Former Yorkton Junior ‘A’ Terrier Chad Nehring has inked a deal to play with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
“It was the expectation all summer, along with going to the New York Rangers main camp put in the contract,” he told Yorkton This Week.
The deal is for one season.
Nehring played 57-games with the Wolf Pack last season after starting the campaign with the Greenville Road Warriors in the East Coast Hockey League. With Hartford he had four regular season goals and 12-points with 50-penalty minutes. He was plus-two. He added two playoff goals and three points in 15 post season appearances.
Nehring said the contract allows him to get a great start on the season ahead.
“I feel that going to the Ranger camp to start the season is going to start me in the right direction,” he said, adding it is a chance “to play with a level higher, then going into camp with Hartford I should be a step ahead.”
After a year with the Wolf Pack Nehring is also aware of what is expected of him.
“I feel I established a role and was able to grow into in and earn myself more time and responsibilities,” he said. “So going into a full season I should get more opportunity to improve and try to get to the next level.”
It helped too, that he was given some insights into what the team wants him to work on too.
“In my exit meeting, the staff told me what they liked and what can be improved. So I spent the summer working on those things so I am ready to go and know my role and what to expect when season starts,” he said.
“Speed is always the biggest improvement anyone can improve on in this day of hockey. So my biggest focus is strength and speed.”
Nehring and the Wolf Pack’s first game is set for Saturday, Oct., 10.