#i heart u everblades

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florida everblades won the ECHL's kelly cup ... great night for florida hockey

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Hartford Wolf Pack news is starting to trickle out as New York Rangers training camp has officially opened, with a few tidbits still to come. The Rangers dropped their first pre-season game in Boston 3-0 to the Bruins as young netminder Brandon Bussi put up a 29-save shutout. Likely Pac-bound forward Will Cullye had a strong game for the Rangers. Adam Sýkora rang one off the crossbar late in the second for NY. The game featured several Wolf Pack players, including goalie Louie Domingue. Domingue played the second half of the game and lost a skateblade on one save. After the game, the Rangers assigned six players to the Wolf Pack. They include goaltender Olof Lindbom, defensemen Seth Barton, Zach Berzolla, and Ryan McCleary, the son of former New Haven Senator Trent McCleary, who is signed for an overage year with his hometown Swift Current Broncos (WHL). He was traded to them by the Portland Winterhawks about a month ago. Forwards, Maxim Barbashev, the younger brother of Las Vegas Golden Knight Ivan Barbashev, was moved in a QMJHL trade last month from Moncton Wildcats to the Shawnigan Cataractes. Barbshev, at 19, will be headed there as per the NHL-CHL agreement once the Wolf Pack training camp ends or whenever the organization ends his PTO deal. Barbashev turns 20 on December 18th. Sahil Panwar is a summer free agent signee by the Wolf Pack. Ex-Pack/Ranger bust, despite five points in five games, Vitali Kravtsov was injured early in his KHL season with Traktor Chelyabinsk. He is out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury and is out a week to ten days into it. Kenny Agostino, a former Yale Bulldog, following his deal being scuttled in Sweden after being in Russia the last two years, signs in Germany with Düsseldorfer EG (DEL). MATT GILROY Ex-CT Whale/Ranger Matt Gilroy is now an assistant coach with the USNDTP U-18 team (USHL), replacing current Ranger assistant coach and former Yale/Sacred Heart assistant coach Dan Muse. A great Gilroy story. The Wolf Pack once put up a game-time trivia question on the scoreboard asking what college Gilroy attended. On the scoreboard, they put up Boston College. Except Gilroy spent four years at BC's rival Boston University. A staff member had to go to the locker room between periods to grab him for a radio interview. Gilroy was NOT pleased. "How stupid are you people? I spent four (expletive) years at BU!" In the post-game, Howlings jokingly asked Glroy at the end of the interview what school he attended. He responded bitterly, then ripped the organization for screwing it up. Matt Barnaby Jr. (Avon Old Farms-AOF), the son of the former Ranger, stays in the Sunshine State and heads over from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) to the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Nicolas Sykora, the son of NHL'er Petr Sykora, commits to Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) in 2026-27. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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in honor of my beloved everblades winning the kelly cup for the third time in a row :]

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CANTLON'S CORNER: WOLF PACK OFF SEASON VOLUME 14

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - With just about sixty days remaining until the start of the 2019-'20 professional hockey season gets underway, teams are beginning to ramp up their final roster decisions and making more signings. PLAYER & COACHING MOVEMENT The Hartford Wolf Pack have been busy. They announced the signing of a forward, Lewis Zerter-Gossage, to a one-year, AHL deal. Zerter-Gossage played four years at Harvard (ECACHL) playing in 128 games scoring 42 goals adding 43 helpers for 85 points. He joined the Wolf Pack at the end of last season on an ATO deal. Zerter-Gossage played in five games in which he tallied two goals. He played his prep school hockey in Connecticut at Kent, which is also where Rangers head coach David Quinn played when he was a young man. The Rangers made it official and brought out Kevin Shattenkirk (Greenwich/Brunswick Prep). The move gives the Rangers immediate cap relief for this year. It puts the Blueshirts under the $81.5M cap at $80.4M. The team's two remaining UFA’s, Brendan Lemieux and Tony DeAngelo, are expected to play for their NHL qualifying offers for this coming season. Coming from out of left-field, former New Haven Nighthawk, and Hartford Whaler, Paul Fenton, was relieved of his duties as the Minnesota Wild's GM after just one season. In a "Hide-and-seek" move to rid the team of the contract of ex-Wolf Pack and Ranger, Ryan Callahan, who you may remember retired last month as a result of a diagnosis of degenerative back disease, was “dealt” by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Ottawa Senators along with a fifth-round pick in the 2020 entry draft for goalie Mike Condon and a sixth-round 2020 draft pick. Sens had the cap space to spare while Tampa needed to create some. Totally legal within CBA rules. Tampa Bay also signed ex-Sound Tiger, Stephen Gionta, as an amateur scout. Ex-Pack, Vince Pedrie played very sparingly in Hartford last year and included an ECHL reassignment to the Maine Mariners before being released. He then signed with the Milwaukee Admirals where he played quality minutes