Wade Redden may not be liked among some fans in New York, as his bloated contract and sub par play made him a popular whipping boy. Many welcomed the fact that he was sent to the CT Whale at the beginning of last season to make room in the budget and roster for other players. But, instead of being a locker room cancer in the AHL, Redden took to the kids and became a great mentor.
Now, it appears Redden is taking the next step in his progression as a mentor, and likely future coach. Over the weekend, Redden was named the captain of the Whale, a position which he has earned. Redden has taken the high road with his demotion, and become an integral part of the development of many youngsters in the AHL.
While his NHL contract may not have been worth it, Redden has more than made up for it with the way he carries himself in the CT locker room. He has been nothing but classy and professional, and it is evidenced by being named team captain.
The press release is after the jump.
WHALE NAME WADE REDDEN TEAM CAPTAIN
* * * *
Fifteenth-year Pro Becomes Sixth Captain in Team History
HARTFORD, March 3, 2012: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that defenseman Wade Redden has been named captain of the Whale.
Redden, a 15th-year veteran who is in his second season with the Whale, and has 994 games of NHL experience in his career, is the sixth player to wear the captain’s “C” in franchise history. He follows current Whale head coach Ken Gernander, who captained the squad for its first eight seasons in Hartford, Craig Weller, Andrew Hutchinson, Greg Moore and Dane Byers. The Whale has gone without a captain since Byers was traded by the parent New York Rangers to the Columbus Blue Jackets November 10, 2010.
Redden’s first game as Whale captain will be tomorrow, Sunday, March 4, when Connecticut visits Manchester to take on the Monarchs. Faceoff is 3:00 PM, and all the “Rockin’ Hockey” action can be heard live on “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM.
The Whale are next on home ice at the XL Center this Friday night, March 9, in a GEICO Connecticut Cup game vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. That game faces off at 7:00 PM, and fans can take advantage of a special food combo at every remaining Whale Friday home game, as a hot dog and a 12-ounce soda is only $5.
Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.
The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr.. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.
Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, visit ctlottery.org.
Share: