#WELCOME BACK VINNI LETTIERI

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WE GOT RID OF LAUKO???????

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Welcome back to Boston, Vinni Lettieri.

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 18-24, 2019

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (21-25-5-3, 50 pts., .463) registered three of a possible six points in three games this week, with a win and two overtime losses.  On Wednesday night at home against defending Calder Cup-champion Toronto, the Wolf Pack fell behind 1-0 and 2-1, before scoring the last two goals of the game for a 3-2 victory.  Tim Gettinger had the late third-period game-winner and an assist in that contest, and Brandon Halverson made a team season-high 43 saves.  On Saturday night in Bridgeport, it was the Wolf Pack jumping out to 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 leads, before the Sound Tigers came back for a 4-3 overtime win.  On Sunday at the XL Center vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Wolf Pack roared back from a 4-1 third-period deficit to force overtime, but the Penguins had the last word in a 5-4 verdict.  Sean Day scored his first career AHL goal and had an assist in that game, and Steven Fogarty and Vinni Lettieri added a goal and an assist apiece. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wolf Pack play back-to-back home games this Friday and Saturday nights, hosting Springfield on Friday at 7:15 PM and welcoming Providence on Saturday at 7:00, on “Hartford Hockey Heritage Night”.  The Wolf Pack and Bruins then complete a home-and-home Sunday in Providence, with faceoff at 3:05. Friday, February 22 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM This being a Friday-night Wolf Pack home game, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. The Wolf Pack have lost their last three games against the Thunderbirds, after winning two of the first three.  The two clubs have split four previous meetings at the XL Center. The Thunderbirds come into the week exactly at .500, 22-22-6-4 for 54 points, four points ahead of the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, after snapping a six-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at Providence Sunday in their last action. Defenseman Chris Wideman had two goals and an assist Sunday, in Springfield’s 5-1 win at Providence, and has 2-3-5 in the last three games. At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club, presented by Minuteman Press.  Enjoy $2 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:15 PM until puck drop. Tickets for this and all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.  Saturday, February 23 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM This is “Hartford Hockey Heritage Night”, as the Wolf Pack celebrate and pay tribute to over four decades of Hartford hockey.  The night includes a Brady Skjei bobblehead giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by Xfinity. The Bruins (27-19-6-1, 61 pts., .575) are currently tied with Hershey for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of Lehigh Valley.  Providence has lost its last two games, after a 12-1-1-1 run in their previous 15. The Bruins have taken the last three head-to-head battles with the Wolf Pack after Hartford was 4-0-1-0 in the first five.  The Wolf Pack are 3-0-1-0 in four home games on the year vs. Providence. Bruin goaltender Zane McIntyre had won 12 straight decisions before Sunday’s 5-1 home loss to Springfield, in which he gave up five goals on 26 shots.  McIntyre is second in the AHL in wins, with a mark of 20-9-3. At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club, presented by Minuteman Press.  Enjoy $2 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:00 PM until puck drop. Tickets for this and all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.  Sunday, February 24 at the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, 3:05 PM This is the last of ten meetings on the season between the Wolf Pack and the arch-rival Bruins.  The Wolf Pack have lost their last three visits to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, after a 4-3 win in their first trip October 13. The Bruins are 17-5-3-0 on home ice for the year but have lost their last two home contests.  The Wolf Pack enter the week with an 8-15-2-2 road mark. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.  Wolf Pack Community Appearances: The Wolf Pack have the following appearances scheduled this week.  For further information on these, or any other Wolf Pack community initiatives, contact Wolf Pack community relations manager Frank Berrian, at (860) 541-4728: Tuesday, February 19, 5:00-6:30 PM, XL Center Selected Wolf Pack players take the ice with the Hartford PAL Hockey program, helping Hartford youngsters, ages 7-14, work on their hockey skills. Thursday, February 21, 9:15 AM, Wesley School, 10 Wesleyan Hills Rd., Middletown, CT The Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, Sonar, heads to Middletown to promote the Wolf Pack’s “Read to the Rink” program. Recent Transactions: Marek Mazanec – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, and traded to Vancouver, February 12. Matt Petgrave – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 7 and released February 13. Ty Ronning – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) February 13. Vinni Lettieri – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 13. Connor Brickley – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 14. Drew Melanson – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) February 14. Derek Pratt – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 14. Matt Finn – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 15. Pack Tracks: Saturday, March 2, when the Wolf Pack host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:30 PM, is “Military Appreciation Night” at the XL Center, presented by the U.S. Army.  The Wolf Pack will pay tribute to veterans and active-duty military for their service to our country, and the night includes a Wolf Pack sock giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by NBC Connecticut. Also, the Wolf Pack’s Saturday, March 2 home game vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton features pregame “Frozen Yoga” on the ice, with yoga instructor Leslie Gordon.  A “Froga” package is available for $30, which includes a Red-level ticket to the game, a one-hour Frozen Yoga session with Leslie Gordon from 12:30-1:30 PM, a free pair of Wolf Pack socks received at the yoga session, and hot chocolate after the session.  Only a limited number of these packages are available.  To purchase a Froga package, click here. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday home date is March 29, when they host the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:15 PM game. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games will feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”.  The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and two hot dogs, all for just $40.  The next Family Value Pack game is Wednesday, February 27, when the Hershey Bears come to town for a 7:00 PM game. Every Wolf Pack Wednesday home game is a “Winning Wednesday”.  If the Wolf Pack win at home on a Wednesday, fans can show their Winning Wednesday ticket at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center and receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home game is February 13, a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Toronto Marlies. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.  Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com. Follow Spectra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: TWO FUTURE PACK PLAYERS GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS THE ORGANIZATION

