#HCDynamoPardubice

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Zase jednou hokej! 🏒😊 Komu chyběl, nebojte, teď už bude zase pravidelnej! #extraliga #telh #hockey #bilitygri #bilitygriliberec #tipsportextraliga #liberec #hcdynamopardubice #pardubice #ice #homecreditarena #hockeyplayer #sports #lednihokej #LIBvPCE #sport #sportsphoto #hokej #icehockey #libereckykraj #liberecky_kraj #igerslbc #canonphotography #canoncz #editorial #pressphoto #azfotky #fotozbranek (v místě Liberec, Czech Republic) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7J1xPRJTSr/?igshid=1hfzco3n5rhlp

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NHL EDITION - REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Salary cap restrictions forced The New York Rangers to be very frugal during the NHL Free Agency market. Only time will tell if they spent wisely or foolishly. It was a tornado-like free agency for the rest of the NHL, where billions of dollars were exchanged even in a tight salary cap market. There are still a few moves left to be made for the Hartford Wolf Pack for their upcoming late September training camp. The best two words to describe the coming 2023-24 Wolf Pack campaign would be "Younger" and "Change." Turner Elson is expected back for the second year of his deal, but one contract is still outstanding. The team believes that it will be signed shortly. That is the contract of Tanner Fritz. He is said to be close to signing it. He needs to secure and finalize medical care for his son. His return is, however, open-ended since it's still not signed. In September, the team saw a bevy of new players coming through the shipping and receiving doors at the XL Center. Alex Belizle (Montreal/Laval), Connor Mackay (Calgary/Arizona), Mac Holwell (Toronto AHL/NHL), and Nikolas Brouillard (San Diego) on paper will be here. It is possible that Riley Nash (Charlotte) could be headed to Hartford if he doesn't make the team in New York. Departed from Hart City are Tim Gettinger (Detroit/Grand Rapids), Ryan Carpenter (San Jose AHL/NHL), Will Lockwood (Florida/Charlotte), and Wyatt Kalynuk (St. Louis/Springfield). NOTES: The Wolf Pack has released five secured playing dates without a full schedule. There are no times or opponents named yet. The guaranteed dates are October 20th, November 25th, January 13th, February 10th, February 16th, and March 1st. A full schedule will likely be released during or following the AHL Board of Governors' (BOG) annual meeting in mid-July. The Chicago Wolves are operating as an independent team. "GM Wendell Young is free to negotiate with anybody, so I think it's likely and won't be surprised if a player or two is sent to them by an NHL team and not their AHL team. If and when that happens, there will be some bruised feelings," said a long-time industry source. Since they're out of Chicago, there is no word on where the Carolina Hurricanes will place their prospects next year. That is likely to be high on the AHL BOG agenda. One thing to keep a long-term eye on is what the Ottawa Senators, under the new ownership of Michael Andulauer, will do with the Belleville Senators. Howlings was told it's a three-step process in Ottawa. Step 1 is to secure ownership in Ottawa (Check)—step 2. Secure the land, building the new 21st-Century downtown arena, the Canadian national capital Step 3. Turn to secure a closer farm team relationship. They're looking at the possibility of Gatineau or another Western Quebec location to extend their brand. The cap future our source remains bullish on. "Many are saying a three-or-four million bump next year. I'm more conservative, we have an unknown future economically. I think two million seems more likely." The never-ending drama-fest in Arizona is likely to continue. "Gary Bettman has shown no appetite for relocation, so I think in the near future they will remain there. To be honest, there are two issues; one, the Coyotes need a better building and likely better ownership. Realistically, look, the NHL and the league ownership don't want to jeopardize future expansion fees, so they will continue to accept Arizona as is." One-time Wolf Pack and former Ranger forward Julien Gauthier has left Ottawa, where he was traded to, after starting the season in Hartford. He signed a free agent deal with the New York Islanders for a