Baltazar Mosqueda Lara New Business, Senior Account Executive
Max Ramos Group Sales Account Executive, Youth Hockey
Hannah Towe Corporate Partnerships Executive
Nick Zaccagnini Ticket Sales Account Executive
GAME DAY STAFF
Chris Dubiel Public Address Announcer
Hannah Arbitman In-Arena Host
WOLF PACK Kelly O'Connor, Katie Castillo, Morgan Chicalace, Lily Freedman, Devinai Hobbs, Clarissa Messina, Rachel Mullany, Emily Murdach
GAME DAY STAFF Rachel Bonilla, Amanda Bultema, Anthony
Chicalace, Rob Hardin, Kortney Hill, Michael Hoffman, Max Holbrook, Joe Howley, Brook Hurlbut, Sylvester Ratcliffe Jr., Steve Laures, Denis McGinty, Shayla Medows, Izzy Minor, Seth Novoselsky, Alyssa Rogers
ICE CREW Kelly Tragas, Dave Castellanos, Christian Dimas, Thomas Fumagalli, Matt Glavach, Conor Hogarth, Jon Midlock, Brandon Scurto, Benjamin Sipowich, Liz Springer, Lauren Stoeck BREAKAWAY
Editorial Producer: Courtney Mahoney
Publication Writers: Chris Kuc, Danny Karmin
Publication Photographer: Ross Dettman
Publication Designers: Christina Moritz, Imran Javed
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scott howson PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER american hockey league
a message from the president
Dear Fans,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the historic 90th season of the American Hockey League.
Since we first dropped the puck in 1936, our league has grown to include 32 cities from coast to coast and a truly global community with fans cheering on our teams from around the world. And we remain proud of our commitment to being the top development league for nearly all of the players, coaches, executives, trainers, broadcasters and officials who you see throughout the National Hockey League today.
For nine decades, you have cheered on future superstars, Stanley Cup champions and Hockey Hall of Famers as they have come through the AHL. This season we reflect on our past while continuing our tradition of excellence, from the excitement of opening night to the pageantry of the AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford to the pure emotion of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
On behalf of all of our teams, thank you for your continuing support of the American Hockey League.
Sincerely,
Scott Howson President & CEO | American Hockey League
WOLVES HISTORY: REMEMBER WHEN
THE WOLVES HAVE HAD MANY SPECIAL PLAYERS TAKE THE ICE THROUGHOUT THE FRANCHISE’S STORIED HISTORY. HERE, A FEW OF THEM SHARE THEIR FONDEST MEMORIES OF PLAYING FOR THE WOLVES.
REMEMBER WHEN …
JASON KROG LED THE AHL IN GOALS, ASSISTS AND POINTS
FOR WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WOLVES CAREER?
"It's hard not to recognize the championship in 2008. All that it took from everyone, from the owners to the trainers to the players, was the most satisfying thing in the end. We all had
DARREN HAYDAR AHL RECORD HOLDER
great chemistry and especially with my linemates (Brett Sterling and Darren Haydar). There are so many guys who stepped up. Our defense was strong and having Ondrej (Pavelec) in net obviously was huge. It was a lot of hard work too. The guys put in the work in the gym, before practice, after practice and it paid off for us."
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE WOLVES?
"The fans here are so loyal and just good people. Every single home game, I remember just being excited to play in front of them. That support and even the energy of the building always gave us an extra boost. We always had a great home record and they were behind us the whole way. It was a great building and city to play in."
JASON KROG 2008 MVP
REMEMBER WHEN … DARREN HAYDAR HELD THE AHL RECORD 39 –GAME POINTS STREAK
FOR WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WOLVES CAREER?
"From my time playing here, what the organization stands for, in terms of my family, how management and everybody within the organization helped me through some tough times, really stands out the most.
"From a playing standpoint, I wanted to come out strong in 2007 and being on the scoresheet was one way that I could show that I was doing my job and helping our team win. But at the same time, winning was the ultimate goal, so the two came together at the right time. I don't get that (39-game point streak) without playing on a great team and playing with great players."
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE WOLVES?
"Playing in front of Wolves fans was an experience unlike any other. When I say it's amazing, if you're playing in the American Hockey League, you know there are two or three places that you would want to be a part of from that perspective. To have that fan base in Chicago was second to none. It literally was one of only a few places that had and still has the following that we did. It's an unbelievable place to play and something I still look back on to this day."
WOLVES HISTORY: REMEMBER WHEN
REMEMBER WHEN … IN BRETT STERLING’S ROOKIE SEASON, HE EARNED THE WILLIE MARSHALL AWARD AS THE AHL’S LEADING GOAL SCORER (55)
FOR WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WOLVES CAREER?
"I'm most proud of the fact that I spent seven years with one organization.
