HARTFORD, CT – In a post-Thanksgiving matchup, the Albany Devils travel to face the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday at 7:15 pm at XL Center. Coming off a 3-1 win against Toronto Tuesday, the Devils have a chance to jump into first place in the North Division. They currently sit in second at 10-6-0-0. The Wolf Pack are last in the Atlantic Division at 5-10-2-0.
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Welcome Back: The New Jersey Devils returned Blake Pietila to Albany Wednesday. The 23-year-old was recalled on Nov. 16 just days after scoring three goals in the Devils’ 4-3 victory against St. John’s on Nov. 12. Pietila is averaging a team-high 0.92 points per game and is second with 11 points. He has a club-best six goals and his five assists are tied for third.
Rookie Report: First-year pro Kevin Rooney joins John Quenneville as the only rookies to play in all 16 games so far this season. Rooney, who has three goals, ended last season with the Devils on an Amateur Tryout and appeared in seven games, producing three assists. Rooney helped Providence College to the 2015 NCAA National Championship and a share of the 2016 Hockey East regular season title.
Milestone Hit: Brandon Gormley, who has four points (1g-3a) in 12 contests, played his 200th AHL game Tuesday. The 24-year-old signed with New Jersey this past offseason after spending 2015-16 with Colorado’s organization. He had an assist and accumulated eight penalty minutes in 26 games with the Avalanche. He also recorded four goals and two assists with 26 penalty minutes in 39 games with San Antonio.