two-year, one-way money deal for $775K/ Year 1/$800K Year 2. Ex-Pack Adam Cracknell moves from Tucson to Henderson. Joining him is ex-Pack Mason Geersten on a one-way deal at $775K. Chase Priskie (Quinnipiac) moves from San Diego to Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. Goalie Strauss Mann (Greenwich/Brunswick School) heads from San Jose (AHL) to Laval next season. Ex-Sound Tiger Cole Coskey re-signs with the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). Former UCONN Husky (HE) Ben Freeman signs another deal with Greenville (ECHL). The Bridgeport Islanders signed three players. Two of them are from last year, Cole Bardreau and Jeff Kubiak. The third is Joey Cipollone (Loomis Chaffe) from the national champion Quinnipiac University Bobcats, making 25 ECACHL players to have signed pro deals. Cipollone's cousin Anthony, a sophomore, returns to Quinnipiac and is also a Loomis Chaffe-Windsor grad. The number of signees by conference: Hockey East-37, NCHC-36, the CCHA-31, the Big 10 has 30, the AHA-20, Division I Independents-13, Division III-32, and Europe bound Division I and III-54. Undergrads that left early 38, going to Canadian colleges four, and back to US juniors two, and nobody has left for Canadian major junior yet. The transfers at the grad level are 44, and at undergrad, in-school transfers are 59. The total number of players signing pro deals in North America and Europe across the board are at Division I and III; 284. The son of new Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette, III, the namesake of Peter Jr., signs a one-year deal with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), where his father started his coaching career in 1997. Jarrod Gourley, the former UCONN defenseman, goes from Utica/Adirondack (ECHL) and heads home to Alberta after signing with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). Graham McPhee, the son of one-time New Haven Nighthawk/Ranger and current President of the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, George McPhee, signs a new deal with the Belleville Senators (AHL). Ex-Sound Tiger Mason Jobst re-signs with Rochester. The former UCONN captain, Miles Gendron, signs with the Belfast Giants (Northern Ireland-EIHL). Another former teammate, UCONN forward Carter Turnbull, signs with HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL). Ex-CT Whale Christian Thomas signs a new deal with HC Bolzano (Austria-IceHL). Ex-Pack Nick Merkley re-signs with Dynamo Minsk (Belarus-KHL). Martin Kaut leaves San Jose for HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czechia (Czech Republic)-CEL). As expected, Zach Fucale, the former #1 draft pick of Montreal and a Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears member, joins Vitali Kravtsov with Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia-KHL). He makes 42 AHL players, with 23 of 32 AHL teams affected by players signing in Europe. Leon Gawanke's transfer back home to Germany was canceled as he signed a new deal with Winnipeg/Manitoba. With 22 signees, Sweden is far ahead of the countries players are heading to. The Arizona State Sun Devils have shed their independent label. Starting next season, the school has chosen to become the ninth member of the NCHC conference. Surprisingly, there weren't a part of a Western expansion, as part of a necessary Western presence that is required with the number of players in the western part of the US-the largest growth area is in Texas, Arizona, and Southern California. Clarkson announces alcohol will be sold at games on campus this fall. Now that they have broken the barrier, colleges, and beer companies will make a significant money grab for beer sales and sponsorship deals. James Shannon (Greenwich/Brunswick School) commits to Quinnipiac University. He played last year with Coquitlam (BCHL) and Sloan Farmer (Old Greenwich/Brunswick School). He uncommitted collegiately and departed for the Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL). Jake Kloss (Canterbury Scool-New Milford) migrates to Wilkes Barre/Scranton (NCDC). Team dismantlement has even reached the high school level. The Taft (Watertown) Rhinos, the New England School champion, loses its star goalie Rudy Guimond, drafted by Detroit in the sixth round (169th overall) in last month's NHL draft. He heads to Cedar