Scoring the first goal in your career is always memorable. Thing is, though, that goal, is not always some picture-perfect shot or timely game-winner. Sometimes, it’s a bounce off your leg or comes with your team trailing 6-1.
That said, pretty much everything was perfect when New York Rangers prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker scored his first professional goal Wednesday for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League.
McConnell-Barker snapped a scoreless tie against the Syracuse Crunch 5:55 into the third period with a goal highlighted by terrific play at both ends of the ice. New York’s third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft stole the puck defending in his own end. Then he quickly turned the other way and led a 2-on-2 rush up ice on left wing. When he reached the circle, he wired a shot that beat goalie Brandon Halverson short side inside the post to make it 1-0.
So, that goal showcased quite a few of the 20-year-old’s skills. Tenacious on the back check. Smart lift of the stick to create a turnover. Good speed on the rush. And a nice finish. Plus, it was an important goal, giving Hartford a late one-goal lead. Even though Syracuse tied it up, Hartford won in overtime 2-1.
McConnell-Barker has had a bit of a slow start in his first pro season. He was scratched four times in the first nine games, and had one assist entering the game Wednesday in Hartford. But the center certainly opened some eyes against the Crunch.
It was a glimpse into what could be. McConnell-Barker is projected to be an effective two-way center. Two seasons ago, he scored 30 goals and finished with 77 points in 68 games with the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. Last season, he was asked by his coaches to focus on playing a more complete game, but still ended up with 22 goals and 51 points in 52 games. He scored 75 goals in three OHL seasons.
He’s a key prospect because the Rangers aren’t deep at the center position throughout the organization. Of course, they’re fine — even loaded — at the NHL level, with Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Filip Chytil and Sam Carrick. Behind them is Jonny Brodzinski.
Bo Groulx, the former Anaheim Ducks forward who assisted on Alex Belzile’s OT winner Wednesday, is the most experienced center on the Wolf Pack Roster. Matt Rempe is on the roster now, too, and playing center. But as far as middle-six center prospects go, McConnell-Barker is next in line.
Related: Hartford Wolf Pack weekly: Goalie decisions, power-play woes
Rangers goalie prospect Dylan Garand continues hot start in net for Wolf Pack
Dylan Garand – Photo courtesy of Hartford Wolf Pack
It was the fourth overtime win for the Wolf Pack (5-3-1-1) in 10 games this season. They have just one regulation victory.
Belzile’s game-winner, his first goal of the season, was a beauty. The forward curled on right wing in the offensive zone then ducked between two defenders and somehow slipped the puck past Halverson.
“I didn’t really know how much time I had there on the clock (seven seconds left in OT), I just felt like I had an opportunity to make a move there and it went in, and I was pretty happy,” Belzile explained postgame. “It was a good way to score. I hadn’t scored so far this year. It was a nice goal.”
Goalie prospect Dylan Garand stopped 31 of 32 shots — including one in overtime — to improve to 4-0-1 on the season. The 2020 fourth-round pick has a 2.52 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in a strong start to his third pro season.
Interestingly, Garand outdueled Halverson, who began his pro career as a Rangers goalie prospect, too. Halverson was a second-round pick in 2014, the same draft when they also selected Igor Shesterkin in the fourth round.
Halverson played for the Wolf Pack from 2016-19 and appeared in one game for the Rangers. He’s bounced through the AHL and ECHL since, and made 19 saves Wednesday.
Hartford returns to action Friday when they travel to Rochester to face-off with the Americans.
