WOLF PACK UNLEASHED: COOPER MOORE
Jul 17, 2025HARTFORD, CT – Who says you can’t go home? Defenseman Cooper Moore, a native of Greenwich, CT, did just that ahead of the 2023-24 season. After playing three seasons of college hockey at the University of North Dakota, Moore transferred to Quinnipiac University for the final two seasons of his career.
There, he enjoyed back-to-back career best seasons and earned a professional contract. To make matters even more special for the Connecticut native, that professional contract came from home with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
“The New York Rangers have always been my favorite team growing up, so being able to sign with Hartford is a dream come true,” Moore said when asked about inking a deal with the Wolf Pack. “I have even been on the mailing list for the Wolf Pack for as long as I can remember. Being a kid from Connecticut, it was a huge factor for me to play pro hockey in the same state that I started my career in. I would say the biggest factor would be staying close to home, allowing me to start my career in a familiar area.”
Moore began his collegiate career in 2020, suiting up in 18 games for the University of North Dakota. After three seasons, he transferred to Quinnipiac University in time for the 2023-24 season. That campaign proved to be his best, as he tied his career-high in goals with three while setting new career best marks in assists (19) and points (22).
A season ago, Moore enjoyed his second most productive NCAA season, notching 14 points (1 g, 13 a) with the Bobcats.
“I have to thank my coaching staff from the University of North Dakota for the first three years of my college career. They developed me into the player that stepped into Quinnipiac,” he said of his success with the Bobcats.
“I believe being back home was a huge help in my success at Quinnipiac. Many family and friends were able to come see me play and play a bigger role in my life. However, the entire coaching staff at Quinnipiac was the biggest reason for my success. Coach (Rand) Pecknold, (Joe) Dumais, (Rick) Bennett and (Mike) Corbett played essential roles in me taking a big jump over my two seasons at Quinnipiac. I would say the biggest difference would be coach Brijesh Patel in our weight room at Quinnipiac. Not only did he help me surprise myself in the gym but also played a huge role as a life coach on and off the ice.”
Relying on family, friends, and his coaches at Quinnipiac doesn’t stop just because he won’t be suiting up for the Bobcats this fall. Moore is well aware of Quinnipiac’s success in sending players to the professional ranks during Pecknold’s tenure behind the bench. He plans on using the veteran bench boss and his staff as a sounding board as he prepares for a new challenge in September, his first training camp with the Wolf Pack.
“I am lucky enough to have many friends that have entered the pro ranks recently that I can rely on for first-person advice on training camp and my first pro season,” Moore said when asked about how he’ll prepare for the challenge. “It has been awesome to see the support through texts and calls giving me advice for my first season. I will rely heavily on the coaching staff at Quinnipiac to help me navigate my first season as well, as they have had many players in the same situation and have a plethora of knowledge.
“There are also many people in my family that I will rely on to help me prepare and approach my first pro season. I’m excited for this summer to prepare and learn as much as I can from everyone in my corner before I enter my first professional training camp and season.”
Moore will have plenty to prove in his first professional training camp and season. The Wolf Pack’s blueline group is both crowded and experienced, meaning Moore will have to quickly prove himself to Head Coach Grant Potulny and his staff.
What can Potulny, and Wolf Pack fans, expect when they see Moore jump onto the ice in training camp and in game action?
“I would say I’m a two-way defenseman,” Moore responded when asked about his game. “I believe I skate well, and I can play a physical style of hockey.”
Not much is guaranteed in professional hockey. One thing that is guaranteed for Moore, however, is how special it will be to put on the Wolf Pack jersey this fall.
“I played for Mid-Fairfield out of southern Connecticut for over ten years, and out of the 20 years I’ve been playing hockey, only four have been for a non-CT based team,” he said. “It means everything to me being a Rangers fan growing up, playing for the Mid-Fairfield Rangers, to be able to sign with the Hartford Wolf Pack in my home state.
“I remember watching Wolf Pack games with my family when I was younger and I know my younger self would be ecstatic for me to be wearing the red, white, and blue.”
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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.