#avonoldfarms

By: Gerry Cantlon, HowlingsPROVIDENCE, RI - The Hartford Wolf Pack scored a late goal to force OT and earn a standings point, but the Providence prevailed when Jesper Boqvist scored at 1:21 to give the Bruins wins in both ends of the home-and-home weekend series before nearly 9,000 fans at Amica Pavilion Arena.On the OT game-winner, Fabian Lysell made a solid lead pass to Boqvist, who got behind the Pack, sprinted to the goal, went forehand-to-backhand, and deposited his third goal of the season.The game went to the extra period after the Pack tied the game late in regulation. Following a time-out, the Pack perfectly executed a play designed by the coaching staff that took only three seconds to complete.2:14 remained on the clock, and the Pack took a time-out with a power play about to go. Pack netminder Dylan Garand was pulled for an extra attacker. On the ensuing faceoff, veteran Riley Nash won the draw in the six-on-four situation cleanly, beating Marc McLaughlin. The puck went back to Nikolas Brouillard at the right point. He quickly dished it off to captain Jonny Brodzinski. Ex-Pack Vinni Lettieri loved this setup, with the forward at the left point. Brodzinski uncorked a rocket that sailed over the Bruins' goaltender Brandon Bussi's glove hand. The goal tied the game at two at 17:49.The Bruins took a 2-1 lead at 11:39, scoring their second power play of the day resulting from a questionable goaltender interference call on the Pack's Brett Berard. John Farinacci spotted McLaughlin on the left wing in front of the net. He deposited his second of the season past Garand.The Pack had drawn even at one as they turned a broken play into a goal.Ryder Korczak's turnaround blast broke Joey Abate's stick, and Bobby Trivigno retrieved the loose puck and shifted it over to Brandon Scanlin. He then sent a long-range blast past Bussi at 5:11 for his first of the year.The Pack, playing their third game in three nights, pushed the pace in the third period.Berard, a Rhode Island native playing before family and friends in his first pro game in the Ocean State, had several chances to score in the third. Just before Scanlin's goal, he was stopped. Then he had two chances and tried to set up Korczak.Later, Alex Belizle initiated a play and sent a pass to Berard to set up a superb quality chance, but he fired it over the net. Mitch Callahan followed that with a rush and fed ex-Pack Jayson Megna, who then sent the puck to Georgii Merkulov, who cut across the middle and was stopped.Anton Blidh, who was a Bruin himself for six years, had two chances with five minutes to go seeking the equalizer before Brodzinski's goal.SECOND PERIODIn the second period, Providence scored the game's first goal.The Bruins were on the power play after Trivigno was sent to the box for tripping at 7:13. It took the Bruins 1:13 to find the back of the net as Anthony Richard re-directed a right point shot by Jakub Zrobil off an excellent tape-to-tape pass by Farinacci. For Richard, it was his second goal of the 23-24 campaign.Brodzinski and Berard followed with scoring chances that Bussi denied. Meanwhile, across the ice, Garand kept pace by straddling the goal line and denying Boqvist's shot, getting enough of the puck for it to dribble wide.FIRST PERIODThe first period was a scoreless, well-checked period for both teams playing their third game in three days.The Pack had a solid chance at the buzzer at the end of the first period that Bussi stopped, and the rebound was there for Brennan Othmann, but he could not corral the bouncing biscuit.Off a face-off in the right-wing circle, Matt Robertson fired a shot from the right point that hit the crossbar with 1:02 left in the period.57 seconds into the contest, Brodzinski was in front and put a backhander on the net, but Bussi kept the puck out.LINES:Henriksson - Sýkora - BlidhBelzile - Brodzinski - Othmann Edström - Nash - Berard Rempe - Trivigno - KorczakRobertson - ScanlinHillman - Brouillard Berzolla - CairnsGarandLindbomSCRATCHES:D Ben Harpur (upper body, week-to-week)D Mac Hollowell (upper body, day-to-day) F Jake Leschyshyn (upper body, week-to-week) F Turner Elson (healthy) F Drew Worrad (not in residence).NOTES:Farinacci is the nephew of ex-Pack/Bridgeport Sound Tiger and current Harvard University (ECACHL) Head Coach Ted Donato.Abate and Scanlin played together at Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC).Adam Samuelsson, the youngest son of ex-Hartford Whaler, New York Rangers, Wolf Pack, and Avon Old Farms assistant, Ulf Samuelsson, was released by the Indy Fuel (ECHL), the second team this year to do so.HARTFORD WOLF PACKHOME

