Hartford’s role as the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League development farm has never been more critical.
The Hartford Wolf Pack’s 2025-26 roster is brimming with both seasoned AHLers and high-upside prospects. Alongside the franchise’s recent success stories already in the NHL such as Matt Rempe, Brett Berard, and Brennan Othmann, it's already been proving that the Wolf Pack establishes a promising path for players to finally reach their dreams of the league.
This season, several names on Hartford’s current roster appear poised for a breakout.
From the "farm" to the NHL — how the Hartford Wolf Pack fuels the New York Rangers' pipeline
In the net, goaltender Dylan Garand returns as the Pack’s No. 1 man for the crease. He’s fresh off an AHL All-Star season and has just signed a one-year, contract extension. With Louis Domingue moving overseas, Garand stands tall as the Rangers’ lead goaltending prospect and could very well be the next Igor Shesterkin or Jonathan Quick when the time comes.
Up front, Adam Sýkora and Jaroslav Chmelar, both signed to entry-level deals and playing in Hartford this season, offer a mix of speed, skill, and projection. Noah Laba will be returning for a full season, and he showed promise in a small sample last season.
As always, the well-known Brendan Brisson is another forward prospect who could also be next in line and appears to already have close friendships with many Rangers already. Then there's' Dylan Roobroeck, a giant of a player who scored 20 goals as a rookie last season.
Brendan Brisson experienced a variety of firsts during the 2024-25 season. For the first time in his career, the former first round draft choice made the NHL out of training camp with the Vegas Golden Knights. He also experienced his first trade, as he was acquired by the New… pic.twitter.com/uO0qm0h9Hh
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) July 31, 2025
In summary — Hartford’s developmental system is really achieving the right balance. Veterans are easing transitions, goaltenders are earning trust and youthful talent are gaining experience in a professional setting all while under close watch from the Blueshirts.
And hopefully, the Wolf Pack will only continue to deliver in providing a firm foundation for the Rangers’ next wave of players.