#AdamSamuelsson

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CANTLON: HARTFORD WOLF PACK DROP FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings CHARLOTTE, NC - In his first AHL game, Anton Levtchi scored two goals, with the second coming 35 seconds into overtime to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 4-3 OT win over the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack in the first game of the 2022-23 season. Levtchi came motoring off the left wing side, cut to the middle of the ice and slid the puck past a poke-check attempt of the Wolf Pack's new starter, Louie Domingue. Levtchi then flipped a backhander past Domingue to end the season opener. Domingue made 40 saves for the Pack in a sterling effort and was the primary reason the game went to the extra session. Henry Bowlby had five quality chances, all denied by Domingue with ten seconds left in regulation and Lucas Carlsson with under a minute left from the left point. Another on Gerry Mayhew as they were outshot by a two-to-one margin of 44-22. Chris Tierney was robbed on the right wing with an open cage as Domingue slid over left to right with 8:08 left. He would tally their third goal two minutes to tie the score. Julien Gauthier had given the Pack the lead at 8:07 with the night's best goal. He took a pass from newcomer Turner Elson, turned on the left wing speed, and got inside position on ex-Pack Anthony Bitetto. He went backhand-to-forehand and put it past ex-Pack/Sound Tiger, J.F. Berube. Alexi Heponiem had five shots in the game. He was stopped after getting the puck off the shinpad of the just-signed Ben Harpur with 5:41 remaining. Harpur drove out on Tierney and took away the bottom of the net. His shot went high and over the Wolf Pack cage. Just before, Tim Gettinger saw his wraparound attempt come up empty. Lauri Pajuniemi had given the Pack the lead in the second period. Pajuniemi took a cross-ice feed on his off-wing from Matt Robertson and wired one past Berube at 3:42 of the second period. Levitch was on the power play two minutes earlier in the lower right-wing circle and scored his first. Heponiemi, who also had five shots in the game, opened the scoring at 4:38 of the first. He is from the same hometown as Pajuniemi. Will Cullye, on the strength of Jonny Brodzinski slipping thru and making it an odd-man rush, dished ot back and saw Cullye, who buried the backhand pass at 13:52. The duo had a strong game as Brodzinski shuffled another lead pass to Cullye, who made a wonderful attempt with just one hand on his stick. NOTES: Cullye led the Pack with four shots. Carter Sandlak, the son of ex-Hartford Whaler, Jim Sandlak, was one of the referees. One of the linesmen was from the female trainee group, Kirsten Welsh. Making his debut as the Checkers assistant coach was ex-Pack Bobby Sanguinetti. Signed to his AHL deal by San Jose was an ex-Pack defenseman, Patrick Sieloff. Ex-CT Whale Michael Del Zotto and former Yale Bulldog Alex Lyon were assigned to Charlotte and scratched. Adam Samuelsson, youngest son of Whaler great, former Wolf Pack assistant coach, ex-Avon Old Farms assistant, and ex-Ranger Ulf Samuelsson on the eve of ECHL training camp, goes from Idaho Steelheads to the Tulsa (OK) Oilers. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK SEASON PREVIEW 2022-23

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

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CANTLON: CONNECTICUT'S ROB MALLOY UPDATE

BY: Gerry Cantlon: Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Cheshire native and dual Australian citizen Rob "Bert" Malloy had a glorious run in the short-season Australia Ice Hockey League (AIHL).  It was his tenth in "The Land Down Under," and he finished just one win short, losing the Goodall Cup championship game to the top-ranked CBR (Canberra) Brave, 3-2. It was also his final game in a Newcastle Northstars sweater. “(It was a) tough way to end the season; not the fairytale ending we were looking for. It was also my last game playing for Newcastle. "The Central Coast Rhinos (2005-2008) are coming back into the league as an expansion team, and the rink is five minutes away from where my family lives. It’s a new chapter and an opportunity to build something brand new. "(It was a) tough decision to make, but traveling an hour each way with kids at home versus playing at a rink underneath my local grocery store five minutes away makes more sense.” Malloy stated via e-mail. Bread, milk, and hockey can be a very good combo. In the spring, he looks to still represent the Mighty Roo (Australia’s national team name). “My goal is to earn a spot on the national team roster for another year. Our world's (Group A Division II) is in Madrid (next year) in April (17-23, against Croatia, the nation of