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By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Despite Louie Domingue's repeating his season-high 42 saves, the Hartford Wolf Pack lost 1-0 to the Springfield Thunderbirds on Quinnipiac grad Matt Peca's glove-high game-winner. Dylan Garand posted a scoreless 65 minutes against Hershey, making the Pack 2-7 in shutouts this season. The lone Pack shootout goal was by a defenseman, newcomer Adam Clendening wearing jersey #5. In overtime, the Pack displayed a strong PK after Matt Robertson was penalized on a Will Bitten clean breakaway. The Pack had three blocks, and broke-up two plays, and Domingue, was solid on the delayed penalty situation on Robertson, while making a beautiful right pad save on Hugh McGing. He had three strong late OT saves on a stick save on Adam Gaudette, Matt Kessel, and Martin Frk to keep it scoreless. The Pack got a solid bid to win early in OT by Will Cullye. In the third period, Domingue was strong, made early saves on Gaudette, leading scorer Matt Highmore, who was just sent down by the St. Louis Blues, and Mathias Laferriere. McGing and Kessel tested Domingue. Steve Santini had a quality shot with Mikhail Abramov in front waiting for the rebound. Zac Jones followed with a good stick stop on Santini on his next shift. The Pack’s Bobby Trivigno, Ryan Carpenter, and then Libor Hájek tested Springfield goalie Joel Hofer in the last five minute overtime. In the final minute, with 45.7 seconds left, Hofer stopped Abramov. Cullye had a good chance as time expired in regulation. The second period saw Springfield mount some sustained offensive zone pressure. First, Carpenter had two shots five seconds apart in the first three minutes. He was left muttering to himself and six minutes in Cullye tested Hofer. Springfield Frk, Mitchell Hoelscher, and Peca were in on Domingue. Matt Rempe was in front and was pushed away by Griffin Luce (Salisbury School). Dmitri Samurukov had a quality shot at Domingue. Karl Henriksson, made a smart defensive covering the left point as Carpenter had two shorts five seconds apart in the first three minutes, left muttering to himself. Karl Henriksson made a quality defensive play at the left point, preventing any Springfield breakout and keeping the puck in as Hájek pinched in. The first period felt like a training camp period with the Wolf Pack, as they have had seven players traded over the last 72-hours all finding new addresses. Finding chemistry was going to be tough. Not changing was captain Jonny Brodzinski. At 3:40, the Pack had the first quality shot on goal in a scoreless first period. Matt Robertson from the left point. Hofer stopped Rempe on the Springfield doorstep. At 10:03 the Pack tested Hofer with their tenth shot on goal. Both teams had a powerplay chance, and neither registered a shot on goal. Domingue made a save at 12:57 and at 14:23. Newcomer Jake Leschyshyn had a chance with 1:50 to go in the period. Riding a four-game winning streak, and enduring having their lineup changed during the week. the Wolf Pack were ready for an all-important three-games-in-three-days weekend. The first two games are on the road. On Friday, they head twenty minutes up the road back to Springfield and then an hour South to Bridgeport to meet the Islanders on Saturday. Then, they have a Sunday mid-afternoon clash with the Charlotte Checkers at 3 pm at the XL Center. LINES: Cullye-Brodzinski-Pajuniemi Gettinger-Elson-Carpenter Trivigno- Fritz-Jake Leschyshyn DiGiacinto-Henriksson- Rempe Jones-Hájek Emberson-Robertson Scanlin-Adam Clendening Garand SCRATCHES: Joe Lockwood (healthy) Cooper Zech (healthy) Wyatt Kalynuk (unavailable in transit) Anton Blidh (unavailable in transit) Ben Tardif (healthy) Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery) C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season) NOTES: Bridgeport's top goal scorers Simon Holmstrom and Otto Koivula were recalled by the big Islanders. They returned Arnaud Durandeau, a notorious Pack killer for the past three years. Winger Collin Adams was recalled from Worcester (ECHL). Calgary Wranglers (AHL) recalled ex-Pack defenseman Tyson Helgesen and ex-Sound Tiger Calder Brooks from Rapid City (ECHL). Goalie Jon Gillies (Salisbury School) goes from Tucson to Cleveland. Hamden’s Jonathan Quick was traded twice this week, first from LA to Columbus, and then Blue Jackets moved him the next day to the Vegas Goldne Knights. Quick (AOF), who won two Stanley Cups with Los Angeles has struggled this year. He was pulled in New York despite two of the three goals not being his fault, and his visible annoyance was shown by the 37-year-old exiting on TV. He flew back with the team at the end of a road trip to LA and then was told he was traded to Columbus. Nick Bonino (Farmington/AOF) was traded from the San Jose Sharks to Pittsburgh. Vladislav Namestnikov, the son of ex-Pack Evegeni “John” Namesnikov, now a Maple Leaf scout was traded from San Jose to Winnipeg. Ex-Pack Sammy Blais who was just traded to St. Louis. He signed a contract extension. Ex-Pack goalie J.F. Berube was recalled then sent back to Charlotte by Florida. Adam Erne, (North Branford) was called up from Grand Rapids by Detroit. Pete DiLiberatore (QU) was recently sent to Savannah (ECHL) by Henderson and was dealt by Vegas to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Fellow former Bobcat Chase Priskie goes from Rochester to San Diego. Kevin O’Neil (UCONN/Yale) was cut loose by Colorado Eagles (AHL) released from his PTO, and heads back to South Carolina (ECHL). The team also had ex-Pack goalie Keith Kinkaid, who just traded and recalled by the Avalanche. Luke Evangelista was recalled from Milwaukee by parent Nashville. Ex-CT Whale Mike Pelech of the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) is officially now the second all-time leader in assists in ECHL history, recording three on the road in Savannah, GA, Thursday night. Former UCONN forward Jordan Timmons was dealt from the Reading Royals (ECHL) to the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Riding a four-game winning streak and enduring lineup changes this week, the Hartford Wolf Pack are ready for an all-important weekend of three games in three days. The first two games are on the road. Friday, the Pack travel twenty minutes up 1-91 North to Springfield for a battle with the Thunderbirds. They then head south an hour to Bridgeport for a clash with the Islanders on Saturday. Finally, the Wolf Pack returns home on Sunday for a mid-afternoon game with the Charlotte Checkers at 3 pm at the XL Center. Meanwhile, what is usually a "Trade Deadline Day" for the Wolf Pack has transformed into "Traded Deadline Week." The New York Rangers acquired Joe Lockwood from the Vancouver Canucks in a deal for the underperforming, underachieving, and salary cap problem, Vitali Kravtsov. At the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), Lockwood had 12 goals in 24 games there. It remains to be seen if Lockwood can be a top-six forward finisher in Hartford. The Rangers sent physically imposing and streaky scorer Austin Rueschhoff to the Milwaukee Admirals for future considerations. The team also sent an excellent hustle guy with only five points, Quinnipiac grad Alex Whelan, to the Cleveland Monsters for future considerations. The return on these deals will likely be concluded at next week's AHL Trade Deadline or near the NHL Draft in Nashville coming up in June. The Wolf Pack sent the defensively struggling and expensive piece, Andy Welinski, and his minus-16 shipped off to the Rockford Ice Hogs and received veteran Adam Clenending in return. Cooper Zech was the returning player to Hartford. He had previously played against the Pack for three years in Providence with the Baby Bruins. Clenendening will skate Friday night while Zech is here but will not dress. Forward Zach Jordan, an off-season signee playing in Jacksonville with the Icemen, has departed the organization. Jake Leschyshyn, the son of former Hartford Whaler Curtis Leschyshyn, is here to play. All these moves have two things in common, the Rangers taking money off the books and creating contract and salary cap space, which the Rangers and other teams are dealing with. The organization woodshedding certain players in the final year of their respective contracts. They likely wouldn't get qualifying offers and were healthy scratches from the lineup the last three weeks. But is this it? Are the Rangers done with their roster rebuild? Possibly, but the possibility also exists that they are not done. Given the action this week, it's likely that they may wait another week; either way, the Pack lineup was retooled with one thing in mind - making the Calder Cup playoffs. So it's paramount and without a secondary option. Read the full article

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack  HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today the completion of a three-team trade with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes. Meanwhile, New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today the completion of a trade with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. The Rangers have acquired forward Patrick Kane and defenseman Cooper Zech from the Blackhawks, while the Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Andy Welinski, a conditional second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft from the Rangers. In addition, the Blackhawks have also acquired defenseman Villi Saarijarvi from the Coyotes, while the Coyotes have acquired a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Wolf Pack and IceHogs have also announced the completion of a trade. The Wolf Pack have acquired defenseman Adam Clendening from the IceHogs in exchange for forward Zach Jordan. Welinski, 29, appeared in 40 games with the Wolf Pack this season, scoring 16 points (4 g, 12 a). The native of Duluth, Minnesota, signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 