CANTLON: PREVIEWING WOLF PACK 2021-22 SEASON 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – Hartford Wolf Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch was readying to give the media his take on the upcoming 2021-22 AHL season when changes from the New York Rangers altered his preparation.

Trumbull native Chris Drury, now the President of the New York Rangers, altered Knoblauch’s lineup when he announced on Twitter several changes, including sending down three players to Hartford.

Greg McKegg, a solid bottom-six, two-way centerman, was sent to the American League after one-time Bridgeport Sound Tiger; Ryan Strome’s injury was not as bad as initially feared. McKegg practiced on Monday, but his future with the team is up in the air.

Then, last year’s AHL All-Rookie team member, Morgan Barron, was also sent to the Connecticut capital. Barron left Cornell University (ECACHL) early after rebuffing the Rangers twice. Word out of New York was that he had a strong training camp but will start the season in Hartford. The sixth-round pick had a five-game audition at the end of last season. Barron is in the second of three years on his Entry-Level Contract (ELC).

With their moves, the Blueshirts were able to get down to their CBA mandated 23 players and stayed under the hard salary cap by the 5 PM deadline.

KRAVTSOV MOVED TO HARTFORD, BUT WILL HE REPORT?

Vitali Kravtsov’s first stint in Hartford two years ago was anything but successful. He was sent back down again by the Rangers coaching staff. The former ninth overall draft pick was benched after the first period of his first AHL game, leaving NHL scouts who were at the game shocked.

Kravtsov did not stay in Hartford and, after five games, went back to Russia. While in Russia, he was sent from the KHL to the VHL for a brief run to try and shake him up. He returned to Hart City and was unimpressive in 39 games.

Last season, Kravtsov spent the year in Russia, playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk. When the season finished in Russia, he came back to New York.

Kravtsov did well in training camp this year. He scored an impressive power play goal in Bridgeport on Saturday in the Rangers’ 5-4 OT win. Ex-Pack, Filip Chytil, scored a hat trick in the win. Meanwhile, Kravtsov, who was coming off a lower-body injury, did not make enough impact to secure himself a final roster spot.

According to several media outlets, Kravtsov has asked for and been permitted to seek a deal to leave the organization. Therefore, he will not be returning to the Wolf Pack for the first game on Friday against Bridgeport at 7 PM. However, if Kravtsov’s agent cannot make a suitable trade happen, it is more than likely that Kravtsov will return to Russia.

NEW FACES COMING IN

On the plus side, Knoblauch and his new assistant coach, Steve Smith, will have plenty of young talent to work with, especially on the backline.

The lineup will feature Braden Schneider, Matt Robertson, and rookie Zac Jones, who joins the Pack from defending national champion UMASS. Jones has already burned off a year of his ELC last season with his audition time in New York. Jones played his prep hockey for Selects Academy at South Kent Prep.

A righthander, Schneider played in two games last year. He is likely to be paired with a left-handed veteran, Anthony Bitetto, the defensive partner of now-former captain Vincent LoVerde, playing in Austria.

“He has a good understanding of the game and a good player on-and-off the ice,” remarked Knoblauch.

ROBERTSON

At 6’4, 210-pounds, Robertson has opened people’s eyes while attempting to make the transition from playing Junior-to-AHL hockey.

“For a big man, he gets around the ice very well and skates very well. He and other defensemen are going to share time on special teams like the powerplay,” Knoblauch said. “A player might play one game very well, then sits the next game, and it won’t be because of their play. It’s how it’s going to work.”

FORWARDS

Among the forwards, Knoblauch likes Justin Richards.

“He is the most improved player by far,” Knoblauch declared. “Last spring, he would sit back and analyze the play. We’ve asked him to be more assertive. He played right in New York in the game he played, but we envision a second-line role for him, and he will likely get some use on the power play.”

One center Knoblauch would have loved to have is Will Cullye. But, unfortunately, with him still being junior eligible, as per the NHL/CHL pact, he had to go back to the Windsor Spitfires to play for the team’s new head coach, ex-Wolf Pack/Ranger Marc Savard.

Cullye will likely be on the 2021 Canada WJC team, where he’ll receive lots of minutes, quality ice time, and special team chances.

MORE ON THE FORWARDS

Battling for ice time among the bottom six forwards are Auston Rueschoff, Mike O’Leary, James Sanchez, and Cristian DiCiacinto.

“We’ve got to find a role for all of them. We’re going to carry 14 players.”

The Pack will play three games in three days right out of the gate despite the reduced 72-game schedule. As a result, they will see far more variety of opponents than last season when they had played just two different teams because of the Covid pandemic.

“The level of play is going to be much higher than it was this year just because of everyone’s rosters being a little bit bigger and a little bit more NHL-ready guys playing in the American (Hockey) League right now,” Knoblauch said.

Knoblauch will likely be seeking housing eight-to-nine D to start with the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), their new Double-AA affiliate recall rotation likely to start the season.

