FOUR WOLVES TEAMMATES FROM OVERSEAS ARE NAVIGATING LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE: TOGETHER.
FEATURED \ PAGE 16
'WE HAVE EACH OTHER'
OWNERSHIP
Don Levin Chairman of the Board/Governor
Wendell Young Vice Chairman/Governor
Buddy Meyers Advisor
Wayne Messmer Senior Executive Vice President
Seth Gold Director
OPERATIONS
Courtney Mahoney President of Operations
Dan Harris Vice President of Operations
Mark Abernethy Marketing
Imran Javed Creative Director
Chris Kuc Director of Public Relations
Danny Karmin Public Relations Assistant
Michael Roche Video Production Coordinator
Ian Babcock Community Relations Coordinator
Sammy Frieri Operations Coordinator
Matthew Gordon Community Relations Coordinator
Abby Ettel Social Media Coordinator
Eugene Lee Motion Designer
Grace Maher Graphic Designer
Theo Lucchesi Graphic Designer
Jason Shaver Play-by-Play Broadcaster
Bill Gardner Color Analyst
Ryan Mason Mascot Coordinator
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Jon Sata President of Business Operations
Greg Sprott Vice President of Partnership Sales
Chris Friederich Director of Partnerships
Anissa Patterson Senior Manager, Client Services Corporate Partnerships
Gabe Gordon Client Services Coordinator, Partnerships
Tim Weaver Senior Manager, Partnerships and Media Sales
Hannah Towe Corporate Partnerships Executive
Samantha Davis Vice President of Ticket Sales
Eric Zavilla E xecutive Director of Ticket Sales
Jackie Schroeder Senior Director of Ticket Retention and Services
Stefanie Evans Senior Director of Program Development
Jack Metz Director of Ticket Sales
Colette Hankin Ticket Sales and Service Coordinator
Andrew Grum Group Sales Account Representative
Daniel King Group Sales Account Executive
Jackson Newell Group Sales Account Executive
Tripp Schulte Group Sales Account Executive
Jake Lesiak Group Sales, Youth Hockey
Drew Vozza New Business Account Executive
Sherwin Thomas Inside Sales Representative
Rosemarie Barnes Inside Sales Representative
Nick Guca Inside Sales Representative
GAME DAY STAFF
Chris Dubiel Address Announcer
Hannah Arbitman In-Arena Host
Rodrigo Perez, Brian Kozek, Alyssandra Dehlin, Eric Burger, Justin Jensen, Nick Torre, Ryan Pasterz, Chris Jaimon, Rafael Gonzalez, Christian Washington, Tara Cercone, John Bubala, Delaney Zaucha, Adam Cloutier, Abbigail Placido, Anthony Vazquez, Ryan Apter, Thomas Fumagalli, Matt Glavach, Jon Midlock, Brandon Scurto, Lauren Stoeck, Kelly Tragas, Rachel Steinhouse, Benjamin Spowich, Justin Sata, Kelly O'Connor, Emily Murdach, Lily Freedman, Morgan Chicalace, Katie Castillo, Clarissa Messina, Rachel Mullany
BREAKAWAY MAGAZINE
Editorial Producer: Courtney Mahoney
Publication Writers: Chris Kuc, Danny Karmin
Publication Photographer: Ross Dettman
Publication Designers: Christina Moritz, Morgan Prato, Imran Javed
PROCEEDS BENEFIT
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Scott Howson PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hockey League
A Message from The President
Dear Fans,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024-25 American Hockey League season, the latest chapter in a tradition of excellence that can be traced back to our league’s founding nearly nine decades ago.
The AHL is as proud as ever of its role as 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. Generations of our great fans have cheered on future superstars, Stanley Cup champions and Hockey Hall of Famers as they have come through the AHL.
This season is sure to be another memorable one, from the excitement of opening night to the pageantry of the AHL All-Star Classic in Coachella Valley to the pure emotion of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
On behalf of all of our teams, thank you for your continuing support of the AHL.
Sincerely,
Scott Howson President & CEO | American Hockey League
American
PROUDLY SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY FOR 125 YEARS! BE SOCIAL.
