CANTLON: CT OFFSEASON HOCKEY VOL 12 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT –  The New York Rangers, the parent organization of the Hartford Wolf Pack, had a hectic week.

The Rangers have filled the Hartford GM job with the hire of Ryan Martin, who has spent the last nine years running the Grand Rapids Griffins. Martin has spent the last twelve years with the Detroit Red Wings organization and will be Assistant General Manager of the Rangers organization behind Chris Drury and run things in Hartford.

Martin, a Connecticut native, has also been involved with USA Hockey and the World Junior team. He comes off his ninth world junior tournament working in player personnel for the United States. Last January, he helped the US World Junior Team capture the country’s first gold medal since 2017. He has been a part of winning last January and has won a silver and two bronzes during his time.

He received his undergraduate degree from Trinity College (Hartford). He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Denver, College of Law in 1997, and an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Denver, College of Law in 1998.

SIGNINGS

The Rangers signed 18-year-old, first-round draft pick Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds (OHL) to a standard three-year NHL ELC deal of $925K-NHL/$80K-AHL. He will be returning to Flint for the season as he has a year of junior eligibility left.

Ex-Pack, Chris Bigras, hops on I-476 in PA and heads an hour-and-a-half from Allentown (Lehigh Valley) to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a new one-year AHL deal with the Penguins.

Tom Kühnhackl, now an ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger, has opted not to play at home in German DEL.  He signed with Skellefteå AIK (Sweden-SHL).

John Quenneville, the cousin of ex-Hartford Whaler and current Florida Panthers’ head coach Joel Quenneville, who played in Rockford last year, signs with ZSC Zurich Lions (Switzerland-LNA). He was an expansion draft pick of the Seattle Kraken.

MORE SIGNINGS

Quenneville’s teammate, Matt Tomkins, heads from the Rockford IceHogs to Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL), and Cliff Pu of the Cleveland Monsters departs for Vienna (Austria-IceHL), making 66 AHL’ers off to Europe from last season. As a result, 26-of-the-31 teams have lost at least one player.

Seattle Kraken made veteran coach Dan Bylsma the assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers next season. They will be in a dual affiliation with Florida. Bylsma will likely be the first head coach of the AHL’s 32nd team, the unnamed Palm Springs (CA) franchise whose new $250 million building is currently under construction.

The Providence Bruins upgrades assistant coach Ryan Mougenel to head coach.

Don Nachbaur, a former Hartford Whaler and New Haven Nighthawk, returns to the AHL as the new assistant coach for the Stockton Heat. He coached last year for half of the season with SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA) and was an associate coach for the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) in the other half.

EX-PACK SIGNINGS

Ex-Wolf Pack Igor Shesterkin signs the highest-valued second contract in NHL history. The Rangers signed their presumptive top goaltender to a four-year deal paying $5.66M per. Could Alex Georgiev be traded next?

Ex-Wolf Pack Neal Pionk resigns with the Winnipeg Jets for a four-year deal paying $5.875M per.

Ross Colton (Taft School)m who scored the Stanley Cup’s series-clinching goal in game 5 over the Montreal Canadiens, is rewarded with a new two-year deal at $2.25M.

NEW COACH IN JACKSONVILLE

The Rangers’ new Double AA (ECHL) affiliate, the Jacksonville (FL) IceMen, has a new coach with some Connecticut and hockey pedigree.

Nick Lukko (Salisbury School), 29, was hired as the second head coach in team history and the Director of Hockey Operations.

Lukko had been an assistant coach for the Reading Royals (ECHL) the last two years after retiring from playing.

His father, Peter Lukko, is a former CEO with the Philadelphia Flyers and Comcast-Spectacor. He is currently the Executive Chairman/Alternate Governor with the NHL Florida Panthers as part of the OVG Group running BB&T Center in Florida.

The younger Lukko will be working with Pat Boller, the Wolf Pack VP of Team Operations (title upgrade from Assistant GM) in Hartford, to coordinate the few Wolf Pack prospects that will be assigned to the Icemen in the fall.

The team also announced the signing of ex-Pack goalie Charles Williams.

