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Ryan Martin - General Manager

Ryan Martin Headshot.jpgRyan Martin was named Assistant General Manager of the New York Rangers and General Manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack on August 25th, 2021.

Martin joined the Rangers organization after spending 16 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings organization (2005-06 – 2020-21). He spent eleven seasons (2010-11 – 2020-21) as the organization’s Assistant General Manager. In that role, Martin spent eight seasons (2013-14 – 2020-21) as the General Manager of the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Under Martin’s guidance, the Griffins won the 2017 Calder Cup and advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs in every season in which the annual postseason tournament took place.

While with the Red Wing’s organization, Martin spent five seasons (2005-06 – 2009-10) as the team’s Director of Hockey Administration. Martin was also a member of the Red Wings organization when the club won the Stanley Cup at the conclusion of the 2008-09 NHL season.

In addition to his work with the Red Wings, Martin served as a scout with USA Hockey for their World Junior Championship team in 2021. That team won a Gold Medal in the Edmonton bubble in January 2021.

Prior to beginning his career with the Red Wings, Martin worked in Denver, Colorado from 1999 through 2003 as an attorney. He also worked at KO Sports, Inc.

With the Rangers, Martin oversees all aspects of hockey operations with the Wolf Pack, including player personnel decisions, player development, contract negotiations, and player movement.

Matt Harlow - Director of Hockey Operations

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Matt Harlow was named Director of Hockey Operations for the Hartford Wolf Pack ahead of the 2021-22 AHL season. Prior to joining the Wolf Pack, Harlow served as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Northeastern University Huskies men’s hockey team for two seasons, 2019-20 and 2020-21.

While with the Huskies, Harlow helped guide the program to two winning seasons. That included the program’s third straight Beanpot Championship in February of 2020, and the program’s first Belpot Championship. The Belpot is awarded to the winner of the Friendship Four hockey tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Huskies defeated Colgate enroute to the 2020 Championship.

Prior to his time inside historic Matthews Arena, Harlow spent one season at Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass. There, he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before being promoted to interim head coach.

Before Tabor, Harlow was an amateur scout in the New England region for the NHL’s New York Islanders during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In that role, Harlow was responsible for evaluating draft-eligible prospects in the region.

Harlow has also spent time as an assistant coach at Stonehill College (NE10), and as a head coach with the South Shore Kings at the U14 level and Neponset Valley River Rats at the U15 level.

Prior to coaching and scouting, Harlow played both collegiately and professionally. Harlow graduated from Brown University in 2015, following a four-year playing career at the school. Over the course of 127 games at Brown, Harlow scored 36 points (17-19-36) and amassed 68 penalty minutes.

Following his NCAA career, Harlow played in 47 ECHL games spread across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. He suited up with the Elmira Jackals, Manchester Monarchs, and Alaska Aces during his professional career.

While with the Wolf Pack, Harlow will assist with all aspects of hockey operations including player personnel, player movement, and player contracts while also handling the day-to-day operations of the club. 

Steve Smith - Interim Head Coach

Steve Smith_Assistant Coach.JPGSteve Smith was named an Assistant Coach on Kris Knoblauch’s staff with the Wolf Pack on August 24th, 2021. He was named the club's interim head coach on November 12th, 2023. 

Smith came to the Wolf Pack after three seasons as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres (2018-19 - 2020-21). Before that stint, Smith had multiple stops as an assistant coach in the NHL. He served as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames for one season, 1997-98, before resuming his playing career with the Flames during the 1998-99 season.

Smith returned to coaching in the summer of 2010, when he joined the Edmonton Oilers coaching staff under former Rangers coach Tom Renney. Smith spent four seasons on the Oilers’ staff (2010-11 – 2013-14) before joining the Carolina Hurricanes, where he spent the following four seasons (2014-15 – 2017-18).

After departing the Hurricanes’ organization, Smith joined the Sabres coaching staff prior to the 2018-19 season. He remained in Buffalo until joining the Wolf Pack. 