WOLVES CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
CEMENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE WOLVES HAVE WON AN IMPRESSIVE FIVE LEAGUE TITLES DURING THEIR FIRST 30 SEASONS. HERE’S HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED EACH...
1998 TURNER CUP
REGULAR SEASON
55-24-3 (first in Midwest Division)
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Quarterfinals: Wolves 3, Manitoba 0
Semifinals: Wolves 4, Milwaukee 2
Conference Finals: Wolves 4, Long Beach 2
TURNER CUP FINALS
Wolves 4, Detroit 3
PIVOTAL MOMENT
In the third period of Game 7 of the finals, Chris Marinucci broke a scoreless tie off a rebound from defenseman Bob Nardella’s shot to give the Wolves a lead they didn’t relinquish in front of 16,701 at Rosemont Horizon.
POSTSEASON MVP
Alexander Semak, Wolves
2000 TURNER CUP
REGULAR SEASON
53-21-8 (first in Midwest Division)
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Semifinals: Wolves 4, Long Beach 0
Conference Finals: Wolves 4, Houston 2
TURNER CUP FINALS
Wolves 4, Grand Rapids 2
PIVOTAL MOMENT
Derek Plante’s two goals in 26 seconds in the second period of Game 6 proved to be the daggers as the Wolves capped off their second Turner Cup in three seasons at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.
POSTSEASON MVP
Andrei Trefilov, Wolves
02 WOLVES CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2002 CALDER CUP
REGULAR SEASON
37-31-7-5 (fourth in West Division)
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Qualifying Series: Wolves 2, Cincinnati 1
Quarterfinals: Wolves 3, Grand Rapids 2
Semifinals: Wolves 4, Syracuse 3
Conference Finals: Wolves 4, Houston 1
CALDER CUP FINALS
Wolves 4, Bridgeport 1
PIVOTAL MOMENT
In front of 15,132 fans at Allstate Arena–the second-largest postseason crowd in AHL history–the Wolves captured the title when Yuri Butsayev scored in double-overtime of Game 5 to secure a 4-3 victory.
POSTSEASON MVP
Pasi Nurminen, Wolves
2008 CALDER CUP
REGULAR SEASON
53-22-2-3 (first in West Division)
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Division Semifinals: Wolves 4, Milwaukee 2
Division Finals: Wolves 4, Rockford 3
Conference Finals: Wolves 4, Toronto 1
CALDER CUP FINALS
Wolves 4, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2
PIVOTAL MOMENT
Behind Jason Krog’s Game 6 hat trick and goals from Nathan Oystrick and Brent Sterling, the Wolves won their third championship on home ice.
POSTSEASON MVP
Jason Krog, Wolves
2022 CALDER CUP
REGULAR SEASON
50-16-5-5 (first in Central Division)
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
Central Division Semifinals: Wolves 3, Rockford 0
Central Division Finals: Wolves 3, Milwaukee 1
Western Conference Finals: Wolves 4, Stockton 2
CALDER CUP FINALS
Wolves 4, Springfield 1
PIVOTAL MOMENT
After falling behind in the series via an overtime loss in Game 1, the Wolves prevailed over their next four games to win their fifth championship in team history. Alex Lyon made 28 saves in the 4-0 Game 5 clincher at Springfield.
POSTSEASON MVP
Josh Leivo, Wolves
COMING CLOSE
In addition to winning five league championships, the Wolves have reached the finals on three other occasions.
In 2001, Chicago knocked off the Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose in the playoffs before succumbing in the Turner Cup Finals to the Orlando Solar Bears 4-1.
In 2005, the Wolves roared through the Houston Aeros, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Manitoba Moose in the Calder Cup Playoffs before falling short in the finals to the Philadelphia Phantoms 4-0.
In 2019, before falling to the Charlotte Checkers 4-1 in the Calder Cup Finals, the Wolves dispatched the Grand Rapids Griffins, Iowa Wild and San Diego Gulls, respectively.
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WOLVES OWNERSHIP
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’s film company has made nearly 20 motion pictures distributed in the U.S. and overseas.
Levin founded the Chicago Wolves with Buddy Meyers and Grant Mulvey in January 1994 and has served as the team’s chairman of the board since the franchise’s inception. Levin donates his time and serves on the board of directors for several charitable organizations.
