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Dylan Garand and Team Celebrate First Wins of the Season
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- Dylan Garand and Team Celebrate First Wins of the Season
Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Jackson Dorrington settling in as AHL defenseman
The Hartford Wolf Pack (2-4-0-0) won two of three games last week, after starting the American Hockey League season with three straight losses. The New York Rangers affiliate not only won their first game Wednesday, but Hartford posted its first shutout in 2025-26, as well.
Rangers goalie prospect Dylan Garand earned his ninth AHL shutout and 50th win in that 3-0 victory over Springfield, which was followed by a 3-0 loss to Bridgeport on Friday.
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The Wolf Pack responded on Saturday with a six-goal outburst to defeat Springfield 6-3, with Gabe Perreault recording the first multi-point game of his professional career.
The seventh-place Wolf Pack (2-4-0-0, four points) play three games this week and have an opportunity to move up in the Atlantic Division. They are five points behind third-place Lehigh Valley, and host the Phantoms in consecutive games this upcoming weekend.
Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Adam Sykora, photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack
Jackson Dorrington instrumental in Wolf Pack's recent surge
Acquired by the Rangers in the J.T. Miller trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, Jackson Dorrington is finding his stride with the Wolf Pack. The 21-year-old, a sixth round pick (No. 176) in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Canucks, provides physicality on the back end, and is tied for the scoring lead among Hartford defensemen with three points (all assists) in six games.
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He appeared in nine games with Hartford on ATO after the trade last season, and had a goal, an assist, and 12 penalty minutes. So, far this season, Dorrington looks more comfortable and like he belongs in the AHL.
Dorrington recorded his first professional multiple-point game (two assists), had a fight, and tied for a team best plus-4 rating in the win Saturday.
Adam Sýkora adding scoring punch to his all-around game with Hartford
Though just 21 years old, Adam Sýkora is in his third season with Hartford, seeking to improve his standing among the top forward prospects in the organization. A second-round pick (No. 63) in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Rangers, Sykora is trusted by the Wolf Pack coaching staff to be diligent on the forecheck and responsible defensively. He's a young, mature leader, who has an infectious personality and serious compete level.
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And it looks like he might be getting his offensive game in gear. Sykora has three points (two goals, one assist) and nine shots in six games. He had eight goals and 23 points as a rookie pro in 2023-24, and nine goals and 30 points last season.
His well-rounded game enables Hartford coach Grant Potulny to use Sýkora in all situations, including as one of Hartford's key penalty killers. That's appealing to the Rangers. But more production offensively is a must for him to get serious consideration with the varsity.
Penalty Kill a Bright Spot
The Wolf Pack penalty kill is rolling to start the season. They're 25-for-27 through six games on the PK (92.6 percent), best in the AHL . That's a big difference from last season, when Hartford was 23rd out of 32 teams, with an 80.0 percent success rate.
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In the win Wednesday, Hartford was a perfect 8-for-8 on the kill, including an extended 5-on-3 power play early in the game for Springfield. Goalie Dylan Garand was the backbone of their success Wednesday, but the entire PK unit deserves credit for the massive improvement over last season.
Neither of the two power-play goals allowed by Hartford this season was a difference maker. Hartford was down by two goals already on Oct. 17, when they allowed one. And the Wolf Pack had a three-goal lead Saturday, when they surrendered another power-play goal.
Potulny is concerned that the Wolf Pack are taking too many penalties, though. They've been short-handed 27 times in six games, sixth most in the AHL.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr .
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Wednesday, October 29 vs Charlotte Checkers (Panthers) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
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This is the first of eight meetings in the season series. Hartford was 4-3-1-0-0 against Charlotte in 2024-25.
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Charlotte is 3-2-1-0 for seven points. They are fourth in the Atlantic Division, and lost two straight games (0-1-1-0).
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Wilmer Skoog leads the Checkers with seven points (two goals, five assists). Jack Devine has six points (two goals, four assists).
Friday, October 31 vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Flyers) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
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This is the first of six meetings between the teams in 2025-26, and the first of a back-to-back set. Hartford was 3-1-1-1 last season against Lehigh Valley.
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The Phantoms are 4-2-0-1 for nine points. They are third in the Atlantic Division and have points in two straight games (1-0-0-1).
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Karsen Dorwart (three goals, two assists), Garrett Wilson (one goal, four assists), and Emil Andrae (five assists) are tied for the Phantoms lead in with five points each.
Saturday, November 1 vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Flyers) at 6:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
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This is the second of six meetings in the season series. Hartford will host the Phantoms again on Nov. 22.
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