Rangers give Paul Mara new role as AHL Wolf Pack assistant


The Rangers have bolstered their staff in Hartford by shifting Paul Mara from his role as an organizational assistant development coach to assistant coach in charge of defense with the AHL Wolf Pack, The Post has learned.

Mara, the 44-year-old former NHL defenseman who was once the seventh overall selection of the 1997 draft by Tampa Bay, served as head coach for the Boston Pride of the women’s Premier Hockey Foundation for five seasons while winning the Isobel Cup back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.


Assistant coach Paul Mara — now with the Rangers — and associate head coach Brett Strott attend the USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Team practice at the Kwandong Hockey Centre on February 4, 2018. Getty Images

He will assist Steve Smith, who ascended to interim head coach when Kris Knoblauch was hired by the Oilers on Nov. 12. The Wolf Pack, 14-4-2 overall, are 7-1-1 since Smith took command.

Mara spent over two seasons on the Blueshirts’ blue line in the late 2000s while current GM Chris Drury was the team captain, acquired from the Bruins at the 2007 deadline for the perpetually unhappy Aaron Ward.

He will continue to monitor and work with prospects but his primary responsibility will be to Hartford.



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