Howlings

EX-PACK BACK IN THE AHL

Quite often people ask us for updates on some of their former Pack favorites and where they are. With final cuts coming on a lot of teams, some fan favorites are heading back to the AHL. Some with good reason…others for no good reason at all.

***** UPDATED *****

Last season's Pack captain, Greg Moore, was sent to Bridgeport by the New York Islanders.

After being resigned and promoted to the NHL by the Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Hollweg has been sent back down to San Antonio.

Jaime Lundmark has been sent to Abbotsford by the Calgary Flames.

The Minnesota Wild announced today that one time Pack Captain, and all around great guy, Craig Weller has been sent to their AHL Affiliate, the Houston Aeros.

Tommy Pyatt, a mainstay on last year’s “Triplets” with Jordan Owens and Mike Ouellette, is heading to Hamilton. He’ll return to Hartford as past of the Bulldogs on December 19th.

The Pack’s second winningest goaltender in team history, Al Montoya, was sent back to the San Antonio Rampage. Speaking of the Rampage, one of the games true nice guys, Mitch Fritz is out of a job as he was released  by the team.

Dave Liffiton, very popular on the D-Line in Hartford has been sent to Syracuse. He returns to Hartford for the first time on January 3rd.

In a total ridiculous move, the Washington Capitals sent Alexandre Giroux to Hershey.

One of the most popular goaltenders is headed to Europe. Dan Cloutier, who has battled injuries the past several years was released by the Detroit Red Wings.

Garth Murray was sent to Abbotsford by the Calgary Flames.

The San Jose Sharks sent Dwight “Dewey” Helminen to Worcester.

Dean Arsene of the Pack cup team was sent to Springfield where he’ll join Jake Taylor.

Mike Busto, who people ask about all the time, was sent to the minors by Montreal.

Forward and former first round pick Hugh Jessiman was sent to Milwaukee by the Nashville Predators.

Bryce Lampman will start the season in Peoria while another defenseman, Vladimir Denisov will play for Hershey where he will join another one time Hartford forward Boyd Kane.

It also looks like Jed Ortmeyer, a personal Howlings favorite player, starts off the season In Worcester.

WOLF PACK WEEKLY: September 29 - October 4, 2009

The Wolf Pack launch their 13th season of AHL play, and their third under Head Coach, and franchise icon, Ken Gernander this week, after splitting four preseason games.  The Pack posted a 4-1victory over the Worcester Sharks at Trinity College’s Koeppel Community Sports Center Wednesday and dispatched the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 4-2, at Champions Skating Center in Cromwell Friday.  The last two preseason contests were losses, though, 3-2 to Bridgeport Saturday at The Rinks at Shelton and 10-3 to Worcester Sunday at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury.

The Wolf Pack are coming off of an Atlantic-Division championship season in 2008-09, in which they went 46-27-3-4 for 99 points.

This week:

The Wolf Pack start the new 2009-10 season with only one game this week.  That is a visit to Binghamton to visit the Senators on Saturday night (7:00 faceoff).

Saturday, October 3 at Binghamton (Broome County Arena), 7:00 pm.

· This is the first meeting between the Wolf Pack and Senators since the 2005-06 season, and only the seventh all-time.  The Pack are 4-2-0-0 in their history against Binghamton.

· The team that became the Wolf Pack moved to Hartford from Binghamton, where they were called the Rangers from 1990-97, after the 1996-97 AHL season.

· The Senators have a new coach, former Hartford Whaler Don Nachbaur, after a 41-30-5-4 (91 pts., fifth place, East Division) season last year under Cory Clouston and Curtis Hunt.

· Winger Ilya Zubov was Binghamton’s leading scorer last season, with 14-38-52 in 63 games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 home opener is coming up Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center vs. the Springfield Falcons.  Faceoff is 7:00, and once again this year, the opener is “Everyone’s a Kid” night, with tickets just $10 each.  Plus, the first 10,000 fans will receive a free Wolf Pack magnetic schedule, courtesy of Click It Or Ticket.  Also, there will be a pre-game block party outside the XL Center on Trumbull St., starting at 5:00 PM.  The block party is free and will feature live music, inflatables and all kinds of other fun for all ages.

Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

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, as well as terrific discounts for groups of 15 or more.  For more information, 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.

The Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’s golf outing is coming up Monday, October 12, at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury.  Participants will enjoy a round of golf with a Wolf Pack player or coach, and proceeds support the Wolf Pack Community Foundation’s charitable endeavors.  Breakfast and a buffet dinner are included, and the cost to play is $150 per person.  Shotgun start is 10:00 AM.  For more information, and to register for the tournament, call the Wolf Pack office at (860) 249-6333 or visit the Wolf Pack’s official website, www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center is Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Guida’s Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The first Friday Guida’s Family Value Night of the season is October 30, when the Pack take on the defending Calder Cup-champion Hershey Bears in a 7:00 game. 

Once again this season, the Wolf Pack are partnering with WTIC Radio to air Wolf Pack hockey action.  All of the Wolf Pack’s regular-season and playoff games will air on 96.5 WTIC-FM’s HD 2 channel and will be streamed on-line at www.wtic.com. Select games will be carried live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  And, as part of the partnership, all Wolf Pack full season ticket accounts will receive a free HD car radio, with installation from JoDi’s Sound Center, courtesy of the two stations and the Wolf Pack.  To purchase your season seats, contact the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund.  Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion.  Purchasers must be 18 years or older.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM

YOUR 2009 - 2010 HARTFORD WOLF PACK

The Hartford Wolf Pack have just made their final roster moves and there were no real monster surprises. Probably the most interesting move is a move that wasn’t made. The Wolf Pack for the time being will carry three goaltenders. Chad Johnson, Miika Wiikman and Matt Zaba. Wiikman has not played in the pre-season due to injury and both Zaba and Johnson have been good, but not spectacular. In fact both netminders got lit up Sunday in the 10-2 loss to Worcester in the preseason finale.

Also as a bit of a surprise was the release of Derek Couture. Couture struck four four goals in four games but apparently that wasn’t what the team felt they needed in comparison to the players they already have.  

Here’s an  educated guess given who’s on the roster, but this is how the lines could be shaping up:

Byers – Crowder – Parenteau

Grachev – Arnason – Weise

Dupont – Rissmiller – Owens

Soryal/DiDiomete – Locke – Ambuhl

Sanguinetti – Potter

Urquhart – Sauer

Williams/Henley - Heikkinen

Howlings will have a complete analysis and review as well as offer an outlook for the team later this week.

Here’s the official release:

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that six players have been transferred from the Wolf Pack training camp roster.

Forwards Ryan Hillier and Tomas Zaborsky have been reassigned by the parent New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack’s ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.  The Wolf Pack have loaned goaltender Ryan Munce and defensemen Jared Nightingale and Trevor Glass to Charlotte, and forward Derek Couture has been released.

Twenty-three players now remain on the Wolf Pack’s camp roster.

Reassigned by NY Rangers from Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Forwards (2):   Ryan Hillier, Tomas Zaborsky

Loaned by Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Defensemen (2): Trevor Glass, Jared Nightingale

Goaltenders (1): Ryan Munce

Released by Wolf Pack:

Forwards (1):   Derek Couture

Following is the roster of players who remain on the Wolf Pack’s training camp roster:

Goal (3):     Chad Johnson, Miika Wiikman, Matt Zaba

Defense (7):    Ilkka Heikkinen, Brent Henley, Corey Potter, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, David Urquhart, Nigel Williams

Forwards (13):   Andres Ambühl, Tyler Arnason, Dane Byers, Paul Crowder, Devin DiDiomete, Brodie Dupont, Evgeny Grachev, Corey Locke, Jordan Owens,

P.A. Parenteau, Patrick Rissmiller, Justin Soryal, Dale Weise

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00).  Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $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, as well as terrific discounts for groups of 15 or more.  For more information, 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.

Single-game tickets for 2009-10 Hartford Wolf Pack regular season home games are on sale now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

WHAT A NIGHT...

Lots of Wolf Pack related news tonight.

Let’s start with the good news…

Evgeny Grachev has been assigned by the parent New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack.  This will help the Wolf Pack immensely on the front end at least for the time being. There could be more coming as, at least for the time being, both Aaron Voros and Brian Boyle will start the season in New York. They should both remain until Sean Avery recovers from his sprained knee.

What will be exceptionally interesting at that point is which of the two is sent to Hartford. Aaron Voros would have to clear waivers. He’s getting a million for this season and next and if he were claimed by another squad would leave a half million dollar whole in the cap for the next two years. On the other hand it would create more room than they have right now. Boyle would not half to pass through waivers and would not affect future seasons and costs the Rangers approximately the same cap hit as Boyle gets $525K. Voros’ departure would be a big question mark on how it might affect Marian Gaborik. It’s said that Voros is “Turtle” to Gaborik’s Vinny Chase of the TV show Entourage.

Who the Wolf Pack brain trust decide to keep around should make for an interesting season.