into the Western Conference Final has signed with the Tucson Roadrunners on an AHL contract for next season. Ex-Sound Tiger, Casey Bailey, returns from HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia–KHL) and signs a try-out deal with the Hershey Bears. Wade Megan (South Kent Prep) who played with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season and had some recall time with the Detroit Red Wings, announced his retirement at age 29. He will concentrate on his hockey school in his native Canton, NY. The Charlotte Checkers announced the hiring of Pat Dwyer as a new assistant for new head coach Ryan Warsofsky. On the same day of his hire, Dwyer announced his retirement as a player after spending last season with the Belfast Giants (Northern Ireland-EIHL). The Texas Stars announced the retirement of Travis Morin, 35, and noted that his number 23 will be retired. It was also announced that he is being hired as a skills development coach. Former New Haven Nighthawk, and Hartford Whalers draft pick, Jerome “Boom-Boom” Bechard, has been hired to be one of two associate coaches with the expansion Columbus (GA) Fire Dragons (FHL). He coached the SPHL Columbus Cottonmouth for seven years before the team folded after the 2016-17 season. Matt Finn, who played four games in Hartford with the Wolf Pack, as well as with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and had two other AHL PTO signing stops in Ontario and Grand Rapids, signs in Europe with EHC Linz (Austria-EBEL). Finn played the majority of his season with the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Jamie Arniel, the nephew of former Nighthawk and Rangers assistant coach, Scott Arniel, split last season with Vienna (Austria-EBEL) and then Augsburger (Germany-DEL) has signed with HC Bolzano  (Italy-EBEL). Another pair of Euro AHL signings. Bobby Farnham of Springfield signs with Belfast (Northern Ireland-EIHL). Ryan Murphy, who played with two AHL teams (Binghamton, Iowa) and two NHL squads (New Jersey, Minnesota), signs with Neftekhimik (Russia-KHL) making 63 AHL’ers to sign overseas for the upcoming season. European camps start in the next week. Ex-Pack, Brendan Kotyk, re-signs with Toledo (ECHL). Ex-Sound Tiger, Scott Burt, is named the new assistant coach with Boise (ECHL). Ex-Sound Tiger, and Rangers draft pick, Daniel Maggio, leaves Norfolk (ECHL) for Herning IK Blue Fox (Norway-NEL). Ex-Sound Tiger, Alan Letang, the head coach for Owen Sound (OHL), has been added to the Canadian WJC Team as a scout. Former Whaler, Jody Hull, signs a two-year extension as the head coach of the Niagara IceDogs (OHL). He hires a longtime AHL’er Mark Mancari, as a new assistant coach. Mancari played in Rochester, Portland, Chicago, and San Antonio. He concluded a four-year stint in the German DEL to end his playing career. The Sudbury Wolves (OHL) have hired one-time Whalers scout, Tony MacDonald. He went to North Carolina and worked with the Hurricanes and retired there as the Director of Amateur Scouting after the draft in Vancouver. He was their top scout for the final three years in Hartford. He will be a Special Advisor in Sudbury. The Wolves also hired a new assistant coach. He is long-time AHL enforcer, Zach Stortini, who retires from Charlotte to become the Wolves second assistant coach replacing former Nighthawk and Springfield Indian, Bud Stefanski. Stefanski coached with his son-in-law, the team's head coach, Corey Stillman, last year. He officially retires from coaching. Stortini finished 16th on the all-time AHL PIM list with 1,825 in 603 AHL games. He tallied 109 points and played 257 NHL gamers with 41 points and 725 PIM. He is also the all-time PM leader in Sudbury history with 746 in 247 games. His total numbers, 1,109 games played, 124 goals scored, 270 total points, and 3,296 PIM. A few more to add in college player signing categories. Meirs Moore, from RPI (ECACHL), signs with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). His college teammate, Brady Wiffens, signs with the Reading Royals (ECACHL).  Spencer Trapp of Holy Cross (AHA), signs with South Carolina as well. Trapp’s older brother, Bear Trapp, played four years for Sacred Heart University. Liam Morgan leaves two years early from Union College (ECACHL) and heads to Belfast (Northern Ireland-EIHL). Jack Jenkins of Notre Dame (Big 10), signs with the Indy Fuel (ECHL). Marly Quince of Clarkson University (ECACHL) heads to the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) while Brett Supinski of Union College (ECACHL) inks a deal with the Rangers' secondary farm team, the Maine Mariners (ECHL). He did play two games in the spring with the Ontario Reign. That makes for 188 Division I players to have signed North American pro deals Cory Anderson of Division III's Manhattanville College (UCHC) signs with Huntsville (SPHL) making 24 Division III players to have signed pro deals. 