Prospect Info: Hartford Wolf Pack/Bloomington Bison Thread: Part XV

[cwede]

... I thought Kale McCallum, who attended the development and rooking camps and showed some offensive skill in junior might be given a chance but he wasn't brought to the Rangers training camp.

McCallum may still be invited to Pack Camp.
Dufort (AHL contract) was with the NYR rookies last week, but not invited to NYR Camp

 

[GAGLine]

I'm not a fan of Korczak (who already is in the 3rd year of his entry level contract having been sent back to the WHL for his first year and not producing or showing much in year 2)

I wouldn't give up on him just yet. He's 2 1/2 months older than Othmann. They were drafted the same year, both in their first year of eligibility. Because of when his birthday falls, he was eligible to play in the AHL a year earlier than Othmann, but he wasn't ready for it, so he went back. The CHL classifies it as an overage season, but it was only his D+2 season, and most kids drafted out of the CHL spend their D+2 season in the CHL.

He didn't have as good of a season in the AHL as I hoped he would, but he is by no means behind in his development. Hopefully he can make a significant jump this season.

 

[noncents]

Edström pack 1C?

 

[RangersFan1994]

Edström pack 1C?

He better make the Rangers

 

[cwede]

Bisons added 3 more guys today

Engelbart, a 6'4" bottom 6 C, had been teammate of Berard and Chmelar

 

[Ranger Ric]

Two more Bison additions: Lockhart had pretty good numbers in the OHL but is really small.

09/24/2024	Confirmed	Wyatt McLeod (D)	Univ. of Alberta	Bloomington Bison
09/24/2024	Confirmed	Connor Lockhart (F)	Oshawa Generals	Bloomington Bison

 

[RangersFan1994]

Two more Bison additions: Lockhart had pretty good numbers in the OHL but is really small.

09/24/2024	Confirmed	Wyatt McLeod (D)	Univ. of Alberta	Bloomington Bison
09/24/2024	Confirmed	Connor Lockhart (F)	Oshawa Generals	Bloomington Bison

Connor Lockhart was a decent prospect for the Canucks, shocked they did not sign him. I wonder if the Rangers might try to sign him down the road. He seems like a speedy pest type of player. Not a bad player to have even if it’s AHL NHL depth at best.

 

[cwede]

took an early look at possible Pack veterans and the Maximum Veteran rule

I included Brodz, and Bowey and Erne, and Ruhwedel
(maybe unlikely but I did notice his new deal is 2-way)
And Nash is out til we hear otherwise
(if i missed someone, or toher erros, let me know)
So while 8 guys listed >320 RS GP, in reality will be fewer

Leschyshyn seems only guy in the 260<RS GP<320 classification

so not quite the roster crunch it looks like from the chart,
and of course we want the prospects playing as much as reasonable

Name	birthdate	Reg Season pro games <Oct'24
Nash	8905	>320
Ruhwedel	9005	>320
Belzile	9108	>320
Brodzinzki	9306	>320
Harpur	9501	>320
Blidh	9503	>320
Bowey	9504	>320
Erne	9504	>320
Leschyshyn	9903	279
Sucese	9607	220
Hillman	9601	189 (+91 ECHL
Fitzgerald	9702	211
Mackey	9609	164

Frequently Asked Questions

theahl.com

What is the AHL’s development rule?
Of the 18 skaters (not counting two goaltenders) that teams may dress for a game,
at least 13 must be qualified as "development players."
Of those 13,
12 must have played in 260 or fewer professional games (including AHL, NHL and European elite leagues),
and one must have played in 320 or fewer professional games.*
All calculations for development status are based on regular-season totals as of the start of the season.

 

[cwede]

Two more Bison additions: Lockhart had pretty good numbers in the OHL but is really small.

09/24/2024	Confirmed	Wyatt McLeod (D)	Univ. of Alberta	Bloomington Bison
09/24/2024	Confirmed	Connor Lockhart (F)	Oshawa Generals	Bloomington Bison

and 3 more Bison adds, via Future-Considerations trades

09/26/2024	Bryce Montgomery (D)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison
09/26/2024	Jackson Leppard (F)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison
09/26/2024	Jonny Evans (F)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison

Evans is 27,had been 'try-out' invite to NYR Camp, already re-assigned to Pack camp in that early round of cuts. Has had 2 ECHL seasons following 4 at UConn,

 

[bmoak]

I predict that whoever the goalies are in Bloomington are going to have some rough sledding.

And boy are their jersey logos a mess.

 

[Leviathan899]

Lockhart was outstanding last year in Oshawa. Plays a lot bigger than his size. Great skater and very skilled, but plays the game like a pest. I think you might something there with him if he can fill out and get a little bulkier. The plauer he reminds me of the most is Justin Danforth on Columbus. Short but stocky, can really skate and gets to the net hard. He has the skill to play at the NHL level, it’s just whether he can handle the strength.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Lockhart was outstanding last year in Oshawa. Plays a lot bigger than his size. Great skater and very skilled, but plays the game like a pest. I think you might something there with him if he can fill out and get a little bulkier. The plauer he reminds me of the most is Justin Danforth on Columbus. Short but stocky, can really skate and gets to the net hard. He has the skill to play at the NHL level, it’s just whether he can handle the strength.

I hope the Rangers give him a ELC at some point. Is going to be signed to an AHL with Hartford if he has a good camp? He would definitely add some RW depth to this organization even if he doesn't pan out. Worth the risk. A pest is always a good to have in this organization. Lockhart was a teammate of Brennan Othmann for Peterborough in 22-23 season

 

[GAGLine]

Lockhart played with Othmann in Peterborough 2 years ago. I imagine the Rangers are very familiar with him. He's going to need to show pretty quickly that he is too good for the ECHL if he's going to have any hope of an NHL career. He's going into his D+4 season and forwards rarely, if ever, go from the ECHL to the NHL.

 

[Leviathan899]

I hope the Rangers give him a ELC at some point. Is going to be signed to an AHL with Hartford if he has a good camp? He would definitely add some RW depth to this organization even if he doesn't pan out. Worth the risk. A pest is always a good to have in this organization. Lockhart was a teammate of Brennan Othmann for Peterborough in 22-23 season

Yeah he should light up the ECHL I feel. Hopefully gets into the AHL at some point. But yeah he’s a driven kid and works his tail off, and has skill. Was once a top 5 OHL pick, and was considered right there with fellow Ottawa native Mason McTavish. Struggled his first couple years in Erie but then was very good with Ptbo, where you’re right he played with Othmann. Who I’m also high on. Lockhart also played last year with fellow prospect Roobroeck. Oshawa should be a memorial cup contender this year so I’m hoping Roobroeck comes back eventually for his last year. To me he’s a big guy who broke out offensively last season and will receive a lot of PP and PK time in oshawa, get to play with high end talent and go on a long run. To me that’s more beneficial than bottom 6 AHL or ECHL time. But I know he’s massive, so they might want him playing with men. But I think more puck touches as well as the confidence he’ll gain this year being a go to player and leader will benefit him more.

Lockhart played with Othmann in Peterborough 2 years ago. I imagine the Rangers are very familiar with him. He's going to need to show pretty quickly that he is too good for the ECHL if he's going to have any hope of an NHL career. He's going into his D+4 season and forwards rarely, if ever, go from the ECHL to the NHL.

That’s true. But look up the year by year progression of Justin Danforth. He’s from my hometown of oshawa as well and is a small player like Lockhart. Didn’t play in the OHL but played NCAA, got a cup of tea in the AHL but then went overseas to Finland and Russia for a few years, did well and made Columbus as a 29 year old. Now he’s a mainstay there. I don’t think there’s any rush with these late bloomers.

 

[CTTribe73]

Bisons added 3 more guys today
View attachment 908266

Engelbart, a 6'4" bottom 6 C, had been teammate of Berard and Chmelar

If the Leppard kid is into hip hop do we call him 'Def Leppard'?

 

[cwede]

and 3 more Bison adds, via Future-Considerations trades

09/26/2024	Bryce Montgomery (D)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison
09/26/2024	Jackson Leppard (F)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison
09/26/2024	Jonny Evans (F)	South Carolina Stingrays	Bloomington Bison

Evans is 27,had been 'try-out' invite to NYR Camp, already re-assigned to Pack camp in that early round of cuts. Has had 2 ECHL seasons following 4 at UConn,

and 2 more guys, who had started Camp w NYR,
and were assigned early to Pack camp, have been signed by Bloomington

Official Site of The ECHL | Bison add Budgell, Murray

Brett Budgell and Jake Murray join the Bloomington Bison.

echl.com

"The Bloomington Bison announced the signings of forward Brett Budgell and defenseman Jake Murray to contracts for the 2024-25 season.