Rapids (USHL) next year, then goes to Yale (ECACHL) the following year. J.J. Lemieux goes to the Rochester Jr. Americans (NAHL). Zave Greene moves on to Wesleyan University (NESCAC) in Middletown. Joining Greene are Hayden Haynes (Old Greenwich) and Henry Metz, both of Salisbury School. Liam Kilfoil, despite a high pick in the QMJHL Draft (3rd overall by Halifax), heads to Dubuque (USHL) next year, collegiately still uncommitted. Peter Unger departs Frederick Gunn School for the Northern Cyclones (NCDC) along with 6'7" Will Reardon (Loomis Chaffe), who is a commit to the Holy Cross Crusaders (AHA) in 24-25. Then, teammates Dylan Thorn and Kyle Smyth both leave for the Grand Prairie Storm (AJHL). Former player Mike Murtagh leaves Nanaimo (BCHL) and is expected to attend UCONN (HE) in the fall. He was drafted this year by Minnesota (NAHL) and last year by Sioux City (USHL). Former Loomis Chaffe player Ryan Staple, who switched prep schools to St. George's Prep (RIPREP) last year, heads to Yale next year. Matt Hanscom departs Westminster Prep (Simsbury) for the Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL), coached by ex-Pack Ryan Tobler. He'll hook up at RPI (ECACHL) with current teammate Ryan Shaw 2024-25. NEW YORK RANGERS HOME Read the full article

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CANTLON: HARTFORD WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON 3

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack off-season is expected to be another roster transformation project that will make the 2022-23 edition of the New York Rangers AHL affiliate into a very different team. Six Wolf Pack players, Maxim Letunov, Kris Merkley, Anthony Greco, all forwards, and goaltenders Adam Húska, and Keith Kinkaid are all Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA). Three of those players, led by Húska, Letunov, and Merkley as per the CBA, are Group 6 free agents by way of not having played enough NHL games by age 25. Húska’s pending departure seems to be clear after Swedish goaltending prospect, Olof Lindbom, was signed to a two-year ELC deal for $925K-NHL/$70K-AHL. He played last year with Kristianstads IK (Sweden-Allsvenskan) where he posted underwhelming numbers. In 27 games, Lindblom registered a 3.27 GAA an under .500 record at 10-15-0, and a .900 save percentage. HARTFORD WOLF PACK RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS Restricted Free Agents (RFA) have to be made legitimate offers. Those Wolf Pack players include Tim Gettinger, Ty Ronning, Vitali Kravtsov, Justin Richards, and Austin Rueschoff. Goaltender, Tyler Wall, is very likely to be allowed to leave as a free agent. As is Jake Elmer and still in junior with Seattle (WHL) still in the playoffs, Matt Rempe. In the NHL the Rangers have their own share of UFA’s. Greg McKegg, Kevin Rooney, Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp, Ryan Reaves, and trade deadline acquisitions who have played well, Frank Vatrano, Tyler Motte, and Justin Braun. The Rangers also have Kaapo Kakko, Julien Gauthier, and Libor Hájek who played five games in Hartford on a conditioning stint, and enigmatic ex-Pack goaltender, Alexander Georgiev. Hartford GM Ryan Martin and Rangers GM/President Chris Drury are, no doubt, getting ready for an important entry draft and are also likely discussing what other moves the franchise could make including possible trade deals. COACHING, PLAYER MANAGEMENT MOVES Four ex-Springfield Falcons are playing in Dysin Mayo (Canada). Those players are Marek Langhamer (Czech Republic (Czechia), Matthias Plachta (Germany), and Denis Malgin (Switzerland (LNA). There will be no Russian squad to play after the IIHF took away the sites of Novosibirsk and Omsk for both this and the WJC tourney. New Canaan resident, Pierre McGuire, the former Hartford Whaler head coach plus long-time NBC and TSN hockey analyst, was relieved of his duties less than a year on the job in Ottawa as Senior VP of Player Development. The Bridgeport Islanders knocked off the Providence Bruins to advance against the Charlotte in the Atlantic Division semifinals before falling to the Checkers. Meanwhile, the Springfield Thunderbirds eliminated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the other Semi-final. Joe Snively, the former Yale Bulldog with the Hershey Bears was recalled by