The New York Rangers have extended their agreement with Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, the providers of Venue Management to the XL Center, for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, to continue playing their home games at the XL Center through the 2017-18 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Wolf Pack franchise is currently in its 20th year as a Ranger affiliate. That represents the second-longest current continuous affiliation between an NHL club and a single AHL market in the league, surpassed only by the 25 seasons of partnership between the Boston Bruins and Providence, RI.
“Spectra is very pleased to extend our relationship with MSG and the Rangers for the 2017–2018 season,” said Spectra’s Chris Lawrence, General Manager of the XL Center. “The Wolf Pack have been a staple in the Hartford community for 20 years and we’re excited to maintain that moving forward.”
Spectra also provides Food Services & Hospitality and Ticketing & Fan Engagement to the XL Center.
Jim Schoenfeld, Senior Vice-President/Assistant General Manager of the Rangers, and General Manager of the Wolf Pack, said, “As one of the American Hockey League’s most established franchises, we’re excited to continue to provide professional hockey in Connecticut’s capital city, while maintaining a strong community presence with the youth, residents and business community of the greater Hartford region.”
The Wolf Pack has won one league title, the 2000 Calder Cup, during its proud history, and has captured four division championships. The franchise’s all-time record stands at 809(W)-533(L)-66(T)-74(OTL)-54(SOL) for a points percentage of .590. That is the second-best mark over the past 19-plus seasons of any AHL franchise that has been in the league for the Wolf Pack’s entire existence, surpassed only by the Hershey Bears’ .591.
A total of 176 players have skated with both the Wolf Pack and the Rangers during the 20 seasons that the organization has been developing talent in Hartford, and current Ranger stalwarts like Captain Ryan McDonagh, Mats Zuccarello, Dan Girardi, Chris Kreider, Jesper Fast, J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg and Brady Skjei all honed their skills with the Wolf Pack along their paths to the NHL.