Georgia, Iceland, Israel, and hometown host country Spain.) "There's a trans-Tasman cup in Melbourne where we have a three-game series with the NZ (New Zealand) (National) team in November (for the Southern Hemisphere bragging rights),” Malloy said. He had 33 points (third best) in 19 regular season games. Former Salisbury School player Francis Drolet was their top scorer. Drolet is heading to HC Varese (Italy-IHL Division-2) in the fall. The pandemic took its toll on Australian hockey and society just as it did worldwide. “COVID made a significant impact on hockey down here. The league had significant momentum and growth (when it hit), and now it’s an opportunity to reboot. "There are two expansion teams joining next year (Central Coast and Brisbane) with Adelaide and Perth rejoining, making it an even stronger 10-team national league. "I think they are always considering expansion with New Zealand. "It comes down to flight availabilities in and out of NZ because most guys have work commitments on Friday and Mondays,” Malloy said, who was once a member of the Hartford Junior Wolf Pack. He and his young family also contended with major forest fires and flooding in New South Wales in the last two years. In other notes: Adam Samuelsson, the youngest child of ex-Hartford Whaler great and New York Rangers plus Hartford Wolf Pack assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson returns to North America and the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) from Mariestad BoIS (Sweden Division 3 HockeyEttan) next year. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES VOLUME 8

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The suspension of hockey continues though the NHL may resume the regular season or go straight to a playoff format in an attempt to conclude the 2019-20 season. The AHL, meanwhile, is on the verge of announcing the cancelation of the rest of the regular season and Calder Cup playoffs. COLLEGE PLAYER SIGNINGS The New York Rangers' goaltending situation got a bit more interesting with the signing of their sixth-round (174th overall) pick in 2016, Tyler Wall. The former UMass-Lowell senior was signed to a two-year, entry-level deal ($925K-NHL/$70K-AHL). The organization now has six goaltenders under contract starting with Henrik Lundqvist, who is entering the final year of his contract that pays him $8.5 million. Alexander Georgiev will become a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) in 2020-21. He's proven he is more than NHL-ready. Igor Shesterkin enters the second year of his two year deal and would become an RFA in the 2021-22 season. Shesterkin spent half of this season in Hartford where he was superb in net and brought the Wolf Pack to first place for at least three months. The team then struggled mightily after his recall. The team dropped to a .500 record. Add to the list, second-year pro, and former UConn Husky, Adam Huska. He will enter the final year before he hits RFA status. Then there is J.F. Berube. He was acquired in a late-season trade for his fellow goalie, Thomas McCollum, with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He will be a UFA at the end of June. Nobody knows for certain how this entire thing will shake out in the end. The NHL salary cap for next year was originally pegged to land between $84-$88 million, however, with the COVID-19 pandemic and other external factors, that number is now in a complete state of flux with the entire worldwide economic landscape having been dramatically altered. The cap could potentially drop below $80 million. That would force all of the NHL's teams to do some serious refinancing of its payroll structure. On the goalie front, the Rangers would be faced with even tougher choices than they already were going to have. Wall, 22, from Leamington, Ontario, appeared in 32 games with the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks (HE) this season. He posted an 18-8-6 record, along with a 2.10 GAA, a .931 save percentage, and two shutouts. He was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team this season, which was the conference’s deepest position. Darien’s Spencer Knight (Boston College) and Hobey Baler finalist Jeremy Swayman (Maine) were the two in front of him. Wall appeared/started in 32 of UMass Lowell's 34 games this season. He earned all of his team's wins during the season and established a collegiate career-best in save percentage, Wall was tied for ninth in NCAA Division I in save percentage. In addition, Wall ranked eighth in the NCAA in saves at (924). His 336 saves in either the third period or overtime were the third-most in the country. This past season, Wall's stinginess saw him allow just two goals or fewer in 22 of his 32 appearances, including one goal or fewer in eight different appearances. He