Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: McConnell-Barker heats up for Rangers affiliate
The Hartford Wolf Pack are on a four-game point streak (2-0-2-0), with 20-year-old rookie Gabe Perreault leading the way for the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. Perreault has eight points (four goals, four assists) in those four games.
He leads the Wolf Pack in scoring with 10 points (five goals, five assists), and is third among rookies in the American Hockey League. He was named the AHL player of the week for his performance.
The Wolf Pack got a boost from Jaroslav Chmelař, before he was called up by the Rangers on Sunday while Brennan Othmann rejoined Hartford. Chmelař, a second-year forward, had four points (one goal, three assists) in three games. He is tied for third on Hartford for points (five). Chmelař provides offense and physicality to the lineup. Before his callup, he earned a spot on the top line with with Perreault and Justin Dowling.
Coach Grant Potulny noted the team is playing better and finding consistency after a slow start. The sixth-place Wolf Pack (3-4-2-0, eight points) can move over .500 with two wins this weekend.
Hartford’s lone win last week was a 4-1 victory against Charlotte on Wednesday, a game that featured multi-point performances by Perreault, Dowling, and Chmelař. The Wolf Pack had to settle for single points Friday and Saturday, losing a pair of 4-3 overtime decisions to Lehigh Valley.
Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes
Bryce McConnell-Barker heats up
Second-year center McConnell-Barker is finding his offensive game. The third-round pick (No. 97 overall) by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Draft is second on the Wolf Pack with six points (three goals, three assists) in nine games; he has four points (two goals, two assists) during Hartford’s four-game point streak. McConnell-Barker has one goal and two assists on the power play and is fourth on the team with 18 shots on goal.
The 21-year-old is nine points shy of tying his total for all of last season. His performance is enabling Potulny to use him in all situations.
Justin Dowling breaks out
The 35-year-old center has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games after going scoreless in his first five. He scored twice against Charlotte and continues to be a factor on the top line. His presence has also helped Perreault and Chmelař. Dowling creates plays and is a reliable passer. He also positions himself well defensively.
His experience pays dividends for the prospects. Dowling’s abilities as a mentor are crucial in successful development of players like Perreault and Chmelař. He’ll keep that role throughout the season unless the Rangers call him up because of injuries.
Power play drought ends
The Wolf Pack started 0-for-14 on the power play but are 4-for-11 in their past four games. The organization addressed the struggling power play from last season when Hartford was 30th out of 32 teams at 15.4 percent — adding defensemen Derrick Pouliot and Scott Morrow as quarterbacks and forward Trey Fix-Wolansky up front.
Hartford’s most recent first unit has been Perreault, Dylan Roobroeck, Brett Berard, Fix-Wolansky, and Morrow, while the second unit is Dowling, Chmelař, McConnell-Barker, Brendan Brisson, and Pouliot (Brennan Othmann is likely to step in after Chmelař’s recall). Potulny’s approach is to use four forwards and one defenseman.
Potulny will have to keep the units rolling with a changing cast due to call-ups and/or injuries.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.
Friday, November 7 vs. Laval Rocket (Canadians) at 7:00 p.m., Centre Bell
- This is the first of two meetings this season. Hartford lost the series (1-2-1-0) in 2024-25.
- Laval is 6-4-0-0 (12 points), third in the North Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
- Laurent Dauphin leads the Rocket with 12 points (seven goals, five assists). He is tied for fifth in the AHL. Jared Davidson is second with nine points (seven goals, two assists).
Saturday, November 8 vs. Belleville Senators (Ottawa) at 7:00 p.m., CAA Arena
- This is the first of two meetings this season. Hartford was 1-0-1-0 in 2024-25.
- Belleville is 4-4-1-0 (nine points), fifth in the North Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference.
- Stephan Halliday leads the Senators with 11 points (one goal, 10 assists), tying him for 11th in the AHL. Xavier Bourgault is second with eight points (four goals, four assists).