15th, 2022. He has appeared in 270 career AHL games with the Wolf Pack, Stockton Heat, San Diego Gulls, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring 139 career points (39 g, 100 a). Zech, 24, has split this season between the IceHogs and the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. Zech scored two points in 13 games with the IceHogs (1 g, 1 a). He has scored ten points in eight games with the Fuel (5 g, 5 a). A native of South Lyon, Michigan, Zech has appeared in 144 career AHL contests with the IceHogs, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and Providence Bruins. He has scored 38 points (5 g, 33 a) in that span. Clendening, 30, has appeared in 48 games with the IceHogs this season, scoring 24 points (3 g, 21 a). A native of Niagara Falls, NY, Clendening has appeared in 492 career AHL tilts with the IceHogs, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Cleveland Monsters, Tucson Roadrunners, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and Utica Comets. He has scored 309 points (48 g, 261 a) in that span. In addition, Clendening has played in 90 career NHL games and scored 24 points (4 g, 20 a) with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks. Clendening was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, in 31 games with the Rangers during the 2016-17 season, scoring eleven points (2 g, 9 a). Jordan, 26, has appeared in one game with the Wolf Pack this season. He has skated in 43 games with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, scoring 26 points (17 g, 9 a). He joined the club on a one-year contract as a free agent on July 14th, 2022. The Pack is back at the XL Center on Sunday, March 5th, when the club welcomes the Charlotte Checkers to town for a 3:00 p.m. puck drop. For tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The housecleaning of the Hartford Wolf Pack began Tuesday, on a hectic day of hockey transactions just days before the NHL and AHL trade deadlines. Even after winning four straight, and with the Pack embarking on a three-in-three weekend, including two big games Friday in Springfield against the Thunderbirds and Saturday in Bridgeport against the Islanders. Austin Rueschhoff, playing in his second season and one of the few holdovers from last year's team, was dealt to the Nashville Predators for future considerations. Rueschhoff was a free-agent collegiate signee out of Western Michigan (NCHC). In Hartford, he has been in and out of the lineup. He will stay in the AHL and play for the Milwaukee Admirals. The Admirals are short of players so Rueschhoff will be put right into the lineup. In addition, the move will put the 6'7, 229-pounder nearer to his native Michigan. The knock on Rueschhoff is that his play is consistently inconsistent. He was a streaky goalscorer in Hartford but was surpassed on the team depth chart by another big player, 6'7, rookie Matt Rempe. The Nashville organization is transitioning as Barry Trotz was named the new GM this week to replace retiring GM David Poile after the NHL Draft in Nashville in June. IN OTHER MOVES Another departing player is defenseman Andy Welinski, who was sent to the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the Patrick Kane trade for defenseman Cooper Zech. Welinski was recently scratched for the last three games and for the second time this season. He's a right-handed shooting rearguard and was an off-season signee in the makeover after last year's disaster. Welinski was a team-worst minus-16. He was on a one-year contract paying him $400K in the AHL. Zech was with the Indy Fuel (ECHL) at the time of the trade and was assigned to Hartford. IN THE FINAL MOVE Finally, another D-man came from the Chicago organization. He is Rockford's Adam Clendening, who was moved for forward Zach Jordan. He played one game in the Connecticut capital and was another off-season signee last summer. He spent most of the year with the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL). Jordan was assigned to Indy (ECHL) by Chicago (NHL). Ryan Carpenter was reassigned by the Rangers, who acquired Kane, as mentioned above earlier in the day. "Recalled" Braden Schneider was assigned as a paper cap transaction. He never left New York. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