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The start of the Hartford Wolf Pack regular season is just over two months away, and additions to the roster continue. The New York Rangers announced the team signed forward Tristan Mullin to a one-year AHL standard player contract. Mullin, 26, split last season between the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds and the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks. In 15 games played, Mullin failed to register any points with the Firebirds, a Calder Cup finalist. He also suited up in 25 contests with their Double AA affiliate, the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). Mullin scored at a point-per-game clip with the Mavericks, putting up 25 points (14 goals) in those 25 games. A native of Cartwright, Manitoba, he also scored three goals in six Kelly Cup Playoff games with Kansas City. The 6’2, 196-pound forward plays both left wing and center. Mullin skated in 83 AHL games with the Firebirds and Cleveland Monsters, tallying 10 goals and 23 total points. Collegiately, Mullin played for three seasons at Cornell University (ECACHL) and then a grad transfer year at the University of Vermont (HE). Over the course of 100 NCAA games, Mullin put up 54 points (25 goals and 29 assists). Mullin adds organizational depth to next season's roster. MORE EX-PACK MOVEMENT Ex-Pack Alex Whelan (Quinnipiac University) signs a deal with the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) while searching for an AHL training camp deal. Another ex-Pack, Brandon Cutler, played in just six games last year while also spending time with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), Wolf Pack (AHL), and the Colorado Eagles (AHL). He re-signs with Colorado (AHL) / Utah (ECHL) for next season on an AHL two-way contract. Former Pack D Yegor Rykov switches KHL Russian teams. He was in Russian Far East, closer to China and Mongolia, going from HC Vladivostok to Neftekhimik. Ex-Pack Bobby Butler formally retires from hockey, leaving the Worcester Railers (ECHL), where he was their captain last season, after playing two seasons and being inactive for two seasons. Butler had an 11-year pro career with 357 AHL games (231 points) and 130 NHL games. He also played for the US at the 2018 PyeongChang, South Korean Olympic Games and had 83 career ECHL games. Butler played one season in Hartford (2018-19) and played his college hockey for the University of New Hampshire (HE). Ex-Pack Ryan Potulny’s nephew, Jackson Potulny, commits to St. Thomas University (CCHA) for 2025-26. He played with Shattucks St. Mary’s U-18 AAA team program last season, where he was a goal-a-game player with 62 goals in 62 games. He has not declared his playing destination for next year. His younger brother, Owen Potulny, still plays with the Marquette (MI) HS team. The boy’s father, Grant Potulny, played with the Springfield Falcons and is currently the head coach of Northern Michigan University (CCHA). OTHER CONNECTICUT CONNECTIONS The Bridgeport Islanders signed Ashton Calder for next season, while former Sound Tiger, Matt Pistilli, goes from Hannover (Germany Division-3 to the Stuggart Rebels (Germany Division-3). Another ex-Sound Tiger, goalie Frédéric Cloutier, retires from HC Meran/Merano (Italy-AlpsHL) to become the goaltending development coach with Asiago AS (Italy-IceHL). His uncles were former pro players in Norm Gratton, an ex-Ranger/New Haven Nighthawk, and Atlanta Flames/Buffalo/Minnesota North Stars (NHL). His brother was a former Ranger/Nighthawk with stints in the NHL and WHA, the eccentric goalie Gilles Gratton in the 1970s. The son of former New Haven Nighthawk Trevor Stienburg (Seattle QMJHL scout), Matt Stienberg from Cornell University (ECACHL) does the opposite of Butler. He signs his first pro contract, a two-year ELC deal at $925K-NHL/$82.5K with Colorado (NHL). Former Yale Bulldog Charlie Curti goes from Toledo Walleye (ECHL) to Belfast (Northern Ireland-EIHL) after dissolving the provisional deal he signed with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) that he signed earlier in the summer. Tomas Vomacka, a