PACK MENTALITY: JACKSON DORRINGTON
Jun 25, 2026HARTFORD, CT – For Jackson Dorrington, the 2025-26 season represented a big step in his career. After three seasons at Northeastern University, Dorrington embarked on his rookie pro campaign with the Hartford Wolf Pack last fall.
What followed was a strong year for the blueliner, a year filled with learning experiences both on and off the ice. The result is a player who could be leaned on as a key cog for the club’s defense when the 2026-27 season opens in the fall.
“I learned how the pro game works,” Dorrington said of his rookie campaign. “Things like figuring out schedules, time management, and keeping my body and mind fresh throughout the season. Important things to be successful at this level.”
The North Andover, MA native was one of a handful of young players that was a nightly fixture in the Wolf Pack line up. Along with forwards like Dylan Roobroeck, Carey Terrance, and Bryce McConnell-Barker, Dorrington was part of a young core that took strides throughout the season.
The adjustment from the college level to the pro level can be a difficult one. For Dorrington, the journey was aided by the fact he was doing it alongside so many teammates in a similar position.
“Being able to go through my rookie year with some other guys in the same situation was huge,” he admitted. “You can learn so much from their processes and adjustments along with everything the older veteran players help teach you. You’re also going through all of these things together.”
While youth was served up front, the Wolf Pack had quite an experienced defensive group a season ago. Captain Casey Fitzgerald was a common partner of Dorrington’s, but the group also featured experienced rearguards in Connor Mackey, Brandon Scanlin, and at points during the season, Derrick Pouliot and Travis Dermott.
That’s a wealth of experience for a young player like Dorrington to tap into. He certainly took advantage of that resource.
"I couldn’t have asked for a better group to lead me on the backend,” he said when asked about the group. “Those guys are a talented and experienced group of players. They were great leaders and were always helping me out whether it was on or off the ice. They played a huge role in my season, that’s for sure.”
When camp opens in September, there is no guarantee what the defense core will look like. With a number of pending free agents, there is the potential that Hartford’s group will look vastly different when the puck drops in October.
That’s a possibility that Dorrington has braced for. He’s aware of the change that comes in the AHL and is ready to approach it with a team-first mentality.
“It will be huge to try and familiarize the group with each other on and off the ice as soon as we can,” he said. “That way, we’re able to get off to a good start to the season. Not just as a defense core, but as a team.”
A fast start will be key for the Wolf Pack. The club is looking to snap a two-year playoff drought and knows banking points in the early portion of the season can help them withstand the natural ebbs-and-flows of a 72-game campaign.
There’s even more reason this fall to be ready to go on day one of training camp. The Wolf Pack will feature a new coach, as Jay Leach takes the reigns.
Dorrington is well aware that everyone is entering camp looking to impress the man tasked with returning the Wolf Pack to the postseason.
“First impressions are important,” he said. “I want to take a step from last year and expand my role. I want to take my experience from last year and combine it with my offseason work to show them that I’m ready to help the team win.”
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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.