HARTFORD WOLF PACK SEASON PREVIEW 2022-23 By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Hartford Wolf Pack training camp is completed. The pre-season games are over, and the NHL waiver wire moves have all been made. Now, the real fun begins as the 26th edition of the Hartford Wolf Pack begins as they embark on a season-opening road trip to the Queen City and have a two-game set to commence the unified 72-game AHL regular season with the Charlotte Checkers to erase the sting of last year’s  8-20-2 ending. “I always have preferred starting on the road and not at home. There's so much pressure and excitement when you play at home. It adds that pressure on you. It’s better to go on the road and be together, traveling and doing some (early) team building," Wolf Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said as he was preparing to leave for Charlotte. The team received its last forward from New York, Julien Gauthier, late Monday. He started his career in Charlotte when they were the AHL home for the Carolina Hurricanes. He had his best season with 27 goals in 75 games in their Calder Cup championship season in 2018-19. He was a former 1st-round pick (19th overall) in 2016. He played 184 games with the Checkers and has 96 NHL games to his credit. His tenure is likely to be short as he will be looking for a fresh opportunity elsewhere. “The Rangers shopped him around a few weeks ago, and now he’s gone through waivers. (He’s) got to have a good start to get interest,” said a knowledgeable hockey source. Gauthier reported and will sport the #77 on his jersey. That bumped Alex Whelan (Quinnipiac University) off the roster and down to the team's ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen. “He’s a heckva hockey player, he was so dominant when he played in Charlotte at the beginning of his career and he brings physicality and goal scoring to our team. Nothing is ever long term in the American (Hockey) League. He’s with us now and were gonna help him out as much as possible and get the best we can while he is here and he is committed to playing hard for the Wolf Pack as much as possible to get back to the NHL, “ remarked Knoblauch. Head coach Kris Knoblauch enters the fourth season with no post-season action and the team's eighth consecutive season after Hartford making it their first 14 straight years. The team thoroughly purged its lineup with a whole new cast of characters. The emphasis is on character players and bridging the rock cliff divide last year in scoring between the top six and bottom six of their lineup. “Having good veterans to help you win hockey games and help out our younger players improve is always important. It’s early in the year, but I’ve been impressed with the leadership of the new parts we brought in. Turner (Elson) and (Andy) Zelinski have done very well for us and have been great additions, and we'll find out more this weekend, but they have helped our leadership tremendously,” said Knoblauch. Making sure players get the playing time they need was a major consideration in keeping those in Hartford and dispatching others to Jacksonville. “We want players to be playing, not sitting around here," Knoblauch said emphatically. One top-end prospect he wanted here last year and will be here after a pandemic season introduction two years ago is Will Cullye. He played center then, though now he is ticketed for the left wing at the start of the season. “He’ll move up and down our lineup. For now he’s playing the left side with Jonny Brodzinski. He's already on the second unit powerplay and will get some experience penalty killing, and we'll hope he grows. He had a good camp in New York. We're just hoping he’ll develop into even a better hockey player here," Knoblauch said. Last year's Hobey Baker winner, Bobby Trivigno, had a very strong training camp on both sides of the puck. Along with Cullye, he leads a rookie group including draftees Matt Rempe (Seattle-WHL) and Ryder Korczak (Moose Jaw-WHL). "He’s gonna play more games for one thing. He’ll learn the type of hockey he’ll need to play. He’s a very good hockey player, who had very good collegiate career. Now he has to transfer that to the pro level. There has so much potential here. He will likely be key contributor for us.” Another who will be looked at to take a big step forward will be second-year pro, Lauri Pajuniemi. He was not happy at the end of last season. He performed well in camp and in both pre-season games and is expected to be a catalyst on the second power play unit playing on his off-wing. “He’ll have to do a lot of work to be recalled. He can shoot, but we’ll be using him with Jonny Brodzinski and Julien Gauthier on the powerplay. Shooting is a big part of his game and he has a hard shot and being around the net will allow him to score more goals. For his game to get better he has less room and less time you can’t hold onto the puck too long and we have identified that in his game.” He has been working on a line with Elson and Fritz, but that is not cemented in stone. They have looked good in practice, scored some goals, and have shown some good chemistry." A pair of Swedes will dot the lineup at center. They are draftees Karl Henriksson and free agent signee, Gustav Rydahl. “They’re two different types of players in their development stage. Rydahl has played pro for quite some time now. I think to make the jump, they (the Rangers) hope he can continue to get better and learn the North American game better in Hartford. The organization was happy with his play at camp, though he’s not quite ready yet, or they couldn't find a spot for him at this point. Karl is real prospect with lots