“We don’t want players sitting around will have rotation in Jacksonville.”

He was candid in his discussion regarding the new Double AA affiliation.

“It’s just going to be further away (than the Maine Mariners were), so it’s going to be harder to do recalls like we did previously.

GOALIES

In goal, his troika compromises of veteran netminder Keith Kincaid, former UCONN Husky, Adam Husk, and second-year pro, Tyler Wall. They will be treated like the D on a rotating basis, utilizing Jacksonville to keep the younger players sharp.

“Keith is our number one guy to start playing 50% of the games, and we haven’t decided on a backup yet. So I can see where a player goes to Jacksonville for two weekends to start, and then the other guy comes in and plays for two weekends.”

Pass the baton in South Carolina, reprising the Cam Talbot – Chad Johnson routine from years ago.

Knoblauch is keenly aware the Pack used to have regular post-season appearances and success.

“We haven’t seen playoff hockey here in Hartford for a long time, and that has been the goal, making the playoffs and having a push. We certainly feel that if this team didn’t make the playoffs, it would be a disappointment,” Knoblauch said. Last spring, he dug the team out of an early hole and played Providence for the Atlantic Division title.

RONNING

Ty Ronning, a five-year pro with three full seasons and two brief stints at the end of his junior season with the Wolf Pack, is certainly captain or assistant captain material. Knoblauch has not decided on a group yet or named who he has in mind, but Ronning has the right attitude and is back in Hartford.

Ronning is fresh from another Vancouver summer training session with Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher and some other Vancouver Canucks. His father, and former NHL’er, Cliff Ronning, had some words of wisdom. “Don’t be a GM in your head. The game is 90% mental. Stick to playing your best.”

XL CENTER

Playing before live crowds at the cavernous XL Center will be different after 19 months of silence. Ronning knows the motivational power of signing a new one-year deal after fighting his way off the now non-existent AHL taxi squad.

“It’s a matter of being ready, staying ready, and jumping when something happens. I got that tap on the shoulder to be in the lineup. I’m here to perform, and I did so (last year). Now, it’s a new year and (I’m) counted on to do it again.

“This year, it’s going to be games, and games, and games. Last year were more practices. Finding the rhythm of the game, working with your linemates, building your chemistry. It’s a team sport, not an individual sport.

“We’re very skilled (team). We have very good players. It’s a matter of the work ethic we put in on the ice.” Ronning commented.

NOTES

Toledo Walleye (ECHL) bound defensemen Blake Hillman and Chris Martenet and forward Brandon Hawkins were all cut by the Wolf Pack. While they will be a considerable distance away, Knoblauch can recall any or all of them should the need arise.

Barron’s younger brother, Justin Barron, was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL), ex-Pack Gabriel Fontaine, injured and had surgery over the last two years. He was also a late cut.

Ex-CT Whale Christian Thomas lasted half his KHL games from the last time at nine. He departs Barys Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan-KHL) to SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA).

Bridgeport got a pair of players from the Islanders. Returning is a solid defenseman, Samuel Bolduc. Also heading to the Park City is Richard Pánik, who split last year with the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings. He has 517 NHL games of experience. He may or may not report.

OTHER PLAYER MOVEMENT

Ex-Sound Tiger Franz Nielsen exits Detroit. He signs with Eisbaren Berlin (Germany-DEL). Mitch Gilliam goes from the Wichita Thunder (ECHL) to the Indy Fuel (ECHL). Leaving Indy is Cédric Lacroix, who signs in Hartford.

The Worcester Railers (ECHL) receive wingers Felix Bibeau and Erik Brown. The team is still coached by ex-Wolf Pack assistant David Cuniff. In training camp is former Salisbury School player Neil Robinson.

Former Bridgeport player Yannick Turcotte goes from the Hershey Bears (AHL) camp to the South Carolina  Stingrays (ECHL) with Jordan’s youngest Subban brother. The latter was with the Utica Comets last year.

Ex-Sound Tigers goalie Kevin Poulin was expected to play in the AHL has slid from the Laval Rocket to the Trois-Rivieres Lions (ECHL). Former Laval and AHL vet Riley Barber is sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Goalie Callum Booth (Salisbury School), who played half of a game in Hartford last week, is sent from the Providence Bruins to the Maine Mariners (ECHL) and last year’s AHL PIM king. He had several memorable fights with ex-Pack Mason Geersten, forward Ian MacKinnon.

MORE MOVES

The son of Daniel Létourneau, a former 1980s University of New Haven Chargers (Division-II) standout, Frédéric Létourneau, goes from the Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL) and signs a training camp deal with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL).

Ex-Pack goalie Brandon Halverson was released by the Florida Everblades (ECHL).

Barrett Hayton, son of former New Haven Nighthawk Brian, is assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Taylor Heidt goes from Merrimack College (HE) to the University Regina Cougars (CWUAA).

Ethan Busch Anderson, a former Danbury Hat Tricks (FPHL), heads to the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) training camp.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK
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