Smith played 804 career NHL games over the course of 16 seasons with the Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Flames. Smith finished his career with 375 points (72-303-375), 2,139 penalty minutes, and a +146 +/- rating. He also appeared in 134 Stanley Cup Playoff games, scoring 52 points (11-41-52) and helping the Oilers to Stanley Cup Championships in 1987, 1988, and 1990.

A sixth-round pick (111th overall) by the Oilers in the 1981 NHL Draft, Smith also made the NHL All-Star Game during the 1990-91 season. Smith appeared in 138 career AHL games during his career with the Moncton Alpines and Nova Scotia Oilers, scoring 41 points (3-38-41)

Jamie Tardif - Assistant Coach

Jamie Tardif Coaching 1.jpgJamie Tardif was named an Assistant Coach on Kris Knoblauch's staff with the Wolf Pack on August 29th, 2022. 

Tardif came to the Wolf Pack after four years as an Assistant Coach with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds (2018-19 - 2021-22). During his time with the organization, the Greyhounds won 112 games over the course of three seasons and advanced to the playoffs in both the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. The league did not hold playoffs during the 2019-20 season and did not play the 2020-21 campaign due to COVID-19.

Prior to joining the Greyhounds, Tardif spent the 2017-18 season as a Player/Assistant Coach with the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL. That season would mark the end of his lengthy playing career.

Tardif played 12 professional seasons, including eight in the American Hockey League. Over the course of 487 AHL games with the Manitoba Moose, Iowa Stars, Grand Rapids Griffins, Providence Bruins, and Rochester Americans, Tardif scored 267 career points (142 g, 125 a). He served as the captain of the Griffins during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and was named an AHL All-Star during the 2012-13 season as a member of the Bruins.

Tardif also appeared in two career NHL games, both coming with the Boston Bruins during the 2012-13 campaign. Tardif made his NHL debut on February 2nd, 2013 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In addition to his North American career, Tardif played three seasons for Adler Mannheim of the German DEL. He helped guide the club to a DEL Championship during the 2014-15 season, his first year overseas. He appeared in 104 games in the DEL over the course of three seasons, scoring 58 points (26 g, 32 a).

Tardif also won an OHL Championship during the 2005-06 season as a player with the Peterborough Petes and was named an ECHL All-Star in 2006-07 as a member of the Toledo Storm.

A native of Welland, Ontario, Tardif was selected in the fourth round, 112th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. 

Paul Mara - Assistant Coach

Paul Mara was named an Assistant Coach on Steve Smith’s staff with the Wolf Pack on December 5th, 2023.

Mara initially joined the New York Rangers organization as a Player Development Assistant on August 25th, 2023, before transitioning into his role as an assistant coach with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Mara will continue to serve in his Paul Mara 1.jpgrole as Player Development Assistant.

Before joining the Rangers organization, Mara spent five seasons as the head coach of the Boston Pride of both the NWHL and PHF. During his tenure in Boston, Mara guided the Pride to the Isobel Cup Championship in both 2021 and 2022. He also led the team to a regular season championship during the 2019-20 campaign.

Mara was also behind the bench as an assistant coach with Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics for the U.S. Women’s National Team. That team defeated Team Canada in the gold medal game to win the second-ever gold medal for the United States in women’s ice hockey (1998).

Mara was selected 7th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to enjoy a 734-game NHL career. He played for the Montréal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Mara collected 253 career points (64 g, 189 a) in his regular-season career. He also appeared in 33 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, notching seven points (3 g, 4 a).

Mara was a member of the Rangers for three seasons, appearing in 156 games with the club during 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09 campaigns.

Colin Downey - Skills Coach

Colin Downey joined the Hartford Wolf Pack as Skills Development Coach in the fall of 2022. A native of Morristown, New Jersey, Downey enjoyed an eight year professional career in France after a successful college career.

As a junior, Downey played for the Boston Junior Bruins of the EJHL during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. He served as captain of the Bruins during the 2009-10 season, his last before moving on to the NCAA level.