of upside potential, and where he’s gonna fit in our lineup.” Patrick Khordorenko is back playing on the last year of his Entry Level Contract as is the resigned Austin Rueschhoff. “Patrick played very well and was probably our best forward the last six weeks of the season. He’s a depth player at center for us right now. Austin has the size and everybody is looking for a player with the size who can score. When he plays his best, he’s playing physical. He went on a tear in January where he had six goals in five games. He can certainly deliver and has the potential to breakout.” Captain Jonny Brodzinki and now veteran forward Tim Gettinger will lead the 25 members of the Wolf Pack. Paired together on the #1-line last year, they will be split up on the first two lines to start the season. Tanner Fritz will be called upon to play his usual swing role at forward. “Jonny was so good for us and then he went up to New York. Tim was injured for us in the second half. When he played, he was spot on. I have no worries in play from either player.” The defense will have a whole new set of players with off-season signings in Andy Welinski from the (AHL) Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames) and Ty Emberson of the (AHL) Tucson Roadrunners (Phoenix Coyotes). Returning are Matt Robertson and Zach Giuttari (Loomis Chafee), Hunter Skinner, and late-season addition Brandon Scanlin as the only holdovers from last season. The defense has always been seen as an organizational surplus, and the team will carry eight d-men to start the regular season. “We have a lot of returning players coming back entering their second season. You’re anticipating and always think they’re ready to take that next step up; that’s not always the case; some do, and some don’t, but I think these guys are ready to do that. We have a lot more experience on defense than at forward, and they have to learn to play together and be themselves. Tim Theocharidis, who almost played his way on the lineup like Mason Geersten did two years ago, was sent to Jacksonville. However, the former ASU product was on an ECHL contract, not an AHL deal. In net, Louie Domingue, who buried them last year in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, is guarding their cage now. Knoblauch is enthusiastic about starting with him and hopefully will have a better relationship with him than he had with the talented but mercurial Keith Kinkaid and the ineffectual Tyler Wall, who are both now in Providence and South Carolina (ECHL), respectively. “Very sociable guy, and everybody likes to be around. He has spent time on the ice with (other) goalies helping them out with certain things. Our starter on opening night is still to be diagnosed. Dylan Garand, the young prodigy out of Kamloops (WHL) who was signed mid-season last year to his ELC deal, will be a work in progress for the undersized but proficient goalie at the bottom end of the height scale wanted in pro hockey. “I just spoke to him, and he says 'I’m the same height as Igor Shesterkin.' So, if Igor can pull of his play (Vezina winner) never underestimate an undersized goalie,” remarked Knoblauch. Swedish player Olof Lindbom, the third goalie, will start the season with the Pack. Depending on playing time, he could be sent back to Sweden or to an unaffiliated ECHL team, or a loan deal worked. “He is gonna stay here in North America in Jacksonville or Hartford; that is still to be determined. He is technically sound and a very strong goalie. It’s very different in North America there is more traffic in front and a lot more small details to work on. We think very highly of him.” NOTES: Defenseman Ben Harpur, 27, is the latest to join the Wolf Pack as a late addition after splitting the 2021-22 season between the Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals. With the Predators, Harpur appeared in 19 games and registered an assist. While with the Admirals, Harpur skated in six games and recorded five penalty minutes. He has played in 176 career AHL games, scoring 56 points (7 goals, 49 assists) with the Admirals, Toronto Marlies, Belleville Senators, and Binghamton Senators. Harpur also served as an Alternate Captain for the Binghamton Senators during the 2017-18 season. Harpur was selected in the fourth round (108th overall) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Harpur has appeared in 156 career NHL games with the Senators and Predators, where he registered 15 points (1 goal and 14 assists). He scored his first and only NHL goal on December 1st, 2018, against the San Jose Sharks. Vitali Kravtsov sustained an upper-body injury in the Rangers opening night 3-1-win Tuesday over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was out of the lineup in the 7-3 win over the Minnesota Wild and will not affect the Pack line-up. Talyn Boyko, the 18-year-old goalie, after being released from his ATO in Hartford and being reassigned to Jacksonville before heading back to Kelowna (WHL) as per the NHL-CHL agreement, signed his three-year ELC deal with the Rangers for $850K-NHL/$77,750K-AHL. Ranger newcomer draftee, Ryder Korczak, saw his older brother Kaedan get assigned to the Henderson Silver Knights by Vegas along with Peter DiLiberatore (Quinnipiac University-ECACHL). The Wolf Pack will have a new skills development coach. Colin Downey replaces  Casey Torres, who was replaced by Jamie Tardif as the assistant coach this year. Torres departure was handled very quietly and efficiently.  