On the right side, the Pack are stacked. You have P.A. Parenteau, who seems revived and excited about getting to NY, so watch for him to light it up. Dale Weise, who is making a serious case for his own run for the City. Derek Couture, who had four goals in three games coming into Sunday’s action, Jordan Owens and Andres Ambuhl.

Down the middle there’s Paul Crowder, Patrick Rissmiller, Tyler Arnason and Tomas Zaborsky.

Up the left side, Grachev, Devin DiDiomete, Dane Byers, Brodie Dupont, Justin Soryal and possibly even Ryan Hillier.

On the backend they’re really solid.

Corey Potter and Bobby Sanguinetti are both on the verge of becoming NHL’ers. The returning dynamic duo from last season, David Urquhart and Michael Sauer, another of the Pack’s defenseman bidding for a spot in the NHL sometime soon. Ilkka Heikkinen impressed a lot of people in NY and should be NHL bound at some point. Trevor Glass has fared well and should make the team. Who the depth guy or guys are is anyone’s guess. The favorite at this point is most likely, Brent Henley.

This team is going to have size, talent and depth and should be considered a favorite in the division.

Here’s the official release on Grachev.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has assigned forward Evgeny Grachev to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey  League (AHL).  The Rangers now have 22 players remaining in training camp, including two goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards.  The Blueshirts’ next practice is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at 11:00 a.m. at the MSG Training Center.

PLAYERS ASSIGNED TO HARTFORD (AHL) ON 9/27/09:

Forward: Evgeny Grachev

PLAYERS STILL IN NEW YORK RANGERS TRAINING CAMP:

Goal: Henrik Lundqvist, Steve Valiquette

Defense: Michael Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Dan Girardi, Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Alexei Semenov, Marc Staal

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Donald Brashear, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Enver Lisin, Vinny Prospal, Aaron Voros

Now…

Having said they were a favorite for the division and reading how the team fared tonight might give you pause for concern. However, Head Coach Ken Gernander told Howlings after the Saturday night game that some sort of virus has been kicking it’s head through the locker room in recent days. He was also a bit concerned about three games in three night…

Now that said…and after you read what Bob Crawford released about the contest Sunday afternoon, a first place finish would hardly seem like a logical assumption… but we’re sticking to our statements.

Here it is…

   VERSUS   

Defenseman Michael Wilson had two goals and an assist, Brandon Mashinter scored a pair of goals, Dwight Helminen had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Vesce had four assists, as the Worcester Sharks handed the Hartford Wolf Pack a 10-2 defeat Sunday at the the International Skating Center of Connecticut, in the Wolf Pack's final 2009 AHL preseason contest.

Dan DaSilva and T.J. Trevelyan added a goal and an assist each for the Sharks, who were 4/4 on the power play.  Wolf Pack goals were scored by Tomas Zaborsky, Justin Soryal and Dale Weise.  Andres Ambuhl had two assists for Hartford.

The Wolf Pack finished the preseason 2-2-0 in four games.

The Sharks stormed the Pack in the first period, scoring five times against Hartford starter Matt Zaba and building a 5-1 lead.

The onslaught started 1:13 into the game, when Will Colbert beat Zaba from the right-wing side of the crease, after breaking two-on-one with Vesce, who was +5 in the game.  Logan Couture made it a 2-0 lead on a power play at 10:07, before ex-Wolf Pack Helminen forced Soryal into a turnover and fed Mashinter at the left-wing side of the goal mouth at 13:23, to up the advantage to 3-0.

Tomas Zaborsky got the Wolf Pack on the scoreboard on a power play at 16:57, taking a pass from Ambuhl and snapping a shot past the glove of Shark goaltender Ryan Nie.  Worcester answered just 41 seconds later, though, as Wilson's slapshot snuck just under the crossbar behind Zaba at 17:38.

The Sharks widened it to a 5-1 margin at 19:33 on a power-play tip-in, as Helminen deflected in a shot from the left point by Nick Petrecki.

It took Worcester only 1:10 of the second period to make it 6-1, as Trevelyan greeted relief goaltender Chad Johnson with a jam-in from the right-wing side of the crease.

Soryal got that back for the Wolf pack at 17:29, walking around a Shark defender just inside the blue line and beating Nie with a deke.  The Sharks again got a goal in the final minute of the period, though, as DaSilva scored at 19:03 on a breakaway opportunity.

Worcester started fast again in the third period, as Mashinter netted his second of the game at 1:32.  Trevelyan set Mashinter up with a cross-slot pass from right to left.  Wilson's second of the contest made it 9-2 at 7:53, and the Sharks hit double-digits on a goal by Tom Morrow at 12:02.

