WOLF PACK UNLEASHED: BLAKE HILLMAN
Jun 19, 2025HARTFORD, CT – When Blake Hillman arrived in Hartford for training camp in the fall of 2021, the idea of the city becoming a second home wasn’t anywhere near the defenseman’s mind.
Hillman attended training camp on a professional tryout agreement (PTO) that fall. Despite a strong showing, he did not make the team out of camp, and spent the 2021-22 season with the Providence Bruins, Grand Rapids Griffins, and the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.
That showing made an impression, however. In July of 2022, Hillman inked an AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He’s been in the Connecticut capital ever since and will return for a fourth season this fall after inking a one-year extension.
“It was an easy decision honestly. I view Hartford as a second home,” Hillman said when asked about why he decided to re-sign with the Wolf Pack.
“The relationships I have built with my teammates and staff over the years, I am very thankful for those. The amount of support we get from our fans has been amazing over the past three years. I also believe the culture that has been built here is one that we have fun, but we work hard while doing it. It's awesome to be a part of. I am truly grateful to be able to still be playing hockey in such an amazing city and organization.”
Although Hillman would never admit it, he’s become a key figure in the culture that has been established in Hartford. He’s one of the senior members of the club entering the 2025-26 season and is someone that players look up to as a leader.
“I like to picture it as if I were still a younger guy just coming into the league,” he said when asked about being a key leader in the room. “I don't want these guys to feel intimidated or unable to ask questions when coming into the rink every day. I want them to be themselves and grow not only as players on the ice but as people off the ice as well. I enjoy being someone the younger guys can look up to or come to for tips that I have learned throughout my career.”
Part of being a leader is leading by example. Hillman has done that during his three seasons with the Wolf Pack. He’s the ultimate ‘team first’ player, someone who is willing to handle any role he is given.
Kris Knoblauch, Steve Smith, and Grant Potulny have all valued Hillman as a versatile piece during their tenures behind the bench. All three coaches have even lined Hillman up on the wing over the last few seasons.
Being a defenseman and shifting to forward is a difficult task. Hillman has embraced it, however, and takes pride in being the person that the coaching staff turns to when they need someone to step up.
“I take a lot of pride in being able to do whatever is asked from our coaching staff,” he said when asked of the challenge. “Playing forward was definitely a bit of a transition but when I'm out on the ice I want to give my best effort and do what it takes to help this team win. I love going to battle with my teammates regardless of where I am playing in the lineup.”
Despite his time at forward, Hillman was re-signed to help bring stability to a blueline that could be a strength for the Wolf Pack during the 2025-26 season. Hillman is one of seven defensemen who appeared in a game for the Wolf Pack last season who is under contact for the 2025-26 campaign.
That gives the Wolf Pack continuity that should allow them to hit the ground running when training camp opens. It’s something that Hillman thinks will help the club early in the season.
“We have a great group on the back end,” he said when asked about the continuity. “Being able to know little tendencies of your defensive partners because we have played so much together is a huge advantage for us.
“It takes time to learn what guys like to do when going back for pucks or how they play in the offensive zone, things like that. We are lucky to have known each other for a couple seasons now and to continue to build off what we already have in place.”
Hitting the ground running will be key for the Wolf Pack. The team was not satisfied with how the 2024-25 season ended. After advancing to the Atlantic Division Finals in back-to-back seasons, the Wolf Pack failed to make the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since the spring of 2022.
It was something that stung not just Hillman, but everyone associated with the team.
“Not making playoffs was a tough pill to swallow this year, especially with the last couple seasons of going to the Division Finals,” he admitted. “I think we will have a very motivated team and use training camp to prepare for the upcoming season as a result.
“At the end of the day we all want to win, I am very excited to get back to Hartford and get things rolling.”
Join the Wolf Pack for the 2025-26 season! Renew your membership now or learn more about becoming a ‘Pack Member’ here.
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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.