was named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on six different occasions and served as an alternate captain, becoming the first Riverhawk goaltender to wear either a 'C' or an 'A' on his jersey since Dwayne Roloson did so in 1993-94. Wall stands 6'3" and weighs 214lbs. He covers the lower part of the net very well. Wall appeared in 103 career collegiate games over four seasons and amassed a college career record of 58-34-10, a 2.28 GAA, a .918 save percentage and nine shutouts. Wall's 58 career wins with UMass Lowell are the most by a goaltender since the school began playing in Division 1. He broke Roloson's record of 51 wins. He established a collegiate career-best in appearances (37), wins (26), and GAA (2.06) as a freshman in 2016-17, and he established a UMass-Lowell record for wins by a rookie goaltender, previously held by current Winnipeg Jet, Connor Hellebuyck. Wall also helped UMass-Lowell win the Hockey East Championship in 2016-17, and was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He posted a 2.10 GAA or better in three of his four collegiate seasons. IN OTHER SIGNINGS After four years at Penn State (Big 10), Peyton Jones signs a deal with the Colorado Eagles for 2020-21. Yanni Kaldis Cornell University (ECACHL) signs with Bakersfield (ECHL). Along with Wall, that makes 93 Division I players who have signed North American professional contracts. Including European deals, 150 collegiate players in total have turned professional. Hockey East saw 21 players turn pro in North America and the Big 10 has 20. They are followed by the NCHC with 17. The WCHA has 13, while the ECACHL has 12 and the AHA with nine. Penn State has the most signees with seven. They are followed by Western Michigan (NCHC) with six, Ferris State (WCHA) with five, and Hockey East's Boston University and Vermont with four each. Leading the 39 Division III signees is Northland College (NCHA) who've had four players put their names on contracts. Matt Tugnutt of Sacred Heart University becomes the 13th Division I grad transfer and the second one for Providence College Friars (HE) in goal. Jason Herter, Assistant Coach with the two-time defending NCAA champions, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has stepped down to take another position in hockey but has not declared if it was in pro or college. Scott Morrow (Darien) just finished at Shattuck’s St. Mary in Minnesota, had his USHL rights traded from the Youngstown Phantoms to the Fargo (ND) Force for next season. In 2021-22, Morrow starts playing for North Dakota (NCHC). He was also drafted by the Val D’ Foreurs in the 2nd round 21st overall in the 2018 QMJHL Draft. NHL SEASON The NHL wants to minimize the loss of revenue to the escrow fund which they and the players share as a part of the CBA agreement. The NHL is trying to salvage the regular season and the Stanley Cup playoffs a massive revenue generator. Presently, they're trying to find COVID-19 light cities to re-start and complete the remaining 14-15 games left in the regular season. There is also talk that they could jump to just a 12-team per conference playoff format. It is unclear which way they are going to go. Also being discussed is the recall of AHL players from each team's affiliates as a taxi squad once the AHL season is officially canceled. However, there are some serious issues regarding contracts that need to be worked out. “It comes down that the NHL is trying to preserve the sponsorships and the TV ad revenue to minimize the losses. It's paramount to the league right now, however, we’re getting close to fish-or-cut-bait time for the NHL and AHL because the clock is ticking to a new fiscal year of business that starts by the end of June,” commented a long-time hockey source. The NHL isn’t alone in trying to complete their seasons. Both Ukraine and Spain have tentative plans to finish their playoffs in September. Ukraine still has the semifinals and finals while Spain has just its championship round. CONGRATULATIONS Former Hartford Whaler and Rangers' defenseman, James Patrick, will be inducted into the University of North Dakota's sports Hall-of-Fame. Patrick was a first-round pick (9th overall) by the Rangers in the 1981 Draft. While with UND, he led the Fighting Sioux, as they were known then, to an NCAA title in his freshmen year and he was an all-tournament selection in the Frozen Four. Patrick was on the WCHA Conference's second-team All-Star. He was the conference Rookie-of-the-Year and won a WJC gold medal with Canada. In his sophomore season, he was a first-team WCHA All-Star, was first-team NCAA All America, and was a Hobey Baker finalist. Patrick played in 1,280 NHL games with the Rangers, Whalers, the Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres. Upon retiring, he spent seven years with Buffalo and then three years with the Dallas Stars as an assistant coach. Patrick is currently entering his fourth year as head coach with the Winnipeg Ice (WHL), a franchise moved from Cranbrook, BC (Kootenay) two years ago. His nephew Nolan is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. IN OTHER COLLEGE NEWS Three weeks ago, The Vermont Catamounts saw long-time coach, Bob Gaudet, announce his retirement after 23 years. Todd Woodcroft becomes just their fifth coach in Vermont school history. This week the University sadly mourns the passing of their first Division I coach, Jim Cross (1965-1984), who shepherded them in from the Division II level.  