From Calder Cup Run to Offseason Reality | Spiros Anastas Interview

A Calder Cup Finals run changes you, even when it ends one step too soon. We sit down with Chicago Wolves head coach, Spiros Anastas, to unpack what made the 2025-26 group special, what the grind revealed about leadership, and why the team’s biggest wins might have happened away from the scoreboard. From the “family” feel in the room to the war-like playoff series that forged real trust, we talk honestly about the pride and the sting that can exist at the same time.

Then we shift into the reality of the AHL offseason: it is short, it is busy, and it is full of moving parts. Spiros explains how he stays connected with players through calls and texts, why he leads with the human side before hockey talk, and how those relationships make rookie camp and the rookie tournament more than just evaluation events. We also get into the Wolves and Carolina Hurricanes development pipeline, including how prospects from Europe, college, and juniors can feel that “familiar face” advantage when they arrive.

We dig into roster movement, unknown contract situations, and the challenge of replacing real production while staying true to Chicago’s identity as a young, development-first team. You will hear thoughts on new signings, “sleeper” additions, defense corps strengths, goaltending depth, and how internal competition can push players toward NHL readiness. We close with coaching staff changes and what Spiro is excited to refine behind the bench heading into 2026-27.

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Highlights:

• Togetherness and leadership as the biggest achievements beyond wins and losses
• Staying level through March struggles and April resurgence by stacking small victories
• The reality of a shortened offseason after a deep AHL playoff run
• Why early personal connection helps prospects transition into pro hockey faster
• Summer check-in calls that reveal the person behind the player
• Roster departures, unanswered contract questions, and how returning decisions take shape
• Replacing lost scoring with smart signings (Wheatcroft, Seger), sleepers, and internal development
• Standout development focus on players like Evan Vierling and Gleb Trikozov
• Confidence in a fast, puck-moving defense corps and the value of internal competition
• Goaltending depth planning and why teams cannot get caught unprepared
• Coaching staff changes, new hires, and how bench dynamics shift next season

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Transcript

Calder Cup Run Recap

SPEAKER_01 0:31

Well, Chicago Wolves wrapped up an incredible season in 25-26, finally bowing out to the Toronto Marlies in the Calder Cup Finals. Props to Spiro Sinastis and his entire coaching staff on a job well done. What were the highlights of the Wolves' long run? What's been brewing for the Wolves over the summer months? And what should we expect from the Wolves in the upcoming season? Joining me as always on today's edition of the Chicago Wolves Report, our Chicago Wolves insider, Andrew Rinaldi. Hey Andrew!

SPEAKER_00 1:10

Hey Tom, hey coach. It's uh it's a little warm out to be talking about hockey, but you know what? It's always a good time to be talking with you guys.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Well, of course, as you said, coach, we are so delighted to welcome back Spiro Synastas. Spiro, it's great to have you back, man.

SPEAKER_02 1:27

Yeah, thanks for having me. Uh, I mean, it's never too early to talk hockey, and once once the calendar flips to July 1st, that's pretty much like hockey new year. So excited to get into 26-27 here.

SPEAKER_01 1:39

Well, that's great stuff. And you know, the season was just incredible, as I mentioned, and what a thrill ride to the end. Quite a story, too, because uh Andrew and I did a podcast with Dan Price. I was actually on vacation. I didn't realize the season would go this long, and I ended up on a cruise, and there I am, hoping the satellite's gonna work while we're uh while we're cruising and and talking with uh with Dan. And it turned out great, and it was it was awesome to have a chance to speak with Dan, of course. But uh yeah, outstanding. Uh we were thrilled with your great team and and all the wonderful things that happened for sure. And uh and I know that Andrew's got lots to say about it as well.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Absolutely. You know, it's it's kind of a bittersweet taste in the mouth. You climb all the way to the summit and it's just a couple games short of that ultimate prize, but I know we've all kind of talked a lot about the the little things and the those accomplishments that come together and make something special, and I think this Wolves team really did that this past year. You know, besides just wins and losses, what do you see as the biggest achievements from the squad this year?

SPEAKER_02 2:49

Yeah, the biggest thing was just how we came together as a family, uh just the leaders that that showed themselves and stepped up and continued to grow in that responsibility uh, you know, within our culture. Just the togetherness that that brought us through each game of the playoffs.

Culture, Leadership & Positivity

SPEAKER_02 3:06

It was just really special to see the guys fight for another day with each other and uh, you know, overcome a lot of obstacles, right from the first series uh, you know, through Grand Rapids and then Colorado was such a war, um, you know, which we may have felt some of those effects starting the Calder Cup final, you know, being down, starting goaltender, being down our leading point getter. Um, you know, it was a true battle. And, you know, when you get to go through those like warlike scenarios, uh, you gain a respect with the guys next to you that really never goes away. So that's the promising thing and the exciting thing that you take out of that whole run. You know, in spite of us coming a little short, now these guys get to play, uh a number of them get to play another year together, and they they know now, you know, what kind of individual is next to them more than ever before.