The Wolf Pack power play clicked for a second time in five chances at 13:46 for the final margin, with Weise deflecting in a shot by Dave Urquhart.

Worcester outshot the Pack 40-33 in the game, and Nie made 30 saves to get the win.  Zaba took the loss for Hartford with five goals-against on 13 shots, and Johnson allowed five on 27 shots.

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00).  Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $10 each.

Worcester Sharks 10 at Hartford Wolf Pack 3

Sep 27, 2009 - International Skating Center

Worcester 5 2 3 - 10

Hartford 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-1, Worcester, Colbert 1 (Vesce), 1:13. 2, Worcester, Couture 1 (Helminen), 10:07 (pp). 3, Worcester, Mashinter 1 (Helminen), 13:23. 4, Hartford, Zaborsky 1 (Ambuhl), 16:57 (pp). 5, Worcester, Wilson 2 (Zalewski, Liotti), 17:38. 6, Worcester, Helminen 1 (Petrecki, Zalewski), 19:33 (pp). Penalties-Helminen Wor (interference), 5:53; Henley Hfd (cross-checking), 8:42; Wilson Wor (interference), 15:12; Locke Hfd (hooking), 18:57.

2nd Period-7, Worcester, Trevelyan 1 (Vesce), 1:10. 8, Hartford, Soryal 1 (Ambuhl), 17:29. 9, Worcester, DaSilva 1 (Vesce, Nie), 19:02. Penalties-Jones Wor (fighting), 1:32; DiDiomete Hfd (fighting), 1:32; Jones Wor (hooking), 2:55.

3rd Period-10, Worcester, Mashinter 2 (Trevelyan), 1:32. 11, Worcester, Wilson 3 (DaSilva, Vesce), 7:53 (pp). 12, Worcester, Morrow 1 (McCarthy, Wilson), 12:02 (pp). 13, Hartford, Weise 1 (Urquhart, Heikkinen), 13:46 (pp). Penalties-Wilson Wor (holding), 2:19; Sanguinetti Hfd (roughing), 7:03; Couture Hfd (holding), 10:05; DaSilva Wor (interference), 12:23.

Shots on Goal-Worcester 13-14-13-40. Hartford 11-15-7-33.

Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 4 of 4; Hartford 2 of 5.

Goalies-Worcester, Nie 1-1-0 (33 shots-30 saves). Hartford, Zaba 0-2-0 (13 shots-8 saves); Johnson 1-0-0 (27 shots-22 saves).

Referee-Francis Charron (46).

Linesmen-David Spannaus (8), Paul Simeon (66).

SO MUCH FOR UNBEATEN…AND OTHER PACK NEWS

  VERSUS   

Former Hartford Wolf Pack forward Paul Healey had a two goal night and Vladimir Nikiforov sealed the deal with the game winner as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers dispatched the Wolf Pack's unbeaten streak and avenged a 4-2 loss the night before with a 3-2 win Saturday night at The Rinks in Shelton, Connecticut.

“There were positives and negatives to tonight’s game,” Wolf Pack Head Coach Ken Gernander said after the contest. “I thought we had a couple of penalties that I didn’t care for. We tried to force some plays offensively that led to counter attack, but some of it is trying to show yourself, make a statement. We’ve got a week to work on some of those things.”

Derek Couture scored his fourth goal in the last three games with just 26.1 seconds remaining in the first period, knotting the score. Couture’s goal came off a feed from defenseman Brent Henley and forward Patrick Rissmiller from the right circle past the Tigers starting netminder Scott Munroe (8 saves). The Calgary native continues to make a solid impression on the coaching staff. “He’s played well.” Gernander said of the 6’1” 205 pounder. “He’s made a real case for himself.” The question for the 25-year old is if the Pack even have a need for a player on the right side.

Also making a strong case for himself was Davos, Switzerland native Andres Ambuhl, who has also caught the coach’s eye. Ambuhl signed with the Pack on May 27th. “He’s one guy who’s gotten better and better each night.” But Ambuhl despite a lot of hard work, Ambuhl has yet to light the lamp for the Rangers AHL franchise. “We gotta get him to find the back of the net,” said the Pack’s third year head coach. “It’ll be a little bit of a relief for him I’m sure. He really wants to impress and show himself, but I like his hustle for a smaller guy, a European guy, he’s finishing checks out there. He’s aggressive and tenacious on the puck. He’s done well I think.”

