#columbusbluejackets

[mitchbeck]

HARTFORD WOLF PACK COMPLETE PERFECT PRESEASON

By: Gerry Cantlon, HowlingsHARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack ended an unbeaten preseason by slaying the Bridgeport Islanders 3-1 at the Koeppel Community Center on the campus of Trinity College on Saturday."We got a chance to see a lot of the guys we'll have in the opening night lineup and expected to be with the team," Wolf Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said. "To be fair to the Islanders, they were still looking at a lot of guys, looking to make cuts. It wasn't a real representation of their team."The lineup will be tweaked before opening night on Friday in Providence against the Bruins. The following 24-48 hours will determine who plays with whom.The New York Rangers put both Pack Captain Jonny Brodzinski and Ben Harpur were placed on waivers on Friday and needed to clear them before they could report to Hartford and play. During the game with Bridgeport, they cleared the waiver wire and are officially with the team, as is Brennan Othmann. The team will need to slice two forwards and one player who qualifies as a veteran, as the team now has six when the maximum allowable is five."With Jonny and Othmann, we have big decisions to make at forward. We have to take two guys out of the lineup from today. We have a veteran issue with Harpur here, but he is a quality defenseman you would like to have in your lineup. We have a lot of quality hockey (guys) here, so there will be some difficult decisions to make," Knoblauch said. "We have just a little bit of time. We hope that by Monday, everything is settled and good (lineup) in place."The Pack power play tallied two goals and showed promise, while last year's was highly ineffective."We added a lot of skilled guys there on defense and at forward with guys like Riley Nash. We added four guys, and there is an expectation that the powerplay will be better than last year."The first goal came off a blast from a newcomer, the recently assigned Mac Hollowell, who was perfectly positioned in the left-wing faceoff circle. He one-timed a right-point pass from fellow newcomer Nikolas Brouillard. Hollowell was on his off-wing side and sent it to the top shelf at 15:14 of the first."It was a very good shot. (Hollowell) looked off the (forward) and gave Nik that extra second to make that pass. A lot of good positives from that play," remarked Knoblauch.The pair factored in the third goal as well.Hollowell sent a pass to Brouillard, who then wired a one-timed slapshot that evaded the Islanders' Tanner Lennox, who played the entire game. The goal came at 46 seconds on a penalty called on ex-Pack Tanner Fritz, which had carried over into the period, making it a 3-1 lead and earning him his second point of the afternoon."Nik was very good for us this afternoon. He moved the puck around well. He and (Hollowell) looked like high-caliber AHL players. We were able to put those guys out there together, and with changes we may have, it might not be possible. They (both) made a lot of nice plays," said Knoblauch.The Islanders tied it late in the first as Samuel Asselin, a Pack killer the past two seasons when he was a Providence Bruin, tied the game at one. He won a one-on-one battle against Brandon Scanlin and scored with 44.4 left in the first frame.The Wolf Pack made it 2-1 when Jake Leschyshyn won the draw to start the scoring sequence, and Blake Hillman finished. Hartford was never in danger of losing the lead as they controlled play in both ends of the ice.Having all three goals come from the backline helps the forwards."Nik and Mac and the others played very well tonight, and we'll need that going forward."Veteran Louie Domingue played the whole contest in net for the Wolf Pack. He stopped 18 of 19 shots in his only preseason action."He stopped one or two breakaways (one from Fritz on the right wing). He played the way you would expect a veteran goalie to play. He could be an NHL goalie. We're very fortunate to have him here, "Knoblauch commented.His best period was the second, stopping golden scoring chances from Aidan Fulp at the right point,  William Dufour from the left wing, and Jeff Kubiak with 3:30 left.NOTES:As expected, the Rangers assigned Othmann to Hartford. The talented forward split last between Peterborough with the Petes and in Flint (OHL) with the Firebirds. He had 24 points in 16 games in Flint before the trade last November. He registered 43 points in 40 games while in Peterborough.Othmann played on the Canadian WJC team and, in the playoffs, had 25 points in 23 games for Peterborough, who became the eventual OHL playoff champions. He also had the opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup last spring.The Wolf Pack made significant cuts on Friday.Off to their new ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, went Sahil Panwar and goalies Olof Lindbom