By the end of it, it wasn't a job, it wasn't my workplace, it was family. I think that's a really special testament to the organization as a whole. Everyone from the on-ice to the off-ice staff and front office. Creating that culture of belonging and family is something I'm really proud of to be a part."
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE WOLVES?
"I went into my first season in 2006, and I was lucky to be around a very veteran-heavy team and learn from guys like (Jason) Krog, (Darren) Haydar and (Joel) Kwiatkowski. The thing I will always say is I was good at scoring goals, but I couldn't do it on my own. The guys I played with were some of the most phenomenal players and people I've ever had a chance to be around, and it really helped me in my career."
FOR WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WOLVES CAREER?
“Winning! Everyone loves a winner. The group we had (in 2022) felt like it was a championship or bust from Day One. The building during that playoff run was an atmosphere unlike any other with a packed house and our traditional fireworks. Second to winning was being able to play professional hockey in my hometown. I was fortunate to be able to play in multiple places throughout my career, but
nothing compared to the feelings that came with playing in my hometown.”
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE WOLVES?
“Some of my favorite memories off the ice were the team dinners that owner Don Levin would provide for us. Every Thanksgiving we would have a team dinner at the Drake Hotel downtown with staff members and our significant others included as well. It was great bonding and getting to see the people inside the organization who make the engine run.”
DAVID GUSTHOMETOWN WOLF
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OWNERSHIP & COACHES
DON LEVIN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD/GOVERNOR
Don Levin founded DRL Enterprises, Inc., in 1969. The Glenview-based company has holdings in many industries including tobacco processing, aircraft and medical equipment leasing, licensed sports product manufacturing and distribution, and motion picture production and distribution.
Levin led the way in founding the Chicago Wolves in January 1994 and has served as the team’s chairman of the board since the franchise’s inception.
Levin dedicates a good portion of his time and energy to helping dogs find forever homes and spearheads the organization’s Adopt-A-Dog Program. In 2003, Levin purchased and donated the Animobile — a mobile adoption unit and a modern clinic staffed by Chicago of Animal Care and Control veterinarians and adoption specialists. In 2014, he pledged a $2 million donation to CACC to spur an $8.2 million renovation.
Levin was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame on Jan. 27, 2013.
WENDELL YOUNG
VICE CHAIRMAN/GOVERNOR
After 15 seasons as general manager of the Wolves, Wendell Young was promoted to Vice Chairman/Governor on May 3, 2024.
During Young’s stint as GM, which began in August of 2009, the Wolves captured the 2022 Calder Cup (after earning the 2022 Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for compiling the league’s best regular-season record) and reached the 2019 Calder Cup Finals.
Young has been a member of the Wolves organization in virtually every capacity — player, coach and executive — since the team’s inaugural campaign in 1994.
Young stands as the Wolves’ all-time leader among goaltenders in games (322), wins (169), saves (8,467), minutes (17,912) and shutouts (16), and was a member of Chicago’s 1998 and 2000 Turner Cup championship squads. His jersey number “1” was retired on Dec. 1, 2001.
SPIROS ANASTAS
INTERIM HEAD COACH (2ND SEASON)
Spiros Anastas joined the Wolves organization on Aug. 28, 2024 and was named interim head coach Dec. 12, 2025.
Prior to joining the Wolves, he worked as a head coach in international competitions for Greece and China, as well as a scout for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose during the 2023-24 season.
The Toronto native has also gained head coaching experience in the ECHL with the Brampton Beast and South Carolina Stingrays, in CIS with the University of Lethbridge and in international competition with Serbia, Estonia and South Korea.
He previously worked as an assistant coach in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, winning a Calder Cup championship in 2013.
DAN PRICE
ASSISTANT COACH (2ND SEASON)
Dan Price joined the Wolves coaching staff Aug. 28, 2024, after eight seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals, the final seven of which as head coach.
Prior to joining Victoria, Price worked as an assistant coach for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), as well as the WHL’s Tri-City Americans and Chilliwack Bruins.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Law, Price also gained experience as a scout for the Regina Pats (WHL), an assistant coach for Team Pacific at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and a head coach and general manager of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drumheller Dragon.
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BORN TO STOP PUCKS
DESPITE HAVING A FATHER WHO WAS A PROLIFIC GOAL-SCORER IN THE NHL, CAYDEN PRIMEAU NEVER WANTED TO BE ANYTHING BUT A GOALTENDER
By Chris Kuc, Photos by Ross Dettman
His father, Keith, was one of the National Hockey League’s most prolific goalscorers during the 1990s and into the mid-2000s, finding the back of the net 266 times.
His uncle, Wayne, tallied 69 goals during an NHL career that ran from 1995-2010.
Naturally, when it was time to lace up skates, Cayden Primeau became … a goaltender.
