WOLF PACK UNLEASHED: GAVIN HAIN

Jul 24, 2025

HARTFORD, CT – Gavin Hain is ready for the next chapter of his professional career. After spending his first two seasons as a pro with the AHL’s Iowa Wild and the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders, Hain inked a deal with the Hartford Wolf Pack early in the free agency process.

For him, it was a relatively easy decision to make thanks to the club’s reputation around professional hockey.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about this organization and how the players are treated,” Hain said when asked about why he signed with the Wolf Pack as a free agent. “I’m excited for the new opportunity and the new challenge with this team.”

Hain enjoyed his most productive season as a pro a year ago. With the Heartlanders in the ECHL, he scored at slightly above a point-per-game clip with 27 points (10 g, 17 a) in 26 games. He then tacked on four points (1 g, 3 a) in just two Kelly Cup Playoff games.

That offensive outburst, in his opinion, was the result of a few different factors coming together at once.

“A big part of seeing some success is that we had a good team there in Iowa (with the Heartlanders) and I was lucky to play with some very good players each and every night,” Hain said. “I think another thing for me is that, for various different reasons, I was able to play with a high confidence level. That helped my game all over the ice, but especially on the offensive side.”

In addition to his success with the Heartlanders, Hain suited up in 25 games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild. He recorded five points (3 g, 2 a) in those outings. It marked the second straight season in which Hain played at least 25 AHL games. As a rookie during the 2023-24 campaign, Hain played 47 games with the Wild, scoring ten points (6 g, 4 a).

He’s learned quite a bit about the AHL during his two seasons as a pro.

“I’ve learned that the AHL is a very good league,” he said when asked about what lessons could be taken from his 72 games of AHL experience. “There are a ton of very good players in this league, and honestly there is never an easy night.”

With two seasons of lessons and experience in his back pocket, Hain is ready to join the Wolf Pack and embrace a new challenge this fall. This will mark the first time that the Grand Rapids, MN native will set up shop on the east coast. Prior to his time in Iowa, Hain spent five seasons at the University of North Dakota. He also spent time with the U.S. National…