The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League (AHL). They are members of the Midwest division in the Western Conference. They were founded in 1994 as an expansion team in the International Hockey League (IHL). The Wolves joined the AHL in 2001 following the absorption of the IHL by the AHL.
The Wolves have won numerous awards in both leagues. The Wolves are four-time league champions having won two titles in both the AHL and the IHL. They were awarded the Fred A. Huber Trophy in the 1999–2000 season for having the best record in the IHL and have also received multiple trophies for winning their division. Individually, they have had four players lead their league in scoring a total of six times, with Steve Maltais accomplishing the feat in both leagues. Maltais is the most decorated individual in franchise history, winning three individual trophies along with being named a First Team All-Star three times and a Second Team All-Star three times.
Two players have had their numbers retired by the franchise. Wendell Young's number 1 was retired in 2001; five years later Maltais' number 11 was removed from circulation. The Wolves have also honored four other individuals with permanent banners hanging in the Allstate Arena. These are former players Tim Breslin and Dan Snyder, both of whom are deceased, as well as former head coach John Anderson and former general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. Breslin and Snyder were further honored with the creation of team awards. The Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award is awarded to the player "who best typifies Breslin's on-ice spirit and team-first attitude". The Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award is handed out to the Wolves' player who "demonstrates the most outstanding dedication to Chicago-area community service".
League awards Team trophies and awards
The Wolves have won two championships in both the AHL and the IHL, first winning the Turner Cup as IHL champions during the 1997–98 and 1999–2000 seasons, then winning the Calder Cup in the 2001–02 and 2007–08 seasons. The 2001–02 championship coincided with the Wolves' inaugural AHL season. They were the sixth AHL team to win the championship in their first season.
Chicago received the 2009–10 President's Award, which recognizes an AHL organization for "excellence in all areas off the ice". Upon bestowing the award to the Wolves, the AHL called them a "forerunner in unique promotion and game-night experience" as well as "one of the league's model organizations in terms of community relations." AwardDescriptionSeasonRefTurner CupIHL Champion1997–981999–2000Calder CupAHL Champion2001–022007–082021–22Fred A. Huber TrophyBest record in the IHL for the regular season1999–2000Robert W. Clarke TrophyAHL playoff champion of the Western Conference2001–022004–052007–08John D. Chick TrophyAHL West Division champion2004–052007–082009–10Norman R. "Bud" Poile TrophyAHL Mid-West Division Champions2007–082011–122013–14President's AwardRecognizes an AHL organization for excellence in all areas off the ice2009–10 a: Prior to 1998, the Robert W. Clarke Trophy was awarded to the champion of the Southern Conference/Division. b: The John D. Chick Trophy was originally awarded to the Southern Division winner from 1974–95, and it has since been awarded to the winner of the Central (1996, 2002–03), Empire (1997–2000), Southern (2001) and West (2004–12) Divisions. Starting in 2012–13, the Chick Trophy goes to the regular-season champions of the South Division. c: The Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy was previously awarded to winner of the West Division (2002–03), and regular season Western Conference champions (2004–11).
Individual awards International Hockey League While members of the IHL, the Wolves had two scoring champions on their team. Both Rob Brown and Steve Maltais led the league in points with Brown accomplishing the feat in 1995–96 and 1996–97; Maltais led the league in the 1999–2000 season. In the nine years the IHL Man of the Year was awarded, three Wolves players received the honors.
AwardDescriptionNameSeasonRefNorman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy (IHL)Most Valuable Player in the Turner Cup playoffs1997–981999–2000Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial TrophyLeague leader in points scored1995–961996–971999–2000John Cullen AwardPlayer deemed a key contributor to his team, while overcoming injury, illness, or other personal setbacks.1999–2000Ironman AwardPlayer who played in all of his team's games and displayed outstanding offensive and defensive skills.1999–2000IHL Man of the YearPlayer who has distinguished himself through donation of time and other resources to charitable and educational efforts within his community.1996–971998–992000–01IHL First All-Star TeamTop performers at each position over the course of the season (LW)1994–951998–991999–2000 (RW)1995–961996–97 (RW)2000–01 (LW)2000–01IHL Second All-Star TeamTop performers at each position over the course of the season (LW)1995–961996–97 (RW)1998–99 (D)1998–99 (RW)1999–2000 (LW)1999–2000 (D)1999–2000 (D)1999–2000
International Hockey League All-Star Game selections The IHL first started holding All-Star games in 1962. Initially the game format had the defending champion playing against a collection of All-Stars from the teams in the league. The game changed to an East vs. West in 1967, but returned to the original format in 2000. The Wolves hosted the game as defending champions in 2001. They entered the game as the last place team in the Western Conference. Despite their record Chicago won the game 4–0. It was the only shutout in IHL All-Star game history. During the contest Steve Maltais recorded a goal and an assist, the two-point performance made him the IHL's all-time leading scorer in All-Star competition with 12 points in 7 games. Season Player(s)Ref1994–95Steve Maltais1995–96Steve Maltais1996–97Rob Brown, Steve Maltais, Troy Murray1997–98Kevin Dahl, Ravil Gusmanov, Steve Maltais, Wendell Young1998–99Niklas Andersson, Steve Maltais, Chris Marinucci, Tom Tilley, Pat Jablonski1999–2000Steve Maltais2000–01Team representation
American Hockey League In the 2006–07 season the Wolves had two players winning four individual trophies, three players garnering end of the year All-Star team honors, and two making the All-rookie team. The output was fueled by the Wolves' high scoring top line of Darren Haydar, Jason Krog, and Brett Sterling. Each player finished in the top 10 in AHL scoring with Haydar leading the league in points. Haydar also received the Les Cunningham Award as the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Sterling led the league in goal scoring and earned rookie of the year honors. In 2007–08 Krog led the league in goals, assists, and points, becoming only the third player in league history to accomplish the feat. His performance also earned him the MVP bringing his individual trophy total to three. He added a fourth after the Wolves won the Calder Cup and he was named playoff MVP.
