Alumn-ICE Report: March 14
Zack Ostapchuk
Photo Credit: Zach Peters
A proud first-year member of the Western Hockey League, the Wenatchee Wild are continuing a celebrated WHL legacy that dates back to Edmonton, Alberta in 1996, continuing in Cranbrook, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba. These are the ICE alumni, who are now also members of the #WildFamily, making news in American pro hockey this week:
NHL
ZACK OSTAPCHUK (2022-23) – Made his National Hockey League debut for the Ottawa Senators Tuesday evening, helping his new NHL mates to a 2-1 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ostapchuk played almost 13 minutes, and registered two shots on goal.
SAM REINHART (2010-15) – Picked up points in back-to-back games for the Florida Panthers this past week, with a power play goal Tuesday in Florida’s 4-3 comeback win over the Dallas Stars. His 46 goals on the season ranks second in the NHL behind only Auston Matthews, and his nine game-winning goals rank in a three-way tie atop the NHL leaderboard in that category.
ZACH BENSON (2020-23) – Charged back onto the score sheet Tuesday with a goal and two assists in the Buffalo Sabres’ 7-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Benson sits at 21 points in his rookie season in the NHL, and earned his first multi-point game since before Christmas in Tuesday’s victory.
BRAYDEN McNABB (2006-11) – Has points in back-to-back games, including an assist late in the second period of a 5-4 Vegas Golden Knights overtime victory Tuesday at the Seattle Kraken.
AHL
CALE FLEURY (2014-18) – Earned a brief call-up to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken on Friday before being returned to the Cocachella Valley Firebirds Saturday – in that game, he did not post a point, but notched four shots on goal in a 7-2 win over the Tucson Roadrunners.
ADAM CRACKNELL (2002-06) – Returned to the Henderson Silver Knights’ lineup Tuesday after a month-and-a-half absence, including the AHL All-Star Classic – did not score a point, but added three shots on goal to his total in a 4-0 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners.
JACK FINLEY (2021-22) – Scored a game-tying power play goal late in the second period Saturday in the Syracuse Americans’ 4-2 win over the Rochester Americans.
MICHAL TEPLY (2019-20) – Saw a four-game point streak snapped Tuesday in the Rockford IceHogs’ 4-3 win at the Texas Stars – though he did not post a point, he did register a pair of shots on goal.
CHASE WHEATCROFT (2021-22) – Notched a pair of assists Saturday for the Texas Stars in a 6-3 win over the San Jose Barracuda.
MIKEY MILNE (2018-22) – Posted an assist Sunday for the Iowa Wild in a 6-3 victory over the Manitoba Moose.
HUDSON ELYNUIK (2012-18) – Buried a go-ahead goal and added an assist Sunday in the Chicago Wolves’ 7-4 win over the Milwaukee Admirals – Elynuik was also named the game’s Second Star for his efforts.
BRETT SUTTER (2003-06) – Potted a goal Wednesday to close out the Calgary Wranglers’ 3-2 loss at the Tucson Roadrunners – Sutter’s goal, his second in the month of March, came with just 11 seconds remaining in regulation. His appearance the previous night was his 1,072nd in the American Hockey League, moving him into fourth on the league’s all-time list.
ECHL
BEN ZLOTY (2018-23) – Extended his active point streak to five games in a three-game weekend at the Newfoundland Growlers, leading the Idaho Steelheads to wins in two of the three games. His outburst came after being returned to the club after a three-week stay in the AHL with the Texas Stars.
ISAAC JOHNSON (2019-20) – Picked up only one win out of three on the weekend against the Idaho Steelheads, but buried three goals and two assists for the Newfoundland Growlers.
JON MARTIN (2011-16) – Scored goals in back-to-back road games for the Indy Fuel at division rivals Kalamazoo on Friday and Fort Wayne on Sunday – Martin’s goal Sunday tied the game as part of a three-goal volley by the Fuel.
BRETT DAVIS (2016-19) – Picked up his first point as a member of the Rapid City Rush on Saturday, with an assist in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Grizzlies. Davis was dealt to the Rush last week by the Florida Everblades, in exchange for forward Jimmy Soper.
OWEN PEDERSON (2018-23) – earned a goal and an assist as part of his three-point week for the Maine Mariners – his goal March 8 opened the scoring in a 7-0 shutout of the Adirondack Thunder. Those three points were his first for the Mariners since January 10.
CAM HAUSINGER (2017-19) – Was traded to the Indy Fuel by the Florida Everblades on Tuesday, in exchange for future considerations – Hausinger had picked up 11 points in 45 appearances for the Everblades so far this season, but had not notched a point since January 20.
GAGE ALEXANDER (2019-22) – Pitched his second pro shutout, and first in the ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers, with 27 saves Sunday in a 6-0 win over the Allen Americans. Sunday’s win marked his first appearance in net in two weeks, and first win since February 2 against the Utah Grizzlies.