As the calendar flips to February, the Hartford Wolf Pack find themselves in the thick of a challenging season, wrapping up January with a 6-8-0-0 record over 14 games. But amid the grind of the AHL schedule, a few players stood out-not just on the stat sheet, but in the way they elevated their game when the team needed it most. Let’s break down the three stars of the month for January, highlighting the guys who brought the energy, the production, and the impact.
⭐ Third Star: Brett Berard, Forward
January stats: 10 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 Pts, -6, 4 PIM
Brett Berard’s season has been anything but linear. The third-year forward has bounced between Hartford and New York, trying to carve out a consistent role in both lineups. Early on, the effort was there-his trademark relentless forecheck, his high motor-but the results just weren’t following.
That changed in January.
Berard found his rhythm and started to cash in on the chances he’d been generating all season. He posted nearly a point-per-game pace, finishing the month with nine points in ten games.
The highlight? A clutch two-goal performance in Hershey on January 14, capped by the overtime game-winner.
Just two nights later, he added a three-point showing against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, further solidifying his offensive resurgence.
It’s a well-earned reward for a player who’s stayed true to his game through a tough stretch. Earlier in the season, Berard admitted the scoring drought was weighing on him, but he kept pushing.
“It’s a long year,” he said back in November. “For me, it’s just generating the chances.
They’re gonna go in, it’s just how hockey works.”
That patience and persistence paid off in January. With the Rangers expected to shuffle their roster ahead of the trade deadline, Berard’s strong play could put him back in the NHL mix. For now, he earns the third star of the month for stepping up and delivering when the Wolf Pack needed a spark.
⭐⭐ Second Star: Brendan Brisson, Forward
January stats: 14 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 Pts, -4, 10 PIM
With Brennan Othmann limited to just four games in January and Gabe Perreault absent entirely, the Wolf Pack were in need of someone to help carry the offensive load. Brendan Brisson answered that call.
Brisson matched the team lead with 11 points in 14 games, showing off the offensive instincts that made him a first-round pick back in 2020. His month was highlighted by a three-point night against Bridgeport on January 3, a performance that earned him league-wide third star recognition. He also became the third Wolf Pack player to hit double-digit goals on the season.
The key to his success? Simplicity and positioning.
“Just keep going to the net and the puck will find me there,” Brisson said after a two-goal night in late December. That mindset has clearly paid off.
With more minutes and top-unit power play time, Brisson took full advantage of the opportunity. And with the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Othmann, Perreault, and even Berard moving forward, Brisson’s emergence as a consistent scoring threat couldn’t come at a better time.
If the Wolf Pack want to climb the standings and make a push in the second half, they’ll need Brisson to keep this momentum going. His steady production earns him the second star of January.
⭐⭐⭐ First Star: Trey Fix-Wolansky, Forward
January stats: 14 GP, 6 G, 5 A, 11 Pts, -6, 20 PIM
Trey Fix-Wolansky takes the top spot for January, and it’s not the first time he’s earned that honor. After a quiet December where he managed just three assists in nine games, Fix-Wolansky bounced back in a big way, leading the team with six goals and tying Brisson for the team lead in points with 11.
The signature moment of his month came on January 20 against Hershey, when he delivered the Wolf Pack’s first hat trick of the season-and their first in over a year. It was a statement performance from a player who’s consistently been one of Hartford’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
Fix-Wolansky admitted the drought had been tough. “Probably one of the longest stretches in my career without a goal,” he said after finally breaking through on January 3. “It felt really good.”
But it’s not just the scoring that’s made him so valuable. With injuries and call-ups shaking up the lineup, Fix-Wolansky has taken on added responsibility, even sliding over to center from his usual wing position. That kind of versatility and leadership has been crucial during a turbulent stretch for the Wolf Pack.
He’s been the heartbeat of the team’s offense, and with several key pieces still missing, he’ll continue to be leaned on heavily. For stepping up in every way and reigniting his scoring touch, Fix-Wolansky earns first star honors for January.
Final Takeaway:
January wasn’t an easy month for the Wolf Pack, but these three forwards-Berard, Brisson, and Fix-Wolansky-helped keep the team competitive and showed what they’re capable of when given the opportunity.
Whether it’s a young player finding his scoring touch, a prospect stepping into a bigger role, or a veteran rediscovering his rhythm, these performances are the kind you build on. The Wolf Pack will need more of the same as they head into the heart of the season.