THE SIGNINGS KEEP COMING

Matt Barnaby Jr. (Avon Old Farms) signs with the Ft. Wayne Komets (ECHL).

Ex-Pack Brodie Dupont departs the Herning Blue Fox (Denmark-DHL) and signs with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL).

After taking a year off, ex-Wolf Pack, Devin DiDiomete, will skate with HC Merano (Italy-AlpsHL) for a fourth season.

Ex-Pack Jakub Petruzalek retires from hockey and becomes the assistant coach for HC Litvinox (Czech Republic U-20).

After a four-year stretch as captain of the Sound Tigers, Ben Holmstrom returns from Lillehammer (Norway-NEL) and signs a deal with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

James Anderson (Taft School) signs with Fife Flyers (Scotland-EIHL).

BYE-BYE TIMMONS

Jordan Timmons (UCONN) has transferred again.

He departed the Huskies to head to the Robert Morris University Colonials (AHA) last year.

The hockey program at Robert Morris was canceled in June. The efforts to revive it hope to have it back on the ice for the 2022-23 season. Timmons transfers to the brand-new independent Long Island University (LIU) Post Sharks program.

Harrison Roy of the Boston College Eagles (HE) transfers to the Lake Superior St. Lakers (CCHA).

Joseph Giacobbe departs Division-III Utica College (UCHC) for the Albertus Magnus College Falcons (NCAA Division-III Independent). That now makes 80 school transfers this off-season.

Brian Scoville leaves The University of Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA), which lost its team and conference, and heads to Utica College.

There are a combined 51 grad transfers and 131 total college players to change schools this off-season.

MORE COLLEGE MOVES

Gianluca Esteves of Michigan State (Big 10) signs a pro deal with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL). From the D3 ranks, Tommy Stang of St. Mary’s (MIAC) signs one with the Quad City Steam (SPHL).

The conference breakdown is; Hockey East-26, Big 10 now has 22, NCHC at 16, ECACHL and AHA each have seven, CCHA (formerly WCHA) has four, and NCAA Independent Arizona St. has two.

84 Division-I players have signed North American professional deals, and the total number of players to sign in North America and Europe is 122.

Paul Cerda of St. Michael’s College (Northeast-10) signs with HK Martin (Slovakia Division-2), making 34 college players sign in Europe and Division-III signing US pro deals is four.

CT CHIEFS PLAYER COMMITS

Zach Richards of the Connecticut Chiefs (EHL) commits to D-3 Neumann (PA) University Knights (UCHC).

Adam Bicker of the Connecticut Jr. Rangers (NCDC) commits to D3 Bethel University (MIAC).

Karl El-Mir (UCONN/Selects Academy at South Kent Prep) signs to start with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL).

The QU Bobcats have a goalie recruit for next year. Chase Clark, who split last season with New Jersey (NCDC)/Tri-City (USHL), is headed to New Haven.

UCONN COMMITS

The UCONN Huskies announced their incoming 2021-22 Hockey East class of eight players. Three of them are grad transfers and the other five come from the normal commit route. The list includes a Connecticut resident.

Jarrod Gourley (Calgary, Alberta) – Grad Transfer from Arizona State University (NCAA D1 Independent) – Defenseman – 6-2 / 212

Played 90 career games in three seasons at Arizona State. He scored seven goals with 13 assists (20 points). Before ASU, he played with the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL).

Darion Hanson (East Bethel, MN) – Grad Transfer from Union College (ECACHL) – Goaltender – 6-3 / 180

Appeared in 78 career games with Union. He posted a 2.55 GAA (goals-against average) and a .913 save percentage.  He had seven career shutouts and had a 30-37-9 record.  He didn’t compete last season due to Union opting out of the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2019-20, Hanson started 36 of the team’s 37 games with 2.79 GAA and a .910 save percentage.  His three shutouts are tied for fourth on the school single-season list, and he became the first goalie in the program’s Division-I history to record 1,000 saves in a season. In addition, Hanson ranked second in Division-I in saves and third in minutes played.