Levin dedicates a good portion of his time and energy to helping dogs find forever homes. The Wolves host Adopt-a-Dog Night one Saturday each month during the season and make it easy for fans to adopt homeless dogs.
The Adopt-A-Dog program has found homes for 1,700 dogs in its first 23 seasons. 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. He was honored as the International Hockey League’s Executive of the Year for the 1999-2000 season.
Before beginning his business career, Levin served in the United States Marine Corps, from which he was honorably discharged.
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 and reached the 2019 Calder Cup Finals.
Young also helped capture eight American Hockey League division titles: the 2010 West, 2012 Midwest, 2014 Midwest, 2017 Central, 2018 Central, 2019 Central, 2021 Central and 2022 Central.
Young has been a member of the Wolves organization in virtually every capacity — including 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.
He is currently the only player in hockey history to have won the Memorial Cup, Calder Cup, Turner Cup and Stanley Cup.
BUDDY MEYERS ADVISOR
Buddy Meyers has been involved in the world of hockey for more than 46 years. He is a former certified agent of the National Hockey League Players’ Association and is past attorney for the Soviet Red Army Hockey Team (CSKA).
He is a practicing attorney and the principal in the law firm of William Buddy Meyers, Ltd. His concentration is in the areas of worker’s compensation and personal injury litigation. Additionally, he is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Illinois Workers Compensation Lawyers Association; a former director of the Better Boys Foundation and River North Association; and a recipient of the Shomrim Society of Illinois’ Man of the Year Award in 2006. He also supports numerous charitable and environmental organizations.
Meyers, who was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame on Jan. 26, 2014, is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a juris doctor degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology/Chicago Kent.
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THROUGHOUT
THE WOLVES’ FIRST 30 SEASONS, THERE HAVE BEEN AN ABUNDANCE OF HISTORIC MOMENTS— including five league championships—but not all of them have gone according to plan.
Here are some of the strangest and most unforgettable moments from the franchise’s rich history.
FAILURE TO LAUNCH
JUNE 2001
2001 TURNER CUP FINALS, WOLVES VS. ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS
Defending their 2000 Turner Cup Championship, the Wolves finished the ’00-01 regular season 43-32-2-5 and entered the postseason flying high. They met and went through the Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose to set up a matchup with Orlando in the Turner Cup Finals. What proved to be a difficult matchup on the ice started with off-ice drama.
Set to embark to Orlando for Game 1 of the finals, the Wolves boarded a charter flight and settled in as the plane started down the runway at O’Hare International Airport. Players and team personnel were jolted by a loud bang and the plane slowed to stop.
After a short delay, those on the plane disembarked and after a four-hour delay— spent at a local hotel bar—boarded a second plane flown in from Milwaukee and eventually headed to Orlando. Things didn’t get much better from there as the Wolves dropped the series 4-1.
PICK
UP STICKS APRIL 1998
Whether it was some hijinks from the host Milwaukee Admirals or not is still not known, but the Wolves found themselves sans sticks to use prior to a playoff game against their arch-rivals.
With the Wolves’ equipment truck parked in a hotel near the arena in Beer Town, then-Wolves equipment manager Craig Kogut discovered the morning of a game that it had been broken into and players’ sticks had been stolen.
A Wolves staffer who lived near Allstate Arena was tasked with loading up his car with as many sticks as it could hold and make the trek to Milwaukee.
He arrived just as the Wolves team bus pulled into the arena and opened the hatch of his car so players could grab their sticks and hit the ice for the team’s morning skate.
BAT MEETS THE PACK
1995-96 SEASON
A non-ticketed visitor made its way into Allstate Arena and eventually made its presence felt on the ice during a contest in the ’95-96 season.
During the Wolves’ infamous pregame fireworks display, a bat was spotted near the roof the of then-called Rosemont Horizon and as the game progressed took flight and grabbed the attention of those on and off the ice.
Midway through the opening period, the bat landed on the ice and struggled to take flight. With the puck eventually iced at the opposite end of the rink, confusion reigned as no one in attendance knew quite what to do with the winged mammal. That was when the Wolves’ Corey Beaulieu took matters into his own, er, gloves. The defenseman jumped over the over the boards, used a towel to pick up the bat and skated it to the penalty box where he handed it to an off-ice official. After the bat was dispatched, Beaulieu received an ovation from fans, teammates and opposing team.