It's not clear if it was mutual, his or the Pack's choice. Downey played collegiately at D3 Bowdoin College (NESCAC) in Maine and then professionally in Europe for eight years in France with Tours, HC Cholet, HC Mulhouse, Mont Blanc, and HC Courbevoie between France Division 2 and the French Elite League in the Magnus league. Ex-Pack Pierre-Cédric Labrie gets a contract upgrade from a two-year AHL deal from Syracuse to a one-year, two-way deal with Tampa Bay at $770,800K-NHL/$100,000K-AHL. He was put on waivers to return to Syracuse with a few more dollars in his bank account. Syracuse announced they and the Lightning have extended their affiliation agreement another five years to 2026-27. Rangers draftee Bryce McConnell-Barker was named captain of his OHL team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Brennan Othmann is named winner of the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the best rookie in the Rangers' camp and was reassigned to Flint (OHL) last week. Bridgeport Islanders made their last cuts sending to the Worcester Railers (ECHL) Ken Appleby, Trevor Cosgrove, Blade Jenkins, Connor McCarthy, Reece Newkirk, and Henrik Tikkanen. Former goalie C.J. Motte is sent from the Iowa Wild camp as the last cut to the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL) camp. Richard Pánik heads off to Lausanne HC (Switzerland-LNA) on a loan basis. Matthias Samuelsson (no relation to Ulf) is the son of former New Haven Nighthawk Kjell. He signs a one-year ELC contract extension with Buffalo. Adam Samuelsson, the youngest son of Ulf. He leaves Idaho (ECHL) camp just before it starts. No new destination was announced. Goalie Jon Gillies (Salisbury School) was sent to Tucson (AHL). Last year he played with four teams, two AHL, and two NHL. Ethan Cardwell, the nephew of ex-New Haven Knight Matt, is sent back to Barrie Colts (OHL) from the San Jose Barracuda camp. Last season's Pack player, Zach Berzolla, was one of the last cuts in Rochester. He was assigned to Cincinnati (ECHL). Undrafted Tye McSorley, the nephew of former Nighthawk Chris and Springfield coach and ex-Ranger his other uncle Marty, is with Greenville (ECHL) camp. Chris’s son, Aidan, is playing pro hockey in Switzerland with HC Pegassona-Ceregio (Switzerland Division-1). Father Chris is looking for work as he was just fired as the head coach of HC Lugano. Ex-Pack Lewis-Zerter Gossage (Kent School) is heading from Maine (ECHL) back over to Germany to Eisbären Berlin (Germany-DEL) and has been loaned out Lausitzer Füchse (Germany DEL-2). Our NHL source out West reports things in the Western Conference of the AHL are looking good. “San Jose has got a great new place and Coachella Valley seems on target and having the good weather allows you to hit construction timelines. It’s looking good out there (West).” When discussing the NHL's new setup in the ASU arena in Phoenix, the source said, “It's beautiful and brand new however it’s still a college rink, but I’ll try to avoid it if I can.” HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

PREGAME REPORT: HARTFORD WOLF PACK EYE SPLIT WITH CHARLOTTE CHECKERS  By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – The Hartford Wolf Pack earned a point in their season opener on Friday night against the Charlotte Checkers but will have their eyes on a different result tonight. The Pack gets right back at it at Bojangles Coliseum for a rematch with the Checkers in the second and final game of the weekend. The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. Tale of The Tape: This is the second of eight meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Checkers during the 2022-23 season. It is the second and final game between the teams at the Bojangles Coliseum this weekend and the second of four in North Carolina this season. The Wolf Pack will be back in Charlotte for games on January 10th and 11th. The Checkers will make four visits to Hartford this season, with the first coming on Saturday, October 29th. That means these two division rivals will meet three times throughout Hartford's first six games. They'll also meet on November 12th and 16th in Hartford. The Wolf Pack are 1-15-1-1 all-time against the Checkers in Charlotte. Hartford's lone victory at the Coliseum came on April 10th, 2022. The Wolf Pack won that game 4-3 in overtime thanks to a goal from Maxim Letunov. The Checkers won the most recent meeting, 4-3, in overtime last night. Aleksi Heponiemi opened the scoring just 4:58 into the