Wolf Pack’s November Three Stars: Fix-Wolansky Leads the Charge, Dowling Steadies the Ship, Roobroeck Rises
The calendar flipped to December, and with it comes a chance to look back at the Hartford Wolf Pack’s standout performers from November - a month that tested the team’s depth, resilience, and ability to generate offense. Over 12 games, the Wolf Pack posted a 4-5-3-0 record, a stretch that saw flashes of individual brilliance even as the team battled to find consistency.
Let’s dig into the three players who made the biggest impact in November - the guys who didn’t just show up, but showed out.
⭐ Third Star: Dylan Roobroeck - Forward
November Stats: 12 GP | 5 G | 2 A | 7 Pts | +2 | 26 PIM
After a quiet October, Dylan Roobroeck came into November with something to prove - and he delivered. The 6-foot-7 center found his scoring touch, netting five goals across the month, second-most on the team. He’s now third on the Wolf Pack in total goals, and what’s more, he’s doing it while taking on a much larger role than he had last season.
Roobroeck isn’t just a big body - he’s become a versatile piece for Hartford. He’s logging over 20 minutes a night, getting reps on both the power play and the penalty kill, and showing a willingness to play physical, as evidenced by his 26 penalty minutes. That’s a big jump from last year, when he was mostly a bottom-six guy without special teams responsibilities.
“He’s gonna have to take a lot of important faceoffs,” said head coach Grant Potulny after a November 1 game against Lehigh Valley. “By default, you end up staying on the rink a lot.”
That increased ice time can be tough to manage, especially for a young player. But Roobroeck found a rhythm in November, balancing physicality with production.
He’s not just filling a role - he’s growing into one. That’s why he earns the third star for the month.
⭐⭐ Second Star: Justin Dowling - Forward
November Stats: 11 GP | 2 G | 6 A | 8 Pts | +1 | 4 PIM
When you bring in a veteran like Justin Dowling, this is exactly the kind of month you hope to get. Steady, smart, and productive, Dowling put up eight points in November and tied for the team lead in assists. He’s not the flashiest player on the ice, but he’s the kind of guy who makes everyone around him better.
With more than 800 pro games under his belt - including nearly 600 in the AHL - Dowling’s experience is invaluable. He’s a former Calder Cup champion who knows what it takes to win, and it shows in the way he plays.
“There’s a reason he’s continuing to generate offense for us,” Potulny said after a November 18 tilt against Springfield. “He plays winning hockey. He’s predictable, he has great second efforts.”
That kind of predictability is gold in a league where young players are still learning how to bring it every night. Dowling’s ability to consistently make the right play, to be in the right spot, and to lead by example has been a stabilizing force for the Wolf Pack. He may not be on the highlight reels every night, but he’s been a key driver of the team’s offense and structure - and he earns the second star for it.
⭐⭐⭐ First Star: Trey Fix-Wolansky - Forward
November Stats: 12 GP | 6 G | 3 A | 9 Pts | +1 | 12 PIM
If the Wolf Pack were looking for a sparkplug to ignite their offense this season, they’ve found it in Trey Fix-Wolansky. The veteran winger came alive in November, scoring six goals and taking over the team lead with nine on the season. He’s been the offensive catalyst Hartford sorely needed after finishing 29th in the AHL in goals last year.
Fix-Wolansky came into the year with 259 points in 289 career AHL games - and he wasted no time adding to that total. Despite joining a new organization and rotating through different linemates, he’s quickly found his footing and become a go-to option in the offensive zone.
“As an undersized guy, you gotta be able to get into guys’ hands and underneath their checks,” Fix-Wolansky said after a November 21 game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. “That’s been a staple of my game for the last three to four years.”
That edge - that ability to play bigger than his frame - is what’s made Fix-Wolansky such a force in the AHL. And now, Hartford is starting to see what he’s capable of when he’s rolling.
“He’s a player that has been a very dominant player in this league,” Potulny said. “We’re starting to see what he’s capable of doing.”
If November was any indication, there’s a lot more to come from Fix-Wolansky. His scoring touch, high motor, and offensive instincts make him a nightmare for opposing defenders - and a no-brainer for the Wolf Pack’s first star of the month.
Final Takeaway
The Wolf Pack may have had an up-and-down month in the standings, but these three players helped steady the ship and inject some much-needed punch into the lineup. Roobroeck’s growth, Dowling’s leadership, and Fix-Wolansky’s firepower give Hartford a strong foundation to build on as the season rolls into December.
If they can keep this trio humming - and get a few more pieces clicking around them - the Wolf Pack could be a team to watch as the AHL playoff picture starts to take shape.