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MEET THE WOLVES
DOMENICK FENSORE
H: 5-9 W: 175 9/7/ 2001
Bronxville, NY
NOEL GUNLER
H: 6-1 W: 175 10/7/2001 Lulea, Sweden
TYSON JOST
H: 5-11 W: 187 3/14/1998 St. Albert, AB
TY SMITH
ETHAN KEPPEN
H: 6-2 W: 203 3/20/2001 Whitby, ON
DANNY KATIC
H: 6-5 W: 220 8/4/2000 South Porcupine, ON
AUSTIN WAGNER
H: 6-1 W: 195 6/23/1997 Calgary, AB
SAHIL PANWAR
CHARLES-ALEXIS LEGAULT
H: 6-3 W: 207 9/5/2003 Laval, QB
NICK SWANEY
H: 5-10 W: 178 9/9/1997 Lakeville, Minn.
DOMINIC FRANCO
H: 6-5 W: 218 1/7/1996 Scituate, R.I.
SPENCER MARTIN
RYAN SUZUKI
H: 6-1 W: 190 5/28/2001 London, ON
FELIX UNGER SORUM
H: 5-11 W: 170 9/14/2005 Trondheim, Norway
SKYLER BRIND’AMOUR
H: 6-2 W: 185 7/27/1999 Raleigh, N.C.
DUSTIN TOKARSKI
RONAN SEELEY
H: 6-1 W: 192 8/2/2002 Olds, AB
NIKITA PAVLYCHEV
H: 6-7 W: 225 3/23/1997 Yaroslavl, Russia
JOSIAH SLAVIN
H: 6-0 W: 161 12/31/1998 Erie, Colo.
ALEKSI HEIMOSALMI
H: 5-11 W: 176 3/24/2000 Lloydminster, SK
H: 5-11 W: 170 5/8/2003 Pori, Finland 2 4 12 18 27 5 13 21 30 6 14 22 31 8 15 23 34 10 17 24
H: 6-1 W: 185 1/26/2002 Mississauga, ON
H: 6-3 W: 205 6/8/1995 Oakville, ON
H: 6-0 W: 204 9/16/1989 Humboldt, SK
MEET THE WOLVES
JOAKIM RYAN
H: 5-11 W: 185 6/17/1993
Rumson, N.J.
RILEY STILLMAN
JUHA JAASKA
H: 6-0 W: 196 2/9/1998 Helsinki, Finland
GLEB TRIKOZOV
SCOTT MORROW
H: 6-2 W: 195 11/1/2002 Darlen, Conn.
RUSLAN KHAZHEYEV
BRYCE MONTGOMERY
H: 6-4 W: 216 11/12/2002 Washington, D.C.
BRADLY NADEAU
H: 5-8 W: 180 3/13/2003 Plano, Texas 47 61 51 71 55 80 58 82 60 93
YANIV PERETS
H: 6-1 W: 181 3/4/2000 Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QB
JUSTIN ROBIDAS
H: 6-1 W: 196 3/9/1998 Peterborough, ON
H: 6-1 W: 185 8/12/2004 Omsk, Russia
COACHES
H: 6-4 W: 201 11/20/2004 Chelyabinsk, Russia
H: 5-10 W: 160 5/5/2005 St-Francois-deMadawaska, NB
CAM ABBOTT Head Coach SPIROS ANASTAS Assistant Coach DAN PRICE Assistant Coach
STAN DUBICKI Goaltending Coach JOHN STANIER Video Coach JAKE NITSCHE Strength Coach
KASPER Head Athletic Trainer
SCHROEDER Assistant Athletic Trainer
KENNEDY Head Equipment Manager
REIF Assistant Equipment Manager
By Chris Kuc
EACH OTHER' 'we have
Noel Gunler, Felix Unger
Juha
and Aleksi Heimosalmi form a special bond to help make the transition to living in the U.S. a smooth one.
It is a Tuesday afternoon and four Wolves teammates are gathered at a restaurant refueling following a hard practice.
