#www.hartfordwolfpack.com

[fromthe-point]

Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury announced today that the Wolf Pack has signed forward Shawn McBride to an AHL contract.

McBride, a 6-2, 200-pound rookie out of American International College, played five games with the Wolf Pack in 2018-19 after he finished his college eligibility, registering one assist.  As a senior at AIC, the 24-year-old Victoria, B.C. native captained AIC to the first-ever AHA championship, and NCAA Tournament berth, in program history, scoring four goals and adding 19 assists for 23 points, and serving ten minutes in penalties, in 41 games.  His 19 assists were third-most on the Yellow Jacket team.

In 151 career games over four seasons with AIC, McBride registered 19 goals and 42 assists for 61 points, along with 32 penalty minutes.

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK ENJOYS STRONG 2023-24 SEASON IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE BOX OFFICE

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack completed another successful season both on and off the ice last week. On the ice, the club advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season, winning two playoff rounds in the process. Off the ice, the Wolf Pack enjoyed another strong year of growth in ticket sales and its footprint in the Greater Hartford Community. The club enjoyed 19 lower bowl sellouts during the 2023-24 campaign, a mark that helped them see 24 of 36 regular season home games draw a crowd of over 5,000 fans. Over the course of 36 regular season home games, the Wolf Pack welcomed an average of 5,456 fans to the XL Center in downtown Hartford. This marked the club’s highest single-season average attendance since the 2010-11 season. This all combined to see the Wolf Pack enjoy a 56% increase in ticket sales since the 2021-22 season. The 2023-24 season also saw the Wolf Pack continue to expand their footprint in the Greater Hartford Community. The franchise’s beloved mascot, Sonar, made 60 appearances during the season at local schools, community events, community fundraising initiatives, youth sports practices, and more. Hartford Wolf Pack players and coaches also chipped in, making 23 visits during the season. In addition to traditional visits to local schools and youth hockey practices, Wolf Pack players and coaches made trips to Connecticut Children’s Hospital to donate toys during the holiday season as part of the team’s annual toy drive and to donate the teddy bears following the team’s annual ‘Teddy Bear Toss’ game. Players and coaches also stopped by a local soup kitchen in Southington, CT, to assist with lunch service and cleanup. Over 500 backpacks were donated to teachers in over 20 classrooms in the Greater Hartford area, with Wolf Pack players and front office staff delivering them to students. The Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation donated over 1,000 tickets during the 2023-24 season. These ticket donations were made as part of fundraising efforts for local schools, youth sports organizations, community initiatives in the Hartford area, and hospitals. Additionally, some ticket donations were made to organizations that allowed clients to attend a Wolf Pack game who otherwise would not have been able to. The ‘Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’ also issued seven grants totaling over $40,000 to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, The Hartford Police Athletic League (P.A.L.), Children in Placement, Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Hands on Hartford, Covenant Preparatory School, and the Boys and Girls Club of Meriden. The club also donated over 1,100 pounds of food to Hands on Hartford following their annual food drive on March 16th at the XL Center. For more information on the Wolf Pack’s community initiatives and the ‘Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/fan-zone/hartford-wolf-pack-community-foundation. About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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 HOWLINGS Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK 2024-25 HOME OPENER IS OCTOBER 18TH

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack will open the home portion of their 2024-25 regular season schedule at the XL Center in downtown Hartford on Friday, October 18th, 2024. The time and opponent will be announced at a later date. In addition to the home opener on October 18th, the club has five other guaranteed dates for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Stay tuned to the Wolf Pack’s social media channels each of the next five Wednesdays to learn all of the guaranteed dates for the 2024-25 season. The complete 2024-25 regular season schedule, including game times and opponents, will be released later this summer. Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, and flex plans for the 2024-25 season are on sale now! Visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details! About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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 HOWLINGS Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK’S CALDER CUP DREAMS ENDED BY BEARS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack drew first blood in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Finals but could not hold off a push from the Hershey Bears. The Bears scored four unanswered goals to pull away for a 4-1 decision in Game 3, sweeping the series 3-0 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Garrett Roe played the hero this night, notching his first multi-goal Calder Cup Playoff performance. His second goal of the night proved to be the game-winning tally. Roe was on a two-on-one with Chase Priskie before his pass hit the skate of Priskie and trickled back to him. He collected the puck on his backhand and snapped his third goal of the playoffs by Dylan Garand at 7:29 of the second period, making it 2-1 at the time. A late lineup addition in Matthew Phillips nearly put the Bears on the board in the opening seconds, striking iron with a one-time shot. Shortly thereafter, a delay of game penalty by Joe Snively at 25 seconds gave the Pack an early crack at the man advantage. Hershey applied heavy pressure on the penalty kill, not allowing the Wolf Pack to register a shot. The two sides exchanged chances in the ensuing minutes, highlighted by a Brett Berard backhander that nearly trickled by Hunter Shepard. It would be the Wolf Pack drawing first blood at 13:24, as Mac Hollowell fed a pass to the net front for Jaroslav Chmelař. The young forward waited out Shepard and stuffed home his second postseason goal at 13:24 to give Hartford a 1-0 lead. The Bears equalized early in the second period, tying the game just 1:56 in. Hardy Häman-Aktell had some space at the blue line and elected to fire a shot into a crowd of bodies screening Garand. The shot caught the stick of Roe, who deflected home his second goal of the playoffs to even the score. Just under six minutes later, Roe’s second of the period came off a fortuitous bounce and gave the Bears a lead they never lost. It was the second of three points on the night for Roe (2 g, 1 a). Bogdan Trineyev was awarded a penalty shot at 16:49 of the second period after being hauled down on a breakaway. However, he could not convert on it, missing on a backhand deke. The Wolf Pack had a late opportunity in the second period to find an equalizer on the powerplay, but the Bears' penalty kill again stood tall. A second Wolf Pack penalty in the third period gave the Bears another opportunity to extend their lead. It was on this chance, their fourth of the night, that Hershey cashed in. With just eight seconds left on the powerplay, Henrik Rybinski fed a net-crashing Matthew Strome from behind the net. Strome ripped home a one-timer to make it 3-1 at 11:52. The goal was his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Down two, the Wolf Pack pressured hard with the extra attacker in the final minutes. A slew of chances in the offensive zone came up empty, however. Mike Vecchione then landed the dagger, hitting the empty net to secure the 4-1 win and the sweep of Hartford. The goal was Vecchione’s first of the Calder Cup Playoffs. To stay updated with the Wolf Pack during the 2024 offseason, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com. About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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 HOWLINGS Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK SEND BRUINS PACKING WITH OT WIN