While the Pack seemed to have possession of the puck for most of the contest, they only managed to put two in the net. One by Munroe, and the second by the NY Islanders second round pick, Mikko Koskinen (30 saves). “He was getting to see everything.” Gernander said when asked about the performance of the 6’5” 187 pound Finnish netminder. “We had to get a little more traffic out in front. Bysies (Dane Byers) tip was a good one there right at the end. He didn’t face a steady diet of those. We’ve got to have more of that and make things difficult.”

But overall, Gernander stated that he was content with the performance of his squad. “I thought some guys started out real strong…they’ve got one more night to really make a push for a spot on our team,” Gernander said. “I thought some of our veteran guys did what they were expected to do. It was a decent enough game tonight.”

Gernander did make some cuts earlier in the day (See story below). The final cuts should come after Sunday afternoon’s contest with Worcester. 

On thing is for certain, when it comes time to make some of these last cuts, it won’t be easy on the Head Coach. “They’re all kids with a dream, you know. Not that being cut from the Wolf Pack is the end of the road, I’m sure it’s difficult. Everybody’s been let go from a team at some point in time and it’s the nature of the business. It’s certainly not an easy task.”

LINES:

Byers – Crowder – Couture

Hillier – Rissmiller – Owens

Henley – Arnason – Weise

DiDiomete – Zaborsky – Ambuhl

Glass – Potter

Williams – Heikkinen

Urquhart – Sauer

Zaba

 

Here is the official release regarding the cuts and assignments:

 

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has deleted six players from its training camp roster.

Defenseman Tysen Dowzak has been reassigned by the parent New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack’s ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.  The Rangers have reassigned blueliner Tomas Kundratek to the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Medicine Hat Tigers.  The Wolf Pack have loaned forward Jean-Philip Chabot and defenseman Mike Berube to Charlotte and have released defenseman Luke Lucyk, who will also be joining the Checkers.  Forward Dan LaCouture has also been released.

Twenty-eight players remain on the Wolf Pack’s camp roster, heading into their final preseason tune-up today at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury against Worcester.  That game faces off at 3:00 PM.

Reassigned by NY Rangers from Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Defensemen (1):     Tysen Dowzak

Loaned by Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Forwards (1):          Jean-Philip Chabot

Defensemen (1):     Mike Berube

Released by Wolf Pack and Joining Charlotte (ECHL):

Defensemen (1):     Luke Lucyk

Reassigned by NY Rangers to Medicine Hat (WHL):

Defensemen (1):     Tomas Kundratek

Released by Wolf Pack:

Forwards (1):          Dan LaCouture

Following is the list of players who remain on the Wolf Pack’s training camp roster:

Goal (4):            Chad Johnson, Ryan Munce, Miika Wiikman, Matt Zaba

Defense (9):       Trevor Glass, Ilkka Heikkinen, Brent Henley, Jared Nightingale, Corey Potter, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, David Urquhart, Nigel Williams

Forwards (15):   Andres Ambühl, Tyler Arnason, Dane Byers, Derek Couture, Paul Crowder, Devin DiDiomete, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Hillier, Corey Locke,

Jordan Owens, P.A. Parenteau, Patrick Rissmiller, Justin Soryal, Dale Weise, Tomas Zaborsky

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00).  Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $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, as well as terrific discounts for groups of 15 or more.  For more information, 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.

Single-game tickets for 2009-10 Hartford Wolf Pack regular season home games are on sale now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

2-0 IS STILL 2-0

With Howlings unable to attend last night’s contest between the Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers, Bob Crawford was kind enough to provide us with a nice game summary. Howlings will be in attendance for tonight’s contest.

 

  VERSUS  

Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2

Cromwell, CT, September 25, 2009 - Rookie defenseman Trevor Glass scored two goals, and Derek Couture added a goal and an assist, as the Hartford Wolf Pack ran their AHL preseason record to 2-0 with a 4-2 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Friday night at Champions Skating Center.

Tony Romano had both of Bridgeport's goals.  Tyler Arnason chipped in two assists for the Wolf Pack.

The Wolf Pack jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, on goals by Couture and Corey Locke.

Couture notched his third goal in two preseason games at 6:20.  Couture broke in on a two-on-one with Tomas Zaborsky and jammed Zaborsky's pass underneath Bridgeport starting goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris.

Locke, playing his first game of the preseason, then scored on a five-on-three power play at 8:55, beating Grumet-Morris with a sharp-angle shot from the right-wing faceoff circle.

Hartford outshot Bridgeport 11-3 in the opening frame, but the Sound Tigers would enjoy a 30-16 advantage in that department over the final two periods.

