HARTFORD, September 9, 2014: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack has signed forward Vinny Saponari to an AHL contract.
Saponari, 6-1 and 196 pounds, split the 2013-14 season, his first as a pro, between the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In 58 games with the Admirals, the 24-year-old Powder Springs, GA native scored 15 goals, which tied him for fourth on the team in that department, and added 18 assists for 33 points, while serving 14 minutes in penalties. Saponari was scoreless in two AHL postseason games. In 14 ECHL contests with the Cyclones, he totaled one goal and ten assists for 11 points, along with four PIM.
Saponari began his pro career with seven AHL games with the St. John’s IceCaps in 2012-13, after finishing his college eligibility at Northeastern University. Saponari contributed one goal and one assist for two points in those seven contests with St. John’s.
Prior to turning pro, Saponari played four seasons of Hockey East Action, two at Northeastern and two with Boston University. In 150 career college games, he rang up 34 goals and 65 assists for 99 points, along with 109 PIM, and won an NCAA title with B.U. in 2008-09, his freshman year. Between his B.U. and Northeastern tenures, Saponari spent the 2010-11 campaign in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, notching 18-46-64 in 56 games and helping Dubuque to a league championship.
Saponari was a fourth-round selection (94th overall) by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2008 NHL Draft, from the U.S. National Under-18 Team.
The Wolf Pack will open the home portion of their 2014-15 AHL season Saturday, October 18 at the XL Center, hosting the Portland Pirates at 7:00 PM. To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.