former goalie at UCONN (HE), heads from Norfolk (ECHL) to HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czechia (Czech Republic) CEL. John Farinacci, the nephew of former Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger Ted Donato, who is the current Harvard University (ECACHL) head coach, leaves the Crimson and signs a two-year, two-way ELC (entry-level contract) deal with Boston-NHL/Providence-AHL at $825K-NHL/$82.5K-AHL. Arizona originally drafted him but failed to offer him a deal by the CBA required date of August 15th, allowing him to become a free agent. Connor Ford is the latest AHL player to leave for Europe. He departs the Henderson Silver Knights for HC Bolzano (Italy-IceHL). Ryan Merkley, who split last year with Colorado (AHL/San Jose (AHL), becomes the second AHL player to go to Kunlun (China-KHL). 75 AHL players have left for overseas hockey for next season. FORMER YALIES PLAYING PRO The late Wayne Dean, who was then the Deputy Athletic Director at Yale, kept a list of those who played collegiately and have gone on to careers in minor pro and higher professional levels. Since his passing, it has been kept up and updated. Those with Connecticut connections: NHL - Matt Coronato (Calgary)/(Salisbury School), Tyce Thompson (New Jersey/Utica-AHL)/(Salisbury School) (Orange), John Beecher (Providence-AHL)/(Salisbury School), Tyler Madden (Los Angeles)/(AOF), Alex Laferriere (Harvard-ECACHL)/(Kent School), Peter Diliberatore (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton-AHL)/(Quinnipiac University)/(Salisbury School), Ilya Usov (Syracuse-AHL)/(Salisbury School), Joey Cipollone (Bridgeport-AHL)/(Quinnipiac University)/ (Loomis Chaffe) and Thomas Lee Halmstad HC (Sweden-Hockey Ettan)/(Skövde IK Sweden-HockeyEttan 2023-24) /(Salisbury School). NHL Drafted - Aydar Suniev (Calgary), Rudy Guimond (Detroit)/(Taft School)/(Cedar Rapids-USHL 2023-24)/(Yale-ECACHL 2024-25), Nick Capone (Tampa Bay)/(UCONN-HE)/(East Haven)/(Salisbury School) and Kevin Wall (Carolina)/(Penn State-Big10)/(Milwaukee-AHL 2023-24)/(Salisbury School). College Commits - Stephen Peck (Michigan-Big-10) (AOF), Andrew Heinze (Penn State-Big 10) (Loomis Chaffe), Chris Hibson (New England College-NEHC) (Loomis Chaffe) and Rory Andriole (Loomis Chaffe-CTPREP/ND-WH CTPUB) (Branford). Giovanni Digiulani (Cornell University-ECACHL 2024-25) (Kent School), Jacob Kraft-Cornell University-ECACHL) (Kent School), Joe Connor (Northeastern-HE 2024-25) (AOF), Hudson Miller (Yale-ECACHL 2023-24) (AOF), Matt Hanscom (RPI-ECACHL 2024-25) (Westminster Prep), Will Reardon (Holy Cross-AHA) (Loomis Chaffe), Alex Bales-Providence College-HE 2025-26) (Kent School) (Tri-City (USHL) and Karsen Dorwat (Michigan State-Big10) (Hotchkiss Prep). Geno McEnery-(Providence College-HE) (Kent School), Charlie Andriole Babson College-NEHC) (Loomis Chaffe-CTPREP/ND-WH CTPUB) (Branford), Anthony Cipollone (Quinnipiac University-ECACHL) (Loomis Chaffe), Niko Tournas (UNH-HE 2024-25) (Joel Barlow CTPUB) (Redding), Jack Marottolo son of Sacred Heart University head coach C.J., heads to Wesleyan University-(NESCAC) (North Haven), Jonathan Horn (UMASS-Lowell-HE), (Hotchkiss Prep) (Southbury), Max Resnick-Tufts University (MASCAC) (Kent School), Cam Miranda-Hamilton (NESCAC) (Loomis Chaffe/Selects Academy at South Kent Prep-SKP) and Aydar Suniev (UMASS-HE) (Penticton-BCHL). MORE NEWS The Carolina Hurricanes have extended their arena lease to 2044. In conjunction with fellow tenants, the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the land around the arena will be developed into a hotel and shopping area. The irony is the long-gone Whalers were ridiculed for playing in the mall at Hartford Civic Center (nee XL Center) and are going nowhere. The first CSB (Central Scouting Bureau) list of 500 prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft includes some of the same names; Alex Bales (Kent School) (Providence College HE 2025-26), Blake Burke (Trumbull) Westminster (Simsbury) Prep, Giovanni Digiuliani (Cornell University 2024-25 (Kent School), Landen Ward (youngest son of ex-Beast of New Haven Lance Ward) and Niko Tournas, (UNH-HE 2024-25) (Joel Barlow CTPUB) (Redding). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack and every professional team everywhere, for that matter, are all busy at work getting their roster ready for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The Wolf Pack added roster depth by inking forward Cristiano DiGiacinto, to a one-year AHL deal. DiGiacinto, 27, appeared in 36 games with the Wolf Pack in the 2022-23 season, his second with the team. He registered 12 points on three goals and nine assists and collected 44 PIMs. DiGiacinto, a walk-on from Canadian college hockey (Acadia University), also appeared in 47 games with the Wolf Pack during the 2021-22 season scoring 13 points and scoring six goals. In addition to his time in Hartford last year, DiGiacinto skated in 19 games with the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen, who were then the Wolf Pack's Double AA affiliate. While in Jacksonville, he tallied 15 points, including ten assists. He added three points and two assists in 12 Kelly Cup playoff games. DiGiacinto hails from Hamilton, Ontario. He has scored 25 points with nine goals in 83 AHL games, all with the Wolf Pack. He has also dressed in 31 ECHL games, all with the Icemen, scoring 21 points on six goals. The 5'11, 192-pound forward was selected originally in the sixth round, 170th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He was never offered a deal and signed with the Rangers. After three seasons, newly ex-Pack Patrick Khordorenko, who played in just four games last year after season-ending shoulder surgery, signs with the Charlotte Checkers for '23-'24. Another ex-Pack who suited up for just two games over two years, Easton Brodzinski, the brother of Pack captain Jonny is now a minor league free agent. He heads to familiar territory signing with the Jacksonville Iceman (ECHL), currently affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres. Ex-Pack Malte Strömwall leaves the Chicago Wolves (AHL) and heads home. He signs with Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL) for the 2023-24 season. After a year with HC Litvinov in Czechia, ex-Pack Josh Wesley, the son of former Hartford Whaler Glen Wesley, signs with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). Former Pack Jacob Hayhurst signs an AHL two-way deal with Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) /Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). Ex-Pack Blake Parlett departs Nuremberg (Germany-DEL) and signs with HC Bolzano (Italy-IceHL) for 2023-24. He joins another exp ex-Pack Christian Thomas and ex-Sound Tiger Mike Halmo. Former CT Whale Mike Pelech departs the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) for Glasgow (Scotland-EIHL). Parker Gahagan, the Wolf Pack emergency goalie last year, spent most of the season with Jacksonville (ECHL). He suited up for just two games with Hartford. He signs a one-way, one-year deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)/Reading Royals (ECHL). Adam Samuelsson, the youngest son of Whaler great, former Ranger, former Wolf Pack, and Avon Old Farms assistant coach, Ulf Samuelsson, leaves the Newfoundland Growlers (St. John's) (ECHL) and signs with the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL). Three new junior coaching adds ex-Pack Chris Nell, who returns to his hometown of Green Bay for a second consecutive season. Nell leaves Marian University (NCHA), where he was an assistant coach, and his high school alma mater, Notre Dame Academy, where he was the goalie coach last season. He now becomes the assistant coach and Director of Goaltending for the local junior team, the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL). NEXT The NHL released its preseason schedule with dates, times, and locations; unfortunately, there won't be any games in Hartford. While Hartford is not on the schedule, surprisingly, Sydney, Nova Scotia did. If Hartford can't even get an exhibition game, it's time to move on from this fantasy that the NHL will return to the Connecticut capital.UCONN RELATED NEWS The UCONN men's hockey team has announced their home slate for the Hockey East season. It will feature a very light XL Center presence with 17 games on the Huskies' home ice in Storrs after their direct negotiations with the current building operator, OVG 360. UCONN will play its first full season at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. The Huskies had a strong start last year in the first half of the season and faded in the second half finishing the season 20-12-3. The Huskies bowed out to UMASS-Lowell in the playoffs after