AwardDescriptionPlayerSeasonRefLes Cunningham AwardMost Valuable Player2006–072007–08John B. Sollenberger TrophyLeague leader in points2002–032006–072007–08Willie Marshall AwardLeague leader in goals scored2006–072007–08Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial AwardLeague's best goaltender2013–14Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial AwardRookie of the year2006–07Yanick Dupre Memorial AwardMan of the year for service to his local community2003–04Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Most Valuable Player of the playoffs2001–022007–08AHL All-rookie TeamTop rookies at each position (D)2006–07 (LW)2006–07AHL First All-Star TeamTop performers at each position over the course of the season (D)2004–05 (LW)2006–07 (RW)2006–07 (C)2007–08 (G)2013–14AHL Second All-Star TeamTop performers at each position over the course of the season (LW)2003–04 (G)2004–05 (RW)2004–05 (D)2006–07 (D)2007–08 (LW)2007–08 (LW)2010–11 (RW)2010–11 d: Dawes split time between Chicago and the Hamilton Bulldogs during the season.
American Hockey League All-Star Game selections
The AHL All-Star Classic is an exhibition game held yearly by the league since it was reintroduced in the 1994–95 season. Since the Wolves joined the league in 2001, twelve games have been played. During that time 22 Wolves' players have been selected to play in All-Star competition with Brett Sterling being the most frequent with 4 selections. Season Player(s)Ref2001–02J.P. Vigier2002–03Garnet Exelby, Kurtis Foster2003–04Kari Lehtonen2004–05Kari Lehtonen, Travis Roche2005–06Braydon Coburn2006–07Darren Haydar, Jason Krog, Nathan Oystrick, Brett Sterling2007–08Jason Krog, Joel Kwiatkowski, Brett Sterling2008–09Joe Motzko2009–10Brett Sterling2010–11Spencer Machacek, Paul Postma2011–12Kevin Connauton, Darren Haydar2012–13Brad Hunt, Brett Sterling2013–14Jake Allen2014–15Ty Rattie e: Player was selected for the game, but did not play due to injury. f: Player was a starter for the All-Star Game. g: Player was selected for the game, but did not play due to a National Hockey League call-up. h: Player was named team captain for the game.
Career achievements The Chicago Wolves have retired two numbers in their history. Wendell Young was the first to receive the honor. Young played seven seasons for the Wolves and was a member of their two Turner Cup championship teams. He retired as the franchise leader in goaltender games played (322), wins (169), saves (8,467) and minutes played (17,912). The second retired number belonged to longtime forward Steve Maltais. Maltais was the only player to be part of the Wolves for their first 11 season. His longevity and production led to him being the Wolves all-time leader in goals (454); assists (496); points (950); penalty minutes (1,061) and games played (839).
The Wolves have also honored four individuals with permanent banners hanging in the Allstate Arena, two former players, a former head coach, and a former general manager. The two players, Tim Breslin and Dan Snyder, are both deceased. Snyder died during his playing career and Breslin shortly after his. While neither player recorded big statistical numbers, each was highly involved in the community and with charities during their time with the Wolves. They also honored John Anderson and Kevin Cheveldayoff for their contributions to the franchise. Anderson was head coach of the Wolves for all four of their championship teams. Likewise Cheveldayoff was general manager for the four championships and 12 years in total.
In 2013 defenseman Chris Chelios was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, becoming the first person affiliated with the organization to be so honored. Chelios joined the Wolves during the 2009–10 season at the age of 47 in hopes of earning a contract with a National Hockey League (NHL) team. He eventually signed with the Atlanta Thrashers and retired after the season.
Retired numbers Player Number Year Years with the Wolves Ref Wendell Young1 2001 1994–2001Steve Maltais11 2006 1994–2005
Personnel honored with banners Player Year Years with the Wolves RefDan Snyder20042001–03Tim Breslin20051994–99 John Anderson 2010 1997–2008Kevin Cheveldayoff 2013 1997–2009
Hockey Hall of Fame Player Year Years with the Wolves RefChris Chelios 2013 2009–10
Team awards Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award
The Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award was created to honor former Wolves player Dan Snyder following his death from injuries resulting from a car accident. The award annually is given to the "Wolves' player who demonstrates the most outstanding dedication to Chicago-area community service each year."