Wolf Pack Announce Roster Moves
Mar 29, 2017Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld today announced the following Wolf Pack roster changes:
- Forward Vinni Lettieri, goaltender Chris Nell and defenseman Vince Pedrie (pictured, photo courtesy of Penn State Athletics) have signed Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreements with the Wolf Pack.
- Goaltender Brandon Halverson has been reassigned by the parent New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
- Forward Adam Chapie and goaltender Mackenzie Skapski have been reassigned by the Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Greenville.
- Defenseman Garrett Noonan has been returned by the Wolf Pack to Greenville.
Lettieri, 22, a 5-11, 195-pound native of Excelsior, MN, just completed a four-year career at the University of Minnesota (Big Ten). In 38 games this season with the Gophers, Lettieri tallied 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points, and had 36 penalty minutes, in 38 games. Those numbers were good for second on the team in goals and third in points. Lettieri, who is a grandson of former Minnesota North Stars long-time player, coach and general manager Lou Nanne, skated in 149 career contests with the Gophers, totaling 37 goals and 46 assists for 83 points, along with 76 PIM. He agreed to terms on a free-agent contract with the Rangers on Monday.
Nell comes to the Wolf Pack from Bowling Green State University (WCHA), where he played three seasons. In 34 appearances this year, the 22-year-old Green Bay, WI native was 17-14-2, with a 2.15 goals-against average, a 91.6% save percentage and four shutouts, which tied his own school record in that category. The 6-1, 190-pound Nell also established career Bowling Green records in shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage, going 41-29-10, with a 2.07 GAA, a 92.2% save percentage and 11 shutouts in 84 career Falcon appearances. Nell agreed to terms on a free-agent contract with the Rangers on Thursday.
Pedrie, 6-0 and 195 pounds, has played the last two seasons at Penn State University. The 23-year-old from Rochester, MN was a First-Team Big Ten All-Star selection in 2016-17, and helped lead the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten championship, with eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points, along with 24 penalty minutes. His 30 points were the most ever in a single season by a Penn State defenseman, and Pedrie led team blueliners in points, goals and assists. He also tied for the team lead in plus/minus, with a +27, and finished fourth overall on the team in assists. In 71 career games in a Nittany Lion uniform, Pedrie amassed 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points, plus 56 PIM. He agreed to terms on a free-agent contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.
Halverson, a first-year pro and second-round (59th overall) Ranger draft pick in 2014, has appeared in 24 games with the Wolf Pack this year and has compiled a 9-14-0 slate, with a 3.40 GAA and an 88.6% save percentage mark. In nine games with the Swamp Rabbits, Halverson is 4-5-0, with a 3.43 GAA, an 89.7% save percentage and one shutout.
Skapski is 2-8-0 in 13 Wolf Pack outings this season, with a GAA of 4.73 and an 85.6% save percentage. In 30 ECHL games with Greenville, the third-year man out of the Western Hockey League is 17-10-0, with a 3.31 GAA, a 90.3% save percentage and one shutout.
Chapie, a rookie out of U. Mass-Lowell, has skated in 24 games with the Wolf Pack in 2016-17, registering four assists and six penalty minutes. Chapie has three goals and six assists for nine points, along with 14 PIM, in 19 games with the Swamp Rabbits.
Noonan posted three assists and 24 penalty minutes in 26 games with the Wolf Pack after being summoned from Greenville New Year’s Eve. Prior to his callup, the fourth-year pro and former Boston University Terrier had logged 19 games with the Swamp Rabbits, with eight assists and 18 PIM.
The Wolf Pack’s next action is this Friday night, March 31, when they wrap up a four-game homestand at the XL Center against the Hershey Bears. That is a 7:15 PM game, and fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by iHeartRadio.
Tickets for all remaining Wolf Pack 2016-17 home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.
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.