50 college players have signed in Europe and 254 overall between Division I and III have signed. The first Canadian college transfer occurs as Andrew Dodson of the University Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA) will play for the University of Guelph Gryphons (OUAA). There was just one college transfer to the Canadian major junior ranks as Sam Comrie leaves Denver University (NCHC) for Kelowna (WHL). Former Sacred Heart University assistant coach, Josh Beal, is hired as an assistant coach with Bentley University (AHA). Ex-Pack, Layne Ulmer, 38, retires after four strong seasons at Cardiff (Wales-EIHL) that included several championships, He is retiring from hockey and moving back to Canada. Ex-Pack, Juris Stals, re-signs with HK Kurpads (Latvia-LHL). Ex-Pack, Richard Nejezchleb, goes from HC Nova Zamsky (Slovakia-SLEL) to HC Poruba (Czech Republic Division-2). Goalie, Kohl Reddy, leaves Loomis Chaffe Prep (Windsor) for Kirkland Lake of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, (NOJHL) one of the ten Canadian Junior A leagues. One of the all-time wildest players in AHL and minor pro history, Kevin “Killer” Kaminski, becomes the head coach of the La Ronge Wolves (SJHL). UCONN ANNOUNCES REMAINDER OF 2019 CLASS After reporting several of the incoming freshmen class for UCONN, the school announced the remainder of their incoming class. There is plenty of reason for optimism when the group hops over the boards on opening night October 5th in Bridgeport at the Webster Bank Arena against Sacred Heart University (AHA). Jacob Flynn, Defenseman - Bridgewater, Mass./Thayer Academy (USHS-MA Prep) The 5-foot-10 defenseman from Bridgewater, Mass., concluded his high school career in 2018-19 at Thayer Academy.  Flynn was Thayer’s top-defenseman this past season. He finished with a career-high seven goals and 23 points in 28 games as his team finished 13-10-4 in the ISL. In his senior season, Flynn earned ISL all-league honors.  During his junior season, he posted three goals and 12 assists in 30 games.  During his four years at Thayer, Flynn appeared in 119 career games with 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points.  Ryan Keane, Goaltender - Lewisville, Texas/Jamestown Rebels (NAHL) The 5-9 goaltender from Lewisville, Texas spent the past two seasons in the NAHL. Keane played in 36 games with the Jamestown Rebels. In 2018-19, he finished second in the league with a 1.81 Goals Against Average (GAA). He posted a 23-10-0 record and had three shutouts.  He finished the year with a .927 save percentage.  In 2017-18, Keane saw action in 33 games with the then Philadelphia Rebels and was 24-7-0 with a 1.90 GAA and a .924 save percentage. He earned the NAHL (East) Goaltender of the Year honors. Keane ranked second in the league in GAA and had three shutouts. He was named to the NAHL All-East Division team. Prior to his two seasons in the NAHL, Keane played nine games with the Omaha Lancers (USHL). In 2016-17, the second Texas-born and bred Huskies goaltender, comes out of the Dallas Stars U-16/U-18 program. The other was Rob Nichols (Dallas) who played from 2013-2017. He will be the number two goalie behind returning sophomore, and Czech native, Tomas Vomacka. Yan Kuznetsov, Defenseman - Murmansk, Russia/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) The 6-3 defenseman from Murmansk, Russia comes to Storrs after playing last season in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede, the 2019 Clark Cup champions. He was the 157th overall pick in the 10th round of USHL Futures Draft in 2018. Kuznetsov played in 34 games and had four assists. In international play, in November, he helped lead Team Russia to its fourth gold medal in the six-game showcase, World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in New Brunswick, Canada. In addition to earning a medal, he was named to the WHC All-Star team.  He also played for Russia’s U16 team in 2017-18 and has skated for CSKA Moscow U-16.18 squads as well. No relation to the former pro player Sergei Kuznetsov. Harrison Rees, Defenseman - Oakville, Ontario/North York Rangers (OJHL) The 6-2 defenseman from Oakville, Ontario has played the last two seasons with North York of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).  In 2018-19, he helped lead the Rangers to the top of the OJHL South Division while putting up 44 points on six goals and 38 assists in 53 games.  In 16 playoff games this past season, Rees scored six goals with seven assists. At the end of the season, he was named to the 2018-19 OJHL All-Star second team. In 2017-18, Rees had a 14 points season in 50 games, scoring three goals with 11 assists.  He spent the 2016-17 season with The Hill Academy's U16 Prep team, playing in 12 games. In 2016, he was drafted in the 11th round, 221st overall pick of the OHL Priority Draft by the Erie Otters. The foursome all join previously announced incoming players of, Carter Berger (North Vancouver, British Columbia), Matej Blümel (Tabor, Czech Republic), Vladislav Firstov (Yaroslavl, Russia) and Eric Linell (Great Neck, N.Y.). They round out this coming season’s eight-player freshmen class. This year’s class features three players taken in June’s NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, Firstov (Minnesota/2nd round/42nd overall), Blumel (Edmonton/4th round/100th overall) and Berger (Florida/4th round /106th overall). (Portions of a UCONN press release were used in the formation of this piece) WORLD JUNIOR SUPER SUMMER SHOWCASE Now in its third year in Plymouth, MI, this a summer hockey appetizer preview of the World Junior Championship. This year it will be held in Ostrava, and Trinec, Czech Republic. The four countries that participate are the host US, Sweden, Canada, and Finland. The US team features a few important names including the NY Rangers first-round pick (22nd overall) in 2018 in defenseman K’Andre Miller of the University of Wisconsin. It also includes a pair of former Avon Old Farms Players in Spencer Knight (Darien/Boston College), Trevor Zegras (Boston University), and Christian Krygier. Also on the list is the son of