Dylan Garand Bio
Dylan Garand (born June 7, 2002) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 82 kilograms, he was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has been a full-time professional since 2021 and continues to be regarded as one of the Rangers’ top goaltending prospects.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Garand was born on June 7, 2002, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Growing up on Vancouver Island gave him early access to a strong youth hockey culture, and he began developing his goaltending skills in local minor hockey programs. Victoria’s coastal climate and busy rink scene allowed him to train year-round, and his family supported his commitment to the position of goaltender.
As a teenager, Garand joined the major-junior pathway in British Columbia and quickly moved up through the ranks. Although specific details of his parents and early schooling are not publicly confirmed, his progression into the Western Hockey League (WHL) at a young age suggests a focused upbringing centered on athletic development.
Path to Professional Hockey
Garand’s path to professional hockey ran through the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). He entered the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers and, during the 2018–19 season, his first full campaign with the club, became the starting goaltender at just 16 years old after an injury to Dylan Ferguson. That responsibility helped him mature quickly against older competition.
He responded with a 2.21 goals-against average (GAA) and a .921 save percentage across 42 games, leading Kamloops into the WHL playoffs. The strong season earned him the Daryl K. Seaman Trophy as the WHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year for 2019, recognizing his performance on the ice and in the classroom.
Dylan Garand Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Garand’s first three WHL seasons established him as one of the Western League’s top goaltending prospects. In 2018–19, he posted a 2.21 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 42 games while leading Kamloops into the postseason. His poise as a teenager drew attention from NHL scouts.
In 2020–21, a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he appeared in 18 WHL games, recording a 2.15 GAA and a .921 save percentage. He also made his professional debut that year, playing two games for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Kamloops Blazers Breakthrough (2021–2022)
The 2021–22 season was Garand’s defining year in junior hockey. Playing for the Kamloops Blazers, he posted a 2.16 GAA and a .935 save percentage, numbers that ranked second in the WHL in both categories. His 34 wins tied for the league lead among goaltenders, and his four shutouts tied for fourth.
His dominance earned him the Del Wilson Trophy as the WHL’s top goaltender and a First Team All-Star selection in the WHL B.C. Division. National writers regarded him as the top goaltender in the entire Canadian Hockey League, and he won the 2021–22 CHL Goaltender of the Year award. Midway through that season he signed his first professional contract with the Rangers, completing his transition to pro hockey.
Hartford Wolf Pack Era (2022–Present)
Garand began the 2022–23 preseason with the Rangers but was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack before the regular season began. He appeared in 32 AHL games that year, posting a 3.01 GAA and an .894 save percentage. He elevated his play in the Calder Cup playoffs, going 8 games with a 1.76 GAA, a .935 save percentage, and two shutouts. Rangers Director of Player Personnel John Lilley praised his growth as a 20-year-old in the professional ranks.
In 2023–24, Garand opened the year in Hartford and was briefly recalled to the Rangers on November 9, 2023, serving as the backup goaltender for a game against the Minnesota Wild before being returned. He appeared in seven playoff games for Hartford and helped lead the team to the third round of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Rangers later recalled him to their playoff roster in May 2024.
Garand returned to Hartford for the 2024–25 season and was again briefly recalled to New York on December 8, 2024, to back up against the Seattle Kraken. He was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2024 and was selected to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. Following that season, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Rangers. In November 2025, after starting the 2025–26 AHL season with Hartford, he was again recalled to the Rangers before being returned a few days later.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Garand is considered relatively small for an NHL goaltender, coaches have consistently praised his mobility, tracking, and composure. Kamloops goaltender coach Dan De Palma highlighted his elite puck tracking and exceptional movement under pressure. Team Canada goaltender coach Jason LaBarbera noted his strong hands and ability to make saves through positioning rather than relying on size. Garand has stressed that stopping the puck is what matters most.
Notable Events and Milestones
Garand’s signature moments include winning the 2022 Del Wilson Trophy and the CHL Goaltender of the Year award, both in the same dominant junior season. He later added a World Junior gold medal with Canada in August 2022 and earned an AHL Goaltender of the Month honor in December 2024, underscoring his steady rise through the Rangers’ system.
Dylan Garand Career Wins
Across junior and professional play, Dylan Garand has built a strong résumé highlighted by a 34-win WHL season, a Calder Cup playoff run to the third round with Hartford in 2024, and a World Junior gold medal with Team Canada in 2022.
Western Hockey League Highlights
In the WHL, Garand is best remembered for his 2021–22 campaign with the Kamloops Blazers, when his 34 wins tied for the league lead and his .935 save percentage ranked second. That season produced both the Del Wilson Trophy and the CHL Goaltender of the Year award, cementing his status as the top junior goaltender in Canada.
Other Wins and Performances
Garand represented Team Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championships, winning silver as Devon Levi’s backup. In 2022, he returned as Canada’s starter, going undefeated with a 1.98 GAA in six games to claim gold. In 2025, he joined Canada’s senior national team for the Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships and earned a shutout in his lone start.
Dylan Garand Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Dylan Garand was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, and comes from a family that supported his early hockey development. Public details about his parents and any hockey lineage within the family are limited.
Personal Life
Garand keeps his personal life largely private. He is not publicly known to be married and has no publicly confirmed spouse or children. He continues to focus on his goaltending career within the Rangers organization.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025–26 campaign, Garand remained one of the New York Rangers’ top goaltending prospects. He opened the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, where he had been a steady contributor over the previous two seasons, including a playoff run to the third round of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.
In November 2025, Garand was recalled to the Rangers for brief stints as a backup, including on November 23, 2025, before being returned to Hartford without appearing in a game. His earlier recognition as the AHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2024 and his 2025 AHL All-Star Classic selection reinforced his strong form at the second-tier level.
Garand’s one-year contract extension with the Rangers signals continued organizational belief in his development. With the Rangers monitoring his progress closely, his outlook for the remainder of 2025–26 remains centered on consistent AHL performance and readiness for his next NHL opportunity.