Cross, 87 passed away due to COVID-19 complications. Cross coached Vermont to three ECAC Division II championships including back-to-back titles in 1973-1974 with a conference record of 37-1. He was named National Division II Coach-of-the-Year in 1974. Cross help the Catamounts transition to Division I hockey in the ECAC in 1974 getting into third place in their first season. His 19-year coaching mark was 280-251-9. A BU grad, Cross was honored by the Terriers in 1975 with its Harry Cleverly award given to alumni who excel in coaching. Cross was inducted into the University of Vermont Athletic Sports Hall-of-Fame in 1996 and just last year, the Hobey Baker Memorial Foundation named him recipient of the “Legend of College Hockey” award. He will posthumously be inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall-of-Fame later this year. Among the players he coached in Division I included, former New Haven Nighthawk, John Glynne (Hamden) and Kirk McCaskill, who had a much better professional baseball career with the California Angels (nee Anaheim Angels) for eleven years as a pitcher, after one season with the Sherbrooke Jets (AHL). He was one of the few hockey players drafted in two sports hockey (Winnipeg) and baseball. USHL DRAFT On Monday and Tuesday, the USHL conducted Phase I and Phase II of its annual draft. In Phase I, in the 2nd round, (26th overall), Connor Welsh (Greenwich/Brunswick Prep) was selected by the Sioux City Musketeers. Andrew DellaDonna from the US Selects Academy at South Kent Prep U-15 team was taken by Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the 4th round (55th overall). He is an Ohio State (Big 10) commit for 2022-23. In the fourth round (57th overall), the Fargo (ND) Force took Cam Knuble, the son of former Ranger, Mike Knuble, who played with the Fox Motor Sports U-15 (T1EHL). His older brother, Cam Knuble, just finished his junior career with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The elder Knuble was his head coach and an assistant coach with Grand Rapids this past season. In the fifth round (63rd overall) Cedar Rapids selected John Emmons Jr. from the Oakland (MI) Grizzlies U-15 (HPHL). He is the son of John Emmons Sr. (New Canaan/Yale University) who was an assistant coach of his team this season. Lucas DiChiara (Fairfield), of the nationally renowned Shattuck St. Mary’s program in Minnesota, was taken in the ninth round (131st overall) by Muskegon. He is not currently college committed. In Phase II on Tuesday, Tabor Heaslip of the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers was taken in the fourth round (56th overall) by Sioux City. He is currently slated to play for the UCONN Huskies (HE) in the fall. Five spots later, Matt Crasa from the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep, went in the fourth round (61st overall) was taken by Fargo. He skated for the Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) this year with 44 points in 51 games and is slated to skate with the Sacred Heart University Pioneers (AHA) in the fall. In the ninth round (125th overall), Zach Tonelli of Taft Prep (Watertown) was taken by Cedar Rapids. He is the youngest son of New York Islanders great, John Tonelli. He is Brown University (ECACHL) commit 2021-22 where his older brother Jordan, also a Taft grad, will start in the fall. Ten picks later, David Andreychuk of Gunnery Prep (Washington, CT) went to the Waterloo Black Hawks. He is a St. Lawrence University (ECACHL) 2021-22 commit. The sons ex-Hartford Wolf Pack and Bridgeport Sound Tiger, David Karpa, were selected one round apart. In the 15th round (223rd overall) Zakary Karpa was taken by the Waterloo Black Hawks. He played for the US National Development Team (USNDTP) in the USHL, the US National U-18 Team. He's committed to the Princeton Tigers (ECACHL) in the fall. Younger brother Jakob Karpa went in the 16th round (242nd overall) to the Omaha Lancers from the Victory Honda U-18 (T1EHL/Midget) team. He is slated to skate for the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) in the fall. Lastly, Ryan Vellluci, the son of ex-Whaler