One is taking down a plate of ribs, another a steak and two others are munching on burgers. It’s a scene right out of Americana.
Except the players aren’t from North America, instead hailing from Finland, Sweden and Norway.
Collectively, Noel Gunler, Felix Unger Sorum, Aleksi Heimosalmi and Juha Jaaska are the four Norsemen of the Wolves. It’s no surprise the Euros are out together since the four are almost joined at the hips as they navigate their ways as foreigners in a foreign land.
The Finns— Heimosalmi and Jaaska—share an apartment while just across the hall, Gunler (from Sweden) and Unger Sorum (a Norway native who has Swedish citizenship) live together. It’s the same roommate pairings when the Wolves are on road trips.
The banter between the four is frequent and light-hearted. They are in this thing together, each grateful they have the others to help adjust to a new culture—all while trying to forge paths to the National Hockey League. Gunler, having first come to Chicago to play for the Wolves in April of 2022, is the guiding force of the four as the other three are in their first seasons in North America.
Sorum,
Jaaska
at a Dallas hotel pool that he could
You can count on Gunler reminding his fellow Norsemen to bring their passports on trips and to also pack sunscreen.
“I’m way more comfortable this year than the one-and-a-half years I was here before,” said Lulea, Sweden, native Gunler. “I talk with these guys about how it is here and how it is at home in Europe.
"It is different, but I kind of
The 23-year-old Gunler isn’t the only one enjoying the season—on and off the ice.
“The U.S. is one of those places when you live in Sweden that you only see in movies,” Unger Sorum, the youngest of the group at 19, said. “It’s really cool to be here and see all the stuff. When I first got here, I thought it was cool just driving a car on the highway. I really enjoy it here. It’s cool with all the stores and how nice it is with the high buildings. Everything is bigger here.”
Several other Wolves players live in the same apartment complex not far from the team’s practice rink—in fact, the Finns usually make the two-mile trek to practice on foot—and they have formed their own
The 21-year-old Heimosalmi relishes the living arrangements between teammates, saying they differ from back home in
“Hockey life is really good here,” the rookie defenseman from Pori, Finland, said. “I enjoy that we can live together and you can always hang out with your buddies. Almost the whole team is living there so you can always do something with guys. It’s not like in Finland where every player is living in
Unger Sorum concurred that things aren’t the same in Sweden when it comes to living
“Here it is different,” he said. “A lot of guys stay at the same place, we’re roommates on the road trips and we go out and eat with each other. In Sweden, you eat at the hotel and then everybody goes home to their
Living and playing in North America is certainly a learning experience and while the four continue to be educated on the nuances of residing in the States, they are also learning a whole lot about each other.
Like typical 20-somethings sharing living spaces, there are plenty of video games (NHL, FIFA and Call of Duty are the most popular) to be played and a lot of TV watching.
Luckily, there are few battles for the remotes in the respective apartments because one thing dominates the programming.
“Way too much hockey,” Unger Sorum said. “I watch every game.”
Jaaska then chimed on.
“NHL way too much—it’s a lot of hockey,” the 26-year-old agreed.
Any time spent with the four reveals that they are more than just about hockey. Unger Sorum recently bought a guitar and is learning to play—albeit slowly.
“The first day he got the guitar he was in the living room and then I told him, ‘now go into your room,’ ” Gunler said with a laugh.
“Then he came to our apartment to show off,” Heimosalmi said.
“That was not showing off,” Unger Sorum countered. “I didn’t hit one chord.”
When it comes to music, Heimosalmi has what he describes as a “hidden talent.”
“I’m pretty good at memorizing songs,” he said. “When I find a song I like I listen to it until I don’t want to listen to it anymore and then I find new songs that I’m listening to for weeks and they just stick. But I’m not a good singer.”
Each has also discovered who can and can’t cook.
Gunler’s specialty is salmon and sweet potatoes while Unger Sorum counters with “a lot of ground beef.”
Across the whall, Jaaska has been known to make homemade granola while Heimosalmi is all about serving top-notch rice (“the trick is you need to wash it in water really well first.”).
The ability to speak to each other in their own languages and share a camaraderie that goes beyond the rink has made for a comfortable transition to the U.S. for the teammates.