former Whaler, UCONN Husky, and Nighthawk, Matthias Samuelsson (Western Michigan) who is the son of ex-Nighthawk, Kjell Samuelsson. Lastly, there's Shane Pinto (US Selects Academy at South Kent Prep). Rangers draft pick, Zac Jones, (Tri-City USHL 2019, third round, 68th overall), a defenseman, and current Sound Tiger, Oliver Wahlstrom, and Jack Drury (Harvard), the son of former Whaler, Ted Drury who also is the nephew of Wolf Pack GM, Chris Drury from Trumbull. On Friday, Miller had another solid offensive rush from the US goal-line but was denied as Rangers' President John Davidson was in attendance. In the waning minutes of the first period, Cole Caufield, and Drury were each denied on Grade-A chances. Miller nailed Drury with a shot in front of the net, and he, of course, was back at in the second period. The US battled back from a 4-1 deficit after giving up four goals of the seven scored in the second period. They got a late goal from Trevor Zegras with 1:31 left in regulation but fell one short in the 6-5 loss to Finland despite 51 shots on goal. Miller assisted on Zegras' tally, and Drury added a power play goal from the right-wing circle set-up by Caulfield. The US routed Sweden on Wednesday, 6-0. Knight recorded the shutout with 22 saves. His best work came in the first period stopping four point-blank shots including one on Ranger prospect, Karl Henriksson. His former Avon Old Farms teammate, Zegras, scored one of the six goals while Jones has another strong game with an assist and five shots on goal. The US lost to Canada 4-1 in the opener with Caulfield scoring the only US goal. Miller had two good strong plays, one on a coast-to-coast rush and a screen shot that Canadian netminder Olivier Rodrique snatched away from the top right corner spot he was shooting for. Miller set up Drury for an in-front tip in play, but that was denied by Rodrigue as well. The series concluded with the US winning over Canada on Saturday. Of note on the other three teams are Jack McBain of Canada, the son of former New Haven Senator, Andrew McBain, and the goalie coach for Canada is all-time Wolf Pack great, Jason LaBarbera. Sweden had three Ranger draft picks in defenseman Nils Lundkvist (2018 first-round, 24th overall), Karl Henriksson (2019 second-round, 58th overall) and goalie, Olof Lindbom (2018 second round, 39th overall). While both are eligible to play in the WJC in December, both Jack Hughes (New Jersey), and Kaapo Kakko (Rangers) are expected to be in the NHL and were not invited to this tourney. Read the full article

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CANTLON: WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON VOLUME 13

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - There has been much activity in the world of the NHL and AHL, especially for the heart of the summer. PLAYER AND COACHING MOVEMENT Former Hartford Wolf Pack and New York Ranger, Marc Savard, who has been doing work as a skills development coach with Petersborough (OHL) was hired as an Assistant Coach by the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Ex-Sound Tiger, Richard Seeley, after the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL), folded following the season, is now the GM of the Ontario Reign. The AHL roster shuffle continues at a slower pace than at the beginning of the month but remains chugging along. Eric Condra heads from Texas to Colorado. Ian McCoshen gets a one-year, two-way deal with Springfield/Florida of $250K-AHL/$700K-NHL and defenseman Julien Melchiori leaves Springfield for Binghamton. Melchiori, is a much younger cousin to former Nighthawk, Daryl Evans, and former Springfield Indian, Vic Venasky. Tyler Gaudet leaves Milwaukee for Toronto Marlies for a one-year, one-way, $700K deal. Cavan Fitzgerald moves from San Jose to Charlotte. Matt Moulson, with almost a 1,000 NHL games, signs an AHL deal with the Hershey Bears. Max McCormick gets a one-year, two-way deal with Charlotte/Carolina paying $100K-AHL/$700K-NHL after splitting last season with Belleville/Colorado. Four more AHL’ers head off to Europe. Ex-Pack Tom Pyatt, who split last season with Utica/Ottawa, signs with Skelleftea AIK (Sweden-SHL). Ex-Pack defenseman, Chris Summers, departs the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins to join his good friend, and ex-Pack, Chris Brown with the Nuremberg Ice Tigers (Germany-DEL) on a two-year contract. He will still be wearing number 55 on his jersey. Kerby Rychel goes from Stockton to Orebro HK (Sweden-SHL). Shane Hanna of Texas heads off to Rungsted IK (Denmark-DHL). Those make 61 AHL’ers who have signed off to Europe or Asia for next season. Hampus Gustafsson of Hershey is on a tryout with Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL). Ex-Pack, Paul Crowder, re-signs with the Fife Flyers (Scotland-EIHL) for the fall and winter hockey season while he is presently playing with the Sydney Ice Dogs (Australia-AIHL). Crowder is their third-leading scorer after playing 12 games (11g-29a-40pts) as the team heads into the final month of the regular season. Crowder's brother Tim is tied for the team lead at 50 points and is third in AIHL scoring of the short season league. Goalie, Jackson Whistle, the nephew of ex-Nighthawk, Rob Whisle, leaves Sheffield (England-EIHL) for Nottingham (England-EIHL) Defenseman Joesph Masonius, a former UCONN Husky signs with Reading (ECHL). He played one game in Wheeling (ECHL) and 12 with now-defunct Manchester (ECHL) last year. Philippe Hudon (Choate Prep) signs