Key takeaways from Hartford Wolf Pack 2025-26 AHL schedule
The Hartford Wolf Pack will embark on their 29th season in the American Hockey League this fall, and the New York Rangers affiliate will have a few notable changes to their 2025-26 schedule, which was released this week.
Most importantly, on the ice the Wolf Pack will try to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs, after missing the postseason for the first time in three years in 2024-25. Hartford (30-33-7-2, 69 points) missed out by five points under Grant Potulny, who returns for his second season as Wolf Pack coach.
There’s a chance that Hartford’s lineup will be fortified this season by several of the Rangers top prospects. Depending on how things shake out in training camp, forwards Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, Noah Laba, Carey Terrance and Dylan Roobroeck could hone their pro game in Hartford, as well as defensemen Matthew Robertson, Scott Morrow and Jackson Dorrington, and goalies Dylan Garand and Callum Tung.
Related: Scott Morrow ‘going to be really good player’ with Rangers, but there’s catch: NHL insider
Hartford Wolf Pack begin 2025-26 season on Oct. 11
Wolf Pack captain Casey Fitzgerald — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford begins on the road for a fourth consecutive season, playing its opener at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 11.
Six days later, the Wolf Pack host their home opener at the newly renovated — and re-named — PeoplesBank Arena (formerly XL Center) against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 17. The 72-game schedule concludes on the road at Springfield on April 18.
Changes for this season include opponents and the removal of the Midwest trip. Hartford dropped Grand Rapids (Detroit Red Wings), Milwaukee (Nashville Predators), and Rockford (Chicago Blackhawks) from its schedule, and will not play teams from the Western Conference.
Cleveland (Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate) and Toronto (Maple Leafs) return to Hartford’s schedule. Hartford will play four games against the Monsters and two against the Marlies. The Wolf Pack faced both teams in 2023-24, and tied each series (Cleveland: 2-0-1-1, Toronto: 0-1-1-0), but didn’t play either last season.
The Rangers affiliate will play 12 games against the Islanders affiliate, Bridgeport, two more than a year ago, which should appeal to fans of the in-state rivals.
In prior seasons, AHL teams often played three games in three nights on weekends since Friday, Saturday and Sunday are prime days for better attendance and increased revenue. Now, the league is beginning to reduce the frequency, as numerous teams have fewer three-in-threes (Springfield has three compared to seven last season; Providence has four compared to seven). Hartford has two sets of three-in-three, compared to three last season.
- January 9 at Springfield, January 10 vs Providence, and January 11 at Bridgeport
- February 20 vs Utica, February 21 vs Belleville, and February 22 at Providence
From a business perspective, the schedule allows Hartford to play 26 of their 36 home games on the weekend. Attendance continues to grow at PeoplesBank Arena as Hartford drew over 5,000 fans to a single game in consecutive seasons (5,456 in 2023-24; 5,590 in 2024-25). In addition, Hartford has three key weekday games: school day on Nov. 18 (11am puck drop against Springfield); a Thanksgiving Eve game on Nov. 26 (against Springfield); and a New Year’s Eve tilt against Bridgeport at 3:30pm.
Balanced AHL schedule in 2025-26
Hartford has two sets of five consecutive road games, their longest stretch away from PeoplesBank Arena.
- January 11-20 (Jan. 11 at Bridgeport, Jan. 14 at Hershey, Jan. 16 and 17 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Jan. 20 at Hershey)
- March 14-22 (Mar. 14 at Providence, Mar. 17-18 at Charlotte, Mar. 21 at Toronto, and Mar. 22 at Rochester)
The remaining road-trips are between one to three games, with all travel within the Eastern Conference.
The Wolf Pack’s longest homestand is six games, from November 14-26 (Nov. 14 vs Rochester, Nov. 15 vs Laval, Nov. 18 vs Springfield, Nov. 21 vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Nov. 22 vs Lehigh Valley, and Nov. 26 vs Springfield). Most of the remaining homestands are between one to four games, with one set of five straight games at home.
Each month features a balanced schedule between home and away, which is consistent with last season.
Related: Gabe Perreault viewed as prospect most likely to impact Rangers roster: poll
Key dates on Wolf Pack 2025-26 schedule
There are a couple of games to keep an eye on to see how the Wolf Pack performs:
- October 29 vs Charlotte: First game against the Eastern Conference Champions
- The season series against Springfield. Hartford has struggled against the Thunderbirds, as they were 3-7-0-0 last season.
- March 1 (pre) and 4 (post) 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
VIEW the complete Hartford Wolf Pack 2025-26 schedule
Hartford Wolf Pack 2025-26 schedule breakdown
By Month:
- October: 8 games (5 home, 3 away)
- November: 12 games (7 home, 5 away)
- December: 9 games (4 home, 5 away)
- January: 14 games (6 home, 8 away)
- February: 8 games (3 home, 5 away)
- March: 13 games (7 home, 6 away)
- April: 8 games (4 home, 4 away)
By Division:
- Atlantic Division (56 games)
- Bridgeport – 12
- Providence, Springfield – 10 each, 20 games
- Charlotte – 8
- Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – 6 each, 12 games
- Hershey – 4
- North Division (16 games)
- Cleveland – 4
- Belleville, Laval, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto and Utica – 2 each, 12 games
By day:
- Tuesday: 3 games (1 home, 2 away)
- Wednesday: 12 games (9 home, 3 away)
- Friday: 22 games (15 home, 7 away)
- Saturday: 28 games (10 home, 18 away)
- Sunday: 7 games (1 home, 6 away)
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