09/27/2024	Brett Budgell (F)	Iowa Wild	Bloomington Bison
09/27/2024	Jake Murray (D)	Texas Stars	Bloomington Bison

 

[cwede]

Pack Training camp begins today, initial roster includes 12 "try-outs" including the Bloomington guys who were in NYR Camp to start
(btw last fall Lavi Jr was also in pack Camp, but then just played in ECHL with team unrelated to NYR)

HARTFORD WOLF PACK ANNOUNCE 2024 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER | Hartford Wolf Pack

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

"...Wolf Pack agreed to professional tryout agreements (PTO) with 12 players.
Joining the club on a PTO are
goaltender Brad Arvanitis, defensemen Griffin Luce, Jake Murray, and Chase Pauls, and
forwards Brett Budgell, Matt DeMelis, Wyllum Deveaux, Dalton Duhart, Jonny Evans, Linus Hemström, Peter Laviolette, and Chongmin Lee"

Forwards (13): Maxim Barbashev, Alex Belzile, Brett Budgell*, Matt DeMelis*, Wyllum Deveaux*, Dalton Duhart*, Jonny Evans*, Linus Hemström*, Blade Jenkins, Peter Laviolette*, Chongmin Lee*, Jake Leschyshyn, and Blake McLaughlin

Defensemen (8): Carter Berger, Ben Harpur, Blake Hillman, Griffin Luce*, Case McCarthy, Jake Murray*, Chase Pauls*, and Ryan Siedem

Goaltenders (3): Brad Arvanitis*, Talyn Boyko, and Hugo Ollas
++++++++++++++++++++
Lots of posiiblel/likely Pack guys still in NYR Camp

Domingue, Garand
Fitzgerlad, Mackey, Scanlin, Robertson, Mancini, Ruhwedel, Bowey

Brodzinski, Blidh, Groulx, Nash(injured),
Rempe, Othmann, Berard, Edstrom, Chmelar, BMB, Roobroeck, Sykora,Korczak(injured)
Sucese, Erne,

 

[cwede]

"...Wolf Pack agreed to professional tryout agreements (PTO) with 12 players.
Joining the club on a PTO are
goaltender Brad Arvanitis, defensemen Griffin Luce, Jake Murray, and Chase Pauls, and
forwards Brett Budgell, Matt DeMelis, Wyllum Deveaux, Dalton Duhart, Jonny Evans, Linus Hemström, Peter Laviolette, and Chongmin Lee"

some info on the new names revealed today

Brad Arvanitis Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Brad Arvanitis, a hockey player from Holliston, MA born Aug 24 1997 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Brad Arvanitis age 27, from MA,
spent 1st pro season in SPHL '22-23, last season w Maine ECHL

defensemen

Griffin Luce Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Griffin Luce, a hockey player from Williamsville, NY born Mar 10 1998 who was active from 2014 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Griffin Luce age 26, from upsate NY, 4 seasons at UMich, not much offense, 4 pro seasosn but last year was primarily ECHL

forwards

Matt Demelis Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Matt Demelis, a hockey player from Hingham, MA born Jun 2 1999 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Matt DeMelis, rookie pro following5 seasons at Northeastern

Wyllum Deveaux Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Wyllum Deveaux, a hockey player from Sackville, NS born Aug 30 2000 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Wyllum Deveaux, age 24 LW, after4 seasons at Harvard was rookie last season mostly in ECHL

Dalton Duhart Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Dalton Duhart, a hockey player from Grand Blanc, MI born Jan 18 2001 who was active from 2017 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Dalton Duhart age 23, following 2 seasons at Canadian Uni after 6 in OHL DUHART IS ALREADY SIGNED BY BLOOMINGTON

Linus Hemstrom Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Linus Hemstrom, a hockey player from Gavle, Sweden born Jan 16 2004 who was active from 2021 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Linus Hemström undrafted 20 yr old Swede wing played last 2 season w Kingston(OHL)

Chongmin Lee - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Chongmin Lee, 1999-05-10 Seoul, KOR South Korea. Most recently in the ECHL with Bloomington Bison. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Chongmin Lee - weird profile for pro try-outage 25, korean-born, BC raised, was at Anchorage NCAA for a year but didn't play, spent '21-22 and '22-23 in lower tier Swedish leagues, last season in Asia League and signed there again for coming season

 

[Ranger Ric]

Not at camp:

Kale McCallum, who attended the development and rooking camps one back to Canadian college
Isaac Dufort, who signed an AHL contract with Hartford but not a Rangers rookie camp
Connor Lockhart, who several of us talked about in this thread

 

[cwede]

Not at camp: ...Isaac Dufort, who signed an AHL contract with Hartford but not a Rangers rookie camp ..

the Dufort thing might be less noticeable to me, if similar thing hadn't occurred a year ago

in summer 2023, Pack signed Tristan Mullin to an AHL contract

WOLF PACK AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD TRISTAN MULLIN ON ONE-YEAR CONTRACT | Hartford Wolf Pack

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

but then he wasn't at their Camp,
and hasn't been locatable in hockey circles since ...

 

[eco's bones]

Yeah he should light up the ECHL I feel. Hopefully gets into the AHL at some point. But yeah he’s a driven kid and works his tail off, and has skill. Was once a top 5 OHL pick, and was considered right there with fellow Ottawa native Mason McTavish. Struggled his first couple years in Erie but then was very good with Ptbo, where you’re right he played with Othmann. Who I’m also high on. Lockhart also played last year with fellow prospect Roobroeck. Oshawa should be a memorial cup contender this year so I’m hoping Roobroeck comes back eventually for his last year. To me he’s a big guy who broke out offensively last season and will receive a lot of PP and PK time in oshawa, get to play with high end talent and go on a long run. To me that’s more beneficial than bottom 6 AHL or ECHL time. But I know he’s massive, so they might want him playing with men. But I think more puck touches as well as the confidence he’ll gain this year being a go to player and leader will benefit him more.


That’s true. But look up the year by year progression of Justin Danforth. He’s from my hometown of oshawa as well and is a small player like Lockhart. Didn’t play in the OHL but played NCAA, got a cup of tea in the AHL but then went overseas to Finland and Russia for a few years, did well and made Columbus as a 29 year old. Now he’s a mainstay there. I don’t think there’s any rush with these late bloomers.

That basically shows lots and lots of perseverance on Danforth's part and that's not something that's either predictable with any given player or likely going to happen all that often. Anyway Lockhart's a long way from 29 years old if that's what it's going to take for him. It's also not that the Rangers haven't gone down this road before like with Bobby Trivigno who's even smaller than Lockhart but had a stellar college career....and it didn't work out on his ELC which was all in the AHL. If Lockhart sticks in Bloomington he'll have to have a good year. The Rangers also had Sahil Panwar (an OHL'er) an AHL signee last year who I thought played fairly well for Cincinnati in the ECHL with 54 points in 64 games as a 21 year old. The organization did not renew him though. It can be really tough for CHL players to make the jump to the AHL as it is. When a forward is starting in the ECHL he's climbing a big mountain. I think if Lockhart manages to get an NHL deal he's going to have to do real well in the ECHL.....then establish himself in the AHL or one of the better European leagues and it's probably going to take him 2 to 3 years at the least to get that NHL deal.

 

[RangersFan1994]

some info on the new names revealed today

Brad Arvanitis Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Brad Arvanitis, a hockey player from Holliston, MA born Aug 24 1997 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Brad Arvanitis age 27, from MA,
spent 1st pro season in SPHL '22-23, last season w Maine ECHL

defensemen

Griffin Luce Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Griffin Luce, a hockey player from Williamsville, NY born Mar 10 1998 who was active from 2014 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Griffin Luce age 26, from upsate NY, 4 seasons at UMich, not much offense, 4 pro seasosn but last year was primarily ECHL

forwards

Matt Demelis Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Matt Demelis, a hockey player from Hingham, MA born Jun 2 1999 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Matt DeMelis, rookie pro following5 seasons at Northeastern

Wyllum Deveaux Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Wyllum Deveaux, a hockey player from Sackville, NS born Aug 30 2000 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Wyllum Deveaux, age 24 LW, after4 seasons at Harvard was rookie last season mostly in ECHL

Dalton Duhart Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Dalton Duhart, a hockey player from Grand Blanc, MI born Jan 18 2001 who was active from 2017 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Dalton Duhart age 23, following 2 seasons at Canadian Uni after 6 in OHL DUHART IS ALREADY SIGNED BY BLOOMINGTON

Linus Hemstrom Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Linus Hemstrom, a hockey player from Gavle, Sweden born Jan 16 2004 who was active from 2021 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Linus Hemström undrafted 20 yr old Swede wing played last 2 season w Kingston(OHL)

Chongmin Lee - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Chongmin Lee, 1999-05-10 Seoul, KOR South Korea. Most recently in the ECHL with Bloomington Bison. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Chongmin Lee - weird profile for pro try-outage 25, korean-born, BC raised, was at Anchorage NCAA for a year but didn't play, spent '21-22 and '22-23 in lower tier Swedish leagues, last season in Asia League and signed there again for coming season

Intrigued by Linus Hemstrom

 

[nyr2k2]

I don't see anything online about Hemström. Other than random mentions in Fronts tweets and articles. Doesn't appear he was ever ranked anywhere.

I'm not sure where he'd play if he doesn't sign a pro deal since he's the dreaded Over-age/import combo, and not a lot of teams have room for that.

 

[RangersFan1994]

the Dufort thing might be less noticeable to me, if similar thing hadn't occurred a year ago

in summer 2023, Pack signed Tristan Mullin to an AHL contract

WOLF PACK AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD TRISTAN MULLIN ON ONE-YEAR CONTRACT | Hartford Wolf Pack

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

but then he wasn't at their Camp,
and hasn't been locatable in hockey circles since ...

So why would Dufort sign with the Pack earlier this year for this season and he's not even at Wolfpack camp? Did he sign an NHL contract with another team? That makes no sense at all.

 

[Vitto79]

Is Nash out long term ?