How exactly did that happen?
“I don’t really know,” the 26-year-old netminder for the Wolves said with a laugh. “I get asked that question a lot and I’m still trying to figure out the answer.”
Luckily, Keith Primeau, who played with
the Red Wings, Whalers, Hurricanes and Flyers and was a six-time, 20-plus goalscorer, has the backstory.
It seems Cayden’s older brother, Corey, begged his parents to be a goaltender and despite his father’s trepidations donned the mask for two years before deciding it wasn’t for him.
So, when Cayden at 6 years old made the same request, dad wasn’t having it.
“I told him, ‘no, you are going to learn how to skate before you play goal—I'm not doing this again,’ ” Keith said.
But Cayden wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and one day sat in the middle of the ice and didn’t move while repeating,
‘I want to play goal, I want to play goal.’
“I said, “OK, I’m going to put him in net and he’s going to get lit up and never want to do it again,’ ” Keith recalled. “Wouldn't you know it? He goes in and right away he could stop a puck at 6 years old. It was crazy.”
He stuck with it even with a two-time NHL All-Star peppering him with shots during practice sessions.
“For the longest time, I could score on him,” Keith said. “I was unrelenting—I never took it easy on him. Then when he was about 14 or 15 he started stopping me and I wasn’t even allowed to shoot on him because I didn’t shoot hard enough.
"I WANTED NO PART OF BEING A FORWARD AND IT TOOK SOME PERSISTENCE, BUT THEN MY DAD LET ME TRY IT AND I’VE STUCK WITH IT EVER SINCE."
– CAYDEN PRIMEAU
“It's a little triggering for me,” Keith added with a laugh.
By that time, Cayden Primeau’s career path was forged.
The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native played one season with Philadelphia of the Eastern Hockey League and another with Lincoln of the United States Hockey League before spending two years playing collegiately at Northeastern University.
While starring for the Huskies, Primeau was selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round (No. 199 overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
For the next six seasons, Primeau bounced up and down between Laval of the American Hockey League and the Canadiens.
In June of 2025, he was traded to the Hurricanes and appeared headed to the Wolves but didn’t clear waivers as the Maple Leafs scooped up Primeau. He appeared in three games before again being waived and the Canes claimed him and moved the 6-foot-3-inch, 200-pound goalie to Chicago where he currently mans the crease.
What is it about goaltending that is so appealing?
“In a team sport, being the one who has the potential to be a difference-maker and being the last line of defense is probably why I enjoy it so much,” Primeau said. “That comes with the good and the bad. You can be the reason your team is winning or it can go the other way.”
It is how Primeau handles himself when
things go the other way that is perhaps his greatest attribute in goal. There aren’t any broken sticks or meltdowns when a puck gets past him.
“It’s funny,” said Primeau, who has appeared in 58 career NHL games, registering a 15-25-7 record, 3.73 goalsagainst average, .882 save percentage and two shutouts. “Sometimes, I’ll be talking to people after a game and they'll say, ‘oh, you remember that one goal against you?’ And I’m like, ‘I really don't.’ ”
Said Keith Primeau: “Cayden has always been very balanced. He's very in tune with his body and his mind. And he’s got a great temperament for the position because he doesn't get too high or doesn't get too low. And those are things that have suited him well and been valuable tools.”
Wolves goaltending coach Stan Dubicki concurred.
“He reads the game and nothing flusters him—that’s his strength,” Dubicki said. “You can score a goal on him and it doesn’t make a difference because he gets right back at it. Nothing bothers him. He’s just very smart in the way he approaches the game and takes care of himself. He’s always smiling and ready for the next game.”
Dating back to when he was 6 years old, that next game was always going to be as a goaltender.
“It’s just something I always wanted to do,” Primeau said. “I wanted no part of being a forward and it took some persistence, but then my dad let me try it and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”
SWEET HOME SEELEY
DEFENSEMAN CONTINUES TO RELISH OPPORTUNITY WITH WOLVES
By Danny Karmin
Defenseman Ronan Seeley is one of the longest-tenured Wolves players on the roster as the Olds, Alberta, native is in his fourth season in Chicago.
Seeley's goal is to make the NHL, but for now, the 23-year-old is a critical piece of the Wolves' present and future success – and he’s loving every minute.
"It's been a blessing," said Seeley, who has been with the team since 2022. "I feel like I'm here for a reason.”
As an alternate captain, Seeley provides instrumental leadership and guidance to the Wolves' younger players.
He’s often spending extra time after practice with the team's rookie defensemen, Bryce Montgomery and Dominik Badinka.
“His ability and influence on our team, getting everyone on the same page and his way to encourage others to be at their best is instrumental to our team success,” said Wolves Interim Coach Spiros Anastas, who runs the team’s defense and penalty kill. “He’s a big part of the culture that we built on the back end and catalyst to where we hope to go.”
