Overview
- The New York Rangers named Jay Leach head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, in reports published on Friday, June 5, 2026.
- Leach, 46, spent four seasons as Providence Bruins head coach with a 136-77-26 record and most recently worked as an NHL assistant with the Seattle Kraken and Boston Bruins.
- Leach is known for developing players who reached the NHL, including Jeremy Lauzon, Trent Frederic and Jordan Binnington, which the Rangers view as valuable for their prospect conversion.
- The hire comes after recent scrutiny of the Rangers' pro development and the organization’s parting with director of player development Jed Ortmeyer, signaling a staff reset at the pro level.
- Separate offseason notes reported veteran forward Nick Merkley signing with Dynamo Moscow and defenseman Jordan Gross signing a two-year deal with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the KHL.