“You’re never really alone here and that’s one of my favorite things,” Gunler said. “If you want to hang out with someone, we have each other.”
Perhaps Jaaska put it best.
“I feel at home here now,” he said.
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FROM THE COURT TO THE ICE
Wolves defenseman Joakim Ryan has a passion for tennis—but his love of hockey won out.
By Chris Kuc, Photos by Ross Dettman
Having a mother who had a highly successful professional tennis career— including five singles titles and runs to the semifinals in two Grand Slam tournaments—it’s no surprise Wolves defenseman Joakim Ryan grew up with a racquet in one hand.
In the other was a hockey stick. At 14, it was time to get serious about one sport and the rest is hockey history that is still being written.
“I was very into tennis when I was younger,” Ryan, 31, said. “When I was 14 years old my mom said, ‘if you want to focus on tennis, you have to practice a lot more than you are now.’ ”
With that, the decision came into focus.
“It wasn’t any pressure from my mom, she was just letting me know that tennis players practice way more than hockey players— and it’s by themselves,” Ryan said. “I just enjoyed the team sports side of it better. I would have needed to stop playing hockey and that wasn’t something I wanted to do.”
The full-time move from the court to the ice was OK by mom, who when playing went by Catarina Lindqvist and now prefers Catarina Ryan. She began her pro career in 1983 and before retiring in 1992 had won five titles and reached the semis of the 1987 Australian Open and Wimbledon in 1989—both times losing to Martina Navratilova.
So, when Catarina speaks about Joakim’s tennis prowess, it’s not just a typical parent bragging about their kid.
“He was pretty good at it right away and he did really well,” said Catarina, who reached her highest world ranking of No. 10 in 1985. “When he was 10, we moved to Sweden
(from New Jersey) because my husband, Bill, and I had some opportunities. There, (Joakim) played hockey, too, but the tennis really took off. He ended being No. 2 in Sweden in Boys 12-and-under. He only lost to one kid his age.”
Upon a move back home to New Jersey—he was born in Rumson, N.J.—Joakim juggled tennis and hockey but soon had to choose because the demands were too great to be a two-sport athlete. “It was just hard to do both and he said he preferred hockey because he wanted to do team sports,” Catarina said. “Tennis can be a little lonely.”
Photo source: Pinterest
While it will never be known how far Joakim could have advanced as a tennis player—he doesn’t play much these days—the focus on hockey has certainly paid off.
After playing high school hockey at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroff, N.J., Ryan went to Cornell where he starred for four seasons, including being selected to the 2013-14 All-Ivy League First Team.
A seventh-round selection (198th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan spent two seasons in the American Hockey League with the San Jose Barracuda after graduating from Cornell. He then played for the Sharks from 2017-19 before the blue liner was off to Los Angeles to play for the Kings in ’19-20 and four games with the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2020-21 campaign. While in the Carolina organization, Ryan appeared in four games with the Wolves.
Ryan spent the next three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League with his former youth club, the Malmo Redhawks and returned to North America when the Hurricanes signed him to a one-year, two-way contract July 14, 2024.
That brought Ryan back to the Wolves for a second stint and the renewal of his dream to return to the NHL.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to get an NHL offer from over here and then I got one from Carolina,” Ryan said. “If you get an NHL offer, I figure you might as well take it. There’s always a chance.”
Wherever Ryan has laced up his skates, he’s never forgotten his tennis roots. Along with his parents, he is part-owner of a tennis facility in New Brunswick, N.J.
“I love tennis and once I’m done playing hockey it’s something I’ll probably play a lot with buddies,” he said.
The topic of his mother’s distinguished career is sure to come up time and time again.
“She was a great player—she had a nice one-handed backhand,” Ryan said.
“SHE’S STILL THE BEST SWEDISH WOMEN’S PLAYER OF ALL TIME. THAT’S PRETTY COOL.”
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TRANSFORMING LIVES TOGETHER
THE WOLVES AND EASTERSEALS SERVING CHICAGOLAND AND GREATER ROCKFORD HAVE A LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP TO RAISE AWARENESS OF AUTISM
Throughout the history of the Chicago Wolves franchise, players and staff have relied heavily on teammates to be successful on and off the ice.
