Wolves
Stories about the Chicago Wolves, the city’s American Hockey League franchise.
The coronavirus pandemic might force the cancellation of the AHL season, leaving 2019-20 to feel incomplete and rendering all talk of playoff races moot.
Because of the end of the Wolves’ relationship with Vegas, Thompson won’t be back next season. His departure might have been sped up by the AHL suspending its season due to COVID-19.
The Wolves are watching to see how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out and whether it will dissipate enough to allow the season to come back.
Quinney continued to establish himself with the Wolves, and also made his NHL debut.
The Wolves won’t play a home game again until May 1 at the earliest.
Despite being outshot 40-25, the Wolves beat the IceHogs in a key divisional game.
In most years, a team entering the stretch drive trying to scrape into the postseason would be the main story. This season, it’s just part of the plot for the Wolves.
Unlike the vast majority of his teammates, McGinn is on an AHL deal and not under contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.
After Thursday’s defeat, the Wolves are still fifth in the division, one point behind fourth-place San Antonio.
Patrick Brown and Jake Bischoff scored short-handed goals 35 seconds apart, and Lucas Elvenes also scored for the Wolves, who led 3-1 midway through the game.
The Wolves’ Paul Cotter forced overtime with his tying goal with 2:24 remaining
Hague was sent to the AHL on Jan. 21 for what looked like a brief detour right before the NHL all-star game. He hasn’t been back to the Golden Knights since.
Forwards Gage Quinney and Tye McGinn scored for the Wolves
One day before the trade deadline, the victory enabled the Wolves (26-24-3-2, 57 points) to take a two-point lead over the IceHogs for the Central Division’s last playoff spot.
On Friday, the Admirals retired Haydar’s number 20 during their game against the Wolves, honoring a player who spent four seasons in Milwaukee (2002-2006) and was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame in January.
The Wolves had just 17 players suit up because center Gage Quinney and defenseman Zach Whitecloud were recalled on loan by the Vegas Golden Knights 30 minutes before the game.
Glass didn’t return to Thursday’s game after he was checked by a Griffins center.
The Wolves were the only team from the Central Division playing Sunday and anything other than two points would’ve been a missed chance to gain ground.
Whether he lands in the NHL next season or makes the trip west to lead the Golden Knights’ new affiliate in Nevada, Thompson’s tenure with the Wolves officially began running down when Vegas announced it was buying the San Antonio Rampage and moving that franchise for the 2020-21 season.
Goulbourne, who wears Iginla’s number 12, said he identifies with the former Calgary Flames superstar.
After entering the third period down 2-0, the Wolves scored four times in 4:43 to beat the first-place Admirals.
The Wolves are again looking for a partner that will balance development with winning and using experienced players at the AHL level.
Dansk earned his third shutout of the year and improved to 13-1-2 since the start of December.
San Antonio is currently the affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, who were the Wolves’ parent club from 2013-17. But even though the Blues don’t have an affiliate set for next season and the Wolves are in need of a parent club, it doesn’t mean a reunion is guaranteed.
On his bobblehead night, Dansk made 30 saves and the Wolves scored three second-period goals.
Chairman Don Levin sees “no scenario at all” where Wolves, Golden Knights stay together after season
“The Chicago Wolves will be here next season,” Levin told the Sun-Times before Saturday’s game. “But I don’t know who we’ll be affiliated with.”
If Quinney makes the jump, it’s believed he would be the first player born in Nevada to skate in the NHL. Barring a trade, Quinney would likely be playing for his hometown Golden Knights.
Before a ragged, fight-filled loss Friday, coach Rocky Thompson disagreed with the logic that the four-day interlude would hurt the Wolves’ momentum.
Anthony Louis, a sixth-round pick in 2013 and a native of Winfield, scored twice to help Texas move one point behind the Wolves for third place in the Central Division.
A 20-year-old rookie, Cotter moved from college to juniors to the AHL and has battled appendicitis over the last 15 months.