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.
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.