PACK MENTALITY: ETHAN FRISCH
Aug 6, 2026HARTFORD, CT – Defenseman Ethan Frisch has only known life in the Midwest and on the Golden Coast. The Moorhead, MN native spent his USHL days in Green Bay and in Fargo before joining the University of North Dakota.
When it was time to turn pro, Frisch went west. He signed with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda, where he spent three seasons patrolling the blueline. When his time along the Pacific concluded, he went to Winnipeg, where he spent the 2025-26 season as a member of the Manitoba Moose.
Now, it’s time for Frisch to head east. The defenseman made that choice this summer, inking a one-year contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack in free agency. It’ll be a change for the 25-year old defenseman, but one he’s excited about.
“Signing in Hartford has been really exciting,” he said when asked about his decision. “I admittedly don’t know a whole lot about the area or the division, but I’m super excited to get started out there this fall. Signing in Hartford felt like the right opportunity for me at this point in my career. I have heard nothing but great things about the organization from friends around the league.”
Frisch has spent time with former Wolf Pack players like Ryan Carpenter, Derrick Pouliot, and Gavin Hain during his career. He’s also a former teammate of current Wolf Pack defenseman Cooper Moore. He knows exactly what to expect when arriving in Hartford this fall.
What can the Wolf Pack expect from Frisch this fall? What can fans expect to see whenever he hops over the boards for a shift? He expects that fans will see a player who takes care of his own end and plays a hard, responsible game.
“I would say I’m a solid defense-first defender,” he said when asked to describe his style. “I’m not afraid to get into the corners or defend my own net-front but also feel that I can contribute offensively. I take pride in being a good supportive defenseman, trying to make my teammates around me better when I’m on the ice.”
His teammates on the blueline will look a lot different than the group the Wolf Pack had a season ago. With the offseason dust settling, it’s become apparent that there will be significant turnover among the defensemen year over year.
The club could be poised to deploy a more veteran-laden defense group this coming season. That possibility excites Frisch.
“It’s always nice to have a veteran presence on an American League team,” he said. “The AHL is a developmental league, but to me, learning to win is a big part of development. Having veteran players that have won on different teams is important to point the group in the right direction.”
Unfortunately for Frisch, his 2025-26 season was cut short after just ten games with the Moose due to injury. He’s excited to have an offseason to train and a fresh start in the fall. He’s also excited to have a new coaching staff to impress and a chance to earn a role in camp.
That said, while he knows this camp will be important, he’s not overthinking it. Frisch is only worried about the things he knows he can control.
“For me coming into a new organization, it’s important that I focus on the things I can control which are my attitude and effort,” he said. “I look forward to the opportunity to compete, and I’m excited to meet new faces and build relationships with everyone around the organization.
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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.