an ECHL one-year deal with the Florida Everblades. After finishing his Canadian collegiate career with Concordia University (OUAA) in Montreal, the Hudson, Quebec native played 14 games with Florida and three games with Laval. Karl El-Mir, also from Montreal area, the former UCONN Husky (HE), signs with Indy (ECHL) for next year. Jake Cliffords of Arizona St. (Division 1-Independent) signs with Tulsa (ECHL) and a pair of Division III players sign. Zach Borsoi of Utica College (UCHC) signs with Adirondack (ECHL) while Matt Lippa of Manhattanville College (UCHC) puts his name on a contract with Idaho (ECHL). Three more collegians sign pro deals. Freddy Gerard from Ohio State (Big 10) signs with Idaho (ECHL). Timo Kocer departs Division 3 Finlandia University (NCHA) for his native Slovenia to play for HDD Jesenice (AlpsHL). Peter Crinella of Holy Cross (AHA) signs a deal with Wichita (ECHL) making 184 players from Division I to sign North American pro deals, 22 from Division III, 49 sign European deals, making an overall count of 247 collegians to sign pro deals. Former Quinnipiac Bobcat, and briefly a Sound Tiger defenseman, Mike Dalhuisen, a Dutch-native, leaves EC Bad Nauheim (Germany DEL-2) and signs with HK Dukla Michalovce (Slovakia-SLEL). Travis Culhane, the son of ex-Whaler, Jim Culhane, moves from Western Michigan (NCHC) to Colorado College (NCHC) in the same capacity as Director of Hockey Operations. Besides AHL President Dave Andrews, another hockey honcho will step down following the 2019-20 season. Joe Bertagna, the commissioner of Hockey East after 23 years at the helm will leave the scene, not by his own choice, but the conference directors elected not to renew his contract. He also spent 13 years as the head man for the ECAC before heading up Hockey East in 1997. Bertagna’s name is all over college hockey in the Northeast. Beside commissioning two college conferences, he is an accomplished author of five books on goaltending and was twice the goalie coach for the Boston Bruins (1985-1991 & 1994-95) as well as the 1991 Canada Cup US entry, and the 1994 US Olympic team, that played in Lillehammer, Norway. He was the pioneer in making women’s hockey a Division I sport when he became Harvard’s first head coach of women’s hockey (1977-1979) and actively promoted and developed that side of the college hockey equation. He is already in the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame and the ECAC Hall of Fame. He played from 1970-1973 at Harvard under three big names of collegiate history in Ralph “Cooney” Weiland, Billy Cleary, and the late, Tim Taylor of Yale, who was an assistant at Harvard. Bertagna, being a starter his last two years, was in an era where freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. He played professionally for two years with SG Cortina (Italy-IHL) and Milwaukee (USHL) then a senior hockey league not in its present junior format. UCONN adds another recruit for this fall’s campaign. Forward Jonny Mulera from the Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) commits after playing 49 games and scoring 27 goals, getting 27 assists (54 points). The team’s Director of Player Development is ex-Pack, Bobby Butler. The Yale University Bulldogs (ECACHL) snagged another son of a former NHL’er, Will Dineen, the son of Hartford Whaler great, Kevin Dineen, has made a commitment to Yale for 2020-21. He played this past season for the Chicago Mission U-16 (HPHL) and was drafted by two different US junior leagues this spring. He was taken first taken by Omaha Lancers (USHL) 7th round 98th overall then taken by the Odessa (TX) Jackalopes (NAHL).in the 7th round 162nd overall. Now with the commit to Yale looks more than likely he will be in the USHL come the fall. His father Kevin, as previously mentioned, just signed to be the head coach in San Diego (AHL). He is the younger of the Dineens. Two of his uncles, Peter and Shawn, played for the New Haven Nighthawks, and his other uncle, Jerry Dineen, is the Rangers video coach. Two college graduate transfers are heading to Boston University (HE) in the fall. Wilton CT native, goaltender Sam Tucker, who played his prep school hockey at Choate, takes his Yale degree and four years of collegiate hockey to the Terriers. Also joining him from the ECACHL conference is Alex Brink of Brown University taking the 50-minute trip up I-95  to BU’s campus. Ex-Pack, Jeff Finley, is changing scouting addresses. He leaves Detroit, where he was the Chief of Amateur scouting, to go Winnipeg to replace the retiring Marcel Comeau, a one time New Haven Nighthawks head coach. Need some cool thoughts during the hot days of summer? Here is a superb hockey story to keep you cool and get to read about hockey at the southernmost point in the world; HERE The NHL and college hockey should help in the development of hockey here. Dominic Turgeon, nephew of ex-Whaler Sylvain signed a new one year two-way deal with Grand Rapids for a slight AHL increase from $67,500K to $80K and the NHL money is up from $650K to $750K-NHL). Read the full article

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CANTLON: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES VOLUME 4 PART 2