Since Anastas joined the Wolves in
2024, he has seen the growth of Seeley through his actions around the locker room. He gives off a positive swagger that Anastas credits as “not an arrogance,” but a confidence and demonstrative lead for the betterment of the group.
“He's really come into his own (with his confidence), which allows him to be a lot more vocal and a lot more directed as well,” Anastas said. “He’s super-vocal and he does it with a great sense of humor, as well. He keeps things light but demands the best out of himself and his teammates.”
Seeley recalls his first couple of years in the AHL and how adjusting to the pro game was no easy task.
"It’s a long season so it’s just making sure the (young players) keep their details up throughout the year," Seeley said. "Once you get into games early on, it's easy to make sure you're really dialed in, but once you get into the grind of the season, that's where you can kind of lose some of those details. So, it’s about checking in and reinforcing those traits of playing the right way and encouraging them as they go."
Just as Seeley enjoys the rigors of
mentorship, the players embrace the growth process.
“I love playing with him,” Montgomery said. “We've known each other for a while now and we’re usually together (on a defensive pair). We communicate a lot during the games and he's been a huge help to me and my game. He's so reliable back there and easy to play with. We read off each other really well and talk whenever we need on the bench.”
Seeley’s influence on the younger generation extends far beyond the ice.
He plays a pivotal role in the Wolves’ community initiatives. He’s an active participant in the organization’s "Read to Succeed” program and floor hockey instruction at local elementary schools.
“It's always good to see the fans out, and they get to see our personalities a little bit away from the rink,” Seeley said. “The Wolves do a great job in the community. We always look forward to coming out and helping wherever we can.”
“THE WOLVES DO A GREAT JOB IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO COMING OUT AND HELPING WHEREVER WE CAN.”
‘HOCKEY IS CENTRAL TO MY LIFE’
WOLVES LEGEND WENDELL YOUNG ‘HONORED AND HUMBLED’ TO BE INDUCTED INTO AHL HALL OF FAME
By Chris Kuc
A WOLVES LEGEND ON AND OFF THE ICE, Wendell Young has added another career achievement to an already impressive resume: American Hockey League Hall-of-Famer.
In November, the league announced that Young, the Wolves’ current Vice Chairman/Governor, is a Class of 2026 inductee into the AHL Hall of Fame.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Young said. “Not a lot of people are in the AHL Hall of Fame and for me to be recognized for my time in the American Hockey League and time in hockey is quite a blessing. It’s a nice feeling knowing I’ve contributed to hockey in some way.”
“Some way” is quite the understatement.
Short of driving the Zamboni, there doesn’t appear to be a role in a hockey organization that Young hasn’t taken on—and mastered.
With the Wolves alone, Young has been a player, coach and executive over the span of franchise’s 31-plus seasons. A standout goaltender who helped the Wolves capture their first two of five league championships since the team’s inaugural campaign in 1994, Young also served as assistant coach and executive director of team relations before transitioning into the general manager role and then Vice Chairman/Governor.
The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native, has had a role in all five of the Wolves’ league titles, earning him five championship rings. Before joining the organization, Young backstopped the Hershey Bears to a title in 1988 and helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991-92. Throw in a Memorial Cup title with Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League in 1982 and Young has nine championship rings in his trophy case.
When he is presented his American Hockey League Hall of Fame ring, Young will have bling for each of his fingers and thumbs.
“I sit back and I remember not so much my accomplishments, but how lucky I’ve
been,” Young said. “I always say I seem to be in the right place at the right time. I joke that I should be buying lottery tickets because I just seem to be in the proper spot. I’ve been fortunate to be in very, very good organizations and great ones like the Chicago Wolves.
“Some people go through their whole career—on ice and off ice—without winning a championship and I’ve been very fortunate and very lucky and blessed,” Young added.
Young is so ingrained in the organization’s culture, his induction into the AHL Hall of Fame sparked Wolves owner Don Levin to make a $50,000 donation to Common Pantry food pantry in honor of Young.
“It’s unbelievable,” an emotional Young said after being informed the $50,000 was to honor his induction. “Nothing ever surprises me on how charitable Don Levin he is and how caring he is of people. To have the money going to Common Pantry in my name and honor was extra-special.”
After 15 seasons as general manager of the Wolves, Young was promoted to Vice Chairman/Governor on May 3, 2024. During his stint as GM, which began in August of 2009, the Wolves captured the 2022 Calder Cup (after earning the 2022 Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for compiling the league’s best regularseason record) and reached the 2019 Calder Cup Finals. Young also helped capture eight AHL League division titles: the 2010 West, 2012 Midwest, 2014 Midwest, 2017 Central, 2018 Central, 2019 Central, 2021 Central and 2022 Central.
