Built for the Grind: Trey Fix-Wolansky’s Journey with the Hartford Wolf Pack

For veteran forward Trey Fix-Wolansky, the professional game didn’t feel foreign — it felt familiar. The long seasons. The bus rides. The back-to-backs. In many ways, his time in the Western Hockey League prepared him for exactly this. “I think the amount of games that you put in the WHL is the most similar to a pro, you're riding the bus, you're playing back-to-backs. 
You have 70 games a year. I know in college you only play about 35. So, I think that was kind of the number one thing, and just the development of the league, from ages 16 to 20, I feel it's the number one development league in the world. 
I just think being in the organization and in that league, it helps a lot of guys develop their games. If they don't end up playing pro, they have a chance to go to a Canadian college.”

That foundation helped ease the shock of turning pro — though the adjustment still came quickly. “It was definitely eye-opening. 
You go from playing against kids to playing against men overnight. So, it took a little bit of adjustment, but I felt super comfortable in those first couple games that I played in playoffs that year and just kept trying to build my game off that and understand what it takes to play at the pro level.”

Photo Credit: Hartford Wolfpack

Like many players, his path wasn’t without setbacks. An ACL injury forced him to confront the mental side of recovery before he could return to the ice. When his first NHL call-up came, it carried more weight because of what it took to get there. “That was definitely a moment I'll never forget. Just working super hard. I had gone through an ACL surgery before that. 
So to see the work that I put in and to be able to call my parents and say that I got called up, that's something I'll never forget, their reaction, and they made it to the game and ended up scoring in my first game. So, they were there to see that. It was super special for me and definitely very special for them, considering how much time and effort they put in to get me to where I am.”

Moments like that define a career. But so do the cities and fan bases that support it. For Fix-Wolansky, his early years in pro hockey left a lasting impression. “It means a ton. Going there as a 20 year old kind of eye-opening experience. First-year pro, but the guys on that team were super helpful, and it made a super easy transition. Just the city, the support of the fans over the six years, they treat you like an all-star. I think that everyone on that team can say that, like the city, took care of everyone, and the fans were unbelievable, whether it was game day or even coming to watch practice or seeing you on the streets and stuff. They were super respectful, and it's a great place to play hockey.”

Two AHL All-Star appearances added another milestone to Fix-Wolanksky’s career. “It was definitely a special experience. 
Being able to take part in that and play with the top players from around the league from each team, get to know some new guys, and put the top players against each other.”

Despite the accolades, his game remains rooted in speed and competitiveness. “I think probably number one is using my speed, whether that's wide or through the middle, and then trying to beat defenders. If not, curling up and trying to find the late guys coming in.”

That speed has been tested against some of the league’s most imposing defenders. During one of his NHL call-ups, he reflects on the hardest player to defend. “We played against Calgary during one of my first call-ups, and played against Nikita Zadorov. 
He's in Boston now. I think that was probably one of the toughest defenders that I've played against.”

Even against bigger opponents, Fix-Wolansky doesn’t shy away from contact. “I'm trying to play with a little bit of physicality. I think when you play with a little bit of physicality, the game kind of opens up. Just speed using each other. I think using line mates is super important, beating checks, and just trying to get the puck back.”

It’s no surprise that he models his game after one of the NHL’s most effective undersized agitators. “I think probably model my game after a guy, would be like Brad Marchand. Obviously an undersized guy, but lots of skill and isn't afraid to mix it up. So that's someone that I've definitely tried to take things from and implement them into my game.”

Now a veteran presence in Hartford, Fix-Wolansky understands that longevity in the AHL requires emotional balance as much as skill. “I think the number one thing is not letting the highs get too high, and the lows get too low. There's a lot of ups and downs throughout a season, and the more you can keep your head kind of even keel, the better season you're gonna have, and the better the team's gonna be as well.”

From the grind of the WHL to playoff debuts, from ACL rehab to NHL call-ups, Trey Fix-Wolansky’s journey has been defined by resilience, speed, and perspective. In a league built on opportunity and response, he continues to do what he’s always done — keep his game fast, his mindset steady, and his focus forward.

- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network

- Photo Credit: Hartford Wolfpack