Mike, the current coach of the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, was taken in the 18th round (262nd overall) by Muskegon from the Detroit Little Caesars U-18 (T1EHL) squad. He was taken by Saginaw Spirit in the 2018 OHL Priority Draft in the 13th round 242th overall. The other US junior league, the Tier II NAHL, will have its Supplemental Draft on May 12th.  81 players will be drafted (three per team) and an extra tender contract can be offered to one player per team the next day. The NAHL has pushed its main draft to July 21st. The QMJHL Draft will be conducted remotely and is scheduled for early next month. The first round will be on Friday, June 5th, with rounds 2-14 the following day. The U.S. Draft will be Monday, June 8th. The QMJHL released its CSB’s final list of available players and there are quite a few Connecticut kids listed as possibilities. A slew from the Greenwich-based prep school, Brunswick School. John Burdett, leading scorer, Andon Cerbone (Stamford), and John Gammage are on that list. Jakub Teply (Stamford) is scheduled to play for the Powell River RiverKings (BCHL) in the fall, and Beanie Richter, the youngest son of former Ranger great, Mike Richter. From Greenwich HS's Charlie Zolin and William Richards (Westport) from Staples HS, Peter Ungar (Stamford) of the CT Whalers U-15 (AYHL), Arthur Smith (Farmington) from the US Selects Academy at South Kent Prep and Daniel Lurie (Westminster Prep (Simsbury). Nicholas LeClaire (Colchester), a grad of Xavier HS (Middletown), who is now at Northfield Prep (MAPREP) and Charlie Leddy (Fairfield) of Avon Old Farms, who is slated to be with the USNDTP U-17 team in the fall and a Boston College (HE) commit in 2022-23, Aidan Cobb (Ridgefield) from Kent Prep and a Cornell University (ECACHL) commit for 2020-21, Charles Andriole (Branford) of Loomis Chaffe (Windsor), and incoming Taft Prep (Watertown) player, Isaiah Green (Sandy Hook) are also expected to be selected. The CHL Import Draft usually held a week after the NHL Draft is in a state of suspension because of COVID-19. TRANSACTIONS Alexander D. Tertyshny (Choate Prep), after playing with three teams last season, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (Russia-MHL), Corpus Christi (NAHL), and Northeast (NAHL), heads to AIC-American International College (AHA) in the fall. Tertyshny is the son of former NHL’er, Dmitri Tertyshny, who played just one season with Philadelphia but died in a tragic boating accident in the off-season in Kelowna, BC on July 23, 1999. Justin Danforth (Sacred Heart University/Sound Tigers), departs Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL) to Vityaz Podolsk (Russia-KHL) for next season. Heading to Europe will be Swedish defenseman Pontus Ahberg from the Toronto Marlies to Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia-KHL) after playing for six years in North America. Anton Wedin leaves Rockford/Chicago (NHL) for HV 71 (Sweden-SHL). According to European media reports, several players are in the last stages of contract negotiations and are waiting on the call of the AHL season to be officially be canceled before making the announcement. Mikhail Vorobyov of Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Flyers) is said to be heading to Salavat Yalaev (Russia-KHL). Josh Persson Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)/San Diego Gulls, and Gustav Forsling from the Charlotte Checkers are both to be going to EHC Biel/Bienne (Switzerland-LNA). Christian Folin Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens) to Frolunda HC (Sweden-SHL) and Henrik Borgstrom, Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers) to Jokerit Helsinki (Finland-KHL) are all still pending. That would make eleven players in total, with 10 of the 31 AHL teams to have at least one player sign overseas for 2020-21. Ex-Pack goalie, Miika Wiikman, who played last year with the Coventry Blaze (England-EIHL) and with HC Anglet (France-FREL) last year, announced his retirement due to injuries. Anton Sundin, the son of year one ex-Wolf Pack, Ronnie Sundin, after playing with three teams last year, signs with Halmstad HC (Sweden Division-1). Henrik Samuelsson, the son of ex-Whalers great, Rangers player, and an assistant coach with the Wolf Pack and Avon Old Farms, Ulf Samuelsson, leaves Manchester (England-EIHL) and signs a deal with Saryarka Karaganda (Russia-VHL). Ulf is still listed as the head coach for Leksands IF (Sweden-SHL) and a pro scout for Seattle (NHL). The youngest brother, Adam Samuelsson, is with Sudbury (OHL), and the eldest brother, Philip, is said to be close to signing with HK Riga (Latvia-KHL). Ex-New Haven Nighthawks and Ranger, Glen Hanlon, leaves DVTK (Hungary-EBEL) for Krefeld (Germany-DEL) as their new head coach. Former Beast of New Haven defenseman, Jaroslav Spacek, is an assistant coach of HC Plzen (Czech Republic-CEL) and an assistant with the Czech National Team program, saw his eldest son, David Spacek, who plays for HC Plzen U-16/U-18 squads and for the Czech Republic U-17 Team last season. Read the full article

