Former Quinnipiac star Whelan signs with Rangers’ AHL affiliate

Photo Courtesy: Liz Flynn

Bryan Schwartz
March 25, 2020

The Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey star is staying in Connecticut.

Former Bobcats’ forward Alex Whelan has signed an AHL contract with the Hartford Wolfpack, the New York Rangers’ top affiliate.

Whelan is the first Quinnipiac graduating senior to sign a professional contract after Quinnipiac’s season was cut short in the ECAC Hockey tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ramsey, N.J.-native was first on the team in plus/minus (+16), second in goals scored (13) and third in points (24).

He had career-highs in assists (12) and points (25) in the 2018-19 season and led the team in goals (16) in 2017-18.

Whelan tallied a career-high three assists in Quinnipiac’s 5-0 shutout over Yale Feb. 29.

He was part of a three-player graduating class along with Nick Jermain and Karlis Cukste. As of now that’s all the Bobcats will lose heading into next year as Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register first reported that Keith Petruzelli, Peter DiLiberatore and Odeen Tufto will return to Hamden instead of turning pro.

Quinnipiac went 21-11-2 overall and 14-6-2 in ECAC Hockey play in Whelan’s final season in the blue and gold.