CANTLON'S CORNER: Two Future Pack Players GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS THE ORGANIZATION

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - As the 2017-18 season draws to a conclusion, two current Hartford Wolf Pack players hope to be on the roster for 2018-19. While one is almost certain to be included, the other remains a strong possibility. Ty Ronning is the one who would be almost a certainty. He signed an entry-level contract back in March and just concluded his five-year major junior career with the WHL Vancouver Giants. “It's good stuff. I love the game of hockey at the pro level; it’s exciting," Ronning stated. "Everybody has made me feel welcome. I just gotta keep working hard.” Ronning had a strong final campaign where he scored 61 goals, good for second-most in the league. It was also a new Giants regular season record. Ronning's 65 surpassed the previous record of 65 held by the San Jose Sharks, Evander Kane. Ronning compiled a total of 84 points. “Individually, it was a great season all around. It was a team that worked very hard. We hadn’t made the playoffs in a while and that was my number one goal; to make the playoffs. We wanted to get to the second round, but we lost in Game Seven (to the Victoria Royals) and that’s the way she goes sometimes. I think the Vancouver Giants have a bright future ahead of them.” His second stint in Hartford will be shorter than last year, but this time, he knew what to expect at the AHL level. “Last year I got in twelve games. I got a sniff of what it's like here. The game is much quicker, so I worked on that, and I can give myself some more time to make things happen,” Ronning said. Pack Head Coach Keith McCambridge is already happy with Ronning's performance. “I had him for just one game so far, but I had him in Traverse City (the pre-season prospect camp tournament held annually in Michigan). He gets in those quiet areas well, and he uses technique well to get those areas. He’s not a 6’3 or 6’4 guy, so when you score that many goals, it says something about your skills and we're trying to put him in areas to accent that, and utilize those skills.” "Speed" is the key buzz word in hockey evaluation these days, and it certainly applies directly to Ronning’s skill set. “Not only speed but quickness. I define that as his first three strides, those short bursts outside the zone gaining puck possession are really important.” Ronning's father is former NHL'er Cliff Ronning, and that rubs off. “Obviously, (genetics) is a part of a player. I had Adam Lowry in Winnipeg (the son of NHL'er, Dave Lowery). Those players who Dad’s had an NHL pedigree see structures and systems (a bit quicker) because they spent time with their dad,” said McCambridge. Ronning spent most of his formative hockey years in Burnaby and the Vancouver area and certainly traveled to several of his Dad’s NHL pit stops. “I was born in Scottsdale, lived in Minnesota, and visited New York when he was playing for the Islanders. He retired there (Vancouver), but overall most of my hockey has been in Vancouver (Burnaby-BCHL and Vancouver-WHL). Coming to Hartford is a quiet place; a nice town, maybe a little colder than it is in Vancouver now. It was nice to see the sun today. I want to go out and take some pictures around town,” Ronning stated. Ronning, the younger, was chasing one of his Dad’s records. The record for consecutive games scoring a goal (18 games). This season, the younger Ronning got it to eleven games and respects the record greatly. “That is so tough to do when you're actually doing it. It's a lot harder than people realize. I don’t think that record will be broken for a long, long time,” He said. Of course, following a successful parent or sibling in sports is always fraught with peril. His father was an offensive scoring whiz. In his last season of junior hockey, while he was with the New Westminster Bruins, Ronning the elder compiled 197 points and won the scoring title, but two years lost his league record for points in a season. Rob Brown, the former Whaler, had 212 points that year with the Kamloops Oilers. In fact, 14 players that year were above the century mark in total points. This season in the WHL there's just nine. Ronning is ready for the new challenge and the first step in his pursuit of being an NHL'er came in getting his first pro contract. “It felt very good to get the first one, and it's a very exciting time for myself, and they were the team that believed in me when many others didn’t,” Ronning said of his being drafted in the seventh round, 201st overall, in 2016 For Ronning, it will be an offseason dedicated to training, but he also has some travel commitments to attend to. He'll first fly to Phoenix, Arizona where he is going to visit his older sister, Caryn, who is going to be giving birth to his niece very shortly. “Going to Phoenix to visit my sister and her husband and go to New York to visit my other sister, Caitlin, who lives in Brooklyn, and I have a younger sister, Carly  who's back home.” For Ronning music is big in his family. All three of his sisters are singers. His uncle is Paul Rodgers, the bass guitarist from the highly successful 1970’s rock group, Bad Company. While Ronning can't hit the high notes, he says his voice isn't that horrible. “No, no, no, they (his sisters) got that covered. I might do well in karaoke, but that’s about it.” Meanwhile, for Drew Melanson, even at age 22, he already could be called a hockey vagabond. Melanson arrives in Hartford from the Boston University Terriers (HE), after spending three years with the RPI Engineers (ECACHL). He got his degree in three years, which is no small feat at RPI. He was able to use