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are headed to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight season. A wild bounce saw a puck clip Jake Leschyshyn and beat Brandon Bussi 9:41 into overtime of Game 4 at the XL Center on Friday night. The goal gave the Wolf Pack a 2-1 victory in Game 4 and a 3-1 victory in the series. Adam Sýkora won a puck battle behind the net, sweeping it up the boards for Brandon Scanlin. Scanlin sent the puck across the ice to Victor Mancini, who blasted a shot from the right-wing circle off the crossbar. The rebound clanked off of Leschyshyn and into the net at 9:41 to give the Wolf Pack the series victory. Leschyshyn opened the scoring 14:30 into the hockey game, ripping home his second goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs from the left-wing circle on the game's first powerplay. Nic Petan hustled back into the defensive zone to break up an opportunity for Anthony Richard. Alex Belzile collected the puck and found Brennan Othmann, who sped into the offensive zone. Othmann gained the left-wing circle before dropping a pass to Leschyshyn. The veteran forward then labeled a shot over the shoulder of Bussi to make it 1-0 Wolf Pack. Both goaltenders made substantial efforts in the second period, keeping the spread 1-0. Bussi made eight saves for the Bruins, while Dylan Garand turned aside eight shots in the Wolf Pack net. The Bruins finally evened the affair 10:01 into the third period, as John Farinacci buried his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal off a netmouth scramble. Jimmy Lambert sent the puck toward Garand, creating a frantic pile in front of the net. Oskar Steen tipped the puck to the left of the Wolf Pack netminder, who was down and out with many bodies around him. Farinacci found the loose change and buried the equalizer. The Wolf Pack got a late powerplay opportunity in regulation time, as the Bruins were called for 'too many men' at 17:02. Bussi and the Bruin penalty kill stood tall, limiting the Wolf Pack and pushing the game to overtime. In the extra session, Leschyshyn would play the hero as Mancini's shot rocketed off the crossbar and off the forward's skates. The goal pushed the Wolf Pack to 3-0 in overtime during the Calder Cup Playoffs. The goal is also Leschyshyn's first career game-winning goal in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Wolf Pack now awaits the winner of the Hershey Bears Vs—Lehigh Valley Phantoms series. The Atlantic Division Finals will be a best-of-five series, with the schedule to be released once the matchup is confirmed. Single-game tickets for the Atlantic Division Finals will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 13th. For playoff information, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and safety, and more. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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

[mitchbeck]

GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded goal to win Game 3 3-1, advancing to the Atlantic Division Semifinals for the second consecutive season. Just 2:39 into the third period, Mike Benning was whistled for tripping, giving the Wolf Pack their fourth powerplay of the game. The Pack connected for the third time in the series, ballooning their lead to 2-0. Brett Berard sent a backdoor pass to Riley Nash, who settled the puck and tapped home a backhander for his second goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs at 4:21. The goal would stand as the game-winner and series-winner. The Wolf Pack jumped out to a first-period lead with the icebreaker for the second time in the series. Mac Hollowell found Jaroslav Chmelař just outside the Charlotte zone, hitting the young forward with a pass. Chmelař entered the zone and danced around Skyler Brind'Amour, who blew a tire. Chmelař then cut to the goal and snapped home his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal at 10:10 of the first period. Garand was tested late in the period when the Checkers were awarded the game's first powerplay. At 17:24, Anton Blidh flipped the puck over the glass and out of play, taking a delay-of-game penalty. Garand and the penalty kill stood tall, pushing the game to the intermission with the Pack still ahead. The netminder made twelve saves in the opening stanza. Garand also stood firm in the second period, making 15 saves to keep the Wolf Pack ahead through 40 minutes. Garand's best save of the period came during a stretch of four-on-four play when Casey Fitzgerald was teed up for a one-timer from the slot. Garand kicked the bid away with his right pad, keeping it 1-0 for the Wolf Pack. Nash's goal early in the third period gave the Wolf Pack a 2-0 lead and the necessary offense to complete their series comeback. Jake Leschyshyn was whistled for holding the stick at 13:39, giving the Checkers a late powerplay look to draw back into the game. Berard extinguished the hopes at 14:52, making it 3-0 with the first goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career. Berard took a pass from Nash and rushed shorthanded into the offensive zone on the right-wing side. Berard used his speed to create a breakaway before snapping a shot by Hellberg. The Checkers quickly responded on the powerplay, however, as Brendan Perlini snapped home his first goal of the postseason from the left-wing circle at 15:37. The Checkers pressed hard in the final moments with the goaltender pulled but could not solve Garand. With the victory, the Wolf Pack advance to the Atlantic Division Semifinals, where they will take on the Providence Bruins in a best-of-five series. For playoff information, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and safety, and more. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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 HOWLINGS Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND

All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled, the First-Round series will be a best-of-three matchup, with all three games taking place in North Carolina. The Checkers, who will finish fourth in the Atlantic Division during the regular season, hold the home-ice advantage and the right to host the series. They are 39-25-7-0 and will conclude their season against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms tomorrow afternoon. The Wolf Pack will finish fifth in the Atlantic Division and are currently 34-27-7-3. This is the first-ever meeting between the foes in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Since the Checkers entered the AHL in 2010, they have faced off 48 times in the regular season. The series will kick off at the Bojangles Coliseum on Thursday night, April 25th, with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. The full Atlantic Division First Round series schedule is as follows: Game 1: Thursday, April 25th, @ Charlotte (Bojangles Coliseum, 7:00 p.m.) Game 2: Saturday, April 27th, @ Charlotte (Bojangles Coliseum, 4:00 p.m.) Game 3*: Sunday, April 28th, @ Charlotte (Bojangles Coliseum, 4:00 p.m.) *If necessary Despite the series taking place in Charlotte, Wolf Pack fans can still come to the XL Center to support their team for Game 1. The Wolf Pack will host a watch party for Game 1 at the Center’s Sports Bar. The party will start at 6:30 p.m., and the game will begin at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about Wolf Pack playoff ticket strips and stay up-to-date on everything related to the Calder Cup Playoffs, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Established by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. It 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 HOWLINGS Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

GARAND STOPS 31 WOLF PACK STILL LOSE TO CHECKERS 2-1

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand turned in a terrific performance on Tuesday night, stopping 31 shots to help the Hartford Wolf Pack bank a point at the Bojangles Coliseum. Ultimately, it would not be enough as the Checkers prevailed with their second consecutive 2-1 overtime victory in the season series. For the second time in as many games, Mackie Samoskevich would play the role of overtime hero. Samoskevich collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and entered the offensive zone on the right-wing side. The rookie forward worked his way into the right-wing circle and launched a shot over Dylan Garand's glove for his 17th goal of the season. The goal was the third overtime game-winner of Samoskevich's season. Anton Blidh nearly opened the scoring in the opening period, striking the crossbar. Adam Edström bullied his way into the offensive zone on the left-wing side, then sent a pass to Blidh down the middle. Blidh got a piece of the puck but struck the iron behind Magnus Hellberg. Late in the period, the Checkers drew first blood. Patrick Giles intercepted an outlet pass in the neutral zone and entered the zone on the right-wing side. Giles used a body in front as a screen and snapped a shot by Garand at 14:37 to give the Checkers a 1-0 lead. The Wolf Pack drew the game even 9:04 into the second period, as Karl Henriksson scored his second goal against the Checkers this season. With the Checkers pressuring in the Wolf Pack zone, Edström poked a puck down the ice and into the Charlotte zone. Brennan Othmann won a foot race for the puck and slid a pass to Henriksson. Henriksson fought his way into the slot and lifted a shot over Hellberg's glove for his tenth goal in the campaign. Garand was terrific in the period, making twelve saves to keep the game tied 1-1 through 40 minutes. Each team had multiple chances to break the tie in the final frame, but neither could. The Checkers had two powerplays in the period but couldn't solve Garand on ten shots. The Wolf Pack got a powerplay of their own but were denied nine times by Hellberg. For the second straight game, the teams required overtime to determine a winner. For the second straight game, Samoskevich did the honors, giving the Checkers the key second point. Despite the loss, the Wolf Pack extended their point streak to six games (3-0-2-1). The club has also collected points in three straight visits to the Coliseum (2-0-1-0). The Wolf Pack conclude their three-game road trip tomorrow night when they get a rematch with the Checkers. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday, March 16th, when the Utica Comets come to town. The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m.; tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and safety, and more. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since iteam'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 HOWLINGS Read the full article