The Hartford Wolf Pack's 2025-26 season was, by almost any standard, a tough one to watch. The top affiliate of the New York Rangers finished dead last in the AHL with a 26-38-5-3 record, totaling just 60 points and a staggering minus-63 goal differential. It was a campaign defined by struggles, leading to the dismissal of head coach Grant Potulny after the team missed the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight year.

Defensively, Hartford was among the league's worst, allowing the third-most goals (253) while scoring the fourth-fewest (190). Sloppy play, a lack of depth, and just 11 wins on home ice at the XL Center painted a clear picture of a team in need of a rebuild. Many of these issues—injuries, thin rosters, and inconsistent talent—mirrored the struggles of the parent Rangers, who finished 30th overall in the NHL and last in the Eastern Conference. That organizational misfortune continued into the offseason, as the Rangers dropped two spots in the NHL Draft Lottery and will now pick fifth overall in the first round.

But even in a season of disappointment, there were bright spots worth celebrating. Forward Adam Sýkora set a new AHL career high with 12 goals and turned heads with an impressive late-season stint in New York. Brody Lamb, who joined the Wolf Pack on an Amateur Tryout after finishing his NCAA career at the University of Minnesota, made an immediate impact with nine points (four goals, five assists) in just 15 games. Second-year pro Bryce McConnell-Barker shattered his previous totals, notching career highs of 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points.

Goalie Dylan Garand and forward Jaroslav Chmelar also made strong impressions down the stretch with the Rangers, putting themselves in position to compete for NHL roster spots at training camp next fall. And Gabe Perreault earned a full-time promotion to New York after scoring 10 goals and totaling 17 points in just 20 games with Hartford to start the season.

So, while the record books won't show much success for the Wolf Pack in 2025-26, there were still individual performances worth recognizing. With that in mind, let's hand out some season-ending awards for the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Trey Fix-Wolansky — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Carey Terrance: Best 1st-Year Player
In a season where rookies were asked to step up early, Carey Terrance emerged as a steady presence. The young forward showed poise beyond his years, earning the nod as the team's top first-year player. His ability to create chances and play responsible hockey in all three zones made him a bright spot in a challenging campaign.