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings   HARTFORD, CT - The news from the AHL, amid a global pandemic, is stunned sadness on this Easter weekend. Early Saturday morning came the grim, devastating news that 25-year-old, Colby Cave, a forward for the Bakersfield Condors, passed away in Sunnyside Hospital in Toronto. He died as a result of complications from a brain bleed due to a colloid cyst (tumor). The developed tumor put pressure on his brain and requiring it to be removed surgically on Tuesday. After being admitted on Monday to a hospital in Barrie, Ontario, following his being found unresponsive in bed that morning, he was taken by airlift to Toronto. The family released a statement, first announcing the terrible news. Cave was five years into his pro career. He was acquired from the Boston Bruins by the Edmonton Oilers on January 15 of last year. In his all too brief life, Cave was diligent and a hard-worker. He made it to the NHL despite not being drafted, making his NHL debut with Boston on December 21, 2017, against the Winnipeg Jets. He played 44 games this year in Bakersfield with 11 goals and 12 assists and in 11 games with Edmonton, where he posted one goal with four penalty minutes. A majority of his AHL career came in Providence. In 239 games with the P-Bruins tallied 43 goals and 72 assists for 115 points and was a solid performer against the Wolf Pack. He had a standout junior career in the WHL for five seasons, all with the Swift Current Broncos in 285 games, where he garnered 95 goals and 202 points. He was voted team MVP and was a team captain. He would play just 34 NHL games with two goals and four assists. AHL President/CEO Dave Andrews released a statement following the shocking announcement. “Colby Cave was beloved as a teammate and friend, as a husband and son. The entire American Hockey League extends our deepest condolences to Colby's wife, Emily, and his entire family, as well as to those whose lives he touched in the Oilers and Bruins organizations and throughout hockey.”  Likewise, Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, similarly released a warm, heartfelt letter of condolences. “The National Hockey League family mourns the heartbreaking passing of Colby Cave, whose life and hockey career, though too short, were inspiringly emblematic of the best of our game. Undrafted but undaunted, Colby was relentless in the pursuit of his hockey dream with both the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins organizations. An earnest and hardworking player, he was admired by his teammates and coaches. More important, he was a warm and generous person who was well-liked by all those fortunate enough to know him. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Emily, their families and Colby’s countless friends throughout the hockey world.” AHL SEASON The season is still in suspension mode, but news from the Quebec Provincial government, where they banned all outdoor public events, including sporting events, concerts, and festivals, and all large public gatherings until August 31, made it pretty clear that the cancelation of the regular and post-season for the NHL and AHL would be announced likely around May 1.   HOCKEY TRANSACTIONS Former Sacred Heart University Pioneer (AHA), Connor Doherty, of the Worcester Railers HC won the ECHL Community Services Award. The Worcester head coach is former Wolf Pack assistant coach, David Cunniff, the son of late New England and Hartford Whaler player and coach, John Cunniff. The ECHL also announced their All-Star teams. One of the two First-team defensemen is Logan Roe (Kent Prep) of the Florida Everblades. He was a high school teammate of Boo Nieves and finished the year with Manitoba. On the second team, now an ECHL vet, and ex-Sound Tiger goalie, Parker Milner (Avon Old Farms). There is some hockey business going-on. The first junior draft, held last Saturday - the OHL Priority Draft - and there were a few unusual names that selected. In the first round, the third overall pick was Max Namestnikov, the youngest son of former Wolf Pack, Evgeni "John" Namestnikov, by the Sarnia Sting. He played last year for the Detroit Honeybaked U-15 team, and he is a commit to Michigan State (Big 10) in 2023-24. David Goyette of the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep U-15 team went in the first round 11th overall to the Sudbury Wolves. Connor Toms, son of former Wolf Pack Jeff Toms was a 3rd pick and 44th overall, but he didn't have to go far, Toms was selected by his hometown Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He played last year for Sault Ste. Marie Bantam AAA (NOBHL) for his father, who was the team's head coach. Two spots later. Landon Sim, son of ex-Sound Tiger Jon, was selected from Weeks (NSMMHL) by the London Knights. Vinny Borgesi, from the Selects Academy program at South Kent Prep U-15, was taken by Guelph in the 9th round 170th overall. He recently made a commitment to Northeastern (HE) for 2023-23 and has signed a USHL tender contract with Tri-City for the fall start of the season. Andrew DellaDonna from the Selects Academy at South Kent Prep U-15 went in the 10th round 186th overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs. He is an Ohio State Buckeyes (Big 10) commit for 2022-23. The announcement of the WHL All-Star teams was released. The Eastern conference goalie was Prince Albert Raiders goalie Max Paddock, the nephew of former Wolf Pack coach, John Paddock. Ironically, the elder Paddock, the VP /Director of Hockey Ops with the Regina Pats, traded his nephew back on January 7 to the Raiders. In one of the defensive spots is a New York Rangers draft pick, and a possible member of the Wolf Pack 2020-21 roster, Matt Robertson of the Edmonton Oil Kings. The second-round pick from last summer in 60 games had 13 goals, 34 assists, and 47 points. His WHL career totals al with Edmonton is 186 games 27 goals, 78 assists for 105 points for 6'4 205 lb. Rearguard. Upfront Mark Kastelic, son of former Whaler Ed Kastelic had a strong final junior year in 68 games had a team-high 38 goals and 68 points and was a plus 30 for the Calgary Hitmen. The Ottawa Senators draft pick career numbers were 321 major junior games with 126 goals, 109 assists and 235 points signed a three-year two-way entry-level deal with the Senators on Thursday.   