the NCAA rule that allows one to receive an accelerated undergraduate degree where the athlete can transfer without penalty since they would have one additional year of athletic playing eligibility. Melanson wasn’t the only player to go that route. Goalie, Kyle Hayton, did the same thing this year going from St. Lawrence (ECACHL) to the University of Wisconsin Badgers (Big 10). He also just signed an ATO deal with Milwaukee Admirals for the last weekend of non-playoff action. “I’m very excited to get the opportunity here for these next two-to-three weeks. I was at RPI for three years and the program isn’t where I thought it was going to be, or needs to be. "I wanted out, so I found out about the rule that if I graduated early, I could go anywhere I wanted. I was looking for a better hockey experience and hunkered down. I had good relationships with my teachers, fellow students, and was able to manage my courses." Despite his growing up in Paramus, a town in Northern New Jersey, Melanson grew up as a Boston sports fan. He spent his youth rooting for the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics. Certainly odd for a Jersey high school student. “My Dad’s whole family is from Boston, it was great for them. My Dad saw me grow up watching me play in the Chowder Cup around Boston, and this year got to see me in the Hockey East title game, and the Beanpot. It was such a cool experience. "My Dad married into a Rangers, Giants, and Yankees family, so we made a kind of an alliance. He brought me up to root for the Boston sports teams. That's worked out okay with the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox winning.” Melanson is a confident and analytical person. He realizes a winger is much more suited for his skill sets as opposed to playing at center. “I don’t want to make any bold statements, but I’m confident in my ability, I’m just starting to get better. My development stalled out at RPI, that’s why I wanted to move. I've played a top two line center, a third line defensive penalty kill center. I have played many different positions and roles. Look, I had two points in like 16 or 17 games at BU at center before Christmas. I had 17 or 18 (points) after when I moved to the wing, by far I think that says where I should be. "Things you do, you just want to keep getting better. Hockey is about change, so in a period of five years, I have played on seven teams. Every year it's not the same, so you have to learn to adapt. Adjusting to new players, new systems are part of being a pro, and I’m just two weeks into it.” He relishes the chance to show his skills here and the future is pretty wide open. His first AHL point was a gorgeous redirect off a crossing play with Vinni Lettieri. Ryan Gropp finished off the play for a goal against the Providence Bruins. “Early in the game I had a similar play that nine-out-of-ten-times I made in college, but guys at this level are so good with their sticks, so I wasn’t successful. I got another chance in a three-on-two, so I made a better drive through and Vinni made such a nice play and Gropp finished it off." Melanson is a rarity. He played against UConn with two different schools and is amazed at the change of the program. “I noticed a huge difference in the talent pool and style of play. I remember the first year they played this super passive (defensive trap game) keep everything to the outside let the other team control the puck when I was at RPI, but at BU, they were up-and-down, they had two solid lines and a scorer like (Max) Letunov, a really high-end player. That program has a very bright future.” The late-season contest against the Huskies, a 5-4 OT loss, was the nadir of the Terriers season and provided a launching pad for BU, who would go on to win the Hockey East post-season conference title. “That game really killed us and we shouldn’t have lost to them. We got up 4-2 and they battled their way back and we needed those points. We didn’t play well all game and we lost in overtime and don’t any points out it. We knew right then and there that we would have to win the conference tournament to get to the NCAA national tournament. We knew we were one of the top talented teams in the country so that game was a turning point no doubt about it. We went on a really good run after that.” They certainly did. They first knocked off UConn at the Aggasiz Arena in two straight very difficult games in the Hockey East quarterfinals. BU won the Hockey East title at TD Bank Boston Garden over Northeastern and got to the NCAA Regional final in Worcester before losing to Michigan 2-1. The Wolf Pack are hoping Ronning and Melanson will lead a charge back to the AHL post-season in 2018-19. NOTES: Former Wolf Pack defenseman Kodie Curran is going from Storhamer (Norway-NEL) to Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL) next year. Two more NCAA signings as Jared Thomas goes from the national champion University Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to signing an ATO deal for this weekend in San Antonio and a one year deal for 2018-19. Dennis Gilbert goes from the National title runners-up, the ND Fighting Irish, and signs a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. He could end up in Rockford on an ATO deal. His former ND teammate Jordan Gross signed an ATO deal and will be in Tucson for the last weekend and AHL playoffs. That brings the total Division 1 NCAA signees so far to 137 and a total of 163 college players. Former Wolf Pack player, Tommy Thompson, was assigned on paper to Idaho (ECHL) to make him eligible for their playoff roster by the Texas Stars. He will be in Austin when they open the AHL playoffs next weekend. Read the full article