losing to UMASS in the conference title game the prior year. Across the hallway with the Hartford Wolf Pack is Bobby Trivigno, who swiped their national tournament aspirations. The team opens up on the road in a non-conference set against Colgate University (ECACHL) and their new head coach, ex-Pack Mike Harder. His assistant is one-time Yale Bulldog captain Anthony Walsh. The non-conference slate has the Huskies hosting the Holy Cross Crusaders (AHA) with assistant coach and ex-Pack Bobby Butler on October 14th at Toscano for the home opener. The Huskies will host just three Hockey East matchups at the XL Center. It will be just one of the few times the fans in Hartford will see the #15 overall draft pick of the Nashville Predators, Matt Wood. The reason for that is Hockey East requires all its schools to play primarily on campus. For years waivers were granted to UCONN, and the conference schools chafed about their teams playing on campus buildings. That includes UCONN. Now with the Toscano sandbox built, the school can't hide anymore. The XL as a home rink doesn't cut even with no tickets available. A few years ago, a source indicated that the negotiations before Toscano were built centered on how low they could go and not meeting the 4,000 standard Hockey East requirement. They couldn't go lower than Merrimack, and many fans will now be shut out. The Huskies are being held to the letter of the law of their conference entry application. The only Hockey East games at the XL Center are UMass-Lowell on October 28th, then the University of Maine Black Bears for two games on January 12th and 13th. The XL Center games will include a non-conference meeting with Dartmouth College and their head coach, former Quinnipiac assistant coach, and player Reid Cashman, on November 25th. They will host Harvard on New Year's Eve, December 31st, at Toscano at 3:00 PM. UCONN will wrap up its XL Center activity with non-conference action on January 26 and 27, hosting their annual Connecticut Ice Festival for the fourth time. It will feature the reigning National Champion Quinnipiac Bobcats, the Yale Bulldogs, ECACHL teams, and the Sacred Heart Pioneers (AHA). The rest of the Hockey East contests will be held at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. On November 10th, the Huskies host Merrimack, and then the Boston College Eagles, loaded with NHL prospects, on November 18th at Toscano. UCONN will host UMass-Lowell for their third season matchup on Friday, December 1st. The school will start the new year with the first game in Storrs on January 19th. The Huskies will welcome the University of New Hampshire. UCONN will host Providence College, Massachusetts, and Boston University in February after the Connecticut Ice tournament at the XL Center. The Huskies finish the regular season at their on-campus home skating against the Northeastern Huskies and then end the regular season against the University of Vermont. That will complete their 35-game regular season in early March. Any Hockey East post-season games are all single-game affairs per the conference format and will be played at Toscano. Former Husky Spencer Naas, UCONN (HE)/Selects Academy at South Kent Prep (CTPREP), leaves the Savannah Ghost Pirates (ECHL ) and signs with the Dundee Stars (Scotland-EIHL) for the 2023-24 season. Another ex-Husky, Ryan Wheeler, leaves the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) and signs with the Adirondack Thunder(ECHL). The current Huskies saw their former highly-rated goalie, Logan Terness, transfer to the Ohio State Buckeyes (Big 10). Head coach Mike Cavanaugh, in turn, then rolled the dice with a grad transfer from the ECACHL goalie Carson Haider from Clarkson University. They had great success two years ago with Darion Hanson. DRURY'S SON Luke Drury, the son of Rangers' President and General Manager Chris Drury, is captain at the Brunswick (Bears) School in Greenwich. He commits to attend and play at Brown University (ECACHL) for the 2025-26 season. The elder Drury's ex-Hartford Whaler brother Ted has five children-four boys and a daughter. Each of his offspring is involved in hockey at some level. Owen Drury will play with the West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) next year. He has not committed to college yet. His youngest, Ryan, is 12 and playing with the CCM Chicago team. His eldest son, Jack, played for