AHL EURO SIGNINGS Three AHL players are going to Europe so far as the AHL season, which is still in suspended status, but just one player has confirmed their pending departure. Nikolai Golobdin has said he is leaving Utica for CSKA Moscow (Russia-KHL). In contrast, Charles Hudon in Laval, rumored to be talking to several teams in Switzerland's top league, the NLA, and Cory Conacher, the ex-Sound Tiger, is being paired with HC Lausanne of the NLA. HOBEY BAKER AWARD Mike Perunovich of the University Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (NCHC) was named the 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner becoming the sixth person from the school to capture the coveted top individual award in college hockey. The junior defenseman from Hibbing, MN beat out North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman for the award in a weirdly timed late-night announced on ESPN. "I'm extremely honored and humbled," Perunovich said in a public statement. "Five other Bulldogs have won this prestigious award, so it is just a privilege to join them." The other five were Tom Kurvers (1984), Bill Watson (1985), Chris Marinucci (1994), ex-Sound Tiger Junior Lessard (2004), and Jack Connolly (2012) as Bulldogs' Hobey Baker winners. Perunovich was second in the nation with 34 assists and had six goals in 34 games, becoming the first defenseman to lead the NCAA in scoring. Perunovich, a second-round draft choice in 2018, signed an NHL entry-level deal last month with the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. The award was an anti-climatic event. In it would have been awarded at the NCAA Frozen Four slated to be in Detroit this weekend, where Perunovich and his Bulldogs teammates hoped to play for a three-peat national title. The undrafted Kawaguchi had 15 goals and 30 assists in 33 games. He's returning to North Dakota  (NCHC) for his senior season. Swayman was 18-11-5 with a 2.07 goals-against average, and .939 save percentage for the University Maine Black Bears (HE), and he, like Perunovich, signed an NHL entry-level deal last month his with the Boston Bruins. The award, named in honor of Baker, the former Princeton hockey and football star, was World War I fighter pilot. He was killed in a plane crash in France after scheduled to return home. COLLEGE PRO SIGNINGS The UCONN Huskies Wyatt Newpower who had a strong senior season making the Hockey East Second Team All-Star with 25 points and was a plus 23 signed a one-year AHL deal with the Cleveland Monsters top farm team for the Columbus Blue Jackets. -Cam Crotty departs BU and signs with Arizona (NHL). -Goalie Tom Aubrun (Chamonix, France) from Norwich University (VT) Division II/III Player of the year signs a two year, two way deal with AHL Rockford Ice Hogs. -A few more European collegian signings Jesper Mattila graduates Boston College (HE) and joins teammate and fellow Finnish countrymen Aapeli Rasanen, who leaves school a year early, to sign separate deals with KalPa Kuopio (Finland-FEL). Jake Grade of Division III St. Anselm (NE-10), making it five collegians to sign in Europe inking a deal with HC Cholet (France Division-2). That makes 74 Division I players have signed prop contracts, and 84 college players in total have signed AHL and ECHL deals. The breakdown by conference Hockey East-18, Big 10-17, NCHC-14, WCHA-11, ECACHL-8, AHA-6, and NCAA Independent Division HAS just one. From Division II/III-10 and signing in Europe five. -Eight more grad school transfers happened this past week; three were goalies. First, Robbie Beydoun departs Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA) for the University Wisconsin Badgers (Big 10). The other is Anton Martinson travels 3,000 miles from the University Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks (WCHA) to Providence College Friars (HE) and Henry Johnson heads from Bemidji St (WCHA) to Mercyhurst (AHA). The forwards were Jared Cockrell heads from Colgate (ECACHL), Seamus Donohue Michigan Tech (WCHA) heads to St. Cloud St. (WCHA), Carson Gicewicz goes from St. Lawrence University (ECACHL) to UMASS-Amherst Minutemen (HE). The latest two are Jordan Timmons of the UCONN Huskies (HE) and Charlie Combs of Bemidji State (WCHA) heads to Michigan State (Big 10). He is the younger brother by nine years of former Wolf Pack and Sound Tiger, Jack Combs. Grad transfers are permitted if a student/player either completes his undergraduate degree in under four years after being redshirted due to injury. In either case, one year of NCAA eligibility remains, and a student/player can transfer without the usual one year wait required when a student/player transfers among schools during a regular four-year undergraduate schedule. There is just one regular transfer so far as Jack Olmstead leaves  Michigan (Big 10) to Miami (OH) (NCHC) and can skate for them in 2021-22 after sitting out a year. There are presently ten grad school transfers. NHL DRAFT The final NHL Central Scouting Bureau (CSB) draft list is out, and some exciting names are on the list. At number four is defenseman Jake Sanderson, eldest son of former Whaler Geoff Sanderson. He played for the USA U-18 Team and the US National Development Team (USHL) this year and is a North Dakota (NCHC) commit for 2021-22. He is a dual citizen, so he is eligible for either the US and Canada WJC Team. Ridley Greig, son of ex-Whaler Mark, is the14th ranked player who played this season with Brandon (WHL). Defenseman Jack Finley, son of ex-Wolf Pack and Ranger Jeff Finley, currently the Director of Scouting for Winnipeg. The younger Finley skated for Spokane (WHL) was marked at the 38th spot. In the 70th spot is Ethan Cardwell form the Barrie Colts (OHL) nephew former New Haven Knight, Matt Cardwell. Senna Peters from the Selects Academy U-16 program played this year with Halifax (QMJHL) posting 33 points in 57 games, and a minus 43 is slotted 101st. -Ryan McGuire (New Canaan), son of the NHL announcer on NBCSN and former Hartford Whalers coach Pierre McGuire, is listed as the 105th best prospect in the CSB final rankings The younger McGuire is a Colgate University Red Raiders (ECACHL) commit for 2021-22. He's going to play for the Penticton Panthers (BCHL) next season. He played the last two years for Belmont Hill (MAPREP). McGuire was select him last year in the 12th round 216th overall by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL). Previously, he went in the 8th round 115th overall by the USHL Madison Capitols, and he did get in four games last season with the Capitols with no points after his prep school season ended, He attended Blaineville training camp last fall; however, he didn't play in any games to preserve his college eligibility. -Sophomore UCONN defenseman Jacob Flynn is 122nd. Incoming UCONN freshmen Nick Capone (East Haven/Salisbury Prep) played with Tri-City Storm (USHL) this season is 126th. Paul Dore, son of current Ranger scout Daniel Dore, a former NHL'er is slotted at 182nd. He played at Kimball Union Academy (NYPREP) and is scheduled to perform with Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) in the fall and has no current college commit. The last one on the list is Zakary Karpa, son of ex-Wolf Pack and Sound Tiger, David Karpa. The younger Karpa plays for USA National U-18 Team, and USNDTP (USHL) finished at 194th in the rankings. He is a Princeton Tigers (ECACHL) commit in the fall. Among 31 top-rated North American goalies in the 10th spot in Czech Republic native Nick Malik, the youngest son of ex-Whaler, Ranger, and Beast of New Haven defenseman Marek Malik, who played half the season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). Before heading to Canada, he played for his father at Fydek-Mistek (Czech Republic Division-2), where he is the assistant coach, then HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech Elite League-CEL) and the Czech Republic WJC Team. Then among the European goaltenders, there is Oliver Tarnstrom, son of ex-Sound Tiger, Dick Tarnstrom. He played mostly for the AIK program in Sweden playing with their Super Elite, J-18, and Allsvenskan teams. He played internationally for the Swedish U-18 team. In total, Central Scouting has 217 North American players rated, 31 goalies plus 50 European players, and 10 Euro goalies. The Central Scouting Senior Director is former Beast of New Haven GM, David Gregory. This summer's NHL Draft event scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal sadly, has been canceled and will be held remotely at place and date to be determined. HOCKEY SIGNINGS After playing with Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL), Ryan Doolin (Westminster Prep), heads to Sacred Heart University Pioneers (AHA) in the fall. UCONN landed two commits from the CT prep school ranks both forwards. Gavin Puskar, from the Hotchkiss Bearcats (Lakeville, CT), who had 18 goals and 36 points in 26 games, will be at Storrs for the upcoming season. Hotchkiss lost in the opening round of the NEPSAC Open division playoffs 7-2 to eventual champion, Salisbury Prep. Mark D' Agostino (North Branford) from the Gunnery Highlanders (Washington, CT) posting 23 goals and 55 points in 35 games for NEPSAC Small Division champion, a 5-3 win over Pomfret. D' Agostino will be on campus for the 2021-22 season but will spend next season with the Langley Rivermen (BCHL). -One other prep school NCAA commit for 2021-22 is Kennedy O' Connor (Springfield, MA) of Loomis Chaffe school (Windsor, CT) will play 2020-21 for the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) before heading to the Mullins Center to skate for the UMASS-Amherst Minutemen (HE) in 2021-22. He was drafted last year by both the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) and Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL). -Former Sound Tiger Rob Collins is the head coach of Canadian Jr. B Elmira Sugar Kings (GOJHL). -Remember Rangers one time goaltender of the future Dan Blackburn who played four games for the Wolf Pack in his brief pro career that was cut short by injury is a scout for the London Nationals (GOJHL). -Some moves in Europe Brent Raedeke, nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk Mark, goes from Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL) to Cologne (Germany-DEL) for 2020-21. -By the end of the month, most likely former Wolf Pack Oscar Lindberg will sign a one-year extension deal with EV Zug (Switzerland-LNA), according to a Swiss hockey website. Read the full article