Brendan Brisson Named to 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, Replacing Gabe Perreault
The AHL All-Star Classic is getting a new face from the Hartford Wolf Pack, and it's a well-earned nod for a player who's been steadily carving out his place in the league. Brendan Brisson has been tapped to represent the Atlantic Division at this year’s AHL All-Star Classic, stepping in for Gabe Perreault, who will no longer participate in the event.
For Brisson, this marks his first All-Star selection-and it comes in the middle of a season where he’s quietly become one of Hartford’s most reliable offensive weapons. Through 42 games, the 24-year-old forward has racked up 21 points (12 goals, 9 assists), sitting second on the team in goals and fourth in total points.
But what really jumps out is his work on the power play. Brisson leads the Wolf Pack with six power play goals, a mark that also puts him tied for 11th in the entire AHL.
That’s no small feat in a league packed with young talent trying to make their mark.
Brisson’s journey to Hartford has been a winding one. Originally drafted 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he was acquired by the New York Rangers on March 6, 2025, in a deal that sent veteran forward Reilly Smith to Vegas and brought Brisson and a third-round pick to New York. Since then, he’s been steadily building his case in the Rangers’ system.
This season marks Brisson’s second with the Wolf Pack. He saw limited action last year, skating in 16 games and putting up six points (2 goals, 4 assists), but he’s taken a clear step forward in 2025-26, both in production and in presence. His NHL experience-24 games with the Golden Knights, where he notched 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists)-has given him a taste of the big stage, and the All-Star Classic offers another spotlight moment in his development.
Brisson now joins a long list of Wolf Pack players who’ve earned All-Star honors over the years, a list that includes some big-time names who went on to make serious NHL impacts. Recent selections include Dylan Garand and Alex Belzile (2024-25), Brennan Othmann and Mac Hollowell (2023-24), and Zac Jones (2022-23). And if you go further back, you’ll find names like Igor Shesterkin, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, and Artem Anisimov-players who turned AHL success into long NHL careers.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, presented by BMO, is set for February 10 and 11 at the BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois. The Skills Competition kicks things off on Tuesday, followed by the All-Star Game itself on Wednesday. For Brisson, it’s a chance to showcase his game among the league’s best-and for Wolf Pack fans, it’s another reason to be excited about the future.