Washington, Then Mathieu Olivier, son of ex-Knights Simon is sent to Milwaukee by Nashville. The Jacksonville Icemen, the ECHL affiliate of both the Wolf Pack and the Rangers, advanced to the ECHL South Division Final to play in-state rival the Florida Everblades (Nashville) in the Kelly Cup playoffs. They were swept by the Everblades, who shut them out twice in the series. EX-UCONN GOALIE SENT TO FLORIDA Florida did receive former UCONN goalie Tomáš Vomáčka, after he was reassigned for the series by Nashville from Milwaukee (AHL), but didn’t play or dress. Connor Jones, a former Quinnipiac University (QU) Bobcat, and ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger announced his retirement from hockey while with Ft. Wayne (ECHL). Twin brother Kellen will continue to play on with the legendary Komets. Former QU Bobcat Latvian Kārlis Čukste leaven Pelicans Lahti (Finland) for HC Oceláři Třinec (Czech Republic (Czechia)-CEL) for next season. He played for Latvia in the Olympics and is slated to be on their World Championship team. David Musil exits HC Oceláři Třinec  (Czech Republic (Czechia)-CEL) to HC Dynamo Pardubice. After three years as an assistant captain for Tölzer Löwen (Germany DEL-2), former Sound Tiger Tyler McNeeley signed with Rosenheim (Germany Division-3). CANADIAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER The Canadian World championship roster was released with a few familiar names on it. On defense will be ex-Pack and current New Jersey Devil, Ryan Graves. At forward, will be Cole Sillinger as will Pierre-Luc Dubois. Húska is suiting up for Slovakian Team and Hartford GM Ryan Martin will guide the US squad. There will be no Russian squad to play and the IIHF took away the sites of Novosibirsk and Omsk from them for this and the WJC tourney. Some familiar names are on other WC teams to play in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland. The US squad features ex-Pack, Vinni Lettieri, ex-Sound Tiger Kieffer Bellows, and goalies Jon Gillies (Salisbury Prep) and Strauss Mann (Greenwich/Brunswick Prep/CT Jr. Rangers-USPHL ) who was signed this off-season by San Jose after playing this year in Sweden and represented the US in the Olympics. MORE NAMES INVOLVED WITH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The US team’s Equipment Manager is Hamden’s Chris Scoppetto (AHL Beast of New Haven) now with New Jersey. Italy's assistant coach is Larry Huras (Nighthawks). The Czech Republic (Czechia) team has ex-Pack Tomáš Kundrátek, Michael Spacek and ex-UCONN recruit, Matej Blümel. Latvia’s head coach is ex-New Haven Senator, Harijs Vitolins. Denmark has the soon-to-be-retiring ex-Sound Tiger, Franz Nielsen. Sweden, has ex-Pack goalie, Magnus Hellberg and forward Carl Klingberg. Germany, assistant coach is former Hartford Whaler, Tom Rowe. Switzerland has another ex-Pack who is nearing the end of his career, Andres Ambühl. MOVES APLENTY CONTINUE Lastly, Great Britain has goalie Jackson Whistle and Ben Lake, the former Pioneer from Sacred Heart University-AHA. UCONN recruit Brayden Smith has elected to go to the Penticton Knights (BCHL) next year to preserve his NCAA rights likely for two years. He was taken by the Vancouver Giants (WHL) under former Wolf Pack head coach and Giants associate coach, Keith McCambridge. They selected him in the 2020 bantam draft in the sixth round, 122nd overall. He was also drafted by the Weyburn (SK) Red Wings (SJHL) in 2020 in the third round 25th overall in their draft. If he plays one second of major junior pre-season, regular season, or post-season his NCAA eligibility is lost. That’s how the rules are now, but that could change in the future. Players eligible for the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft on May 19th next week are 2007-born players who reside in; Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. The US States that are eligible are; Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. OHL DRAFT In the OHL Priority Draft, Birk Cassels was taken from the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets U-15 AAA team (T1EHL) by the Ottawa 67’s at 290th overall in the 14th round. Cole Cassels played with nearby Cleveland and his nephews are ex-Pack Morgan Barron (Manitoba) and Justin (Laval). The prospects for the Q that can be drafted are currently playing