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CANTLON: HUSKA LEADS UCONN PAST YALE, 3-1

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings NEW HAVEN, CT - UConn goaltender Adam Huska’s spectacular 39 save performance helped the Huskies defeat Yale Univesity 3-1 at Ingalls Rink in New Haven in a New Year's Eve matinee. It's not understating it to say that Huska won the game for UCONN. Huska stopped the Yale offense in every way a goalie could make a save in helping the Huskies snap a seven-game losing streak. His performance matched his remarkable WJC performance for Slovakia two years ago against Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal when he made 46 saves. His numbers do not put him at the top of the statistical Hockey East chart, but Huska is clearly one of the top goalies in the nation. Huska won his first game since November 2nd and was intent on ending 2018 on a winning note. “He was great. When you see this in hockey, the New York Rangers have a good record because they have a good goalie (Henrik Lundqvist) and it's no different when you have a Connor McDavid (of Edmonton). He’s a difference maker. The goalie is a part of the team. Adam was terrific, but it was a great team effort,” UCONN head coach, Mike Cavanaugh. UCONN’s record now stands at 6-11-1 overall and 2-9-1 in the HEA. It was the first win against Yale, (7-4-2 overall, and 6-2-1 in the ECAC) in 13 games spanning a 47 year period. It was UConn's first visit to Ingalls since 2011-12. “It’s great that Miles Gendron (the team captain) came up with a slogan for our team, “Be the First,” to be a UCONN team to accomplish a lot of first things... milestones. So, that’s another first for us. We just beat an established program that won national championships,” Cavanaugh said. The Bulldogs made every bid to tie the game and among the many highlight-reel saves Huska made was stopping Yale’s primary sniper, Joe Snively, on a breakaway with 3:25 remaining. “That Snively line might be the best line we'll see all year. Yale is an explosive team,” Cavanaugh said. Huska effectively came out to challenge shooters at the top of the crease. “I try to come out on top of the crease all the time because they are fast and really like to make some plays. I was patient waiting for him to make the move,” Huska said. Among his 30 saves he stopped Luke Stevens, the son of former NHL’er, Kevin Stevens, five times. he also denied Justin Pearson, and Kevin O’Neil, three times each, as well as, Dante Palecco’s high re-direct midway in the third. UCONN’s game-winning goal came from nitty, gritty work down low in the Yale end of the ice. Brian Freeman used all of his 6‘5 frame to wheel around in front of the Yale crease and despite a rolling puck still managed to control it and slipped a backhander around the outstretched right pad of Yale’s Sam Tucker at 9:52. “It was a real good cycle by Karl El-Mir. I was taking it to the net and some space opened up. I held on to it as long as I could. I was trying to shoot it earlier and was just able to gather the puck. It was rolling, but I was able to get it in,” Freeman said with a big smile. Freeman had just two goals in the first half of the season and had a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor. “I had two. Nothing flashy, not a lot of clips to choose from.“ Finishing games was a first half area of concern which Freeman acknowledged they had to address. “We were in a lot of close games. If we really start to finish games off, I think we can get get a good streak going here and get some wins going forward.” UCONN broke a scoreless tie in one of their few solid offensive entrances as El-Mir sprung Sasha Payusov and the righthanded shooting sophomore slipped his team leading tenth goal through Tucker's five-hole at 7:17 of the second period. “It was a great goal. He beat him with a backhander as well. When Sasha plays on his inside edges he’s hard to handle. He skates well and has great stick skills and leaning into the kid to beat him, great play.” The whole ability to score all came about because of Huska’s sensational net play. Any and all superlative adjectives including spectacular, scintillating, sensational all apply. Just prior to the goal, Philip Nyberg, on his second defensive zone turnover, this one to the Bulldogs' Mitchell Smith, who went to the net on a quick forming two-on-one and Huska used all of his 6'4 frame and acrobatically stacked his pads and moved his right leg in the air and deflected the puck with his skate blade to deny the Yale winger. “It was a street hockey mentality to do whatever it takes,“ Huska said with a laugh. "He was coming hard. I just reacted.” Cavanaugh shook his head in wonderment of his own goalie. “That has to be a Sportscenter save (of the day). That was one of the best saves I’ve ever seen.” Incredibly, the save even eclipsed one he made on Northeastern’s Lincoln Griffin earlier in the season. Yale’s Ted Hart was stopped at 2:25 and then Dante Palecco was frustrated and banged their sticks on the ice after thinking they had a goal coming off their stick. After Payusov’s goal, Snively was open on the right-wing side and took a cross ice pass down to one knee. Huska calmly moved laterally across to smite yet another quality chance. Huska collected a few others earlier in the period that kept Yale off the scoring sheet. Yale finally found a way to beat Huska when Anthony Walsh let a blast go from 35 feet out, but the green light was on and the scoreboard read zero - Period over. The referees' video review revealed that the goal was scored with five-tenths of a second left in the period knotting the game at one. Each team showed rust after not playing for two weeks. Yale had the finer quality chances, but Huska started his tour-de-force and didn't allow many second chances and stymied the Bulldogs. NOTES: The Huskies head to Las Vegas this coming weekend to play at the T-Mobile Arena, the home of NHL's Las Vegas Golden Knights. They open against Western Michigan (NC), whose assistant coach is former Division II UCONN Husky, Hartford Whaler, and New Haven Nighthawk, Todd Krygier. The winner plays the either Air Force or St. Lawrence. The Huskies then start the Hockey East portion of the schedule in two weeks. 10 of their final 14 games at home. The Huskies John Wojciechowski made his UCONN debut playing left-wing on the fourth line. Yale has four CT prep school players on their roster, Andrew Gaus (Taft), Tucker (Choate/ Wilton), and Evan and Mitchel Smith (Salisbury Prep). Each school has players at the WJC tournament in Vancouver and Victoria, BC. The Bulldogs have two defensemen, Phil Kemp (Greenwich) and Jack St. Ivany. The Huskies have just one representing them there. Jachym Kondelik is with the Czech Republic squad. He “scored” the only goal against Russia in a well-played contest using his 6’6 frame screening a right point shot that went off his face and in for the lone Czech goal in a 2-1 loss. Kondelik was injured however against Canada in a 5-1 loss on hit to the head by Jared McIsaac at 8:08 of the third period. The hit sent his helmet flying. He was suspended for the last night of the preliminary round against Russia by the IIHF. Kondelik picked up an assist in 4-0 shutout of Denmark. College and junior hockey have their trade deadlines and movement periods respectively. Adam Samuelsson of Boston College (HE), the youngest of the Ulf Samuelsson clan, as reported a few weeks ago, was heading to juniors. He will play the rest of the year with the Sioux City (IA) Musketeers (USHL) allowing him to preserve his NCAA eligibility. In seven games with the Eagles, the 18-year-old was scoreless and had no penalties. The 6’6 240lb. rearguard’s Canadian major junior rights are held by the Sudbury Wolves (OHL). Joining him in Sioux City, from Hockey East and Beantown rival, Boston University, is Dominic Vidoli who was scoreless in six games with the Terriers. The last newcomer for Sioux City is Matt Steinburg, the son of former Nighthawk, Trevor Steinburg, currently in his 17th season as head coach at St. Mary’s University (AUAA) in Halifax. The younger Steinburg is a Colgate (ECACHL) commit. He will play for a short period in Sioux City. He's currently at St. Andrews College, a Canadian prep school in Aurora, Ontario. In six games he has two goals and eight points. The latest potential move is Shane Bowers of Boston University (HE). He is presently playing for Canada at the WJC and is a first-round pick of Colorado. He is rumored to be going to the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL). His QMJHL rights were just traded from the Saint John Sea Dogs to Drummondville where his advisor/agent, Andre Ruel, of the CAA Group is located. Ran into former Beast of New Haven and New Haven Knights (UHL) forward, Chad Cabana, who was in town to visit family and friends from Bonnyville, Alberta. He was with his wife and children for the holidays. Cabana's eldest son Caden is 16 years old and playing hockey in Alberta for the Lakeland Panthers (NAMHL) at the Double AA level. He has had a couple of games at the AAA level with the Lloydminster Bobcats (AMHL). His nephew Jeremy Germain, is the son of ex-Nighthawk/New Haven Knights (UHL), Eric Germain. He currently plays with Princeton (ECACHL). Read the full article