The 62-year-old stands as the Wolves’ all-time leader among goaltenders in games (322), wins (169), saves (8,467), minutes (17,912), and shutouts (16), and was a member of Chicago’s 1998 and 2000 Turner Cup championship squads. His jersey number “1” was retired on Dec. 1, 2001—becoming the first Wolves player to receive the honor.
Overall, Young played 18 seasons of professional hockey, including 10 in the
IT’S UNBELIEVABLE. NOTHING EVER SURPRISES ME ON HOW CHARITABLE DON LEVIN HE IS AND HOW CARING HE IS OF PEOPLE. TO HAVE THE MONEY GOING TO COMMON PANTRY IN MY NAME AND HONOR WAS EXTRA-SPECIAL.”
National Hockey League. He compiled a 59-86-12 record in 187 games with the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Penguins. He also served as goaltending coach for the Calgary Flames from 2001-03.
Young was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2007 and is the only man in hockey history to have won all four North American championships: the Stanley Cup, Turner Cup, Calder Cup and Memorial Cup.
It’s no wonder that Young was contacted by AHL Commissioner Scott Howson to be told he was nominated for the Hall of Fame and soon after during the Board of Governors meetings was voted in as a Class of 2025 inductee.
“It was quite an emotional moment for myself and especially for my family,” Young said. “My family is a big part of everything I do every day in hockey. I was told a long time ago that I was a disciple of hockey because I live and I breathe and I watch and I talk hockey. Hockey is central to my life.”
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CANDYMAN
YANICK TURCOTTE HAS PERHAPS THE SWEETEST PLAN FOR LIFE AFTER HOCKEY THAN ANY OTHER WOLVES PLAYER.
The 29-year-old from Quebec City—known for his roughand-tumble playing style as the Wolves’ enforcer—is a part-owner of a candy store in Montreal and it is preparing him for the transition into the work force once Turcotte hangs up his skates.
During the 2023-24 season, Turcotte was toiling away while playing for a team in Hungary and spent much of his time overseas contemplating his future. His hockey career was at a crossroads and the thought of retirement from the game was weighing heavily on his mind.
That’s when a friend called and asked if Turcotte would be interested in investing in a candy store franchise called “Les Bonbons Sugar Daddy’s,” which has 12 locations in Quebec.
“When I was in Hungary, I
YANICK
TURCOTTE MAY LEAD THE WOLVES IN FIGHTS AND PENALTY MINUTES AS THE TEAM’S ENFORCER, BUT THERE’S A SWEET SIDE TO THE FORWARD—LITERALLY.
By Chris Kuc
“My plan was to maybe play one more year or actually stop and start working full-time in it but I had a discussion with my dad and he told me, ‘you have to give it one more year. Just give it one more try.’ He was right.
didn’t know if I was going to keep going or play the season after,” Turcotte said. “I’ve always wanted to get into business so when my friend who knew the owner of a franchise candy store asked if I wanted to chip in some money and be in with them, I decided to step in and do it.”
Turcotte’s commitment to the store goes far beyond just writing a check. During the offseason, he brings a handson approach to management, including taking orders and inputting them into the store’s computer system, tracking deliveries, checking inventory and maintaining good rapport with employees.
“You have to stay up to date on all the new trends and coach your employees with them,” Turcotte said.
“There’s a whole other world that I never thought I would get involved in—especially in candy.”
If not for some sage advice from his father, Francois, Turcotte would already be working full-time as a candy entrepreneur.
“I don’t think I would have had the peace of mind to retire at that point because I knew I had at least one more year left of really giving it all I had,” Turcotte continued.
In September of 2024, Turcotte, who previously played for Bridgeport of the AHL as well as ECHL Worcester, South Carolina and Adirondack, signed with Fort Wayne of the ECHL and played 22 games with the Komets before the Carolina Hurricanes and Wolves came calling.
Turcotte inked a Professional Tryout Contract with the Wolves in lateDecember of 2024 and less than two months later signed a Standard Player Contract, cementing his place in Chicago.
“I went to Ft. Wayne with a great attitude and I just wanted an opportunity to play hard and do my job,” the 6-feet-3-inch, 203-pound Turcotte said. “For the previous seven years, I was grinding and trying to get to the American League to the point I almost gave up. When I least expected it, I had this
opportunity and I’m grateful every day.”
Turcotte went on to play 22 games with the Wolves during the ’24-25 season and finished with four assists and 131 penalty minutes, all while establishing himself as the team’s enforcer who doesn’t hesitate to protect his teammates.
After a summer of working diligently on his skating and offensive skills, Turcotte has been a fixture in the lineup this season and for now, thoughts of retirement from hockey have been shelved.