in the territories served by the QMJHL: the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador, as well as the northeastern portion of the United States. The QMJHL Draft will take place a few days before the NHL Draft July 4-5 instead of June 17-18. Tyler Wood of the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep is in the top-tier of the Q draft prospects general list, not just the US portion of the draft that will take place after the main draft. AHL’ERS HEADING TO EUROPE After eight years in North America, Sven Bärtschi, of the Henderson Silver Knights returns to his hometown and signs a three-year deal with SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA). He is the third player, thus far from the AHL to head to Europe. Krystof Hrabik heads from San Jose signs with HC Plzeň (Pilsner) (the Czech Republic-(Czechia)-CEL) and heading back to Russia is goalie Alexei Melnichuk, a Russian native and so far, only Russians will likely do so, heads from the San Jose Barracuda, who finished dead last in the AHL to HC Sochi (Russia-KHL). NCAA NEWS Two players are heading to nearby AIC (AHA) in Springfield, MA. Hunter McCurdy of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL) commits to the school for the fall. The 57th and 58th NCAA grad transfers are Brennan Boynton after playing just one game with NCAA semi-finalist at the Frozen Four Minnesota (Big 10) will skate for the Yellow Jackets next season. Ryan Sidorski goes from Union College (ECACHL) to North Dakota (NCHC). A seventh college player heads to Europe as Taylor Brierley goes from D-3 Wilkes University (UCHC) to HC Chambéry (France-Division-2). Then a 59th grad transfer of the college offseason Dylan St. Cyr heads to the Michigan St. Spartans (Big 10) heading back to his native Michigan to complete his collegiate career. He is from Northville, a Detroit suburb. St. Cyr did a regular transfer last year to QU from Notre Dame. He is the son of former New Haven Senator, Gerry St, Cyr. His mother is Manon Rheaume, the first female to play goal in an NHL game albeit exhibition who has a statue of herself in Quebec City on Jean Béliveau Way, near the Videotrom Centre home of the QMJHL Quebec Remparts. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: FOGARTY NAMED 12TH WOLF PACK CAPTAIN AND HE'S READY TO LEAD

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - For Steven Fogarty, being named the team captain for the Hartford Wolf Pack was a very high honor that left him both humbled and a bit surprised. “I didn’t expect it really. I've been here for four years and I’ve seen the ups and downs. I’m just being one of the older guys, I have always taken pride in being a leader.  We have a fresh new group here, and I’m very excited. I’m not the most vocal guy. I will say something when it needs to be said. I met with Boo (Nieves) and Lindy (Ryan Lindgren) (who were both named assistant captains). I think we're gonna have a very strong leadership group here,” Fogarty said. Lindgren is quite the loquacious player. If Fogarty isn't going to be vocal it's a pretty good bet that Lindgren will. “He’s got a pretty good set of pipes,” Fogarty said with a laugh. However, for the Wolf Pack, over the past few years, being named the captain has been a kiss of death. The preceding four were all traded during the season, something Fogarty is fully aware of. “Well, it was in the back of my mind,“ Fogarty smiled and chuckled acknowledging the obvious, “No, I’m not worried about that.” The Rangers have addressed a multitude of changes all throughout the first training camp of the "John Davidson Era," was kicked off. “We met with the coaches and asked everyone to embrace the change. It’s a whole new staff and a lot of other changes. We're starting over. I really got to see that in camp.” The offensive depth is palpable with the team. ‘We have some tremendous depth up-front and a lot of pieces from veterans like Danny (O’Regan) and Phil (Di Giuseppe), younger players with strong credentials; it’s the best depth we have had here. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Fogarty said. He signed a one year deal last spring. The new Wolf Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch, was effusive in his praise of Fogarty and spoke of the collective organizational input on the selection process. “I knew some things about Steven, but Jeff (Gorton), Chris (Drury) and Jed (Ortmeyer) and others filled me in about Steven, and what David (Quinn) saw of him in Rangers camp. For me, my interactions have been solid and matched up with everything that I heard that there was no better qualified to handle the captaincy.” Having a new staff takes some adjustment for everybody. “All of them have different levels of experience, but at the end of the day, you have to execute the systems in place. They’re to help us play the right way. The more eyes and expertise you can bring the better we can be. They brought in a lot more people to the organization to try to make us successful and hold us accountable. Players have to take advantage of it.” The recent cycle for Wolf Pack Nation over the past five years hasn’t been very good. Fogarty recognizes that and has an antidote for it. ‘Winning can take care of a lot things and solves a lot of issues. It boosts confidence. You're excited to come to the rink. It helps everything. It’s our main goal to play the right way. Everything will take care of itself. A winning culture takes care of a lot of problems." KRAVTSOV AFFAIR There's an early piece of drama for the Wolf Pack. It was astonishing that Vitali Kravtsov was benched. Maybe at game 10, 20, or in game 30, it could be understood, but game one, in the second period was extraordinarily unusual. He earned the benching and might be embarrassed , but that's the intention of a benching. The new head coach has 19 other players he has to handle and on the first night of game-play, he has to show he's in control of the team. It’s clear that with Drury present, he was given full discretion to do this. This was about more than just his indifferent play at the end of camp, but also in the pre-season game in Bridgeport and the first period against Charlotte. What is possibly fueling this during the negotiations between the New York Rangers and his agents were the promises made for him to come to North America. Clearly, he was hoping he would be playing in the NHL in New York, but he demoted and assigned here. This will require getting things smoothed out. While Kravtsov signed a standard NHL entry-level deal, he does have a European out-clause that could allow him to return to the KHL in Russia and Traktor Chelyabinsk who still hold his rights. When that clause can be activated and what conditions allow it to be invoked specifically are unknown. In addition, he is still WJC eligible. It would seem likely that he would be allowed to play for Russia at the WJC in December in the Czech Republic. The NHL and Russian Ice Hockey Federation do not have a formal transfer agreement. There was one piece of news that could be an inducement for Kravtsov to stay was the trade of Vladimir Namestnikov to the Ottawa Stars for New Jersey-born defenseman, Nick Ebert, who played one game in Belleville and has been assigned to Hartford. There could be a roster slot open in New York for a revitalized Kravtsov with some strong AHL play, possibly over the next couple of weeks. In a worst-case scenario, if he did go back, a la Ilya Kovalchuk when he left the Devils for the KHL, the NHL teams holds his rights until the end of his initially signed contract. Those rights could be traded. Kovalchuk was different because he turned 35 and was a free-agent who eventually signed with LA. Also, another possibility is that he could come back after the season in the KHL was over. It is likely to be worked out the Rangers who drafted him. Obviously he is very highly regarded and an important asset in bringing a competitive team to Broadway that can compete for the Stanley Cup, and that is the number one priority. The story of Ryan Poehling, now in Laval, should be conveyed to him. Poehling had a great WJC tournament last year and had a dream NHL first game on the last night of last year’s regular season against Toronto. Poehling had a hat trick, and five points including scoring the game-winning shootout goal. He had a strong camp for the Montreal Canadiens. Poehling is in Laval working on his craft and will be at the Bell Centre in the very near future. If Kravtsov lights things up in Hartford, he too will be at MSG among the bright lights soon enough. The Ebert addition to the Hartford d-corps forced the reassignment of Brandon Crawley, who was scratched along with Jeff Taylor last weekend for both games, to the Maine Mariners. The Rangers are already planning the Wolf Pack's 2020-21 roster. They signed defenseman Matthew Robinson to a three-year entry level deal. He had a strong training camp before being reassigned back to his junior team, the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL). Ex-Pack, Conor Allen, has signed with HK Hradec Kravlove (Czech Republic-CEL) for the year. Ex-Pack, Corey Locke, who retired after the pre-season with HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic-CEL), has been named an assistant coach with Guelph (OHL) whose associate head coach is ex-Pack, Chad Wiseman. Locke becomes the 88th former Wolf Pack player to be involved in hockey as a coach, GM, or as a scout. Three former coaches are still behind the bench while three others are scouts. Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: RANGERS' PROSPECTS HAVE A SOLID TRAVERSE CITY TOURNEY

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The New York Rangers prospects finished up their time competing in the Traverse City tournament on a high note and left with a 3-1 record. The team showed the promise they have and equally the work they still need to do. It started off with a rocky performance in losing 6-2 to the prospects that Rangers President, John Davidson, brought in when he ran the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brett Kemp (Medicine Hat Tigers-WHL), a training camp, invitee scored both goals on the Rangers' highly-touted Russian goalie, Igor Shesterkin, who had a tough North American debut. There were too many turnovers, especially in the neutral zone, and it proved costly for the young Rangers squad. Game 2 went much better as the prospects rebounded from the loss and beat the Dallas Stars, 7-4. Defenseman Adam Fox had a stellar five-point scoring effort that included the eventual game-winning goal, his second of the game, at 4:45 of the third period. Fox also contributed the primary assist on Karl Henriksson's first goal and he began the scoring sequence for his defense partner, Yegor Rykov’s, power play goal just 1:27 into the second period. VitaIi Kravtsov, the Rangers 2018 first-round pick, earned three assists, with two of them being the primary helper. Ryan Dmowskli (Old Lyme) picked up the final two goals. Fox assisted on his empty netter. Goalie Adam Huska (UCONN) had a strong game with 24 saves. Game 3 of the tourney saw the Rangers score three goals in the third period as first-round draft pick (2nd overall), Finnish winger, Kaapo Kakko, in his debut game scored the winning goal and had two primary assists in a four-point effort. The Rangers scored two powerplay goals just 1:38 apart in the third period off Kravtsov's stick. The Rangers had a five-minute powerplay that carried over from late in the second period after a high-hit by the Stars' Drake Pilon (no relation to former NHL defenseman with the Islanders, Rich Pilon) on Lewis Zerter-Gossage, who was left dazed and bloodied. Kravtsov's first tally came from off the right-wing into a wide-open net, as he converted Kakko’s pass from behind the goal line on the left-wing side at 1:06. Then came the second goal at 2:44. It was a high end, top-shelf play from atop the left-wing circle. From the right-wing circle, Kakko sent a perfect cross-ice pass through the box putting it right in the perfect spot for Kravtsov, who was in full stride and buried it past goalie, Hunter Jones. The Rangers tied the score at three with 1:37 left in regulation. Kakko again tallied, this time from down as he low-banked a shot that went off some legs in front of the net and popped up in mid-air an. The California Kid, Patrick Newell, exercised some fine hand-eye coordination putting it in out of mid-air. The game-winner was the whipped cream on top of the sundae as Kakko burst down the right-wing, circled the net, moved through the offensive zone untouched and went back to the right-wing. Then again, he made another rush from behind the net and this time put a backhanded wraparound on the net from the left wing beat and Jones to the shortside at 2:48 for the game-winner. The team mobbed number 45. The Rangers concluded their tournament play with a 5-3 win over the prospects of the defending Stanley Cup champion, St. Louis Blues. Dmowski