Hartford Wolf Pack weekly 2024-25 team awards, including Dylan Roobroeck impressive 1st season
The Hartford Wolf Pack failed to make the Calder Cup Playoffs after reaching them in each of the previous two seasons. Injuries and key players being called up by the New York Rangers, Hartford’s NHL parent club, certainly were factors. But by and large, 2024-25 was a disappointing season for Hartford.
The Wolf Pack (30-33-7-2, 69 points) finished seventh in their division, never able to put together extended winning streaks. Sounds similar to the Rangers.
But there were positives. Alex Belzile, Anton Blidh, and Matthew Robertson each reached career highs in offensive production. Dylan Roobroeck had a strong rookie season. Goalie Dylan Garand had 20 wins in his best and most consistent pro season yet. And intriguing prospects Noah Laba, Jackson Dorrington and Callum Tung looked good while getting their feet wet at the pro level near the end of the season.
Let’s break down Hartford’s MVP, best first-year player, most improved performer, and biggest disappointment this season.
Related: Dylan Roobroeck scores 20th goal, Dylan Garand earns 20th victory in Hartford’s season finale
Hartford Wolf Pack 2024-25 team awards
Alex Belzile — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Wolf Pack most valuable player: Alex Belzile
Belzile has paid nice dividends for the Wolf Pack since signing a two-year deal with the Rangers in July 2023. Belzile has led them in scoring in back-to-back seasons, including 50 points in 2023-24. This season, he established AHL career highs in points (56), assists (37), game-winning goals (5), shots (182), and penalty minutes (119). Belzile led the Wolf Pack in each of these categories.
The 33-year-old forward was second on Hartford with 19 goals and was on the scoresheet in 38 of 66 games. He recorded 13 multiple-point games, including two hat tricks (Nov. 19 and Dec. 4).
Belzile accomplished all this without much help in the top six. Young gun Brennan Othmann was out for two months with an upper-body injury and then spent another two months in the NHL. Brett Berard, a 25-goal scorer last season in Hartford, spent half the season with the Rangers.
An unrestricted free agent this summer, Belzile provides a strong case to stay with the organization. He’s a productive player and a solid example for the prospects trying to build their careers.
Wolf Pack best first-year player: Dylan Roobroeck
Roobroeck had himself an impressive first professional season. The 20-year-old center led Hartford with 20 goals, tied for eighth in the AHL among rookies. Roobroeck was the fourth rookie in the past three seasons to score 20-plus goals with Hartford, joining Will Cuylle (team-high 25 in 2022-23), Berard (team-high 25 in 2023-24), and Othmann (21, second on team in 2023-24).
Roobroeck’s four game-winning goals were second most on the Wolf Pack and tied for eighth among AHL rookies. The 6-foot-7 youngster was fourth on Hartford with 34 points, and he had seven multiple point games, including three 2-goal games.
After a slow start, Roobroeck finished strong with nine goals in his final 12 games.
Roobroeck also displayed some toughness. He dropped the gloves in four games, including back-to-back games Feb. 8 and 12.
Wolf Pack most-improved player: Matthew Robertson
Robertson returned to Hartford in a “prove it” year and made major strides in his fourth professional season. The 24-year-old set career-highs with 24 assists and 25 points in 60 games. He led the defense corps in points, assists, power-play assists (10), and shots on goal (126). The 2019 second-round pick was rewarded for his strong season with a call-up to the Rangers, where he played the first two games of his NHL career, closing out the campaign with solid play in wins against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
A workhorse on defense with Hartford, Robertson logged big minutes and played in all game situations. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this offseason, but positioned himself to remain in the Rangers organization.
Wolf Pack most disappointing player: Louis Domingue
Domingue simply never found his game this season. The 33-year-old goalie was 7-20-1 and clearly second choice to Garand, a much younger prospect. Domingue’s goals-against average was 3.32 and save percentage .896. He conceded three-plus goals in 21 of 28 starts. His biggest highlight was when he won his one start with the Rangers on Jan. 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Domingue is likely done in the Rangers organization after three seasons spent mostly with Hartford. He is a UFA and rumored to be signing overseas. He did play a valuable role his first two seasons with the Wolf Pack, helping them reach the playoffs with 22 wins in 2022-23 and 16 last season.
Look for Callum Tung, signed as an undrafted free agent out of UCONN in April, to partner with Garand next season.
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