The two teams traded goals in the second, the Wolf Pack scoring on a four-on-four and the Sound Tigers replying with a power-play tally.

Rookie defenseman Trevor Glass pounded home a slapshot from the top of the right circle at 17:12 for a 3-0 Hartford lead.  That was against relief goaltender Juha Toivonen, who relieved Grumet-Morris at the 9:42 mark.

Bridgeport got on the board for the first time at 19:03, with Jared Nightingale off for cross-checking.  Tony Romano buried a chance from right outside the goal crease of Wolf Pack netminder Chad Johnson, making his first Pack appearance.

After that late goal in the second, Romano scored again at the 1:00 mark of the third frame to make it 3-2, but that would be as close as the Sound Tigers would get.

Glass tallied his second of the game at 4:34, when Arnason set him up at the left side of the crease on a two-on-one.  That made the final 4-2.

Johnson made 31 saves in the Hartford net.  Grumet-Morris allowed two goals for Bridgeport on 13 shots, and Toivonen took the loss with two goals-against on 14 shots.

The Wolf Pack wrap up their home preseason action this Sunday, September 27 at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury at 3:00 PM, hosting the Worcester Sharks.  The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00).  Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $10 each.

 

Champions Skating Center

Bridgeport 0 1 1 - 2

Hartford 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period-1, Hartford, Couture 3 (Zaborsky), 6:20. 2, Hartford, Locke 1 (Urquhart, Weise), 8:55 (pp). Penalties-Bourbeau Bri (holding the stick), 3:52; Findorff Bri (bench minor - too many men), 7:47; Gannon Bri (hooking), 8:14; Glass Hfd (holding), 12:36; Lesperance Bri (roughing), 15:05.

2nd Period-3, Hartford, Glass 1 (Owens, Arnason), 17:12. 4, Bridgeport, Romano 1 (DiBenedetto, Figren), 19:03 (pp). Penalties-Findorff Bri (holding), 0:35; Soryal Hfd (slashing, roughing), 0:35; Gruenke Bri (slashing), 3:14; Lucyk Hfd (hooking), 4:25; Findorff Bri (hooking), 8:17; Owens Hfd (hooking), 10:52; Klementyev Bri (fighting), 13:27; Weise Hfd (fighting), 13:27; Romano Bri (hooking), 15:45; Dupont Hfd (interference), 16:29; Nightingale Hfd (cross-checking), 18:12.

3rd Period-5, Bridgeport, Romano 2 (DiBenedetto, Figren), 1:00. 6, Hartford, Glass 2 (Arnason, Couture), 4:36. Penalties-Sellars Bri (fighting), 1:00; Weise Hfd (fighting), 1:00; Couture Hfd (roughing), 10:34; Nightingale Hfd (hooking), 16:47.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 3-11-19-33. Hartford 11-8-8-27.

Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 1 of 8; Hartford 1 of 7.

Goalies-Bridgeport, Grumet-Morris 0-0-0 (13 shots-11 saves); Toivnen 0-1-0 (9:42 second, 14 shots-12 saves). Hartford, Johnson 1-0-0 (33 shots-31 saves).

Referee- Francis Charron.

Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Luke Galvin (2).

PACK PLAYERS PACKING

At this time of year in hockey land, people are moving around all over the place. Such is the case with the New York Rangers franchise.

Former first round draft pick Bobby Sanguinetti is the last cut in the defense to start the 2009-2010 season. Today, Sanguinetti was sent back to Hartford and according to reports throughout the Rangers blog-o-sphere Head Coach John Tortorella wants the New Jersey native to be more involved offensively.

Here’s the official release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL). The Rangers now have 23 players remaining in training camp, including two goaltenders, seven defensemen and 14 forwards. The Blueshirts’ return to action tonight when they will host the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden (7:00 pm), in the final home game of their 2009-10 pre-season schedule.

PLAYERS ASSIGNED TO HARTFORD (AHL) ON 9/24/09:

Defense: Bobby Sanguinetti

PLAYERS STILL IN NEW YORK RANGERS TRAINING CAMP:

Goal: Henrik Lundqvist, Steve Valiquette

Defense: Michael Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Dan Girardi, Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Alexei Semenov, Marc Staal

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Donald Brashear, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Evgeny Grachev, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Enver Lisin, Vinny Prospal, Aaron Voros

But Sanguinetti isn’t the only player in Ranger-land making travel arrangements.

After Wednesday night’s 4-1 victory over Worcester, the first round of Wolf Pack cuts have been made.

Here’s the official release:

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has deleted 11 players from its training camp roster.

