PACK MENTALITY: COOPER MOORE
Aug 13, 2026HARTFORD, CT – Defenseman Cooper Moore quickly emerged as a reliable option for the Hartford Wolf Pack during his rookie campaign. The Connecticut native, who signed an AHL contract with the club in the spring of 2025, earned a roster spot out of training camp and never looked back.
Instead of testing the free agent waters after impressing in the Connecticut capital, Moore elected to re-sign with the Wolf Pack for a second season. For him, it wasn’t exactly a hard decision to make.
“It was a pretty easy decision for me, I really enjoyed my first year in Hartford,” Moore said when asked about re-signing. “The organization has been great to me, and I feel like it’s a place where I can continue to grow as a player. Although last season wasn’t what we hoped for as a team, I believe in the direction we’re heading. I’m really excited to come back and help this team take a step forward.”
Moore’s growth as a player was apparent during his rookie season. He entered his first training camp as a relative unknown yet earned his way into the lineup and impressed enough to earn another contract with the club.
His growth extended beyond his on-ice performance as well. Moore spent his rookie campaign learning the pro game from veterans like Casey Fitzgerald and Connor Mackey on the blueline. With a heavier workload in terms of both practices and games, Moore was part of a group of young players who learned how important things like consistency and preparation are.
He believes those lessons, both on and off the ice, will help him in his quest to take another step in his second season.
“The biggest lesson I learned in my rookie season was how important consistency is at the pro level,” he said. “Every night we’re competing against really good players, so you can’t take shifts or games off. I think it’s also really important to find a role within the team and figure out how you can best help the team win games.
“I learned a lot from the veteran players about the importance of every practice and game. Within my preparation for next season my main goal is keeping that consistency each and every day at the rink.”
While Moore will be returning for another season in Hartford, the group around him will have shifted significantly. In addition to changes behind the bench, the Wolf Pack’s roster will look quite different than the one that took the ice last season.
The defensive group especially will have a different look to it.
While things will be different, and there will be an adjustment period, Moore is focused on putting his best foot forward and taking care of his business.
“It’s always interesting when there is so much turnover from one year to the next,” he said when asked about a different looking group.
“But my main focus for camp is making the team and putting my best foot forward. After that, I think it’s really important to try and get to know everyone on and off the ice. New coaching staff and a bunch of new faces means everyone is starting fresh and trying to build chemistry. For me I have to control what I can control and come to camp prepared and ready to work with a willingness to learn from not only the staff but also my new teammates.”
For both Moore and his teammates, there will be an extra emphasis on training camp this fall. Not only is the group looking to get to know their new coaching staff and each other, but they are also entering the season with a sense of urgency.
After two straight seasons without making the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Wolf Pack are determined to bank points early and get off to a good start.
It’s something Moore did not shy away from when asked.
“It’s obviously important to win games and we didn’t get off to the best start last season,” Moore said. “You don’t want to spend all season trying to climb out of a hole so starting strong is a priority. It helps build confidence in a new locker room and sets the standard for the season.”
Still, even with the added emphasis, Moore and his teammates know that the AHL season is a marathon, not a sprint. They know that while banking points early is important, they still have to form their identity and make sure they are playing the right way.
“At the same time, you don’t want to put too much pressure on the group to start off strong because it is a long season,” he continued. “The focus has to be on playing to our identity every night, being consistent, and building good habits from the start of camp. If we do that, then the results will take care of themselves and hopefully put us in a much better position early in the season.”
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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.