his hometown, Chicago Wolves, last season before a late injury recall by the Carolina Hurricanes. SOME NEW HAVEN CONNECTIONS Ronan Buckberger, the youngest son of former Beast of New Haven forward Ashley Buckberger, commits to the Ohio State Buckeyes (Big 10) in 2025-26. Ryan McCleary, the son of former New Haven Senator Trent McCreary, was traded from the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) to his hometown team, the Swift Current Broncos (WHL). He is a Pittsburgh (NHL) seventh-round 2021 draftee. His sister, Maddy, just completed her Canadian college career with the St. Mary's (Halifax) University Huskies (AUAA-W). ODDS AND ENDS Rayen Petrovický, the son of former Whaler and New York Ranger Róbert Petrovický, skated with three European teams last year. The previous was JoKP (Finland-Mestis) on a loan. He signs with HC Liberec (Czechia (Czech Republic-CEL) for the 2023-24 campaign. A trio of ex-Sound Tigers got new addresses as Mitch Vande Sompel goes from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) to the independent AHL Chicago Wolves. Bode Wild goes from Atlanta (ECHL) back overseas to HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL). Victor Crus-Rydberg switches teams in the Swedish lowest Division 1 league, HockeyEttan Kalmar HC, to Karlskrona HK. Alex Kromm, the son of former Whaler Rich Kromm, retires and becomes the assistant coach for the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL). Alex Drulia, the nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk Stan Drulia, becomes the Austin Bruins (NAHL) assistant coach. As of August 1st, the early signing and commit phase starts in college hockey recruiting. Quinnipiac University snagged Conrado Calderini from Greenwich, who's attending Berkshire School. They also got a commitment from Ethan Wyttenbach, who commits for 2026-27. He played last year on the Long Island Gulls U-15 team. He will likely be heading to a prep school and juniors until he arrives. Yale got Kirby Perler and Dylan Hunt of the Boston Junior Eagles via Milton Academy. The 16-year-old Perler, a Woodbridge native, knows the difficulties surrounding Ivy League school admissions, so this was a verbal commitment pending he meets the strict academic requirements for entry. Even ECACHL schools need to compete in the highly competitive college hockey marketplace. Perler still faces a tough road and will need to go to either a prep school, the USHL, or the now independent of BC Hockey, BCHL, before he sees the ice at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, the home to the Bulldogs. Among the incoming class of six are Dave Andreychuk (no relation to the former NHL player of the same name and spelling). He played Frederick Gunn School (Washington). He then migrated to the Northeast Generals (NAHL). Another is William (Will) "Beanie" Richter of Greenwich/Brunswick School, the son of legendary Rangers goaltender Mike Richter. He played with the Penticton Vees (BCHL) last three years. UCONN has not released its list. Four of a half-dozen prospects committed to Harvard are considered blue-chip prospects. Michael Munroe of Avon Old Farms (CTPREP) is a 2025-26 commit to the University of Maine (HE) Black Bears. HARTFORD WOLF PACKHOME

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The dog days of summer pose challenges for hockey executives of all levels, including the Hartford Wolf Pack, to fill out their rosters for the upcoming season. The contract status of veteran Tanner Fritz, who spent the last two years with the Wolf Pack following six seasons in Bridgeport, remains unchanged. He is still unsigned. For Fritz, securing a good contract to deal with the special medical needs of his son remains a priority. Fritz's veteran status remains an issue, but he continues to look at all options. Fritz hopes to return to Hartford after being a solid fixture on and off the ice for the Pack last season. EX-PACK PLAYERS ON THE MOVE Tony DeAngelo returns to the Carolina Hurricanes a year later on a free-agent deal. Danny Kristo leaves Sheffield (England-EIHL) and signs with Coventry (England-EIHL). Zach Guitarri (Loomis Chaffe), traded to the Abbotsford Heat from Hartford at the trade deadline, leaves for Växjö (Sweden-SHL). Patrick Newell, who started last year with Fehérvár AV19 (Hungary-IceHL), then left mid-season for Södertälje SK (Sweden-Allsvenskan), signs