kicked off the Rangers scoring at 4:31 of the first period. The goal turned out to be the first of three for the Blueshirts in the period. The Rangers eventually built a 4-0 lead early in the second period as Nick Jones with a goal and an assist scored on the powerplay at 5:47. Swedish second-round pick from June, Karl Henriksson, had another strong game. He had three assists, two of them the primary kind, as well as points in three of the four games. Newell scored again while Finnish rearguard, Tarmo Reunanen, tallied his first two points on assists. Huska again demonstrated a strong presence. NOTES: Former Hartford Wolf Pack forward, Corey Locke, 35, has announced his retirement after playing seven pre-season games with HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic-CEL). Locke played just one season for the Wolf Pack in 2009-10 and led the Wolf Pack with 85 points, the third-best in the AHL. Only he and Chris Bourque, who also played just one season, are the only Wolf Pack players to have finished in the Top 10 in league scoring in the past ten years. His AHL totals are 639 games played with 182 goals and 568 points. Landon Ferraro, the son of Hartford Whaler great, Ray Ferraro, had an injury riddled year with the Iowa Wild (12-2-3-5-14) last year, signs a training camp PTO deal with Vancouver. Ex-Sound Tiger, Matt Pistilli leaves Lowen Frankfurt (Germany DEL-2) and returns to Esbjerg Energy (Denmark-DHL). Another ex-Sound Tiger, CJ Stretch, departs Orli Znojmo (Czech Republic-EBEL) to MAC Ujbuda (Slovakia-SLEL). Greg Squires (Brunswick School) goes from Kunlun (China-KHL) to EC Graz (Austria-EBEL). Chris Izmirlian (Yale University) departs the Greenville Swamp Rabbits  (ECHL) to head to the Rapid City Rush (ECHL). Drew Blackmun, of Northeastern (HE), transfers to Union College (HE). He will sit out this season as per the NCAA transfer rule. Cam MacDonald (Selects Academy at South Kent Prep) who plays for Sioux City (USHL) commits to Boston College (HE) for 2022-23. Ex-Pack and former Ranger #1 draft, Bobby Sanguinetti, heads to Europe to continue playing signing a deal with EHC Munich (Germany-DEL) who's roster features twelve former AHL'ers including three ex-Wolf Pack in Chris Bourque and Blake Parlett. Sanguinetti played with the defending AHL Calder Cup champion, Charlotte Checkers, last year. He played 150 games with Hartford netting six goals and adding 69 assists. He was drafted as the Rangers first pick (21st overall) in 2006. He along with Jordan Subban of the Toronto Marlies (Dornbirner EC Austria-EBEL) become the 69th and 70th AHL'ers from last season to sign in Europe and Asia. Read the full article

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CANTLON: HOCKEY OFF-SEASON NEWS AND NOTES - VOLUME 14

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - There's news all over the hockey landscape as the date to restart the season is rapidly approaching.  The news begins all over the planet and affects both the Hartford Wolf Pack and the New York Rangers. LIAS ANDERSSON The Lias Andersson saga has likely taken its final turn. The Rangers previously loaned the forward to his old Swedish team HV71 for the remainder of the last season. According to the New York Post's Larry Brooks, the team made an offer to Andersson to attend its playoff training camp on July 10th at a yet unspecified arena, likely in the hub city of Las Vegas, to prepare for their play-in playoff round against the Carolina Hurricanes. Andersson declined, making it unlikely that he will wear a Rangers or Wolf Pack jersey again. The situation surrounding Andersson is similar to what the Rangers dealt with early last season with Vitali Kravtsov when he returned to Russia after five lackluster games. He left on October 28th but decided to come back and returned on December 13th. Clearly, the situations are similar but also very different. The one thing they do have in common is that both players were high first-round draft picks. Previously, Andersson played three seasons in HV71 and earned a gold medal in 2017. Andersson, requested a trade back on December 19th after the team returned home from a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. Once he left though, he was suspended by the Rangers. Read the full article

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