Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brendan Brisson rebounds down stretch
Brendan Brisson reclaimed a bit of his scoring touch last weekend for the Hartford Wolf Pack, recording points in consecutive games for the first time in a month. His production was sorely missed by a Hartford team that really struggles offensively.
The 24-year-old forward is second on Hartford with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists), and tied for first with a career-high seven power-play goals. Only Trey Fix-Wolansky has more goals (27) and points (47) with the Wolf Pack than Brisson.
On the flip side, unfortunately, no Wolf Pack player has a worse plus/minus mark than Brisson’s dreadful minus-32. Though he played three games with the Rangers this season, his play on the defensive side of the puck likely kept him out of New York, even when the Rangers could’ve used his skill set offensively.
Brisson found different ways to land on the score sheet last weekend. On Friday, he assisted on Brody Lamb’s third goal since turning pro last month. Brisson protected the puck along the wall, then found an opening set set up Lamb.
Then on Saturday, he scored a power-play goal against Springfield, his first goal in 12 games. After receiving a pass from Fix-Wolansky. Brisson skated past Springfield’s defensemen, then displayed impressive handwork before scoring.
Brisson rebounded from a very poor 2-24-25 season, when he recorded 25 points in 61 games playing for Henderson and Hartford of the AHL. The Rangers acquired Brisson from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Reilly Smith trade in March of 2025. He is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this coming offseason.
Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Wolf Pack eliminated from playoff contention
Hartford will miss the Calder Cup Playoffs for a second straight season. The Wolf Pack were eliminated on Friday, losing 4-1 to the Providence Bruins while the Springfield Thunderbirds earned a win against Rochester to end Hartford’s slim playoff chance.
Given the disappointing results, Hartford coach Grant Potulny could be on the hot seat after two seasons behind the bench. The Wolf Pack are 11 points worse than a year ago, after reaching the postseason two years in a row. They are project to have the fewest home wins in franchise history excluding the shortened season in 2020-21. Their 10 home wins are tied for the least in the AHL with Calgary and Iowa. They also established a new franchise record for the worst loss by goal differential (9-0 loss to Charlotte on Feb. 16).
The eighth-place Wolf Pack (25-36-5-3, 58 points) conclude the season with three games this week.
Callum Tung auditions for role in AHL
Callum Tung – Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
With Dylan Garand up with the Rangers, Callum Tung is trying to take advantage of an opportunity to start some games in Hartford. Upon his return from ECHL Bloomington on March 20, the 22-year-old goalie impressed in two of his past three starts.Â
Tung gave the Wolf Pack a chance to win against Charlotte on March 28, when he stopped 26 of 27 shots in regulation, though Hartford lost 2-1 in overtime.
Then on April 4, Tung was pulled in Hartford’s 8-1 gruesome loss to Hershey. He stopped 10 of 16 shots before Potulnly swapped goalies. The rookie lasted just 31:36.
Tung bounced back on Saturday with a win against Springfield. He snapped a personal five-game AHL losing streak for his sixth win with Hartford this season. He stopped 36 of 37 shots, and displayed confidence amid a shaky season. In fact, he made his best save yet of the season in the third period. Akil Thomas of Springfield ran into Tung, and the whistle was not blown. Tung quickly recovered and made a strong save, preventing a potential comeback bid for the Thunderbirds.
Given Jonathan Quick’s retirement at the end of this year, Garand could be Igor Shesterkin’s backup on Broadway next season. That could open the door for Tung to land a spot in Hartford, perhaps complementing veteran goalie Spencer Martin.
The organization also has two additional goalies up for deals this summer; Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko are RFAs.
It feels like Tung has the upper hand to become the Wolf Pack’s backup goalie, though it’s unknown what move(s) the Rangers make this offseason regarding the goaltending position. In his first full professional season, Tung is 6-6-1, with a 3.59 goals-against average, and .866 save percentage with Hartford, and 8-9-2 (3.10 GAA, .907 save percentage) with Bloomington.
Wolf Pack release two veterans
Originally signed by the Wolf Pack on Nov. 27 on a Professional Tryout (PTO), then extended on Feb. 1, Daniel Walcott was released on Friday. The gritty forward appeared in 54 games, recording eight points (four goals, four assists) and 51 penalty minutes.
Walcott provided toughness and a veteran presence in his latest stint in Hartford. Though not known for scoring, the forward was often physical, willing to spark the team with big hits and dropping the gloves. For instance, he was involved in a scrum on March 6 when Hunter Drew of Bridgeport fought Jackson Dorrington, then proceeded to fight Martin afterwards. Walcott stepped in to separate the combatants, and was willing to challenge other Islanders players. Then on March 7, Hershey began a scrum late in the third period. Walcott was involved again, not backing down as D..J. King and Justin Nauchbar attempted to the stir the pot.
Now a free agent, the Rangers fifth-round pick (No. 140) in the 2014 NHL Draft won’t be returning.
Travis Dermott, who signed a PTO on Feb. 7, was released on April 12. The veteran appeared in five games, and recorded three assists before he was hurt on March 4 after blocking a shot with two-minutes left in the game.
This is a tough blow for the defenseman, given he recovered from shoulder surgery last offseason. Dermott was steady in his brief time with the Wolf Pack, but it appears he will not be an option for the organization next year.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.
Wednesday, April 15 vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 6:30pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the 12th and final meeting in the season series. Hartford is 4-7-0-0 against Bridgeport.
- Bridgeport is 32-29-3-5 (72 points), fourth in the Atlantic Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference.
- Matt Luff leads the Islanders with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists). Next is Adam Beckman with 49 points (28 goals, 21 assists).
Friday, April 17 vs Springfield Thunderbirds (Blues) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the ninth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 5-3-0-0 against Springfield.
- Springfield is 30-31-6-2 (68 points), sixth in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference.
- Chris Wagner leads the Thunderbirds with 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists). Next is Aleksanteri Kaskimäki with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists).
Saturday, April 18 vs Springfield Thunderbirds (Blues) at 6:05pm, MassMutual Center
- This is the 10th and final meeting in the season series.
- Hartford is 14-18-2-1 on the road.