SPEAKER_00 3:58

Absolutely. I mean, I I I know I've kind of felt at a different level of hockey, obviously, but when you when you know when you're in the trenches with those guys next to you, it it really kind of shows the true character of a lot of the guys that you're playing with. And I mean, they just the resiliency was really surprising to see in a in a good way from from this team. And I I I enjoyed watching it from the outside. I'm sure it was even even better from behind the bench. Um is there like any other kind of like special, you know, anything special you take away from this run, from this year as a whole, anything that you've learned about yourself or about the just the profession perspective behind the bench?

SPEAKER_02 4:45

Yeah, I mean it was a real learning season for me and obviously an interesting one having taken over on December 12th, uh, you know, coaching the last 50 games of the season, then into playoffs for the first time in my American League coaching career as a head coach. Um, you know, I was able to lean on some past experiences. I had been in the playoffs as an ECHL head coach. I had been to a Calder Cup and won one as a as an assistant coach uh with the Grand Rapids Griffin. So I had some experiences to pull on, but it was still such a new journey for me. Uh I think the biggest thing I learned, and you know, as cliche as it might sound, but the power of positivity, uh you know, just sticking to the process, taking the little victories, not getting too high or too low off based on results. And as soon as the coaching change happened, I think that's the the the track that we were on as a as a family unit. And uh, you know, it was we had some ups, we had some downs, we hit some valleys. You know, everyone knows about you know the month of March, but you know, everyone knows our resurgence in the month of April. Yeah. Uh, you know, just being able to go through those pains and those victories together, but staying steady through them all. Um it was the power of positivity that got us through every day, you know, taking those little victories, you know, daily development, uh, you know, reaching uh individual and team goals and tracking them day in, day out and making those connections. So yeah, it that's the biggest thing I learned about myself is cultivating the environment of constant development and sticking to the process. Uh and you know, if you do that well, the results eventually do come. And uh they did for us, and we're happy they did, but it's those little connections that we made through the year that you know are the special moments.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

Oh, yeah. And you take all of these lessons and everything they from all these takeaways from the season now, and and we're heading into this summer now. It's been a unique position for this organization. You know, you got the parent team that was in the Stanley Cup Finals, you guys were in the Calder Cup Finals, which actually went longer than the Stanley Cup, and it just feels like from that you turn around and the draft is right there, and and the development camps and everything afterwards. Has it really felt like there's been an off-season for you guys?

SPEAKER_02 7:03

Yeah, it's definitely short. You know, the reward for

The Shortest Off-season In Hockey

SPEAKER_02 7:06

having success um, you know, is is a shorter offseason. Now, I I'm sure the Canes don't feel as bad about the short offseason as as maybe the Wolves do. Uh, you know, so we didn't we didn't get to end it with uh you know lifting the the cup, but uh you know that just means you're doing things well. Uh, you know, the less time you have to work on your golf game and the less barbecues or you know, 16 ounce curls that you can do in the summer, uh, you know, that that means that you're you're doing well. So, you know, those are those are sacrifices I think every hockey player and every hockey staff member is willing to make uh you know to to pursue the ultimate prize. But no, I mean it's been a short summer. Uh it's even a little bit more more short for me as as my family's finally moving to Chicago. So, you know, school starts mid-August, where normally I wouldn't be leaving for Carolina to after Labor Day. Um so when you look at year one with the Wolves when I was home on April 26th, and then I was, you know, in Toronto area until after Labor Day, uh, you know, now being home on June 28th and leaving on August 17th is uh a lot a lot shorter of a summer. But we are happy to have that problem because it means that we had success. Um and there's constant work to be done. You know, you're diving into video projects for the following year, you got to get ready for rookie camp. Um, you know, we've been, I'm sure we'll talk about it a little bit, but we were kind of dove deep into uh a process to hire a new assistant coach and a video coach.

SPEAKER_03 8:37

So that's a good thing.

SPEAKER_02 8:38

You know, we've been we've been working hard all summer, but uh definitely take take some moments to enjoy the family and and you know uh appreciate the time that we have away from the rink as well.

SPEAKER_00 8:50

Absolutely, and it's it's important to have those those moments as well. I was kind of curious about uh the processes over the summer. We'll kind of get into that. But as you you know have these quick turnarounds, and I mean you mentioned the rookie camp and everything before. Um, you know, you bringing in these next wave of young players, and you know, you have your first impressions of them on your end, but like kind of like what are the first impressions that you try to make with them and introduce them to an organization that's kind of set the standard in the sport the last year here.

