CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: October 2-8, 2017 

BY: Bob Crawford Hartford Wolf Pack

The Wolf Pack begin their third decade of play in the AHL this Friday, October 6, when they host their new Atlantic Division rivals the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:15 PM game at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack begin the 2017-18 campaign with a new general manager, Chris Drury, new head coach, Keith McCambridge, and a new assistant coach, Joe Mormina. 

This week:

The Wolf Pack’s first action of the new season is this Friday night, October 6, an XL Center battle vs. the Charlotte Checkers.  Faceoff is 7:15 PM and the first 5,000 fans will take home a free Wolf Pack magnetic schedule, courtesy of CT-DOT.  Then, the Wolf Pack are right back at the XL Center on Sunday, as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms visit for a 5:00 game.

Friday, October 6 vs. the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM

• Free Wolf Pack magnetic schedules will be given away to the first 5,000 fans at this game, presented by CT-DOT.
• The Wolf Pack’s popular Friday-night food and beverage discount is back, for this and all Wolf Pack Friday-night home games, presented by Dave & Buster’s.  Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period.
• This is the first meeting between the Wolf Pack and the Checkers, who played the last six seasons in the Western Conference since Charlotte’s inaugural AHL campaign of 2010-11.  The Wolf Pack and Checkers split a four-game season series that year, with each team winning both of its home games.
• This is the first year at the Checker helm for Head Coach Mike Vellucci, a former Hartford Whaler defenseman who spent the last 13 seasons as head man of the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League.  Last year under another ex-Whaler, and former Wolf Pack and New York Ranger assistant coach, Ulf Samuelsson, Charlotte finished 39-29-7-1 for 86 points, good for fourth place in the Central Division.
• Forward Andrew Poturalski led the Checkers in scoring last season as a rookie, with 19-33-52 in 74 games.
• Tickets for this and all 2017-18 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 are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at ahllive.com. 

Sunday, October 8 vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at the XL Center, 5:00 PM

• At this and every Wolf Pack Sunday home game of the season, fans can take advantage of 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 $35.
• This is the first of six meetings on the year between the Wolf Pack and the Phantoms, and the first of three Lehigh Valley visits the XL Center.  The two clubs played an eight-game season series last year, with the Wolf Pack going 4-4-0-0.  The Pack was just 1-3-0-0, however, in four 2016-17 home games vs. the Phantoms.
• Lehigh Valley was a 101-point team (48-23-5-0) last season, in Head Coach Scott Gordon’s second year.  That record placed the Phantoms second in the Atlantic Division.
• The Phantoms return both last season’s leading point-scorer, defenseman T.J. Brennan, who led all AHL blueliners in goals last year and tied for the lead in points (21-39-60 in 76 GP), and top goal man Greg Carey, who struck for 28-23-51 in 74 games.
• Tickets for this and all 2017-18 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 are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at ahllive.com.

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:

• Saturday, October 7, 12:00 noon, Hebron Fair Grounds, 347 Gilead St., Hebron, CT

Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, joins in the fun at the Hebron Fair.

Recent Transactions:

Dan Catenacci – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 25.

Brandon Crawley – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 25.

Cole Schneider – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 25.

Gabriel Fontaine – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 27.

Brandon Halverson – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 27.

Ryan Graves – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 28.

Vinni Lettieri – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 28.

Boo Nieves – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 28.

Neal Pionk – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 28.

Joe Basaraba – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Sean Flanagan – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Cale Herbert – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Brenden Kotyk – loaned by the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) September 29.

Eric Levine – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Jack Nevins – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Matt Puempel – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the NY Rangers September 29.

Henrik Samuelsson – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Carter Sandlak – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Brenden Troock – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack September 29.

Adam Chapie – reassigned by the NY Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) October 1.

Sean Day – reassigned by the NY Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Windsor (OHL) October 1.

Brandon Halverson – reassigned by the NY Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) October 1.

Dawson Leedahl – reassigned by the NY Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) October 1.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack’s home game Friday, October 27, a 7:15 contest vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, features a “Howl-o-ween” celebration.  Youngsters can enjoy trick-or-treating on the XL Center concourse and take part in a costume parade during one of the two intermissions.

Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s.  After this Friday, the next Friday-night home game is next Friday, October 13, when the Pack host the Toronto Marlies at 7:15 PM.

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 $35.  After this Sunday, the next Family Value Pack game is Sunday, November 5, when the Springfield Thunderbirds visit for a 5:00 PM tilt.

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 Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply).  The Wolf Pack’s first Wednesday home outing of the season is November 15, a 7:00 PM game vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the XL Center ticket office, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 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.

TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM

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