Jake Leschyshyn Looking Forward to “Historic” Season

HARTFORD, CT – Hockey is nearly back. The Hartford Wolf Pack opened their training camp on Sunday, and among the attendees is forward Jake Leschyshyn. However, unlike previous seasons, this one is special for Leschyshyn.

The 2024-25 season marks Hartford’s 50th season of professional hockey between the New England/Hartford Whalers and the Wolf Pack. Leschyshyn’s got a familial tie to Hartford – his dad, Curtis, is a former Whaler. Curtis donned the iconic whale tail during the team’s final season in 1996-97.

“It’s a very cool little historic moment,” Leschyshyn told The Calder Times on Monday. “Just looking back at all the names that have crossed through [Hartford], whether it’s Whalers or Wolf Pack, it’s a town that has brought in a lot of great hockey.”

Overtime Heroes

Both Leschyshyns have provided some of that great hockey to Hartford thanks to their overtime heroics.

Curtis Leschyshyn was traded to Hartford by the Washington Capitals for Andrei Nikolishin on November 9th, 1996. He suited up for Hartford’s game against the Buffalo Sabres that night. The teams were tied at three deep into overtime. With just seconds remaining in the extra frame, Geoff Sanderson centered a pass for a streaking Leschyshyn. Leschyshyn snapped a quick shot by future Hall of Famer Dominik Hašek to secure the win for the Whalers.

Meanwhile, Jake Leschyshyn provided some overtime heroics of his own during Hartford’s 2024 Calder Cup Playoff series against the Providence Bruins. With the teams tied at one about halfway through overtime in the fourth game of the series, defenseman Victor Mancini launched a powerful shot towards the Providence net. His shot rang the crossbar, but the rebound ricocheted off Leschyshyn’s skate and into the net. The goal clinched the series for the Wolf Pack, sending them to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight year.

The Leschyshyns may not be the most famous family in Hartford’s hockey history – that honor goes to the Howes – but both Curtis and Jake have provided memorable moments for Hartford hockey fans.

Leading the Charge

Leschyshyn’s performance in Game Four of the Wolf Pack’s Calder Cup Playoff series against Providence came at a pivotal moment. The Wolf Pack lost veteran center Riley Nash thanks to a lower-body injury early in the contest. Nash’s injury will prevent him from taking part in Rangers training camp, meaning his status for the start of Hartford’s season is in question. Fellow center Ryder Korczak is also dealing with an upper-body injury. As a result, Leschyshyn’s abilities as a natural center become invaluable for the beginning of the Wolf Pack’s season.

Leschyshyn is expected line up as a top-six center to begin the campaign. New free agent signing Bo Groulx will likely join him down the middle. Prospects Bryce McConnell-Barker and Dylan Roobroeck will also see time at center. Other options Hartford will consider include Alex Belzile and Blade Jenkins.

Looking for Revenge

When Jake Leschyshyn arrived in Hartford in March 2023, the Wolf Pack were in the middle of a playoff push. The team was aiming to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Leschyshyn made an immediate impact, recording 15 points (5 G, 10 A) in 18 games to help the Wolf Pack return to the postseason. Since then, Leschyshyn has been a pivotal playoff performer for the Wolf Pack, totaling nine points (7 G, 2 A) in 15 Calder Cup Playoff games over the past two seasons. His five playoff goals led the team last year.

However, the Wolf Pack have ran into a buzzsaw in the last two years. They’ve been swept out of the playoffs by the Hershey Bears in both campaigns – Hershey would go on to win back-to-back Calder Cups.

“Obviously playing Hershey both years and seeing them go on to win both years is frustrating,” Leschyshyn told The Calder Times on Monday, “but also encouraging in a sense that you’re there with them.” While Hershey has been a step ahead of Hartford for the last two seasons, Leschyshyn and the Wolf Pack have made it a goal to match Hershey’s step and advance further in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will play a trio of preseason games this week. They hit the road to take on the Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday, October 2nd. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. The Wolf Pack will host the Bridgeport Islanders at the Koeppel Community Sports Center at Trinity College in Hartford on Thursday, October 3rd. The puck will drop at 6:00 pm. Finally, Hartford and Bridgeport will meet at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport on Saturday, October 5th, behind closed doors. Puck drop is set for 1:00 pm.

The Wolf Pack kick off the 2024-25 season on the road against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday, October 12th. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm. The Wolf Pack’s first home game goes down on October 18th as they host the T-Birds, with puck drop coming 7:00 pm.