Forward Ryan Garlock has been loaned to the Wolf Pack’s ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, and forward Chris Chappell has been reassigned by the parent New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Charlotte. Forwards Tyler Doig, Matt Schepke and Andrew Carroll, along with defenseman Steve Ward, have been released and will be joining the Checkers. Also released were forwards Daniel Bartek and Matt Maccarone, and defenseman Sasha Pokulok. Defenseman Sam Klassen has been reassigned by the Rangers to his Junior team, the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, and fellow defenseman David Stich has been released and will be returning to Major Junior hockey.

Thirty-four players remain on the Wolf Pack’s camp roster, heading into their next preseason game, which is tomorrow night, Friday, September 25th at Champions Skating Center in Cromwell, CT. The Pack battle the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday, with faceoff at 7:00 PM. That game benefits Connecticut Clippers Youth Hockey, and admission is $5.

The Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers play a rematch this Saturday night, September 26th at The Rinks at Shelton in Shelton, CT (7:00), and the Pack wraps up its preseason slate this Sunday, September 27th at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury at 3:00 PM, hosting Worcester.

Loaned by Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Forwards (1): Ryan Garlock

Reassigned by NY Rangers from Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL):

Forwards (1): Chris Chappell

Released by Wolf Pack and Joining Charlotte (ECHL):

Defensemen (1): Steve Ward

Forwards (3): Tyler Doig, Andrew Carroll, Matt Schepke

Reassigned by NY Rangers to Saskatoon (WHL):

Defensemen (1): Sam Klassen

Released by Wolf Pack and returning to Junior Hockey:

Defensemen (1): David Stich

Released by Wolf Pack:

Forwards (2): Daniel Bartek, Matt Maccarone

Defensemen (1): Sasha Pokulok

Following is the roster of players who remain on the Wolf Pack’s training camp roster:

Goal (4): Chad Johnson, Ryan Munce, Miika Wiikman, Matt Zaba

Defense (13): Mike Berube, Tysen Dowzak, Trevor Glass, Ilkka Heikkinen, Brent Henley, Tomas Kundratek, Luke Lucyk, Jared Nightingale, Corey Potter, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, David Urquhart, Nigel Williams

Forwards (17) Andres Ambühl, Tyler Arnason, Dane Byers, Jean-Philip Chabot, Derek Couture, Paul Crowder, Devin DiDiomete, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Hillier, Dan LaCouture, Corey Locke, Jordan Owens, P.A. Parenteau, Patrick Rissmiller, Justin Soryal, Dale Weise, Tomas Zaborsky

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00). Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $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, as well as terrific discounts for groups of 15 or more. For more information, 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.

Single-game tickets for 2009-10 Hartford Wolf Pack regular season home games are on sale now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

PACK BITE SHARKS

  VERSUS 

The Hartford Wolf Pack opened the audition process for the 2009-2010 team in impressive style smothering the visiting Worcester Sharks 4-1 at Koeppel Community Sports Center at Trinity College Wednesday night in the first preseason game for both teams.

The team’s overall effort impressed Head Coach, Ken Gernander. “There were a lot of positives.” He said. “I was pleased with a lot of the aspects of our game. I thought we finished checks well. I thought we were good on face-offs. We did a lot of the little things very well. I thought everybody played really well.”

Devin DiDiomete was the sole regular skater from last season’s team to take to the ice as Gernander and his staff took a look at lots of fresh faces. The returning DiDiomete certainly demonstrated all the assets that he brings to the franchise. The Stratford, Ontario native was effective both with the puck and without. The 5'11" 200 pounder was hitting and crunching bodies on every shift, all over the ice. In the second period, he “fought,” if you can call it that, Shark defenseman Michael Wilson. DiDiomete absolutely hammered his 6’1” 195 pound opponent right into the ice. Complete no-contest.  

For the rest of those wearing the Rangers top AHL affiliate’s colors, it was time to make an impression on their perspective Coach and many did.

Rookie Andrew Carroll, certainly was among them.

Like the Pack’s third year head coach, Carroll also hails from Minnesota. His shorthanded goal at 17:11 “…was set up by his (Carroll’s) extra effort.” The Minnesotan born coach said. The extra effort Gernander refers to was Carroll fighting off two defenders deep in the Sharks corner on the PK. “He ragged the clock.” The Pack’s long time captain said. “He held the puck in his feet down low on a penalty kill, (then) got it to the point.” There he found DiDiomete waiting. The Left Wing then fired a hard, low shot on net. Carroll, “then battled his way to the net front for a pretty gritty rebound. So that was top marks to him as far as second effort.”