A three-time ECAC All-Academic team honoree before Union, he played for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) before being traded to the Vernon Vipers (BCHL).  He led the BCHL in GAA (1.84) and save percentage (.945) while receiving the BCHL’s Goaltending Award.

MORE INCOMING UCONN PROFILES

Kevin O’Neil (Latham, NY) – Grad Transfer from Yale University (ECACHL) – Forward – 5-11 / 180

O’Neil played in 94 games for the Yale Bulldogs (ECACHL) over three seasons.  Did not compete in 2020-21 after Yale opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He put up 44 total points on 17 goals and 27 assists in his three seasons.  He was fourth on the team in his junior season with 17 points, scoring five goals while playing in all 32 games.

In juniors, he spent a season playing for Madison and Fargo (USHL), where he appeared in a combined 57 games with 14 goals and 21 assists. In addition, he attended prep school at Albany Academy (NYPREP), where he was named to the 2016 All-New England Prep All-Star Team.

Chase Bradley (St. Louis, MO) – Forward – 5-11 / 180

2020 seventh round (203rd overall) NHL Draft pick by the Detroit Red Wings. He played the 2020-21 season with Sioux Falls (USHL), appearing in 52 games, scoring 22 goals with 18 assists. Bradley had a two-season stint with the Omaha Lancers (USHL) in 2018-19 and 2019-20.  In 71 games, he scored 10 goals with 13 assists for 23 points.

Bradley played for two years at Oakville High School, where he had 33 points (21g/12a) in 20 games.

EVEN MORE, UCONN COMMIT PROFILES

Aidan Metcalfe (Palos Verdes, CA) – Defenseman – 6-3 / 191

Metcalfe played for the Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) in 2019-20 and 2020-21, where he won the NAHL Robertson Cup championship this year.

Metcalfe appeared in 98 total games for the Mudbugs with a goal and 40 assists.  In ten playoff games in 2020-21, he scored a goal with three assists in helping the team win the title.

He played in prep school at the Berkshire School (MAPREP) in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Metcalfe played in 55 games, scoring eight goals with eight assists.

Sasha Teleguine (North Attleborough, MA) – Forward – 5-10 / 180

Teleguine had a 20-game stint with the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) in 2020-21.  He scored four goals with 14 assists (18 points), third on the team in scoring.  He helped the team to a 13-7 record in 20 games.

Teleguine attended Thayer Academy (MAPREP) for three years from 2017-2020, where he played in 83 games totaling 89 points.  He scored 36 goals with 53 assists.

AND EVEN MORE, UCONN COMMIT PROFILES

Logan Terness (Burnaby, British Columbia) – Goaltender – 6-1 / 185

Terness played with the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) for three seasons.  In 2020-21, he had a 2.76 GAA, and a .925 save percentage in 12 games.  He finished the season 7-5-0 with a pair of shutouts.

In 2019-20, Terness was named the BCHL Rookie of the Year, played his way onto the BCHL All-Rookie team, and was named a league second-team All-Star.

Over his three seasons in the BCHL, he played in 59 total games with a 34-17-4 record, 2.57 GAA, a .927 save percentage with three shutouts.

Jake Veilleux (South Windsor, CT) – Defenseman/Forward – 6-0 / 185

Veilleux played with the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) for three seasons, where he appeared in 105 total games.

He had 10 goals and 20 assists during his BCHL career.  In 2020-21, he had 15 points in 18 games, scoring five goals with 10 assists, third among the team’s defensemen.  He helped lead his team to a 14-6 record and a first-place finish.

In 16 games with the Westshore Wolves in the Victoria Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL), a Junior B team, Veilleux scored three goals and had three assists.

SCOTT IN THE HALL

Former New Haven Nighthawk goalie Ron Scott was announced as one of nine inductees in the Michigan State Spartans Hall-of-Fame Class of 2021. The induction will be held on September 25th as part of Homecoming weekend in East Lansing, MI highlighted by a Big 10 MSU-Nebraska football game.

In the early 1980s, Scott was among the top goalies in college hockey before being signed as a free agent by the Rangers before the CBA era and was never drafted.

In both his sophomore and junior seasons, Scott was a Hobey Baker finalist and was named a First Team All-Star in the old CCHA. When the school was part of the WCHA conference, his freshman year was the Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star.

Back then, he had also played Canadian major junior hockey before going to college making. He committed just before the June 26, 1980 deadline (date supplied courtesy of College Hockey Inc.) when major junior hockey’s NCAA prohibition went into effect. He had won back-to-back Memorial Cups with the Cornwall Royals, who were then in the QMJHL and are now in the OHL.

He and Cornwall teammate Newell Brown, the current Anaheim assistant coach, were both players at MSU and the only two players to ever win a Memorial Cup and play college hockey.

MORE ON SCOTT

The team was one of just three teams to win consecutive championships (New Westminster Bruins-WHL 1977-78 & then the Medine Hat Tigers-WHL 1987-1988) in the 100-plus year history of the Memorial Cup.

His teammates included the late NHL Hall of Famer of the Winnipeg Jets (first edition), Dale Hawerchuk, current Washington Caps assistant coach, former Rangers coach, and fellow ex-New Haven Nighthawk, Scott Arniel.

Current NHL coach and former player Marc Crawford and one-time Whalers #1 draft choice was the eighth overall pick, Dr. Fred Arthur.

Scott, who was generously listed at 5’8, might not even be considered a prospect by today’s standards, considering that the Rangers have two young goalie prospects who are 6’9 and 6’8.

In his first pro season in Tulsa, he and Rangers-great John Vanbiesbrouck were the top goalie tandem in the old five-team Central Hockey League that year.

Scott and the Oilers won the championship playing all their games in the second half of the season on the road under their head coach, the late New England Whalers great, Tom Webster.

YES, EVEN MORE ON SCOTT

Scott had two tours of duty in New Haven, first as a Rangers prospect 1984-1988 and again as a LA Kings prospect (signed as a free agent) from 1988-1989. Unfortunately, Scott’s career ended prematurely due to nagging groin injuries that plagued him his entire career.

Fellow New Haven goalie and ex-Wolf Pack Robb Stauber was a teammate in 1988. He suffered the same problem.

MORE HOCKEY NEWS

Former NHL Hall-of-Famer, Tony Esposito passed away at the age of 78 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Esposito, a goaltender, came out of the collegiate ranks in the mid-1960s when that was unheard of. At the time, most of their players were coming from the Canadian junior ranks.

He minted the butterfly goalie style at least twenty years before it became all the rage in the early and mid-1980s, especially among Quebec -trained goalies.

Esposito was an NCAA national champion with the Michigan Tech Huskies in 1965 and won the second of their three titles in school history, beating Boston College 8-2.

ESPO HISTORY

Esposito was a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He played for Michigan Tech from 1964 to 1967 and was a three-time All-American for the Huskies (1965, 1966, and 1967). He was a three-time WCHA honoree. He was the only netminder in WCHA history to win three league goaltending championships and earned NCAA All-Tournament honors as a member of Michigan Tech’s 1965 NCAA championship squad.

Esposito was inducted twice into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall-of-Fame, first as an individual in 1991 and with the 1965 national championship team in 2014.

Esposito played 17 NHL seasons. He was briefly with Montreal, who signed him as a free agent on June 29, 1967, after playing a year of minor pro hockey with the old Western Hockey League Vancouver Canucks. He spent the rest of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks.

He was a five-time NHL All-Star and three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the top NHL goaltender (1970, 1972, and 1974). He earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1970.

He played in two Stanley Cup finals in 1971 and 1974, losing to Montreal both times.

Esposito’s first NHL game was against the Boston Bruins in 1968, where he played against his famous younger brother Phil. The game resulted in a 2-2 tie where Phil scored both Bruins goals.

His career NHL record stands at 423-306-151. Esposito ranks tenth in NHL history, and his number 35 was retired by the Blackhawks. He was a member of Montreal’s 1969 Stanley Cup championship team after starting the season with their farm team, the Houston Apollos, in the original Central Hockey League. He was claimed by Chicago in the intra-league draft on June 11, 1969.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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