goals. That starts with winning October 2nd against Sacred Heart and goes from there.” DRAFT PICKS That some of his players and just five nationally (three in the first six picks) with more incoming players selected surprised Cavanaugh. “When you’re drafted, that means the work has just begun. When you’re drafted, you sign a million-dollar deal; you’re taking home $400,000 after taxes, escrow, and paying your agent, and we’re bringing in business people to educate the kids about the business inside and outside of hockey. It’s sticker-shock when you go to places like Seattle and California,” said Cavanaugh. The brand new yet unnamed rink is taking shape. “It’s great,” said Cavanaugh. The new (UCONN) rink will be the second smallest rink in the conference to Matthews Arena (home to Northeastern built over 100 years ago and occupied in 1910.) We’re already getting benefits on the recruiting trail with inquiries from kids we wouldn’t have heard from before, say, three or four years ago. It’s exciting; once a week at the top of the hill, I can look in, and you can see the foundation of the building now.” CAPTAIN PUMPED His captain is equally enthused. “I pass it every day going to class. It’s awesome. You definitely see progress being made. Every year they would talk about. Now you see the stones being set in place. Now you see the work being done. It’s pretty cool were excited for sure,” said Kinal. The season looks to be a bright one for UCONN. COLLEGE NEWS Heading pro is Wisconsin-River Falls (WIAC) player from Division III in Christian Hausinger, with Wichita (ECHL) as the seventh D3 player. The Division-1 breakdown is: Hockey East 29, Big 10 has 23, NCHC 17, AHA 11, ECACHL with eight, CCHA, formerly the WCHA with four, and independent Arizona State with two. Division-I pro signees are 94, underclassmen who have left school early 36, and ALL college players signed from Division I and III in North America are now up to 132. Grad school transfers are at 51, and school transfers are 81 for 132 players who switched schools. In addition, 36 Division I and III have headed to Europe, including the latest Jaako Heikkinen (Denver University). Three went to Canadian college and university, and one went to Canadian major junior. COACHES A whole slew of volunteer coaches and assistant coaches were named. Jordy Murray at ND, Jack Riley heads to Division III independent Albertus Magnus College (New Haven), Ryan Zapolski, former Team USA goalie in the 2018 Pyeongchang, South Korea Games at Mercyhurst (AHA). Peter Ward is the new is senior advisor for coaches at MSU with Dylan Strom, the Spartans volunteer, Matthew Vanden Berg at Maine (HE). Minnesota State in the new CCHA and Colgate ECACHL are the preseason favorites to win their conferences. The brand new Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College ribbon is cutting is coming up shortly. UCONN HOCKEY HOME Read the full article