There has been no greater teammate to the Wolves than Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford. For more than 25 years, the Wolves and ECR have joined forces to raise awareness of autism and support those who have it.
“We really value this partnership because of the clear commitment that the Wolves have to the mission of Easterseals, which focuses on the work of transforming the lives of individuals of all abilities in the disability and early childhood space,” said Sara Ray Stoelinga, President & CEO of Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford. “I believe the strength of this relationship lies in both the mutual commitment of the partners to one another but also to the Chicago Wolves’ value of the Easterseals’ mission.”
Fundraising efforts ranging from sponsoring an annual golf outing and gala to donning and auctioning special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys have been an important aspect of the Wolves’ partnership with ECR.
“It’s vitally important for the Wolves organization to support Easterseals and
help raise awareness for autism,” Wolves President of Operations Courtney Mahoney said. “It’s a disorder that affects so many families and we want to do our part to showcase and support the tremendous work Easterseals is doing.”
Each season since 1998, Wolves players have worn special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys during games that were then auctioned with much of the proceeds going directly to ECR.
Those fundraising dollars, along with proceeds from other events, provide support for a myriad of ECR initiatives, including:
• Funding to help reduce the waitlist for autism diagnostics for individuals.
• Providing awareness training and tools for first responders so that they understand how to identify someone in an emergency situation who might be on the autism spectrum and have the knowledge and tools to know what to do in those situations.
• Supporting early learning services and providing things like transportation vouchers and diapers and formula to low-income families who are served through ECR’s Head Start And Early Head start program.
•Art and music services for young people in ECR’s therapeutic day schools.
The 2025 Wolves’ St. Patrick’s Day Jersey
By Chris Kuc, Photos by Ross Dettman
Auction, presented by Jewel-Osco, is scheduled to take place during games on March 15-16 at Allstate Arena and doesn’t just benefit Easterseals financially.
“It also showcases and raises awareness for the prevalence of autism, which has been increasing dramatically so that now 1-in-36 people are diagnosed with autism,” Stoelinga said. “Over the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the diagnosis of autism so the jersey auction is a really important event for us both from a raising awareness perspective and also from a financial perspective.”
With a partnership still going strong in its third decade, the Wolves and Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford have proven that through being good teammates, help is on the way for those in need.
“We just appreciate the Wolves organization,” Stoelinga said. “We can’t even go a month without somebody reaching out and saying, ‘hey, what’s going on at Easterseals? What can we do to support you? We just feel like this partnership has been so mutually beneficial and that we hope that it lasts for a really long time.”
CHICAGO WOLVES BY THE NUMBERS
Number of former goaltender and current Wolves Vice Chairman/Governor Wendell Young, who ranks first on the team’s all-time lists for wins (169), saves (8,467), minutes played (17,912), shutouts (18) and goalie assists (14).
2
Wolves players who have had their numbers raised to the Allstate Arena rafters. Wendell Young was the first retired by the organization in 2001, followed by Steve Maltais in 2006 as the Wolves’ all-time leader in points (951), goals (454), assists (497), games (839) and penalty-minutes (1061).
Times the Wolves have won the league championship, with their most recent the 2022 Calder Cup.
21
Number of penaltyshot goals the Wolves have scored across their 30 seasons. In 202324, forward Hudson Elynuik scored the only penalty-shot goal for the team. 22
9
Most team shutouts in a single Wolves season (1999-2000). Wendell Young finished with six, followed by Andrei Trefilov’s three.
13
112
The Wolves have amassed 21 postseason berths (154-113) en route to five championships.
Most shorthanded goals scored in a Wolves season (2005-06 campaign). Forward Karl Stewart led the way with six shorthanded tallies, followed by forwards Brian Maloney (four), Colin Stuart (four), Patrick Dwyer (two), Preston Mizzi (one), Derek MacKenzie (one), Billy Tibbetts (one), Kevin Doell (one), and defenseman Mark Popovic (two).
