Every NHL Team Has to Deal with Huge Changes
It’s just that the Chicago Wolves have changed quite a bit, and there are some changes going on this season. After one season away from the NHL, the Wolves and Carolina Hurricanes announced a three-year agreement to reunite in May 2024. Ranked 31st in AHL play, the NHL-AHL affiliation is a symbiotic one, with the Hurricanes taking control of the club’s AHL hockey operations.
“We are excited to re-establish our AHL ties with Chicago and grateful that we were able to find a solution that works for both clubs,” said Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell in an announcement accompanying the new agreement. “Many of our rookies have already found success with the Wolves, both individually and as a team, and we are pleased to provide a stable environment for their development.”
The 2022 Calder Cup title highlights previous success. Peter Kochetkov, Jalen Chatfield, Jack Drury, Seth Jarvis, and Stefan Northen made key contributions at different times with the Wolves before being promoted to NHL roles.
One of Carolina’s first moves after their reunion last May was to bring in Cam Abbott, who becomes Chicago’s new head coach. Abbott, who spent parts of seven seasons with Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, will serve as the tour’s top coach in the 2021-22 season and win the Champions Hockey League championship.
With a large number of prospects in need of development time, the Hurricanes prioritized their youth when filling out their AHL roster. Defensive player Joakim Ryan returns to the Carolina organization after three seasons in the SHL. Austin Wagner, who earned 178 NHL games, secured an AHL contract with a strong training camp and start to the season. Tyson Jost began the season in Chicago but has spent much of the past two months with the Hurricanes.
However, any success the Wolves have this season will have to depend heavily on prospects. After all, development is what matters. But a slow start could make sticking to the plan uncomfortable, and a 3-7-1-0 record tested the organization’s confidence.
In mid-November, the hurricane took a bit of a turn. Injured Frederik Andersen facilitated the signing of two-time Calder Cup champion Dustin Tokarski, who is quickly pushing the drama to Spencer Martin, the current partner of 20-year-old rookie Ruslan Khazheev.
But mostly patience. Since its nadir in mid-November, Chicago is 14-4-1, including nine wins in its last 10 games. They climbed to third place in the Central Division, one point behind second-place Texas.
Martin performed well for the Wolves, with a record of 8 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, an average of 1.91 points per game and a 0.923 save percentage. For a team with a good but young offensive skill set, Chicago’s two-way offense is able to limit opponents’ chances; they average 25.5 shots per game, which ranks second in the AHL. The most recent shootout was 22-for-23. Of course, even better than a strong penalty kill is the ability to get out of penalty trouble, and the Wolves averaged 10.3 penalty minutes per game, the third-fewest in the league.
Five of the Wolves’ top six scorers are 23 or younger; the sixth in that group, Juha Jaska, is a rookie coming from Finland this season, and made his NHL debut last week. Rookie Scott Morrow is tied for the AHL defenseman lead with nine goals and had his second hat trick of the season in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Rockford. Former Hurricanes first-round pick Ryan Suzuki leads the team with 23 points. Mix contributions from Justin Robidas, Bradley Nadeau, and Noel Gunler, the Wolves have shaken off their early-season woes. It just takes a little time, which is always crucial for player development.
Now comes their next test, with six of their next eight games on the road. Rookie Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum returning from representing their respective countries at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, they are ready to return to their regular spots in the Abbott lineup.
Martin was impressed last Saturday against Rockford. “This was, one of the best hockey games I’ve ever seen,” he later said.
**Frequently Asked Questions**
Q: What is the NHL-AHL affiliation, and how does it work?
A: The NHL-AHL affiliation is a symbiotic relationship between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL), where NHL teams develop their prospects by assigning them to AHL teams. In return, AHL teams receive guidance, resources, and support from the NHL team.
Q: How does the relationship between the Wolves and Hurricanes benefit both parties?
A: The relationship allows for the Hurricanes to develop their young players in the AHL while the Wolves benefit from the resources, guidance, and support provided by the Hurricanes. This benefits both parties by creating a more competitive and developmental environment for the players.
Q: What is the significance of the Wolves’ success this season, and what does it mean for the team’s future?
A: The Wolves’ success this season is a testament to the team’s dedication to development and the benefits of the NHL-AHL affiliation. The team’s success means that the players are developing well, and the Hurricanes are reaping the rewards of their investment.
**Conclusion**
The Chicago Wolves have had a tumultuous start to the season, but thanks to the leadership of head coach Cam Abbott, the team has turned things around. With a strong roster and a commitment to development, the Wolves are now a force to be reckoned with in the AHL. As the team looks to the future, it is clear that their success will depend on the growth and development of their young players. With a strong support system in place, the Wolves are well-positioned to make a deep run in the playoffs and continue to grow as a team.