When that time does arrive, Turcotte believes his experience with the candy store has made him better equipped for life after being a professional athlete.
“You play hockey your whole life and you don’t know what you’re going to do after so it’s kind of nice to have this security for when I’m going to retire,” he said. “There is more to the business side of me that I want to still discover and move forward with that.”
In the meantime, Turcotte has shown remarkable discipline in not sampling the candy so he can stay in playing shape.
“It’s hard, trust me,” he said with a laugh. “We have a lot and it’s really hard but I control myself.”
THE WOLVES CENTER’S DECISION TO COME TO NORTH AMERICA FROM RUSSIA AS A 12-YEAR-OLD WHO SPOKE NO ENGLISH HAS PAID OFF
NIKITA PAVLYCHEV’S 'Leap of faith'
By Chris Kuc
NIKITA PAVLYCHEV WAS A GANGLY 12-YEAR-OLD who didn’t speak a word of English when he boarded a plane in Moscow—by himself—headed to the United States and a whole new future.
The Wolves center was not only leaving his family and friends behind, but he also had the memory of the Sept. 7, 2011 plane crash that took the lives of 44 players and coaches of his hometown professional team, Lokomotiv Yaroslav, in his head.
“I didn't close my eyes full for a second,” Pavlychev recalled of the 10-hour plane ride. “I hadn’t flown before and it was definitely difficult flying through so many time zones. I was already really tall so it wasn't the most comfortable situation.
“And it was about a year after the plane crash happened with my hometown team so that was definitely in the back of my mind,” he continued. “It was a difficult thing to process as a young kid because I looked up to so many of those guys.”
The plan was never for Pavlychev to leave his life in Russia behind, but as his skills developed from when he first donned skates at the age of 5, an opportunity arose to join his childhood friend—and current Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov—in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., to play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights.
Thus began the journey of a player who has become one of the most respected players on the Wolves—both on the ice and in the dressing room.
“We made what at the time seemed like just a very exciting decision but now that I'm thinking about it, it was definitely a very difficult move for me,” Pavlychev said. “My family decided to stay back-they have their whole lives there—and I came to Scranton-Barre area by myself.
“I took a leap of faith,” he continued. “There was no fallback plan at the time. You always like to believe that if it doesn't work out, you can always go back to your hometown but you also have to realize you burn some bridges when you do that. Teams invest in you and when you leave like that, they're not always very happy. But I did what was best for me and for my career. It wasn't an easy decision.”
The decision has paid off as Pavlychev spent three seasons with the WilkesBarre/Scranton program, two more with Des Moines of the United States Hockey League—during which he was a seventhround (No. 197 overall) selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft—and then four seasons at Penn State University.
What followed were professional stops in Orlando (East Coast Hockey League), Syracuse (American Hockey League), Greenville, S.C. (ECHL), Ontario, Calif. (AHL) and finally the Wolves where the 6-feet-7-inch, 201-pounder has established himself as a valuable asset on and off the ice for the past two seasons.
“He’s a Swiss Army-Knife-type of player,” Wolves interim coach Spiros Anastas said. “He’s a guy who can do anything you ask him to do: Play the
middle, play the wing, play fewer minutes in a hard defensive matchup or be able to produce offensively.
“His versatility on the ice shows in the room too,” Anastas continued. “He’s superintelligent, which makes him a great connection between Russians and Europeans and North Americans. We’re really lucky to have him.”
The lucky sentiment flows through the Wolves’ dressing room.
“He’s a super-good teammate,” winger Bradly Nadeau said. “It’s fun being around him because he shows up every day and the energy is always positive. And he’s a super-good player on the ice. You know what to expect from him every time he’s out there. We’re really lucky to have him around.”
The reason Pavlychev is around is due to the leap of faith he took as a youngster to play the game he loves.
“It becomes part of your life,” he said of sport. “Things like the relationships you build and being a part of something bigger than just yourself as a member of a team really become part of your identity.
“I hope it helps me down the road even past my hockey career,” Pavlychev added. “You just can't beat the feeling of winning as a team. There isn't one individual who can win games for a team all season long. But as a team, you really bond and you become brothers with those guys sitting next to you in the locker room.”
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CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORIES
THE WOLVES HAVE WON FIVE LEAGUE TITLES DURING THEIR STORIED HISTORY. TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME TO DISCOVER HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED EACH…
1998 TURNER CUP
THE JOURNEY
Regular season: With coach John Anderson behind the bench, the Wolves posted a 5524-0-3 record to capture their first Midwest Division title.
Offensively, Chicago was led by Steve Maltais (46 goals, 57 assists), Chris Marinucci (27 goals, 48 assists), Alexander Semak (26 goals, 35 assists), Steve Martins (20 goals, 41 assists).