and Talyn Boyko.Defenseman Matt Cairns, Billy Constatinou, and Steven McLaren.Forwards Luka Burzan, James Hardie, and Michael Mrazik.Defenseman Chris Cameron was released and heads to the Indy Fuel (ECHL), and Peter Laviolette III was released and heads to the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).The ECHL opens its training camp on Monday.Ryan McCleary, the son of former New Haven Senator Trent McCleary, was cut loose and will head back to the Swift Current Broncos  (WHL) junior team to play his overage year in his hometown.The Wolf Pack has 19 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goalies (28 total) on the roster. The team will see a switch of between three to five players possible by opening night.The Islanders sent 19 players to Bridgeport, including Ruslan Iskharov (UCONN). 10 of those 19 went to waivers first and were then formally assigned.Ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger/Islander/Wolf Pack Paul Thompson, a Springfield resident, announced his retirement from hockey Saturday.One-time Sound Tiger Will Cullen leaves HK Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-IceHL) and signs with the Toledo  Walleye (ECHL).Quite a few players with CT connections were put on waivers before being assigned to their minor league teams.The Detroit Red Wings sent Artem Anisimov (Wolf Pack), Brogan Rafferty (Quinnipiac University), Nolan Stevens (the son of former Hartford Whaler John Stevens), Wyatt Newpower (UCONN), Tim Gettinger (Wolf Pack) and Austin Czarnik (Sound Tigers) to the Grand Rapids Griffins after all of them made it through waivers.Will Lockwood (Wolf Pack) is on waivers from the Florida Panthers before going to the Charlotte Checkers. The Carolina Hurricanes sent Kieffer Bellows through waivers to yet unknown AHL destination.Samuel Poulin, the son of ex-Whaler Patrick Poulin, was sent to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.The Nashville Predators sent Jachym Kondelik (UCONN) to the Milwaukee Admirals.Jordan Timmons (UCONN) leaves the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL) and signs with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL).The Washington Capitols Dylan McIlrath (Wolf Pack) and Joe Snively (Yale University) are both ticketed for the Hershey Bears.The Columbus Blue Jackets expose Billy Sweezey (Yale University) before he heads to the Cleveland Monsters. Ryan Carpenter (Wolf Pack) goes down just around the corner by the San Jose Sharks.The Calgary Wranglers assign Nick DeSimone to the Rapid City Rush (ECHL).One curious note was the absence of winger Tristan Mullin, who was acquired but never showed for camp.The team refused to comment on the matter. Whether he was injured or dissatisfied in some fashion remains unknown.The last two games were also an important fundraiser for the Roger Jacob Poulin Foundation.The attendees were suggested to make a $5 donation for a child sadly struck down by child cancer in his brief life. In his name, much work non-hockey has been done for ill children.UCONN opened their season on the road with a non-conference meeting with Colgate University on  Saturday night. They won 4-2 over the Red Raiders, who ex-Pack Mike Harder coaches.Matt Wood, Nashville's #15 overall draft choice, opened the scoring for the Huskies. There were three goals in a span of 46 goals in the first. Ryan McGuire (New Canaan), the son of former Whalers' head coach Pierre McGuire, scored Colgate's first goal and added an assist.Joey Muldowney had two assists for UCONN as part of their opening-night victory.The defending national champions, the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (ECACHL), raised their national championship banner before battling in a non-conference contest with a loaded Boston College Eagles squad Saturday night in Hamden at the M&T Bank Arena before an SRO crowd.The Bobcats, despite a sterling performance by goalie Vinny Duplessis (BU grad transfer), lost 2-1 with nine seconds left in overtime on opening night.Ex-Pack Brandon Alderson signs with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL).Brent Raedeke, the nephew of New Haven Nighthawk Mark Raedeke, signs with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL).A good listen for hockey fans is Offsides Episode 7, heard on Canadian radio stations such as TSN 690 in Montreal. It's hosted by former Yale University player Ryan Steeves, who had a brief three-year minor pro career, and ex-CT Whale Brendan Bell, who had a 13-year pro career.Both are parents of youth-aged hockey players, and they coach at that level. Their host presented an articulate, erudite discussion of world hockey at the youth level.Both men are Lead Instructors for the Ottawa Sports Academy and present a well-balanced, articulate analysis of the issues plaguing youth hockey in the US and Canada over the last several years.HARTFORD WOLF PACKHOME Read the full article

[todayonglobe]

Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets Dominate the 2023 NHL Draft’s First Round

The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft showcased unexpected twists and turns, leaving fans and experts intrigued by the winners and losers emerging from the selection process.

Read more:👇

[asunsetgrace16]

Not Such a Surprise ⎥ KJ91

Pairing: Kent Johnson x fem!reader

Summary: Kent and Y/N's engagement came as a surprise to no one

Warnings: Simple, fluffy, KJ and Connor being besties, some swearing, hopefully the sarcasm and joking are interpreted as such, I can never tell since I'm the one who writes these

Notes: Similar to the Owen Power edit, you will have three main "friends" that stay consistent through each of the player fics. For KJ, your friends are Abby Liu, Olivia Waters, and Jordan Friend

masterlist⎥ navigation

yourusername

liked by kent_johnson, connorbedard, and 7,446 others

yourusername voted most likely to run away with you 💍

Tagged kent_johnson

view all 670 comments

abbyliu Way to go bestie!!

livwaters are we all matrons of honour? 😉

yourusername duh, you think I can make a choice between my best friends???

jordanfriend Good ring choice, KJ

kentjohnson appreciate it, Jordan

connorbedard any intel on who the best man is? (not because I am totally vying for the job)

yourusername its a secret for a little while longer

connorbedard but you told Liv and Jordan and Abby already, I'm betting they know the entire wedding party already

kent_johnson Yeah, because they can keep a secret

connorbedard So it IS me!!!!

yourusername 🤦‍♀️

adamfantilli Congrats guys! We all know this is going to be one heck of a party, unless Connor here is still such stick in the mud 🤣 😉

connorbedard im offended

yourusername Yeah, cause its true

connorbedard what did I do to deserve this?!?!

kent_johnson Nothing, we just like to make fun of you

jgaudreau Fucking finally, took you long enough, KJ. Congratulations!

yourusername ??? Like I knew we would get married at some point, but now I'm confused

jgaudreau he's only been talking about proposing since I met him, and that really wasn't that long ago

kent_johnson You didn't have to rat me out like that, man. What can I say, I'm a man in love

kent_johnson

liked by yourusername, adamfantilli, and 9,446 others

kent_johnson this love is ours. here's to forever, baby

Tagged yourusername

view all 834 comments

colesillinger_ Congrats man!! Echoing Johnny here but thank fuck we don't have to hear about another proposal plan

jgaudreau Oh its not over. Now it'll be wedding planning and that is ten times worse. I remember when Sean proposed to Maggie, it went from bad to worse

kent_johnson C'mon guys, give me a break here

connorbedard I still want to be best man

kent_johnson You aren't going to let this go are you?

connorbedard nope.

columbusbluejackets Congratulations Kent and Y/N! (We've been waiting...)

colesillinger_ SEE even media has been waiting

yourusername OK point made. Though I had no control over this. But I was ready to marry Kent a year after we got together

kent_johnson You were?

yourusername Of course I was, you're it for me, there's nothing else that I want more than to be with you for the rest of my life

kent_johnson I love you baby, so much more than I ever dreamed

adamfantilli 🤮 you two are grossly cute. I'm too single for this shit

boonejenner Congratulations! And don't listen to Cole and Johnny, I can make 'em to extra laps at practice. They're just jealous they're single

kent_johnson Might have to take you up on the offer, Cap

fan1 OMG THE TAYLOR REFERENCES!!!

fan2 they are so meant for each other

[starry-hughes]

I’m crying

[heartz4hisch]

this is so satisfying to watch

[redtreetattoogallery]

#Artist @benriffetattoos

Boomer the Cannon!

#boomerthecannon #boomer #columbusbluejackets #hockey #mascot #hockeymascot #cannon #bluejackets #redtreeetattoogallery #benriffetattoos #benriffe

[l-foudys]

i’ve been at a loss for words all day. being a monsters fan and watching matiss grow into the player that he was since his first game with the monsters, i’m heartbroken.

i couldn’t believe it when i heard the news this morning. i still can’t believe it; it doesn’t feel real.

unfortunately i never got the chance to meet him but everyone i know that did has nothing but good things to say about him. one of the kindest guys you’d ever meet and his smile lit up every room he walked into. i believe it all.

i send all of my condolences to his family, friends and anyone else affected by this tragic event.

kivi, thank you for everything you did for the monsters and the rest of the columbus blue jackets organization. we love you so so much and we will miss you beyond words. rest in peace matiss ❤️

[franklong12]

Why Owen Power has become the clear No. 1 prospect in the 2021 NHL draft Rising up in Mississauga, Ontario, Owen ... Read the rest on our site with the url below https://worldwidetweets.com/why-owen-power-has-become-the-clear-no-1-prospect-in-the-2021-nhl-draft/?feed_id=47207&_unique_id=60f1e5238d784 #AnaheimDucks #BuffaloSabres #ColumbusBlueJackets #daily #NewJerseyDevils #NHL #NHLDraft #nhldraftinfo #profile

[buckeyenative01]

My Dad and I go to sports events: February 2020: @nationwidearena @bluejacketsnhl @bucknut1998 January 2019: @rosebowlstadium @ohiostatefb September 2014: @ohio_stadium @theohiostateuniversity @ohiostatefb July 2006: @therealwrigleyfield @cubs Happy Father's Day! #fathersday #ohiostatebuckeyes #columbusbluejackets #bluejackets #buckeyes #columbus #pasadena #rosebowl #ohiostadium #ohio #california #wrigleyfield #chicago #illinois #chicagocubs #cubs #notcubsfans (at Flagstaff, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWQ9Mxnde2CKKjpuW0MBqXIjn_7cuRdtlhHEk0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mitchbeck]

HARTFORD WOLF PACK REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

By Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack are not the only team looking to make a few late signings and moves. A few stray signings this week as Labor Day approaches. Tanner Fritz has resolved his contract situation. On Thursday morning, his situation was unresolved, but by that afternoon, it had concluded. Fritz signed a one-year AHL deal to return to the Bridgeport Islanders, where he spent his first six years. He spent the last two in Hartford. Fritz (the second player named Fritz to play in Hart City and Park City) often played out of position to help when the Wolf Pack were shorthanded at forward. He had talks with Hartford and Springfield, all to tend to his son's special needs. MISCELLANEOUS HARTFORD RELATED NEWS Ex-Pack Alex Bourret was named head coach for the CCL Dynamiques M (minor)15 team (QBAAA). The Islanders named ex-Pack/Ranger Pascal Rheaume as one of the two new assistant coaches to work with their new head coach, Rick Kowalsky. It's his first AHL stint. He was initially an assistant with Iowa in 2015-16. The last two years he spent with the Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL). Bryce McConnell-Barker might be in Wolf Pack training camp, but his ticket back to Sault Ste. Greyhounds Marie (OHL) is already stamped. He spent three weeks here last spring without playing a game before being released. Like Will Cullye and Brennan Othmann before him, he is still 19 and can't play in the AHL until his junior season. He will likely captain the Greyhounds and be on the 2024 Canadian WJC Team. McConnell-Barker hopes to be like Othmann, go deep in the OHL playoffs, and maybe get a shot at the Memorial Cup. An ex-Pack/Ranger, Libor Hájek, has signed as a PTO training camp invite with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Next year, he will go to the Penguins and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). He joins another ex-Pack, Ryan Graves, who starts his first season of a six-year deal in the Keystone State. Howlings learned that Adam Samuelsson, the youngest son of Hartford Whaler great Ulf Samuelsson, an ex-New York Ranger whose Whalers #5 is "retired" in the XL rafters. Ulf is also a former Wolf Pack and Avon Old Farms assistant coach. Adam will attend the training camp on an invite basis of the independent Chicago Wolves this fall. He signed a deal with Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) earlier this summer. Sam Gagner, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk/Ranger Dave Gagner, has gone from the Winnipeg Jets to the  Edmonton Oilers on a PTO deal. Gagner was a first-round pick of the Oilers in 2007 and had 519 career points in 1,015 games played with seven different teams. HAGELIN CALLS IT A CAREER Carl Hagelin, who played 17 games for the CT Whale en route to 713 NHL games and who won two Stanley Cups, two silver medals for Sweden in the Olympics and the WJC, and two NCAA national titles in four full years at Michigan, had a career of 152 points in 171 games - a sure-fire entrant in the Wolverine HOF. After a year off, Hagelin retires from active playing, resulting from an eye injury suffered in practice two years ago in Washington. Hagelin exceeded expectations as a sixth-round draft choice, as it was considered a stretch that he would ever play in the NHL. He was supposed to be too small and slight. However, nobody could catch him with his outstanding speed. Hagelin was traded early Saturday morning for the Anaheim Ducks' Emerson Etem in late June 2015. MORE MOVES Madison Bowey goes from the Laval Rocket to Dynamo Minsk (Belarus-KHL). Turner Ottenbreit of Iowa heads to Kunlun (China-KHL), making 78 AHL'ers signed in Europe. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Milwaukee Admirals are the only two teams not to have lost a player. A story on the website Detroit Hockey Now reprised a story from an Inside AHL Hockey interview with long-time Chicago Wolves GM Wendell Young. The story was that former coach Ryan Warsofsky (Sacred Heart University) was threatened with dismissal by Carolina two years ago before his Wolves team went on to win the Calder Cup final against the Springfield Thunderbirds in seven games. Warsofsky was and is now an assistant with the NHL San Jose Sharks. Warsofky is an old friend of ex-Pack/Sound Tigers, the now-retired Bourque brothers, Chris and Ryan. He chose to play the former Yale goalie, Alex Lyon, over Carolina's objections instead of their Russian prospect Pytor (Peter) Kochetov two springs ago. Carolina had gone through hoops to get him to North America via Austria first because of the war in Ukraine. Now Lyon, who then made a very public obscene gesture in the championship team picture at center ice, with a two-middle-fingered salute. It was not meant or directed at the Springfield fans but rather the Carolina management, despite having just won the Calder Cup. Lyon was given a one-game AHL suspension for his stunt. Chicago has gone the independent route this season and has gone through four affiliates in the last seven years. Winning a championship is very important in Chicago. Instrumental in Florida making the Stanley Cup playoffs last year, Lyon was a backup to Spencer Knight (Darien/AOF). The previous spring, they had to enter a substance abuse clinic as they made it to the finals before bowing out to the eventual champion, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Lyon is expected to be in Grand Rapids this year to teach and tutor the highly regarded prospect Sebastian Cossa, who battled Pack goalie Dylan Garand two years ago in juniors, as they were the two best netminders in the WHL. Lyon was helped at Yale when he played by another ex-Yale goalie, Jeff Malcolm, the current Wolf Pack goalie coach. The Red Wings have four goalie prospects: Cossa, Carter Gylander, a junior at Colgate University (ECACHL) under the guidance of new head coach ex-Pack Mike Harder, John Lethmon, a Grand Rapids returnee, and Yale-bound next year, just drafted (sixth-round) Rudy Guimond (Taft School) in Cedar Rapids (USHL) this year. Ex-Pack Tysen Helgesen, re-signs with the Rapid City Rush (ECHL). Chase Zieky (Avon/AOF) signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL) for next year. Matt Tugnutt (Sacred Heart University) leaves HC Chamonix (France-Magnus League FREL) and signs with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) for next season. Ex-Pack/Sound Tiger Anthony Greco is at an unknown Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL) destination. Ex-Sound Tiger Brandon DeFazio announced his retirement from hockey. DeFazio played last year with ERC Schwenniger (Germany-DEL). His father, Dean DeFazio, was a former New Haven Nighthawk with four sons involved in hockey. Jeremy and Cameron have already retired. His youngest, Cole, is entering his sophomore year at Division III, Neumann (Aston, PA) College (UCHC). Brandon has taken an amateur scouting position (Ontario region) with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mark Osiecki, a former New Haven Senator, also becomes a Midwest region Penguins Pro Scout as he leaves the University Wisconsin-Madison (Big 10) campus. Ex-Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger Matt Lorito, a Greenwich resident, also announced his retirement from hockey. Lorito played with EHC Wolfsburg (Germany-DEL) last year and took a pro scouting position (Midwest) with Pittsburgh. DeFazio and Lorito join another ex-Sound Tiger, Matt Mangene, who has been a Penguins amateur scout for the last three years. After his grad year at Michigan Tech (CCHA) after playing at Ohio State (Big 10), Ryan O'Connell becomes the 63rd college player to sign in Europe with Toulouse-Blagnac (France-FFHG-Division-3). He is also the nephew of ex-New Haven Senator Brian Downey. Jack Badini (Old Greenwich/CT Oilers-EHL) departed Newfoundland (St. John's) (ECHL), had a few call-ups to Toronto (AHL), and signed overseas with Stjernen (Norway-NEL). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

[backonmycbjbullshit]

Over 300 miles, 5 hours, two borders, lots of snacks & potty breaks later - I finally got to see my boys in their traveling whites 🥺🥰 None of our signs brought luck but we still went home with our point streak 🎊 Such a great weekend with such great people. Huge shoutout to my pops for driving me to Buffalo & allowing me to stream the Hamilton album the entire way there. 💕 #cbj #columbusbluejackets #hockey #buffalo #traveling (at Buffalo, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HUCs4lfdN/?igshid=q4e5arbgylg9

[rotodbtumblog-birthdays]

Happy 32nd Birthday Nick Foligno (Columbus Blue Jackets) from @rotodb #HappyBirthday #HBD #Birthday #CakeDay #Sports #Fantasy #FantasySports #NHL #NationalHockeyLeague #Hockey #FantasyHockey #CBJ #Columbus #ColumbusBlueJackets #BlueJackets

[incendiiaryy]

Supporting the Jackets in Devil Country #CBJ #ColumbusBlueJackets (at Prudential Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvQdcDg7hA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=160u7lfdzp549

[sarah-witha-h]

Second chance bracket my ass. #NHL #nhlplayoffs #columbusbluejackets #stanleycupplayoffs https://www.instagram.com/p/BwvjYKcgnCjxKHJUmgYa28pCs3NdX3hp-6wV8s0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xgwnf0z7r1p1

[kyleekhaos]

OT WINNERS 🙌 #cbj #columbusbluejackets (at Nationwide Arena) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpdaQKCFXhP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2exvqal8bu7o

[collectingall]

∀ Notes: Giannis-Leaf Update; Miggy’s Milestone Memorabilia; Jeter Bobble x3; Husband-Wife Card Shop, More https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/notes-giannis-leaf-update-miggys-milestone-memorabilia-jeter-bobble-x3-husband-wife-card-shop-more/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr * @CollectingAll