contest, kicking off a seesaw affair. Will Cuylle converted a Jonny Brodzinski pass at 13:52 of the opening frame to tie the contest 1-1 heading into the intermission. Anton Levtchi and Lauri Pajuniemi traded powerplay goals in the second stanza, while Julien Gauthier and Chris Tierney struck in the final frame. In overtime, the Checkers needed just one shot the end the proceedings, getting a goal from Levtchi just 35 seconds in to claim victory. The goal was Levtchi's second of the night, giving him two goals and the game-winning goal in his AHL debut. The Checkers went 5-0-1-0 in the series last season. Hartford, on the other hand, posted a record of 1-4-1-0. Six of the previous seven meetings between these teams have been one-goal games. Hartford holds a record of 1-3-2-0 in those contests. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack got a stellar performance from Louis Domingue in his debut on Friday night. The veteran netminder turned aside 40 shots in the overtime loss, including 13 in the third period. Lauri Pajuniemi scored the club's first powerplay goal of the season on their third chance in last night's loss. The second-year Finn has scored in both career opening night games he has skated in during his brief AHL tenure. Julien Gauthier also lit the lamp last night in his Wolf Pack debut. Gauthier, assigned by the Rangers earlier this week, began his career as a member of the Checkers. He won the 2019 Calder Cup with the team and scored 69 goals throughout 184 games. Gauthier received a tribute video and a standing ovation in his return to Charlotte. Forwards Matt Rempe and Gustav Rydahl made their AHL debuts on Friday night, while Ben Harpur, Turner Elson, C.J. Smith, Andy Welinski, and Ty Emberson made their Wolf Pack debuts. Checkers Outlook: The Anton Levtchi show took center stage on Friday night. The rookie Finn, who led Liiga in goals (26) and points (61), scored twice in his debut, including the overtime winner. Chris Tierney also scored in his Checkers debut, tying the game at 12:28 of the third period. It was Tierney's first AHL action since January 2016 with the San Jose Barracuda. With goaltender Alex Lyon serving a two-game suspension, J-F Berube got the start for the Checkers. He made 19 saves for his first victory with the club. Berube split the 2021-22 season with the Cleveland Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL). The Checkers are in a four-game homestand. After hosting the Wolf Pack again this evening, they'll see the Hershey Bears for a pair of games next Friday and Saturday night. After that, the Checkers head north to face the Providence Bruins, Wolf Pack, and Bridgeport Islanders. Game Information:  WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Be sure to tune in to AHLTV for a 'Freeview' all weekend long! You can watch every AHL game live and free from October 14th – 16th. Unable to watch it? Listen to the audio call for free on Mixlr! Hartford Wolf Pack home and away games are free all season long only on Mixlr. The pregame starts tonight at 5:45 p.m. with Alex Thomas on the call. Join us next Saturday, October 22nd, at the XL Center when the Wolf Pack hosts the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The first 1,500 fans through the door on opening night will also receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of Pepsi Zero Sugar! 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 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, content development, sustainable operations, public health, 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.   HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

PRE-GAME REPORT: WOLF PACK DROP THE PUCK ON NEW SEASON IN CHARLOTTE By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are on the road to kick off a season for the first time in eight years. Tonight, the Wolf Pack begin their 26th season of American Hockey League plays in Charlotte against the division rival Checkers. It's the first time since the 2014-15 season that the Wolf Pack have opened on the road, and their first time opening a season in Charlotte. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Tale of The Tape: This is the first of eight meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Checkers during the 2022-23 season. It is the first of two games between the teams at the Bojangles Coliseum this weekend and the first of four in North Carolina this season. The Wolf Pack will be back in Charlotte for games on January 10th and 11th. The Checkers will make four visits to Hartford this season, with the first coming on Saturday, October 29th. The Wolf Pack are 1-15-0-1 all-time against the Checkers in Charlotte. Hartford's lone victory at the Coliseum came on their last visit on April 10th, 2022. The Wolf Pack won that game 4-3 in overtime thanks to a goal from Maxim Letunov. The Checkers won the most recent meeting, 2-1, at the XL Center on April 22nd, 2022. Tanner Fritz opened the scoring for Hartford at 18:15 of the first, but Chase Priskie would even the game 9:30 into the middle stanza. Finally, Scott Wilson fired home his 24th goal of the season at 9:32 of the third frame, clinching the victory for the Checkers and eliminating the Wolf Pack from the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Checkers went 5-0-1-0 in the series last season. Hartford, on the other hand, posted a record of 1-4-1-0. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack open their season after a busy summer of transactions. The club features three new goaltenders on the roster, Louis Domingue, Dylan Garand, and Olof Lindbom. Up front, veteran forwards C.J. Smith and Turner Elson join the club, while captain Jonny Brodzinski returns from a stint with the New York Rangers. Also joining the Pack from New York are forwards Gustav Rydahl and Julien Gauthier. Defensively, veteran Andy Welinski signed with the Rangers as a free agent and joined the Wolf Pack after spending last season with the Stockton Heat. In addition, Blake Hillman signed an AHL contract with the club after a successful stint with the Providence Bruins, while Ty Emberson is in the mix after the Rangers acquired him via trade from the Arizona Coyotes. Behind the bench, Jamie Tardif joined the coaching staff as an Assistant Coach. Checkers Outlook: The Checkers finished the 2021-22 season with a 42-24-5-1 record, good for 90 points and a .625 points percentage that clinched them the Atlantic Division title. The Checkers eliminated the Bridgeport Islanders in four games in the Atlantic Division Semifinals before falling to the Springfield Thunderbirds in three games in the Atlantic Division Finals. After having a split affiliation a season ago with the Seattle Kraken and Florida Panthers, the Checkers will only be affiliated with the Panthers this season. The Kraken is now affiliated with the new Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Checkers added veteran firepower this offseason, signing veteran forward Riley Nash. The Panthers, meanwhile, added forwards Gerry Mayhew and Chris Tierney for the Checkers. Defensively, former Hartford rearguards Anthony Bitetto and Michael Del Zotto are among the newest Checkers. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Be sure to tune in to AHLTV for a 'Freeview' all weekend long! You can watch every AHL game live and free from October 14th – 16th. Unable to watch it? Listen to the audio call for free on Mixlr! Hartford Wolf Pack home and away games are free all season long only on Mixlr. The Wolf Pack return to Hartford following tomorrow night's game to prepare for their home opener. Join us next Saturday, October 22nd, at the XL Center when the Wolf Pack hosts the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The first 1,500 fans through the door on opening night will also receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of Pepsi Zero Sugar! 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 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, 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. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club had assigned forward Julien Gauthier to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. Gauthier, 24, appeared in 49 games with the Rangers during the 2021-22 season, scoring seven points (3 g, 4 a). Selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Gauthier has appeared in 96 career NHL games and scored 18 points (5 g, 13 a). Over three seasons in the AHL, Gauthier has appeared in 184 games and scored 103 points (69 g, 34 a) with the Charlotte Checkers. He helped guide the Checkers to the 2019 Calder Cup Championship after scoring a career-high 27 goals in 75 regular season games. The Wolf Pack currently has 16 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders on the Training Camp roster. Forwards (16): Jonny Brodzinski, Will Cuylle, Turner Elson, Tanner Fritz, Julien Gauthier, Tim Gettinger, Karl Henriksson, Patrick Khodorenko, Ryder Korczak, Lauri Pajuniemi, Matt Rempe, Austin Rueschhoff, Gustav Rydahl, C.J. Smith, Bobby Trivigno, and Alex Whelan. Defensemen (8): Ty Emberson, Zach Giuttari, Blake Hillman, Matthew Robertson, Brandon Scanlin, Hunter Skinner, Tim Theocharidis, and Andy Welinski. Goaltenders (3): Louis Domingue, Dylan Garand, and Olof Lindbom. The Wolf Pack open the 2022-23 season this Friday night when they visit the Charlotte Checkers at 7:00 p.m. The club hosts its home opener on Saturday, October 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town. To run with the Pack during the 2022-23 season, visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets for information on ticket packages and to purchase single-game tickets. 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 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, 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 are 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. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article