Defensively, standouts included Tom Tilley, Bob Nardella and Matt Martin with Wendell Young manning the net as the No. 1 goaltender.
Postseason: The Wolves swept Manitoba in the first round, continued with victories over Milwaukee and Long Beach—each series going six games—to set up an epic Turner Cup Final against Detroit. When the dust had settled, the Wolves had won the series in seven games to secure their first championship.
“EVERYBODY WAS CLOSE—PLAYERS WERE CLOSE, OWNERSHIP WAS CLOSE AND THE COACHING STAFF WAS CLOSE. IT WAS A BIG MOMENT IN CHICAGO HOCKEY, ESPECIALLY WOLVES HISTORY.” – Maltais
THE PLAYERS
Steve Maltais, Chris Marinucci, Steve Martins, Alexander Semak, Tom Tilley, Ravil Gusmanov, Scott Pearson, Bob Nardella, Jamie Baker, Tim Breslin, Matt Martin, Doug Barrault, Steve Larouche, Tim Bergland, Kevin Dahl, Alexander Godynyuk, Marc Potvin, Marc Rodgers, Jeff Bes, Paul Koch, Dave Paradise, Dennis Vial, Craig Binns, Matt Oates, Wendell Young, Jeremy Mylymok, Jason Hehr, Chad Remackel, Rick Emmett, Stephane Brochu, Hugo Proulx, Bobby Marshall, Dave Craievich, Shawn Reid, Brad Barton, Mark Richards, Bruce Bell, Ray LeBlanc, Stephane Beauregard.
2000 TURNER CUP
THE JOURNEY
Regular season: The Wolves topped the Western Conference with a 53-21-0-8 record with coach John Anderson at the helm. Chicago found strength from its elite scoring forwards and were the International Hockey League’s highest-scoring team. Steve Maltais led the way with 44 goals and 46 assists while Steve Larouche (31 goals, 57 assists), Chris Marinucci (31 goals, 33 assists) and Brian Noonan (30 goals, 32 assists) also came up big.
On the back end, Bob Nardella, Tom Tilley and Dallas Eakins were standouts. Wendell Young and Andrei Trefilov were a dynamic duo in goal.
Postseason: The Wolves dispatched Long Beach, Houston and Grand Rapids to capture their second championship.
“GOING INTO THAT SEASON, YOU LOOK DOWN THE ROSTER AND SEE THE NUMBER OF NHL GAMES ON THAT ROSTER AND YOU’RE GOING, ‘YEAH, WE’RE GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD AGAIN.’ ” – Tilley
THE PLAYERS
Steve Maltais, Chris Marinucci, Tom Tilley, Steve Larouche, Wendell Young, Brian Noonan, Bob Nardella, Niklas Andersson, Scott Pearson, Guy Larose, Dallas Eakins, Chris Ferraro, Greg Andrusak, Dan Plante, Glen Featherstone, Sean Berens, Daniel Lacroix, Mark Lawrence, Dean Malkoc, David Mackey, Kris King, Darrin Shannon, Chris LiPuma, Derek Plante, Gord Dineen, Kevin Dahl, Andrei Trefilov, Brett Lievers, Derek Wilkinson, Lonnie Loach, Martin Hlinka, Brent Gretzky, Jeremy Mylymok, Guy Dupuis.
2002 CALDER CUP
THE JOURNEY
Regular season: Unlike the Wolves’ first two championships when they rolled through the regular season, the 2002 title winners finished fourth in the West Division with a mediocre record of 37-31-7-5.
Rob Brown was the leading scorer with 29 goals and 54 assists while Steve Maltais chipped in with 31 goals and 32 assists. On defense, Dallas Eakins, Mike Weaver and Garnet Exelby were strong in front of goaltenders Norm Maracle and Pasi Numrinen.
Postseason: Behind Nurminen, who posted a 15-5 record, 1.94 goals-against average and two shutouts, the Wolves came alive in the playoffs and defeated Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, Syracuse and Houston before stomping Bridgeport in the Calder Cup Finals with the clincher coming on home ice.
“WINNING IT AT HOME WAS PRETTY COOL. WE HAD SOME GUYS WHO HAD WON BEFORE AND THEY KIND OF KNEW HOW IT FELT, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS SOME GUYS AND IT’S THEIR FIRST AND YOU COULD SEE THE TRUE PASSION IN THEIR EYES.” – Maltais
THE PLAYERS
Steve Maltais, Rob Brown, Kamil Piros, Jarrod Skalde, J.P. Vigier, Dan Snyder, Ben Simon, Bryan Adams, Brad Tapper, Dan Plante, Derek MacKenzie, Andreas Karlsson, Brett Clark, Brian Pothier, Dallas Eakins, Kurtis Foster, Jeff Dessner, David Harlock, Mike Weaver, Darcy Hordichuk, Zdenek Blatny, Garnet Exelby, Guy Larose, Simon Gamache, Luke Sellars, Patrik Stefan, Francis Lessard, Yuri Butsayev, Kirill Safronov, Joe DiPenta, Petr Buzek, David Kaczowka, Libor Ustrnul, Roger Trudeau, Barry Dreger, Mike Sgroi, Jay Langager, Norm Maracle, Pasi Nurminen, Scott Fankouser, Fredric Cassivi.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORIES
2008 CALDER CUP
THE JOURNEY
Regular season: Boasting an offense that featured 11 players with double-digit goals totals—led by Jason Krog’s 39 and Brett Sterling’s 38, respectively—the Wolves posted a 52-22-0-5 record to top the Western Conference.
Joel Kwiatkowski, Nathan Oystrick, Brian Fahey and Boris Valabik were part of a strong defensive unit that was backstopped by goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.
Postseason: Satisfying series victories over rivals Milwaukee and Rockford, respectively, got the Wolves rolling into the Western Conference Finals where they topped Toronto to create a Calder Cup Finals showdown against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Chicago, which featured postseason streaks from Haydar (11 consecutive games with at least one assist) and Krog (13-game points streak), won it in six games for its fourth championship in franchise history.
“I REMEMBER THERE WAS A GAME … WHEN HAYDAR TOOK THE PUCK INTO THE OFFENSIVE ZONE, BUTTON-HOOKED TOWARD THE CORNER AND THREW A PASS WITHOUT LOOKING RIGHT ON THE TAPE OF KROG, WHO FIRED IT IN. I THOUGHT RIGHT AWAY THIS COULD BE SOMETHING SPECIAL.”
– Head Coach John Anderson
THE PLAYERS
Jason Krog, Brett Sterling, Jesse Schultz, Darren Haydar, Steve Martins, Joel Kwiatkowski, Nathan Oystrick, Jordan Smotherman, Alexandre Giroux, Brian Fahey, Joey Crabb, Kevin Doell, Karel Pilar, Bryan Little, Joe Motzko, Andre Deveaux, Colin Stuart, Grant Lewis, Boris Valábik, Scott Lehman, Chad Denny, Brian Sipotz, Colton Fretter, Guillaume Desbiens, Chad Painchaud, Arturs Kulda, Matt Anderson, Tomas Pospisil, Mike Hamilton, Angelo Esposito, Riley Holzapel, Ryan Reid, Jim Slater, Jared Nightingale, Kari Lehtonen, Fred Brathwaite, Robert Gherson, Ondrej Pavelec.
2022 CALDER CUP
THE JOURNEY
Regular season: The Wolves blazed to a 50-16-5-5 mark for a franchise-record .724 points percentage. Leading the way offensively were Andrew Poturalski and Stefan Noesen, who combined for 186 points. Poturalski finished with 101 to win the John B. Sollenberger Trophy, awarded to the AHL’s top pointproducer.
Noesen potted 48 goals to earn the Willie Marshall Award, given to the league’s leading goal-scorer in the regular season.
No. 1 goaltender Alex Lyon went 18-7-3 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.
Postseason: Chicago rolled past rival Rockford in the Central Division Semifinals before dispatching Milwaukee and Stockton to set up a showdown with Springfield in the Calder Cup Finals.
After dropping Game 1 in overtime at Allstate Arena, the Wolves swept the next four—outscoring Springfield 18-4 in the process—to capture the fifth championship in franchise history.
“THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP—IT DOESN’T MATTER THE SPORT OR THE LEVEL—AND IT’S SOMETHING THAT NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE AWAY. WE’LL REMEMBER IT FOREVER.” –
Head Coach Ryan
Warsofsky
THE PLAYERS
Andrew Poturalski, Stefan Noesen, C.J. Smith, Jack Drury, David Gust, Josh Leivo, Joey Keane, Max Lajoie, Spencer Stallman, Jesper Sellgren, Jamieson Rees, Maxim Letunov, Jalen Chatfield, David Cotton, Josua Jacobs, Ryan Suzuki, Sam Miletic, Vasily Ponomarev, Dominik Bokk, Cavan Fitzgerald, Stelio Mattheos, Ivan Lodnia, Artyom Serikov, Richard Panik, Eric Williams, Noel Gunler, Chris Bigras, Tarmo Reunanen, Eric Gelinas, Griffin Mendel, Daniel Brickley, Kyle Marino, Derek Topatigh, Billy Constantinou, Marcus McIvor, Noah Corson, Chase Lang, Cedric Lacroix, Stephen Harper, Beck Warm, Daniel Mannella, Eetu Makiniemi, Pyotr Kochetkov, Alex Lyon, Jack LaFontaine, Dylan Wells, Michael Lackey.
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