PACK MENTALITY: CAREY TERRANCE
Jul 16, 2026HARTFORD, CT – Carey Terrance experienced the typical ups and downs of a rookie season during the 2025-26 campaign. It was a season that started with Terrance looking to find his footing at the professional level, adapting to a new life both on and off the ice.
It ended with Terrance becoming one of the Wolf Pack’s most trusted centers, a player who excelled for the club in the faceoff circle and became a key cog in a penalty kill that was one of the AHL’s better units in the second half of the season.
Along the way, the rookie center learned some valuable lessons that have him aiming for another step forward in the fall.
“My rookie reason taught me a lot about being a pro, but most importantly bringing consistency,” he said. “Every day is a chance to get better and learn, whether it’s in practice, games, in the gym, etc. Coming into my second season pro, I have a better idea of what to expect and will come into camp in September ready to compete and win hockey games.”
Terrance’s compete quickly endeared him to the fanbase, staff, and his teammates during his rookie campaign. It allowed him to quickly become a trusted part of the club’s penalty kill and allowed him to become one of the team’s most relied upon centers when it came to defensive zone assignments and situations.
It’s something Terrance took great pride in.
“I take a lot of pride in those little details of the game,” he said when asked about being relied upon in those spots as a young player. “As a rookie, being able to be put in those situations meant a lot. I believe those moments in the game can be crucial throughout the season to winning hockey games. That confidence from the coaching staff definitely helped me grow as a player as the season went on.”
Terrance’s growth wasn’t just on the defensive side of things, either. He enjoyed a strong offensive run, scoring eleven points (5 g, 6 a) in his final 14 appearances of the season. It was the kind of offensive stretch that can give a young player confidence heading into the summer.
“Yes, I definitely gained some confidence down toward the end of the season,” Terrance added. “I knew the offensive production would start if I just stuck to my game and tried not to force things. It’s encouraging, knowing I can be a reliable 200-foot player while also chipping in on offense. It’s exciting and I want to continue to be that player going into next season.”
With lessons learned and confidence gained, Terrance heads into the off-season knowing what he needs to do to continue his upward trajectory as a young player. New challenges await this fall, including impressing a new coaching staff led by head coach Jay Leach.
Terrance isn’t letting a new challenge overwhelm him or change his ways.
“My approach doesn’t change,” he said when asked about handling a training camp with a new coach. “I just want to be able to showcase the player and person I am. I want to show I can be someone they can rely on, a competitor, and someone that will do anything to help the team win.”
The one thing Terrance is hoping to change is the start to the season. As a team, the club’s goal will be to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs after a two-year absence. A fast start to the season will be key in accomplishing that goal.
“A fast start is going to be very important entering next season,” Terrance offered. “No secret, we didn’t have the season we hoped for last year. A fast start is one of the first steps to being able to play meaningful hockey in the late months of the season and playoffs.”
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and play at PeoplesBank Arena. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers newest faces including Igor Shesterkin, Will Cuylle, and Matt Rempe. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.