for next season with Orlando (ECHL). Luke Adam leaves EHC Straubing (Germany-DEL) and joins HC Plzen (Pilsner) Czechia (Czech Republic-CEL). The team also has ex-Pack, Petr Zamorsky. Scott Kosmachuk left TPS Turku (Finland-FEL) and signed with Lada Togliatti (Russia-KHL). DAVE BARR After two years in Vienna (Austria-IceHL) as the team's head coach, ex-Hartford Whaler Dave Barr leaves and signs to be the new assistant coach with AHL-independent Chicago Wolves. Barr had 12 years in the NHL as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers. He also coached the Houston Aeros to a Calder Cup title in the AHL. He ran the bench for Houston's IHL team and in Orlando with the Solar Bears. He also spent three years as head coach of the Guelph Storm (OHL). ECHL The ECHL Board of Governors formally approved the Lake Tahoe (NV) expansion team to begin play in 2024-25 at the brand-new Blue Lake Event Center to be run by OVG 360, the same operator of the XL Center. The team name and staff will be done later, with an affiliation NHL/AHL to be announced in 2024-25. CONNECTICUT RELATED PLAYER NEWS New Canaan's Pat Harper, who played at Avon Old Farms, started last year with Mora IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan). He left mid-season for Kristianstads IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Harper signs with the South Carolina Stingray (ECHL) for next season. Now former Bridgeport Islander Collin Adams, who split last season between Bridgeport and the Worcester Railers (ECHL), has signed with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) for the '23-'24 season. Tyler Drevitch, the son of ex-New Haven Nighthawk Scott Drevitch, departs the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) and joins his brother Logan next year with the Savannah Ghost Pirates (ECHL). Players departing the AHL for Europe is at 65. The Springfield Thunderbirds' Greg Printz (Selects Academy at South Kent Prep) is the latest to leave, who heads to the Belfast Giants in (Northern Ireland-EIHL). Kārlis Čukste (Quinnipiac University) leaves HC Oceláři Třinec (Czechia (Czech Republic-CEL) and signs with Brynäs IF (Sweden-Allsvenskan). DON NACHBAUR Former Whaler and New Haven Nighthawk Don Nachbaur, speaking on his return to Calgary as an assistant with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) this year, said, "We had a good team, and the fans in Calgary were super, but the winters are brutal. I grew up in Western Canada and have been out of there for 40 years coming from California (Stockton), where we were. I don't enjoy it, didn't miss it at all." Could the new building to be built in Calgary might ease some of that cold burden? "It's great for Calgary. The designs for the building look fantastic, but that building won't be built till five years from now because of the financing, zoning, and environmental regulations. There is mountain of hurdles to overcome and get through before the first shovel gets in the ground. I likely will be retired by the time it happens." WAYNE BABYCH Wayne Babych's son Cole is a 16-years old playing goalie with Winnipeg (WAAA). He also has his learner's permit to drive. Babych quipped, "I don't know what scares me more, him facing slapshots as a goalie, or him driving?" ANDRE LACROIX Andre Lacroix, Sr.'s son, Andre III, is off to college at the University of Utah (ACHA Division-1), where he will play club hockey. "He loves to ski and play hockey. Out there, he can do both." His grandsons Anthony and Alex attend and play hockey at Gilmour Academy Prep in Ohio. DOUG ROBERTS Doug Roberts on Gordie Howe. "He just wasn't only a great player, he was a great father too. Look at how well Mark and Marty have turned out. He did well with both of them (and his other son and daughter) as well." BOB CRAWFORD Bob Crawford's nephew Aidan was in town on his college tour. He's looking at all the CT Division I schools, though not as a hockey player. He's a track and field athlete. One of the schools he's looking at is Yale in New Haven. GRANT JENNINGS Grant Jennings traveled the furthest to attend the Hartford Whalers Day at Dunkin Donuts Field, traveling from Alaska with his son Gordon, who plays at South Anchorage High School. He was a draft choice in the WHL US portion of their bantam draft by the Prince Albert (SK) Raiders in June. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME