#AvonOldFarms

[havekiddoswilltravel]

This young man has been homeschooled, road-schooled and world-schooled for 8 years and we're currently in the process of looking at, applying to and interviewing for Independent Schools. What an incredible experience it is to watch my child grow into the person that he was created to be. Homeschooling and travel have prepared him to show up and put his best self forward. I must admit that I was extremely proud today while we sat through a high school English class and I listened to him analyze a stanza of a poem. #Parenting #ReadyToLaunch #IndependentSchool #SuffieldAcademy #AvonOldFarms (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVy1MB2s6yW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[savidgemike]

Memory of a Christmas Celebration Not So Long Ago (Made with #sonyrx10ii at Avon Old Farms Hotel; color graded in #photoshop) #avonoldfarms #hotel #avon #connecticut #visitct #christmas #christmasmemories #holidaymemories #throwback #sonyalpha #sonyimages #colorgrading #merrychristmas (at Avon Old Farms Hotel)

[blairemclaren]

George M. Trautman Death | Cause of Death - George M. Trautman Obituary

George M. Trautman Death | Cause of Death – George M. Trautman Obituary

George M. Trautman Death | George M. Trautman Obituary – George M. Trautman, Former Headmaster to the Avon Old Farms, has died , as announced in a tweet by Avon Old Farms (@avonoldfarms) on the 30th of June 2020.

George M. Trautman was a cultured, resilient and loyal man with a “can do, will do” attitude. He would be remembered by many, family, and friends. The cause of death and time of death…

[fishing-exposed]

@avonoldfarms: The #FlyFishing Intersession class took it to the ice this balmy winter day #AOFIntersession #IceFishing #OutdoorClassroom https://t.co/gQdVo8urlP

[wentham]

@primalmale @khalidverjee #tbt #aof #AvonOldFarms #prom

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

By: Gerry Cantlon, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack announced their home game promotional schedule for the 2023-34 season. It features the return of last year's successful "Pucks and Paws" event, where fans can bring their beloved dogs to the game. The date for the "Pucks and Paws" game is December 22nd against the Bridgeport Islanders. That date is one of the season's 72-game schedule featuring 36 home dates. Another favorite returning is "Hops and Hockey Night" on December 30th, also against the Islanders. HARTFORD RELATED PLAYER MOVES Ex-Pack goalie Keith Kinkaid has dissolved his association with the Chicago Wolves. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with the New Jersey Devils and their AHL affiliates, the Utica Devils. The contract pays $775K in the NHL and $350K for games in the AHL. There are reports he could still be assigned to Chicago if he is reassigned to the AHL. A trusted West Coast NHL team source said of Kinkaid, "He can play well. We talked with two teams he has played for. We got a thumbs down on him. He's not a good locker room guy. So, we opted not to sign or offer him a deal." Rayen Petrovický, the son of former Hartford Whaler/Ranger Róbert Petrovický, signs with HC Liberec (Czechia-CEL). He was then loaned to VHK Vestin Czechia (Czech Republic) Division-II. The move makes him eligible to play for both teams next season. CONNOR BLEACKLEY Connor Bleackley, another ex-Pack, moves on from the Maine Mariners (ECHL), who are coached by ex-Pack Terrance Wallin (Hotchkiss Prep), to the Rapid City Rush (ECHL). Incidentally, Bleackley was the last Wolf Pack player signed before the pandemic hit. The Pack were severely shorthanded for a game against the Providence Bruins. Bleackley was signed after the Pack saw three players suspended from a brawl in Springfield against the Thunderbirds a few days earlier. Those three were Vinni Letterieri, now with the Iowa Wild, Mason Geersten, playing for the Henderson Silver Knights, and the retired Matt Beleskey. Then there were injury issues in New York, and then captain Steve Fogarty was on an emergency recall in Colorado by the Rangers, which necessitated the signing of Bleackley. After the loss to the Bruins, then Pack Danny O'Regan told Howlings in his post-game comments, "You can't construct a lineup in 36 hours and expect to win." EX-BRIDGEPORT PLAYERS ON THE MOVE Some ex-Sound Tigers get some new addresses. Casey Bailey signs a PTO deal with Ottawa. Connor McCarthy, who played part-time over the last two years with the Islanders after training camp, was dropped by HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia-SLEL). He signs with St. Georges-de-Beauce (LNAH). Kieffer Bellows signs a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, and Mark Louis, who played briefly in Bridgeport, departs Cardiff (Wales-EIHL) and signs with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL). CASSELS FAMILY STAYING ACTIVE Cruz Cassels, the youngest son of former Whaler Andrew Cassels, is with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets U-14 AAA (T1EHL). Birk, his second son, is also with their program. He plays with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets U-18 AAA (T1EHL) and is an Ottawa 67's (OHL) 2022 Draftee. His oldest, Cole, played with both Södertälje SK (Sweden-Allsvenskan) and the Belleville Senators last year. He just signed a one-year deal with San Jose Barracuda (AHL) for next season. Their cousins are in the NHL. Justin Barron is with the Montreal Canadiens, while ex-Pack Morgan Barron is with the Winnipeg Jets. Morgan signed a two-year extension earlier this summer. ROB MALLOY Cheshire native and former Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack, Rob "Bert" Malloy, confirmed via e-mail from New South Wales that he is happy to decompress from his one-win season for his local AIHL expansion team, the Central Coast Rhinos. Malloy hopes to return next season for a better season in the league's 23rd year. He finished second in team scoring with ten goals and 31 points in 19 games. Malloy hopes to get one more crack at the Australian National team in April when they play at the IIHF Group A Division II tournament in Serbia. He will hope to start with a three-game series against neighbor and Southern Hemispheric rival, New Zealand, and looks to lengthen his play from last year's tournament in Madrid, where he suffered a broken jaw in their game against Israel. That led to a harrowing experience in a Spanish hospital where nobody spoke English. 16 native Australians are on the national team. Malloy hopes in his post-season career, whenever it starts, to coach at the junior level with the Central Coast Stingrays team and help grow the game in Australia. NHL DOWN UNDER Malloy, like others, is anxiously waiting for the NHL exhibition games to be played this week in the Land Down Under at the Rod Laver Arena. They will be the first two NHL games ever to be played there. The two games will air the pair of Los Angeles Kings - Arizona Coyotes contests on the NHL Network. The games will be played on Friday, September 22nd, and September 23rd at 9 p.m., 17 hours ahead in the Pacific time zone, where they will be played at 2 p.m. local time. Melbourne's ice hockey rink seats only 1,500. The Henke Rink at the O'Brien Icehouse in the Dockland's precinct of Melbourne is home to two AIHL teams, the Ice and Mustangs. A building only seating 1,500 is not suitable for NHL hockey. The first Australian to score an NHL goal was Nathan Walker, now with the St. Louis Blues. "Stormy" Walker scored in his NHL debut on October 7th, 2017, with the Washington Capitals. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, but raised in Sydney, Australia. Jorden Spence of the LA Kings will be on one of the teams as an Australian native born in Manly, New South Wales - NSW, Australia. His family moved to Osaka, Japan, and eventually landed in Cornwall, PEI (Prince Edward Island), Canada. The first Australian ever drafted was Darren Gani (Perth, AUS). He grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, and back in 1984, he participated in the Edmonton Oilers' training camp. MORE AUSSIE NEWS One of the other three players with a little Aussie in them includes ex-Pack and current Ranger Bryce Harpur. He is a dual-born citizen; his mother, Margery, is Australian. Ex-King, who played briefly with the Wolf Pack, Steve McKenna, played in the AIHL (Adelaide Avalanche) and coached the Australian national team for a few years. No Australian has his name on the Stanley Cup. Just one Australian player is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tommy Dunderdale of Benalla, AUS, was inducted post-humously in 1974. He was credited with the very first penalty-shot goal in NHL history. He was a prominent player in the early 20th century as he skated with the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA). Dunderdale grew up, learned hockey in Winnipeg, and played against the Montreal Canadiens before they were in the NHL. The 114-year-old Goodall Cup is awarded each season to the AIHL champion. Two weeks ago, it was awarded to the Melbourne Mustangs. The Goodall Cup is the fifth oldest trophy competed for in hockey. Three Southern Hemisphere countries are full members of the IIHF in ice hockey. They include South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Just seven NHL players in league history have been born in that hemisphere. The Arizona Coyotes, at its temporary home in Tempe, the Mullett Arena at ASU (Arizona State University), is 8,227 miles from Melbourne. The LA Kings will travel 7,932 miles to play the game. The Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) have Alec Nasredinne, the son of former Sound Tiger player and current Dallas assistant coach Alain Nasredinne. They also have Brady Schultz (Monroe, CT), the grandson of former Whaler Norm Barnes, and Liam Kilfoil, formerly of Selects Academy at South Kent Pre,p on their lineup as the junior season gets underway. In other moves, Pat Harper (AOF/New Canaan) signed a training camp Professional Try-Out (PTO) contract with the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Stokes, with the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep program, commits to the Sault Ste. Marie Eagles (NOJHL). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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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

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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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FREE AGENCY AND THE NEW YORK RANGERS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The annual NHL free agency shopping spree has begun for the New York Rangers; with serious salary cap issues, they're shopping for deals in the clearance bins. On Friday, the Rangers announced who they made qualifying offers to and who they didn't. The Rangers qualified their two most important restricted free agents, Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller. The Hartford Wolf Pack had three players qualified. After a solid second half, Ty Emberson is in the unique CBA Group 6 category. Also qualified after his original two-year deal ended was fellow rearguard, and one of the few on the roster with significant size, at 6'4 ", was Brandon Scanlin. Lastly, and a bit of a surprise, was right-wing Lauri Pajuniemi. At times Pajuniemi was an unhappy camper. He saw no recalls in his two years in Hartford and had already signed with his Swedish team Malmö IF (Sweden-SHL). He likely has a window before training camp in Sweden begins next month, where he'll be allowed to sign an NHL deal without penalty. Winger Anton Blidh signed a new two-year deal paying $775K for play in the NHL and $350K for play in the AHL two weeks after the playoffs ended. UFA's Ryan Carpenter, Tim Gettinger, and Wyatt Kalynuk got new deals with other teams on the same terms. Carpenter re-signed with the San Jose Sharks, who he broke in with his first year. He signed a one-way, one-year deal at $775K. Kalynuk signed with the St. Louis Blues. He also signed a $775K one-way contract and could wind up playing up the road at the Blues' affiliate in Springfield. Gettinger signed with the Detroit Red Wings for $775K. He will likely play for the Grands Rapids Griffins in the AHL, moving closer to his friends and family in Ohio. Will Lockwood, Adam Clendening, Patrick Khordorenko, who played in just four games before separating his shoulder and ending his season, and Libor Hajek, all remained unsigned as of the end of business on Saturday. RANGERS SIGNINGS The Rangers signed veterans Jonathan Quick, Blake Wheeler, Alex Belzile, Riley Nash, a Pack killer in Charlotte with the Checkers last year, and Connecticut product and resident Nick Bonino. Quick is from Hamden and received a one-year $825K deal from the Blueshirts. The three-time Stanley Cup Champion started last year in LA and was traded twice on Trade Deadline Day in March. He spent half a day with the Columbus Blue Jackets before being dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he earned that third Stanley Cup ring. Quick went to and played for Hamden High School Green Dragons under Todd Hall, the ex-Pack assistant coach. Hall was then a recently retired player and retired as Hamden's head coach a year ago. Quick also went on to play prep school hockey at the Avon Old Farms (AOF), the acclaimed program coached by John Gardner, who also had Cheshire's Brian Leetch there at one time too. At the time, AOF's assistant coach was former Hartford Whaler, Ranger, and Wolf Pack assistant coach, Ulf Samuelsson. AOF has produced several Stanley Cup champions starting with Leetch (the first to go to the NHL), Quick, Bonino, and 12 others who have gone on to play in the NHL, including the retired Matt Martin (Hamden), ex-Bridgport Sound Tiger/Wolf Pack and Yalie, Jeff Hamilton, another former Yale Bulldog, Chris Higgins, and presently Anaheim's Trevor Zegras. Wheeler comes to New York after spending over a decade with the Winnipeg Jets on a super cap friendly $800K deal for one year. Belzile was with the Montreal Canadiens last year. He gets a two-year cap complaint deal at $775K per season. He is a depth addition and will likely play in Hartford. He split last year between Laval and injury-riddled Montreal and was Laval's captain. He has been in the Montreal system for the previous five years. He's been in Laval for the last three years and the team's last two years in St. John's. He is an 11-year minor pro veteran who played in San Antonio for his first three years. Riley Nash gets two years at $775K on a one-way ticket. Bonino is from Unionville, near the RI border. He grew up in Farmington. He signed a one-year deal at $800K and played for the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins last year. The Rangers added depth at defense for Hartford in signing Connor Mackey to a one-year, two-way deal at $775K for NHL play and $400K in the AHL. He split thirty games last season between the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes and played ten more for the USA WC Team, where he replaced Nikko Mikkola on the depth chart, who left for the Florida Panthers. More relief was brought for the Wolf Pack blueline, which began the day with just four players. Signed was Nikolas Brouillard, to a one-year, $775K one-way money. He played in San Diego Gulls for the last three years. In Juniors, he played for five years in the QMJHL for Drummondville, Quebec, and Rouyn-Noranda and was an All-Star three times. He spent three years in Montreal at McGill University (OUAA) in Canadian college hockey under the guidance of head coach and ex-Pack, David Urquhart before heading to San Diego. NOTES: Ex-Pack Jesper Fast re-signs a two-year deal in Carolina with the Hurricanes for $2.4M. Two ex-Wolf Pack goalies sign deals as Cam Talbot departs Ottawa for the LA Kings signing a one-year $1M contract, and Dustin Tokarski signs a one-year, two-way deal with the Buffalo Sabres for $775K. New Canaan's Max Pacioretty (Taft) moves up the East Coast and signs a one-year $2M contract in Washington with the Capitals. Former Sound Tiger Kyle Burroughs heads down the West Coast from the Vancouver Canucks to the San Jose Sharks for three years at $1.1M annually. Ryan MacKinnon leaves Bridgeport for Belleville Senators, whose contract has not yet been posted. Nick Bjugstad, the nephew of ex-New Haven Nighthawk Scott Bjugstad, leaves the Edmonton Oilers and signs in Arizona for two years at $2.1M. Vladimir Namestnikov, a former Ranger and son of ex-Pack Evgeny "John" Namestnikov, re-ups with Winnipeg, who Tampa Bay traded for two more years at $2M. Connor Clifton (Quinnipiac University), who faded at the end of the season in Boston, incredibly gets three years at $3.3M per in Buffalo. Another former Bobcat, Brogan Rafferty, leaves Coachella Valley and the Seattle organization and signs a two-year, one-way deal for $775K with Detroit. The Red Wings sign former Yale Bulldog Alex Lyon, who was largely responsible for the Florida Panthers getting in the playoffs. The goalie signs for two years at $900K per one-way with a Calder Cup title in his back pocket. The Seattle Kraken signed ex-Yale Bulldog John Hayden to a one-year extension at $775K. Ex-Pack Vinni Lettieri returns home to Minnesota and signs a two-year, two-way deal $775K-NHL/$550K-AHL with the Wild. Former CT Whale Jayson Megna departs San Jose to replace him in Providence. The Bruins signed him to a one-year deal at $775K. Ex-Pack Ryan Graves leaves the New Jersy Devils for Pittsburgh and signs a six-year deal for $4.5M per season. He led the NHL plus/minus the last two years. Justin Richards, who couldn't throw the puck in the net two years ago, leaves Columbus for Buffalo for a one-year, one-way $775K deal. Leaving St. Louis for Tampa Bay is Logan Brown, the son of former Whaler Jeff Brown, signs a one-year, two-way deal for $775K-NHL/$250K-AHL. Noel Acciari (Kent School), who split last year between St. Louis and the Toronto Maple Leafs, signs a three-year deal in Pittsburgh for $2M per. And still searching for new deals in the NHL, AHL, or Europe are; Michael Del Zotto (Anaheim ex-Pack/Ranger) Jack McBain (Arizona, son of former New Haven Senator Andrew) Malte Stromwall (Carolina ex-Pack) Andy Welinski (Chicago via Rockford ex-Pack) Keith Kinkaid (Colorado with ex-Pack) Ross Colton (Taft) (just acquired this week by Colorado, and before he could even put on an Avalanche jersey) Jon Gillies (Columbus, Salisbury School, played with three teams last year) Magnus Hellberg and Danny O’Regan (Detroit, ex-Pack) J.F. Berube (Florida, ex-Sound Tiger/Wolf Pack) Anthony Bitetto (ex-Pack) Oliver Wahlstrom (Islanders/ex-Sound Tiger) Kieffer Bellows (Philadelphia ex-Sound Tiger) Peter Diliberatore (Pittsburgh, via Scranton/Wilkes Barre - was acquired at the trade deadline, Quinnipiac) Strauss Mann (San Jose, Greenwich/Brunswick School) Vitali Kravtsov (Vancouver, but already bolted back to Russia to Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL) Morgan Barron (Winnipeg ex-Pack) The Bridgeport Islanders did not qualify Collin Adams, Blade Jenkins, and the already-in-Europe, Bode Wild. Ivan Nikolishin, the son of former Whaler Andrei Nikolishin, has left Amur Khaborvsk (Russia-KHL) with no new destination yet. NEW YORK RANGERS HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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QMJHL DRAFT HAS CONNECTICUT CONNECTIONS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The last of the Canadian major junior draft for the year, the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), was held on Saturday. In the primary portion of the draft, the first US-based draftee was taken 14th overall in the first round. With their second selection, the Rimouski Oceanic selected Tyson Goguen of Moncton, New Brunswick, of the Selects Academy program's U-16 team at South Kent Prep. Then from their U15 team, another South Kent prep player, Jabez Seymour of North River, Newfoundland, was also taken in the first round with a team's second pick, 18th overall, by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. South Kent then had a third selection taken as Drew Allison, of Fall River, Nova Scotia, went in the fourth round (62nd overall) to Baie-Comeau with a pick initially held by the Saint John Sea Dogs. In the seventh round (129th overall), the Halifax Mooseheads took Michael Munro of the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers. In the 11th round, Mike Mardula, from Weston, Connecticut, was selected from the Mid-Fairfield Rangers U-15 by the newly crowned Memorial Cup champion Quebec Remparts. Ex-Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender and AHL Hall-of-Famer, Jean-Francois JFF.) Labbé saw his 15-year-old son, Kayan Labbé, of Magog (QMAAA), taken by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the fourth round (72nd overall). The younger Labbé played in the net in the Wolf Pack alumni game instead of his father. In the Draft portion on Sunday, 11 of the 36 players selected had a Connecticut connection. Darien's Alexander Donavan, who played with Shattuck's St. Mary's (MNPREP), was taken first in the American portion. Liam Joyce of Meriden, who went to Loomis Chaffe (Windsor), was taken Blaineville-Boisbrand. Trumbull's Corbin Carkner, who attends Selects Academy program at South Kent Prep, was taken by the Charlottetown (PEI) Islanders, Mid-Fairfield's U-15 team then saw two of their players selected as Steven Luciano of New Canaan was chosen by Chicoutimi and Anthony Bongo of Ridgefield was taken by Victoriaville, and another teammate, Matt Damdrowski, from Shelton, was selected by the Halifax Mooseheads. Another Selects Academy Prep player, Kolin Sisson, was taken by Gatineau. Greenwich native Tucker Spiess, who attends Brunswick School, was selected by Cape Breton Eagles. Baie-Comeau took Cheshire's Breckin Siefker of the CT Chiefs U-16 (AYHL). The last two were Redding's Niko Tournas, from the NJ Rockets U-16 team was taken by Sherbrooke, and Luke Dow, from Orange and Halifax took the Mid-Fairfield U-15 team. The last junior draft is the NAHL-North American Hockey League on Wednesday, June 14. QMJHL HOME Read the full article

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TAFT RHINOS END REGULAR SEASON WITH 4-0 SHUTOUT OF HOTCHKISS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings WATERTOWN, CT - Taft Rhinos goaltender Rudy Giumond (Pointe-Claire, QC) was solid between the pipes with a 35-save shutout, ending the prep school regular season with a 19-8-1 record in a 4-0 win over the Hotchkiss (Lakeville, CT) Bearcats before a packed house on Seniors Day at Odden Arena. The Rhinos battled to make the New England Prep playoffs with five other schools. They wound up with the Large Division home playoff date on Wednesday. They are the #1 seed and play at the Odden Arena at 4:45 pm against #8 seed Kent School. Guimond played like a brick wall shutting down the Bearcats on quality chances and limiting them to one-and-done chances by the CSB-ranked netminder. Guimond came out of his crease and cut angles down repeatedly. At 3:15 of the first period, Guimond turned aside Derek Tremblay (Boischatel, QC), then turned away scoring bids by Dylan Ah Now (Short Hills, NJ) and Big James Mackay (Villanova, PA) on the left wing, Jake Owens (Chittenano, NY), and D Nate Harrison (New Canaan). After a scoreless first frame, Taft tallied the first goal at 1:13 when Zave Greene converted on a two-on-one break. Late in the second, Taft's Ken Alexander (Watertown) had a solid chance, and Guimond stopped Hotchkiss' Michael Buenzow (Evanston, IL). Hotchkiss goalie Grant Kloeber (Raleigh, NC) stopped Greene, Remy Reynolds, and Aidan Foley (Southport) before they eventually scored. Hidy Preston tallied before Jackson Holl was on the left wing and converted a one-timer at 8:49 and at 12:03. Lemieux closed out the Taft scoring from the right wing. NOTES: Guimond is undecided if he will return to Taft next year. It will likely hinge on whether he gets drafted. He is currently #16 among North American goalies. Both the USHL and NAHL are options, or if he is selected in June's QMJHL Draft as a Quebec native, he won't count as a North American import are possibilities. Other Connecticut schools still in play include the Open Large Division perennial postseason contender #3 Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers. They will be hosting #7 Westminster Prep of Simsbury at 2:45. #5 Brunswick School of Greenwich takes on MA-based #4 Noble Greenough at 4:30 at Noble. In the large division, along with Taft, are the #2 Salisbury Crimson Knights, who will host #7 Loomis Chaffe of Windsor at 4 pm. In small school action, #3 Frederick Gunn School of Washington, Connecticut, hosts #6 Tilton School of New Hampshire at 5:30 at Deerfield Academy in Enfield. All games are on Wednesday. The winners will play in the semifinals on Saturday at the school of the higher seed. The championship finals will be held Sunday at NCAA Division III Sullivan Arena on the campus of St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. Matt Chennette, Taft Class '84 living in MA, an Iraq war vet, is battling ALS. Donations are being made to help the family defray medical costs. TAFT SCHOOL HOCKEY HOME Read the full article