HENLEY IN THE BAND

Here’s another one of those moves that the Rangers/Wolf Pack organization makes that at face value leaves you scratching your head. Today the Pack have signed defenseman Brent Henley (to the best of our knowledge, no relation to Don). Henley is a 6’7” 250 pounder who, guess what? Likes to throw down the gloves. When Rangers head coach John Tortorella said that he felt the team was, “too soft” he wasn’t kidding. Over the summer the Pack have added a lot of players that like to hit or that will throw down the mitts. Teams are going to get a beating when they come to play in the Insurance Capitol of the World, that’s for sure. If you’re a fan of fighting, you should be on pins and needles about this upcoming year.

In the case of Henley, our best guess is that his is a two way deal (AHL/ECHL) meant to give the Pack some size and depth should an injury occur.

Here’s the official release:

WOLF PACK SIGN DEFENSEMAN BRENT HENLEY

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6-7, 250-pounder has Eight Years of Pro Experience

HARTFORD, August 25, 2009:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed defenseman Brent Henley to an American Hockey League contract.

Henley, 28, stands 6-7 and weighs 250 pounds, and is entering his ninth year in the pro ranks.  The Coquitlam, B.C. native spent most of the 2008-09 season in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals.  In 47 games with the Admirals, Henley registered six assists and 198 penalty minutes, which was tops among Norfolk defensemen and second overall on the team.  He also saw ECHL action last year with Augusta and Mississippi, totaling six games, with one assist and 13 PIM.

The 2007-08 season saw Henley skate in three AHL games with Springfield and spend the balance of the season in the IHL with Fort Wayne (26 GP, 0-4-4, 108 PIM), with whom he captured a Turner Cup championship.

Henley has dressed for a total of 93 AHL contests in his career, with the Lowell Lock Monsters, Rochester Americans, Toronto/Edmonton Roadrunners, Springfield and Norfolk, amassing one goal and ten assists for 11 points, along with 343 minutes in penalties.  In 180 career ECHL games, he has chalked up six goals and 26 assists for 32, with 977 PIM.

The Wolf Pack open the home portion of their 2009-10 regular season at the XL Center Saturday, October 10 vs. the Springfield Falcons at 7:00.  Once again this season, all tickets for the home opener will be priced at $10 each.  The Wolf Pack is offering “Knockout Season Ticket Prices” for 2009-10, with across-the-board price reductions of 8-13% depending on the seat location.  To learn more, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com, or call the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000 to talk with an account executive today about all of the Wolf Pack’s many ticket options.

(Henley photo courtesy of dailypress2.com)

Comments

[jack]

Mitch,

I told you...I knew Schoney wouldn't let Soryal take on the true goons of the AHL.

[benny]

I can't see this as a head-scratcher. It fits the historical pattern of recent seasons bringing in seasoned fighters - Sugden and Stefanison, Fritz and Lessard, McIntyre, etc. I do see it as not really needed, given Soryal and Didiomete, the 4 physical WHL D guys (Dowzak, Klassen, Glass, Berube), and fearless guys like Sauer and Dupont. But as Jack writes above, the AHL features 'true goons' who head-hunt and look to fight, so I understand it.

[Joe]

All (s)he Wants To Do Is Dance...

[david]

This guy will play in Charlotte.

[Jxmarts]

This guy is a major downgrade from the likes of Sugden, Lessard & MacIntyre. If all a player does is fight, then he better be good at it, or at the very least exciting. Henley is neither. I have to think he's just insurance in case of an injury. I can't imagine Coach Wilkinson being too thrilled when we send him down to Charlotte.