Connecticut Whale roster announced

Despite the lockout, there is still some hockey to be played that affects the Rangers organization. The Rangers website has the preliminary roster for the Connecticut Whale this year:

Forwards: Ryan Bourque, Tommy Grant, Michael Haley, Marek Hrivik, Kyle Jean, Chad Kolarik, Chris Kreider, JT Miller, Kris Newbury, Brandon Segal, Christian Thomas, Jason Wilson, Andrew Yogan.

Defense: Sean Collins, Steven Delisle, Dylan McIlrath, Jyri Niemi, Blake Parlett, Logan Pyett, Mike Vernace.

Goalies: Jason Missiaen, Scott Stajcer, Cam Talbot.

There are also seven players not listed by the Rangers that are currently on the Whale roster:

Forwards: Chris McKelvie, Jeff Prough, Scott Tanski, Kelsey Tessier.

Defense:Brendan Bell, Sam Klassen, Wade Redden (locked out, won’t be playing).

That makes a total of 17 forwards, 9 defensemen (not counting Redden), and 3 goaltenders that will be at the Whale’s camp this year. It’s expected that a good number of these players will be sent down to the ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors if they do not make the AHL roster.

Of the players listed above, the following all saw time in the ECHL last season:

Forwards: Jason Wilson, Chris McKelvie, Jeff Prough.

Defense: Blake Parlett, Jyri Niemi, Steven Delisle, Sam Klassen.

Goaltenders: Jason Missiaen.

It’s fair to expect that at least four forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender will be shipped to Greenville when the AHL season starts.