Downey played four seasons of NCAA hockey at Bowdoin College, where he appeared in 100 career games and scored 118 career points (47 g, 71 a). While at Bowdoin, Downey was named a First Team All-Star in the NESCAC following the 2011-12 season, and a Second Team All-Star following the 2013-14 season.

Following his NCAA career, Downey would embark on an eight year professional career in France. Over the course of 216 games in France, Downey scored 93 goals and 130 assists for 223 career points. He most recently suited up for Tours during the 2021-22 season, where he scored 24 points (9 g, 15 a) in 22 games.

Jeff Malcolm - Goaltending Coach

Jeff Malcom_Goalie Coach.JPGJeff Malcolm enters his 3rd season as the Wolf Pack's Goaltending Coach. Prior to his current role, Malcolm spent three years as the organization's goaltending consultant. 

In his role, he assists in the on-ice and off-ice development of goaltenders throughout the Rangers organization, including goaltenders with the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Malcolm also works with the Rangers front office in evaluating goaltenders at both the amateur and professional levels.

Malcolm played four seasons of professional hockey (2013-14 – 2016-17) with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) and the Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits (ECHL). In 94 career appearances in the ECHL, he posted a 51-30-11 record, along with a 2.96 GAA, and a .910 SV%. Malcolm was selected to participate in the 2015 CCM ECHL All-Star Classic, representing the Greenville organization.

Prior to beginning his professional career, Malcolm played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Yale University (2009-10 – 2012-13) in New Haven, Connecticut. He helped Yale win the National Championship in his final season at the school, 2012-13. It was the first, and only, National Championship in program history. Malcolm stopped all 36 shots he faced to earn the win and a shutout in the National Championship Game against Quinnipiac University on April 13, 2013.

He was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team, as well as the NCAA All-Ivy League Second Team, in 2012-13.

Chris Hoeler - Video Coach

 

Chris Hoeler_Video Coach.JPGVideo Coach Chris Hoeler joined the Wolf Pack prior to the 2019-20 AHL season. He is responsible for capturing and analyzing footage of each of the Wolf Pack’s games, and for pre-scouting Wolf Pack opponents. He also assists his fellow coaching staff members with extensive data collection and assessment, as well as with several administrative functions.

Hoeler assumed his current role with the Wolf Pack after one season as director of hockey operations for the Chicago Steel of the USHL (2018-19). The previous year, 2017-18, he worked with the Harvard University women’s hockey program in Cambridge, Massachusetts as a video and analytics coordinator. 

The Ridgefield, CT native has previous experience with the Wolf Pack, having served as the team’s video assistant during the 2016-17 season. Hoeler also has worked in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. In addition, Hoeler was vice-president of hockey operations for the Federal Hockey League’s Danbury Titans for two years and spent time with the Danbury Whalers of the FHL.

Hoeler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from Fairfield University in 2011 and earned a Masters in Sports Business Management from Manhattanville College in 2013. He currently resides in West Hartford.

Craig Lewis - Head Equipment Manager

Craig Lewis_Head Equipment Manager.JPGCraig Lewis enters his 15th year as part of the Wolf Pack equipment staff, his 6th season as the team's Head Equipment Manager. 

Lewis took over the assistant equipment manager’s duties prior to the 2009-10 season. Prior to that, Lewis served as the visiting team locker room assistant, a role he assumed during the 2008-09 campaign. Lewis was promoted to equipment manager for the 2018-19 season.

Lewis is slated to work his 1,000th game with the Wolf Pack on Sunday, October 29th, 2023 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

Prior to joining the Wolf Pack, Lewis worked as an ice hockey official, working several levels of hockey including the high school and college levels. He worked throughout the state of Connecticut and the greater New England area. Lewis has the honor of working for his hometown team, as he was a fan of the Wolf Pack growing up, coming to countless games at the XL Center.

Born in Hartford, CT, Lewis was raised in Newington. He graduated from Newington High School in 2004 and then studied at both Central Connecticut State University and Manchester Community College. He and his wife Kaitlin live in Enfield with their two sons, Ryan and Connor.

Mark Riepe - Assistant Equipment Manager

 

Mark Riepe_Assistant Equipment Manager.JPGAssistant Equipment Manager Mark Riepe joined the Wolf Pack staff prior to the 2019-20 season. He is currently entering his 5th season as a member of the staff.

Riepe came to the Wolf Pack from the Maine Mariners of the ECHL, for whom he worked for during the franchise’s inaugural season in 2018-19. In that role, Riepe was responsible for setting up the locker room operation from scratch.

Prior to that, Riepe worked in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) with the Peoria Rivermen, earning SPHL Equipment Manager of the Year honors for his work during the 2017-18 season. Riepe also had a stint with the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Lone Star Brahmas. The Brahmas would win a Robertson Cup championship during Riepe’s stint in 2016-17.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Riepe now lives in Hartford with his wife, Taylor, and their French Bulldog puppy, Kane.

Brian Fairbrother - Head Athletic Trainer

 

Brian Fairbrother_Head Athletic Trainer.JPGWolf Pack athletic trainer Brian Fairbrother joined the Wolf Pack staff prior to the 2014-15 season. He joined the organization on the heels of eight years working in Sports Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. 

Fairbrother was an assistant athletic trainer for the Bobcats during his time there, providing medical services for the men’s ice hockey program. He also served as an approved clinical instructor and lecturer for Quinnipiac’s athletic training program. 

Before beginning his tenure at Quinnipiac in 2006, Fairbrother earned a Master’s degree in Recreation and Sports Science from Ohio University, where he worked for a year as a graduate assistant athletic trainer, focusing his efforts on the football, women’s lacrosse and track and field teams. Fairbrother also has experience working with the football program at Harvard University.

Fairbrother did his undergraduate work at Northeastern University, completing his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training in 2005. In addition to his athletic training credentials, Fairbrother, 35, is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a Basic Life Support Instructor for the American Heart Association. He holds membership in both the National Athletic Trainers Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Jared Degler - Assistant Athletic Trainer

 

Jared Degler__Assistant Athletic Trainer.JPGJared Degler joined the Wolf Pack organization as the club’s Assistant Athletic Trainer prior to the 2019-20 season. He is entering his fourth season in Hartford.

Degler joined the Wolf Pack after three years as the head athletic trainer for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Prior to that, the Hamburg, PA native worked an internship with the ECHL’s Reading Royals for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. During that time, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at Alvernia University in Reading, PA.

John Sardos - Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

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John Sardos joined the Wolf Pack as the organization’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach prior to the 2019-20 season. He is entering his fourth season as a member of the club’s staff.

Sardos joined the Wolf Pack after two years as the assistant strength coach for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. There he worked mainly with the hockey and lacrosse teams, as well as the Patriot League-champion golf squad.

Sardos had previous AHL experience prior to joining the Wolf Pack. He spent two seasons with the Albany Devils, 2015-16 and 2016-17, as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach. Prior to that, he was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for five years at Union College in his hometown of Schenectady, New York. At Union, he worked with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the football team, men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, and men’s and women’s track and field teams. Sardos also assisted with the men’s and women’s hockey teams while at Union.

Sardos earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2010 from New England College. He also earned a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in Sports Psychology, from the University of Missouri in 2015. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and holds FMS (Functional Movement Systems) certification.

Trevor Goldstein - Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Trevor Goldstein.jpgGoldstein joined the Wolf Pack organization ahead of the 2022-23 season as the club’s Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. Prior to joining the Wolf Pack, Goldstein spent three years as the Assistant Strength & Conditioning coach at RPI. Goldstein graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Coaching & Exercise Science from SUNY Cortland, then earned his Masters degree in Sports Science with an emphasis in Strength & Conditioning from Hofstra University. He also spent two years at Union College, where he was an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach.

 

Team Doctors

Dr. Brett Wasserlauf - Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Scott Bissell - Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Greg Czarnecki - Internal Medicine

Dr. Stephen Hall - Dentist

Dr. William Maron - Opthamologist

Dr. Jesse Sorrentino - Dentist

Midlign Chiropractic