Also impressive was Tomas Zaborsky. The Banska Bystrica, Slovakia born center returned to the Pack after missing a good portion of last season due to a nasty shoulder injury that required pretty evasive surgery. “Obviously the shoulder is not an issue right now. I thought he played well in the middle of the ice.” Gernander said. Zaborsky centered a line with Derek Couture who netted two of the team's four goals and rookie Ryan Hillier who had two assists. “I thought the whole line was effective. Couture had the two goals and Hillier had a decent game and I think as a unit they did well.”

While the shots were even, 13 apiece, in the first period, the Pack completely ruled the roost. After Worcester's Steve McClellan took a hooking call at 11:35, the Pack went to work on the power play. 1:15 later, at 12:50, left wing Chris Chappell took a centering pass from Ryan Garlock in front of Ryan Nie (34 saves) and beat the Shark netminder low to the left side.

Just 2:16 later, Hillier fed Zaborsky who in turn made a magnifcent pass to Couture and the Calgary native but it into the twine past Nie bank-style off of Shark defenseman Jon Landry's leg.

After completely manhandling the visiting Sharks in the second period and outshooting them 13-4  but not putting one past Nie, the Pack broke through for their third goal, Couture's second, off an odd man rush. Hillier put a shot on net that Nie should have handled but didn't and left the tasty morcel right in front of his net that Couture slammed right past him.

Ryan Munce, who went all the way for the home team, stopped 25 shots and lost his bid for the shutout with just 2.1 remaining in the game when a weak shot from the left circle by Evegeni Saidachev on the power play slid into the net. It was a weak goal to surrender, but overall a good performance from the Mississauga, Ontario native who will most likely be sent to Charlotte to protect the Checkers' net. Who joins him there is yet to be decided. Miika Wiikman, Matt Zaba and Chad Johnson are all vyying for the two goaltending positions in Hartford.

“It’s going to be tough come the time when you have to make some decisions on these guys," Gernander said. "I thought for a work out and all those things they were all great. It’s going to make for some tough decisions.”

LINES:

LaCouture - Crowder - Ambuhl

Schepke - Garlock - Chappell

DiDiomete - Doig - Carroll

Hillier - Zaborsky - Couture

Kundratek - Stich

Pokulok - Ward

Klassen - Henley

Munce

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

The Hartford Wolf Pack will begin their 2009 preseason schedule tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 23, with a battle at Trinity College’s Koeppel Community Sports Center against the Worcester Sharks.  Faceoff is 7:00.

This game will benefit the Ryan Gordon/Hartford Wolf Pack Community Scholars Fund, a memorial to young Wolf Pack fan Ryan Gordon, who passed away in 2006 and asked that a portion of the monies set aside for his college education be donated to the Wolf Pack Community Foundation.  Donations will be accepted at the door tomorrow night in lieu of an admission charge, and the suggested donation is $5.

The Koeppel Community Sports Center is located at 175 New Britain Ave. in Hartford.

Tomorrow night’s contest is the first of four preseason games in five days for the Pack.  Head Coach Ken Gernander’s club takes on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this Friday night, September 25 at Champions Skating Center in Cromwell (7:00) and on Saturday night, September 26 at The Rinks at Shelton in Shelton, CT (7:00).  The Wolf Pack then wraps up their preseason slate this Sunday, September 27 at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury at 3:00 PM, again hosting Worcester.

The Wolf Pack’s 2009-10 regular-season home schedule kicks off Saturday, October 10 at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons (7:00).  Once again this season, tickets to the home opener are only $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, as well as terrific discounts for groups of 15 or more.  For more information, 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.

PARENTEAU HARTFORD BOUND?

According to a Twitter posting by Newsday’s Steve Zipay, P.A. Parenteau has been reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Hartford Wolf Pack. This move pretty much assures that Aaron Voros and Enver Lisin will make the team. Zipay also reports in another Twitter posting that “(Wade) Redden left practice with a sore back; (Sean) Avery is on crutches, (Marc) Staal has a sore groin so Bobby Sanguinetti is still (in New York)".

Parenteau must clear waivers in order to come to Hartford. However, given his low cost against the cap and high return potential, don’t be surprised if he is claimed by another team (if you listen closely you can hear Don Maloney dialing from Rangers West?) as there are any number of them out there looking for a player with scoring potential and that can play in all situations as Parenteau showed.

_____________*****UPDATE*****_______________

Andrew Gross has an update and spoke with Parenteau. Read it in Ranger Rants.

Should Parenteau make it to Hartford, we will attempt to get his thoughts as well.