HARTFORD, CT – For the 50th year in a row, the ice is down at the XL Center. The Hartford Wolf Pack will howl into action tonight as they take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in their season opener. The Wolf Pack have advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals in back to back campaigns. They’ll look to build off two straight strong seasons in pursuit of the Calder Cup.
Coaching Change
Hartford’s biggest offseason move came not on the ice, but behind the bench. The Wolf Pack and New York Rangers named Grant Potulny as the eighth head coach in Wolf Pack history. Potulny replaces Steve Smith, who himself replaced Kris Knoblauch after Knoblauch was hired by the Edmonton Oilers last November. Potulny joins Hartford from Northern Michigan University, where he spent seven seasons as bench boss of the Wildcats. He resigned from the program following the 2023-24 season before accepting the Wolf Pack’s head coaching position.
Potulny’s tenure in Hartford is his first foray into coaching at the professional level. However, Potulny has embraced the change. “It’s been great,” Potulny told The Calder Times about the transition from college to the pros. “The timing of this for my life works out perfectly. I’m fortunate that it worked out with this team. Just really excited for the opportunity.”
Unlike most new head coaches, Potulny is stepping into a great situation in Hartford. The Wolf Pack have made the Atlantic Division Finals in back-to-back seasons. “As a new coach, you’re trying to build off of all the positive things that had been happening with the program. I’m looking forward to starting with this group,” Potulny told The Calder Times.
Potulny has quickly made a positive impression on his players. “So far, Grant’s been great,” forward Jake Leschyshyn told The Calder Times. “I think he holds a high standard, which is good. I think that goes a long way.”
“He’s a detailed coach,” added forward Alex Belzile. “That’s something we’re looking forward to this year. We had a good playoff push last year, so we’re ready to do the same thing this year, and even go further.”
Saying So Long
While the Wolf Pack retained much of the same core from the 2023-24 season, they lost a number of key contributors from last year’s squad.
Defenseman and 2024 AHL All-Star Mac Hollowell was Hartford’s biggest on-ice loss. Hollowell recorded 44 points (3 G, 41 A) last season and was the quarterback of a lethal Wolf Pack power play unit. Hollowell signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and is on the opening night roster for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Fellow blueliner Nikolas Brouillard also left Hartford, signing with the Seattle Kraken organization. He’ll start the season with the reigning Western Conference Champions, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Up front, the Wolf Pack lost a pair of veteran forwards. Tyler Pitlick signed a professional tryout agreement with the Providence Bruins, while Nic Petan signed with Ak Bars Kazan of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
Bobby Trivigno, Karl Henriksson, and Olof Lindbom all signed overseas. Trivigno and Henriksson signed in Sweden, joining Brynäs IF and the Växjö Lakers, respectively. Meanwhile, Lindbom signed with Pelicans of Finland’s Liiga.
Finally, Bryan Yoon, Zach Berzolla, and Sahil Panwar all signed with fellow AHL teams. Yoon signed with the Colorado Eagles, Berzolla joined the Abbotsford Canucks, and Panwar latched on with the Chicago Wolves.
Faces New and Old
The Wolf Pack kept a trio of key contributors in the fold for the 2024-25 season.
The Rangers re-signed defenseman Matthew Robertson to a one-year contract. Robertson recorded 21 points (4 G, 17 A) in 68 games with Hartford last season. At the AHL level, the Wolf Pack brought back defenseman Blake Hillman and forward Blade Jenkins on one-year AHL contracts. Hillman had a breakout season in 23-24, posting career highs in games played (60), goals (4), assists (11), and points (15). Meanwhile, Jenkins signed with Hartford in February and became a crucial depth piece for the Wolf Pack, posting two goals and an assist in 13 regular season games and appearing in five Calder Cup Playoff games.
The Wolf Pack also welcomed numerous new faces. Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and forward Bo Groulx inked two-way contracts with the Rangers this offseason. Fitzgerald posted 21 points (4 G, 17 A) in 69 games with the Charlotte Checkers last season, while Groulx notched two assists in 45 games with the Anaheim Ducks.
Forwards Nate Sucese and Blake McLaughlin join Hartford from Western Conference teams. Sucese spent 23-24 with the Chicago Wolves, recording 37 points (23 G, 14 A) in 72 games. McLaughlin, meanwhile, earned a pair of assists in 29 games with the San Diego Gulls last season. He also spent 21 games with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers, where he tallied 25 points (14 G, 11 A).
Finally, forward Adam Erne has joined the Wolf Pack on a professional tryout contract. Erne recorded a goal and an assist in 24 games with the Edmonton Oilers last year. He also played 36 games with the Bakersfield Condors, where he notched six goals and six assists. Erne is a Connecticut native, growing up in North Branford.
Rest of the Roster Rundown
Once again, the Wolf Pack will have a competitive roster.
The elite goaltending tandem of Louis Domingue and Dylan Garand will once again man the crease. Domingue posted a fantastic 16-8-4 record in 28 games. He recorded a 2.66 GAA, .909 SV%, one shutout, and a goal in 23-24.
Garand, meanwhile, turned in his second straight stellar Calder Cup Playoff run with a 2.59 GAA, .922 SV%, and an assist. Domingue and Garand will be key to Hartford’s success this season.
