Rangers and Wolf Pack Extend AHL Affiliation Through 2028-29 Season

The Hartford Wolf Pack and New York Rangers announced on August 20, 2026, that they have extended their affiliation agreement through the end of the 2028-29 season. The Wolf Pack became the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate in 1997, when the franchise relocated to Hartford from Binghamton after the Whalers left for North Carolina.

The extension comes as Hartford enters its 30th season as the Rangers' AHL partner. It is the second-longest continuous NHL to AHL affiliation, behind only the Boston Bruins and the Providence Bruins, who have been paired since 1992-93. Twenty-two players with Wolf Pack experience suited up for the Rangers during the 2025-26 NHL season, among them goaltender Igor Shesterkin and forwards J.T. Miller, Gabe Perreault and Matt Rempe.

"We are beyond thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with the New York Rangers in Hartford," said Peter Luukko, co-chairman of Oak View Group's Stadium and Arena Alliances. "Hartford is a premier market in the AHL, and the relationship between this franchise and the Rangers is one of the most successful in league history."

The club has broken its single-season paid tickets record four consecutive times since 2022-23, according to the announcement. Full-season ticket memberships have doubled since 2019-20, and average attendance per game has increased 50 percent over the same span.

On the ice, the franchise won the Calder Cup in 2000, beating the Rochester Americans in the final, and has reached the Calder Cup Playoffs 17 times.

The Rangers reshaped Hartford's coaching staff over the summer, naming Jay Leach head coach on June 5. He is the ninth head coach in Wolf Pack history. Forwards Cole Beaudoin and Liam Greentree, both acquired in offseason trades, are among the prospects expected in Hartford.

The Wolf Pack open the regular season on the road on October 3 at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Their home opener is October 10 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at PeoplesBank Arena.