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Zema · 02-03-2021, 03:17 PM

New England Wolfpack S58 Team Announcement

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The Wolfpack from New England have undergone some changes for next season. A couple of players have left, familiar faces have returned while the puppy movement keeps our existing players on their toes to keep performing.

But let’s start with those who have left us.

Dominic Montgomery
@bilbo joined us a couple of seasons back and instantly became not only a locker room favorite, but a leader and star on the ice. The offensive components of Doms game were very clear, but add in a very very solid defensive aspect and you’d see why they were a hot commodity on the free agents market. Just shy of the 100 mark with 94 points in 166 games, Dominic Montgomery has left a big impression as they reunite with old mates over in Atlanta. We wish you all the best.

Mitchell van der Heijden
Similarly, @bluesfan55 joined us at the same time as Dom and spent 3 good seasons at the club. He expressed a willingness to want a shot at free agency by the end of his deal and we were understandable of the situation. Mitchell van der Heijden very quickly solidified himself as a top tier player for us as we looked to rebuild the squad, and has been nothing short of great during the process. We felt like a deal to get something back would benefit the future of the club more at the time. 109 points in 166 games, with a very strong 49 point campaign from the 2nd line shows what an impact he had.

Stan Hanson
@LairdButler has decided to retire and won’t be rejoining us. A personal life beside the hockey career saw the forward Stan Hanson an impossible situation. Another player who played 166 regular season games for the Wolfpack, scoring 23 goals and 71 points. You’ve been a great presence for us, and we wish you good luck with everything that is to come for you.

We will also be seeing the departures of Osbert Whacker and Al Kayhal, as we look to bring in the puppies on display.

Reunited

Dick Clapper got traded together with Guy Zheng for a haul and a half to Hamilton following the S54 playoffs. The Wolfpack acquired 4 1st overall picks, a couple of players including the (Clean)est of them all. It seems that Clapper is the gift that keeps on giving. He returns to the Wolfpack with a 2nd round pick in the bag in a trade that took MVDH the other way. 400 regular season games and 313 points is his total tally for the Wolfpack ahead of this new season. 11th in goals all time for the Wolfpack, 16th all time in points as he looks to improve of that tally.

Welcome back to the Pack, @5ympathies.

The pups who grew up

There are no questions about it. We are a very young team. Our average age is among the lowest in the league despite adding a wealth of experience with Dick Clapper. And it’s only getting younger. 4 new players have been brought up from their SMJHL teams into the Wolfpack. Let’s start with the oldest.

Alexander Oscarsson
The former Maine captain will look to bring a different type of game as he moves up. With a 54 point campaign out from the left wing in Maine, to become a defenseman as he moves up. He’s been hard at work all summer to ensure he brings his A-game in his own end for once. He will be joining fellow S55 draftees Kristjansson and Balzams who have already made the step up.

Teylora Petrov
One of the biggest draft steals of all time saw @Bayley join us in the S56 entry draft. The best Petrov has shown a level of play throughout juniors that this is a player that probably should’ve gone Top 5. Even though the ending to Quebecs campaign this season left something more to show for in the end, Teylora showcased a strong level of play with 34 points in 66 outings. Petrov has already gotten established in the locker room and instantly gotten liked by every other team mate. We are super stoked to have one of the best J d-men move up!

Calvin Hobbes
@krazko was our first pick in the same S56 draft, and has shown nothing but excellence since. Despite not playing a major role in Maine, he showed what an eccentric player and what a lovely guy he is on the side. The Swedish forward will slot in beautifully on that 3rd line center spot this season. Last season he was part of the Maine team who failed to deliver in the postseason, but had a strong effort in the regular season. 29 points from 66 games is nothing to scoff at as a 2nd line center on a team with very evened out scoring.

Alexis Vermette
@treant is fantastic. Late in the 2nd round of the S56 draft we managed to pick this beauty of a player up and oh boy has he delivered. Despite playing minor roles in Nevada he has shown enough for him to get a call-up to the big leagues and a chance to prove himself among the best in the world. Alexis puts his heart and soul on the ice at every shift, and will always look to bring energy through to his teammates at every opportunity. We are stoked to see him as the final piece of our team moving towards next season.

The Team

Barring any last minute changes, this is your S58 New England Wolfpack!

Goalies

Frans Eller ©

Leo Bloomfield

Defence

Sven Yxskaft

Erben Kasius

Leonids Balzams

James LeBlond

Teylora Petrov (NEW)

Alexander Oscarsson (NEW)

Forwards

Jakub Bruchevski

Sasha Dangelchek

(Clean) Andrei Kostitsyn

Guðmundur Kristjánsson

Ethan Price

Slap McShotty

Dick Clapper (NEW)

Alexis Vermette (NEW)

Calvin Hobbes (NEW)

Fun facts

1. The oldest member of the New England Wolfpack defensive core is Sven Yxskaft - from S52!

2. Calvin Hobbes has yet to play a single game in the SMJHL or the WJC without Alexander Oscarsson on the ice, going back through Maine and Team Sweden.

3. @Clean Andrei Kostitsyns brother is still missing. Help us find him.

4. Teylora Petrov has one of the cutest doggos on the site. Such a good boy!

We’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome the greatest surfer in north eastern US has ever seen. Mr @Jonny Tsunami is a New England Wolfpack. A lovely guy who has already started fitting in great in the locker room. We’re really excited to have gotten the privilege of drafting such a great guy into our team and we’re really looking forward to seeing how far you’ll go.