At the blueline, the Wolf Pack return strong defenders Brandon Scanlin and Connor Mackey. Scanlin posted a career high 16 points (8 G, 8 A) in 23-24 while providing strong play in his own zone. Mackey, meanwhile, led Hartford in plus/minus in 23-24 at +12. Hartford also welcomes veteran blueliner Ben Harpur back to the ice. Harpur played just seven games last season before suffering a season-ending upper-body injury.
Up front, the Wolf Pack will have a strong mix of veterans and prospects. Veterans Belzile and Anton Blidh will lead the way for Hartford. Belzile led the Wolf Pack with 50 points (19 G, 31 A) last season, while Blidh’s hard-nosed playstyle fits a tough Atlantic Division perfectly. Second-year forwards Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard will be at the forefront of Hartford’s forecheck. The two finished fourth and fifth in points among rookies last season with 49 and 48, respectively. Fellow second year players Ryder Korczak and Adam Sýkora will aim to build off solid rookie campaigns.
Speaking of rookies, the Wolf Pack have three rookie forwards worth watching – Jaroslav Chmelař, Dylan Roobroeck, and Bryce McConnell-Barker. All three got a brief taste of the AHL during Hartford’s Calder Cup Playoff run last year and will be contributors to Hartford’s offense.
Rolling in the Depth
One area where Hartford has significantly improved this season is their depth. Last year, the Wolf Pack’s depth was quickly called into question when players like Seth Barton and Cristiano DiGiacinto left the team to pursue overseas opportunities.
The Wolf Pack have addressed these concerns this year. They’re carrying 15 forwards and seven defensemen on their Opening Night roster. Additionally, they have players like Maxim Barbashev, Case McCarthy, and Carter Berger at ECHL Bloomington, waiting for their opportunity at the AHL level.
Last season, the Wolf Pack were required to hand out numerous PTOs over the course of the season when their depth was challenged. This year, they’ll have legitimate options to step in and step up when needed.
Manifest Destiny
For the second time in three years, the Wolf Pack will play a home-and-home against a trio of Western Conference opponents.
They’ll host the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 30th, the Rockford IceHogs on December 6th, and the Milwaukee Admirals on March 22nd. Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack will make their Midwest trip in mid-March, visiting Grand Rapids on March 12th, Rockford on March 14th, and Milwaukee on March 15th. The Wolf Pack played all three teams during the 2022-23 season, posting a combined 3-3-0-0 record against them. The three Western Conference opponents replace the Toronto Marlies and Cleveland Monsters on Hartford’s schedule.
AHL teams often choose not to play cross-conference games as a cost-cutting measure. It’s nice to see the Wolf Pack willing to take a trip west and treat their fans to some new opponents throughout the season.
Burning Questions
When will Riley Nash return?
Veteran forward Riley Nash suffered a lower-body injury during Hartford’s 2024 Calder Cup Playoff series against Providence. The injury caused Nash to miss the entirety of Rangers training camp, and he’s begun the season on the injured list.
Losing Nash is a big loss for the Wolf Pack. On the ice, Nash was Hartford’s top center. When fully healthy, Nash was producing at almost a point-per-game pace. Off the ice, the veteran was a leader for Hartford’s young forward core.
“He’s been great all year,” Wolf Pack forward Brennan Othmann told The Calder Times in May. “Big players show up in big games, and he’s a big time player for us.”
The Wolf Pack will be without one of their big time players for a while as Nash continues to recover from his injury. In his place, the Wolf Pack will need numerous players to step up. Fellow veteran Jake Leschyshyn projects to be Hartford’s top center. Second year center Ryder Korczak will certainly move up the lineup. New free agent signing Bo Groulx and rookies Bryce McConnell-Barker and Dylan Roobroeck will also see plenty of time down the middle.
Who can take the next step?
The Wolf Pack will be missing more than Nash to start the season. Jonny Brodzinski, Matt Rempe, and Adam Edström all began last season with the Wolf Pack. All three will start the 24-25 season with the Rangers. Defenseman Victor Mancini seemed like he’d be one of Hartford’s top blueliners this season. However, a stellar preseason and an injury to Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren helped Mancini crack the Blueshirts’ Opening Night roster.
As a result, the Wolf Pack will be relying heavily on a number of players to step up and fill in the gaps. Second year forwards Adam Sýkora and Ryder Korczak are two key players that Hartford will turn to this season. Expect both to play top-nine roles, with each man earning time on special teams. At the blueline, look for Blake Hillman to take on an expanded role again this year. Hillman earned more playing time after stepping up in a big way when Ben Harpur suffered a season-ending injury last year. Don’t be surprised if Potulny leans on the veteran defenseman whenever and wherever necessary.
Can the Wolf Pack beat Hershey?
In two straight seasons, the Wolf Pack have advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs. In two straight seasons, they’ve been swept out of the Atlantic Division Finals by the Hershey Bears. Finally, in two straight seasons, the Wolf Pack have watched the Bears go on to win the Calder Cup.
Hershey is, without a doubt, the team to beat in the AHL. They’ll roll out yet another loaded squad this year as they gear up for another run at the Calder Cup. Hartford’s road to the Cup will inevitably take them through Hershey. If they want a chance at history, they’ll need to take out the Bears.
Up Next
The Wolf Pack kick off the 2024-25 season tonight, taking on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
The Wolf Pack return home on Friday, October 18th. They’ll host the Springfield Thunderbirds in their home opener. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.