Most power-play goals scored in a Wolves season (2006-07). Forward Brett Sterling led with 21 goals with a man advantage followed by forwards Darren Haydar (17), Cory Larose (12), Jason Krog (11), Niko Dimitrakos (six), Kyle Wanvig (four), Steve Martins (four), Alex Bourret (three), Jordan LavalleeSmotherman (three), Jared Ross (two), Derek MacKenzie (one), Joey Crabb (one) and defensemen Nathan Oystrick (10), Mark Popovic (nine), Andy Delmore (nine), Brian Fahey (four), Troy Milam (three), Jimmy Sharrow (three), and Braydon Coburn (one).
119
All-time hat tricks completed in Wolves history. Steve Maltais is the franchise leader with 18.
2024-25 TEAM MAP
Abbotsford Canucks • Bakersfield Condors • Belleville Senators • Bridgeport Islanders • Calgary Wranglers • Charlotte Checkers • Chicago Wolves • Cleveland Monsters • Coachella Valley Firebirds • Colorado Eagles • Grand Rapids Griffins • Hartford Wolf Pack • Henderson Silver Knights • Hershey Bears • Iowa Wild • Laval Rocket • Lehigh Valley Phantoms • Manitoba Moose • Milwaukee Admirals • Ontario Reign • Providence Bruins • Rochester Americans • Rockford IceHogs • San Diego Gulls • San Jose Barracuda • Springfield Thunderbirds • Syracuse Crunch • Texas Stars • Toronto Marlies • Tucson Roadrunners • Utica Comets • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
CHICAGO WOLVES RECORDS
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORDS & AWARDS
GOALS LEADERS
GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE LEADERS
FAST FACTS
6
Over the course of the past 10 seasons, the Chicago Wolves have claimed the Central Division crown six times, the most division titles across the American Hockey League regardless of division.
11
The most goals scored by the Wolves in a single game. On Dec. 30, 2005 against the Peoria Rivermen, nine players found the back of the net, including: Colin Stuart, Ramzi Abid (two goals), Karl Stewart, Travis Roche, Justin Morrison, Billy Tibbetts (2), Mark Popovic, Patrick Dwyer and Brian Maloney.
17
Number of years Jason Shaver has served as the team's play-by-play announcer since joining in 2008.
10. TIM BRESLIN.
LES CUNNINGHAM AWARD
(AHL REGULAR-SEASON MVP)
42
330
DARREN HAYDAR ....... (2006-07)
JASON KROG ........... (2007-08)
KENNY AGOSTINO (2016-17)
DANIEL CARR ............ (2018-19)
WILLIE MARSHALL AWARD
(AHL’S LEADING GOAL-SCORER)
BRETT STERLING (2006-07)
JASON KROG ........... (2007-08)
WADE MEGAN
(2016-17)
STEFAN NOESEN (2021-22)
YANICK DUPRE MEMORIAL AWARD
(AHL MAN OF THE YEAR)
KURTIS FOSTER .......... (20 03-04) SCOOTER VAUGHAN (2017-18)
LEO LAMOUREUX MEMORIAL TROPHY
(IHL REGULAR-SEASON SCORING CHAMPION)
ROB BROWN (1995-96)
ROB BROWN .............. (1996-97)
STEVE MALTAIS ....... (1999-2000)
STEVE LAROUCHE (2000-01) Shared
JOHN B. SOLLENBERGER TROPHY
(AHL’S LEADING REGULAR-SEASON SCORER)
STEVE MALTAIS (2002-03)
DARREN HAYDAR ....... (2006-07)
JASON KROG ............ (2007-08)
KENNY AGOSTINO (2016-17)
ANDREW POTURALSKI .... (2021-22)
IHL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
(OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE)
TIM BRESLIN (1996-97)
CHRIS MARINUCCI ....... (1998-99)
WENDELL YOUNG (2000-01)
THOMAS EBRIGHT AWARD
(CAREER CONTRIBUTIONS TO AHL)
WENDELL YOUNG ......... (2017-18)
55
The Wolves franchise record for victories in a season, set during the 1997-98 campaign. That mark also led the International Hockey League.
336
The most penalty minutes by a player in one season in Wolves franchise history, set by Kevin MacDonald in 1994-95.
476
Number of games played by Bob Nardella, the most by a Wolves defenseman.
776
Number of players who have suited up for the Chicago Wolves throughout the history of the team.
839
Forward Steve Maltais’ record for most games played in a Wolves uniform.
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