SPEAKER_02 9:21

Yeah, the biggest thing is is to just connect uh as early as you can. Uh, you know, I because we had such a long season, there weren't a lot, there weren't the coaches weren't involved in development

First Impressions For New Prospects

SPEAKER_02 9:31

camp this year, so haven't yet to make the first connection with the newly drafted prospects. I think I'll meet some of them in rookie camp and coach them through rookie tournament. So that'll be a great opportunity for me to introduce them to our style of play, our expectations, uh, you know, build an early relationship with them, whether I see them next year or the following year or two years down the road, just a familiar face that when they keep coming back, whether it's for development camps or rookie camps or rookie tournament or to play in the American League, there's that familiarity where that transition over to North America if they're European or into pro if they're college or junior guys, is a little bit more, you know, streamlined because they've had those connections, those relationships. So for me, it's always about connecting just as a person to person first, you know, just to be somebody they can rely on, uh, you know, reach out to if they need anything, ask questions, and just hopefully learn from in those short moments in time through those different camps. Uh, in terms of the guys that you know we know are gonna be with us, you talk about guys, you know, like Charlie Serrado or you know, Newell Franzen, um, you know, we've already made contact with those guys. We've had you know some touches with them in previous camps. Charlie spent some time with us early in the playoff run. You know, right now, actually over the last couple weeks, I'm just making my rounds through texting, calling, checking in with guys. And for me, always as part of my coaching philosophy, it's not really to talk much about hockey. Like we'll graze over some individual goals and some visions for the year, but you know, how are they doing? You know, how's their you know, for the young guys, if they have a girlfriend or their families or brothers and sisters, how are they doing, where they've been spending their summers, what are some interesting things they've done. You can learn a lot of information about the people you're coaching just by you know asking about what they're doing on their spare time, what they're keying in on on their training and their skating, uh, you know, what lakes they like to fish on or swim in, you know, like you you learn a lot about people. So that's kind of how I approach it. And uh yeah, I'm just kind of in the midst of that now. It's just kind of the halfway points I've been making some calls over the last couple weeks.

SPEAKER_00 11:33

What's been the most intriguing, like the weirdest wild out there answer you've gotten over someone from uh how they're spending their time this summer? I'm curious.

SPEAKER_02 11:43

Yeah, it's interesting. Uh I've made some calls when people are out on on you know like bear hunting excursions. Uh you know, that's that's always interesting. Uh, you know, guys are on boats and I can't, you know, can't hear anything in the background, or you know, talk to uh you know Alexi

Summer Check-Ins & Wild Stories

SPEAKER_02 12:04

Hamels saw me and he's at a Stanley Cup party with uh you know uh with Yuha Yaska there for their buddy KK. Uh you know, so it's just they're they're all over the place. But it's it's fun because you get to just talk to the person, you know, not just the the player. So uh, you know, it's it's just those are the fun conversations for me and and getting them excited, just you know, it's just like a little whisper in their ear that hockey's around the corner and and you know, we're gonna be dialing in soon, but at the same time, like encouraging them to enjoy what they have left of the summer as as they train at the same time. So it's uh yeah, there's been some interesting stories of guys, but uh yeah, you know, got cat caught a couple guys at the Calgary Stampede.

SPEAKER_01 12:47

Oh no.

SPEAKER_02 12:49

Yeah, you know, it's it's but that's great. Like I love that. And the fact that guys will answer the phone, actually I know I haven't named any names, but I'm gonna name one name today. I call Bryce Montgomery, and he's like about to step on the plane with his brother to go to Bermuda, you know, like and he's all happy. You could tell he's jacked up for a vacation. But like it just I love hearing that stuff. I love hearing young men enjoying their lives and and you know getting what their body needs, just both in the gym and on the ice, but also in that relaxation mode, because it is really important for them to reset. So uh it's been it's been fun connecting with the guys.

SPEAKER_01 13:24

Well, for sure, and and you know, it's it's interesting because uh clearly watching, you know, as the as the wolves kind of finished the season and went into the playoffs, and Andrew and I talked about this a lot, but the players would go through a wall for you, uh, Spiros. We could see it. Every time they got on the ice, they were there was nothing left. They were just going out there and they're putting it all on the ice. And and that's uh we felt that that was a strong statement to the to the outstanding work that you and your crew of coaches have done. Just incredible. And uh and you typify, I think, the type of coach that folks really want to play for. So uh well done. Nicely done, and uh, I'm sure the guys are excited to get your call and looking forward to getting the skates on and and playing again uh this fall. One other thing about the development cap, I was talking to Nick Bass about it. Um you've got some hulking defensemen coming. I gotta tell you something. There's some big dogs on the on the roll here. Uh Kirbin Limitov, Teamer Cole, both from Russia, and of course William Hawkinson, who just uh was just drafted out of Sweden. These guys are gonna be they're really something. So, you know, they're you're gonna have a constant flow of guys coming in uh from obviously the Canes have drafted a lot of really exciting players over the last uh you know number of years, and and we're gonna start start to see some of those, particularly Europeans, coming over, and that's gonna be that's gonna be a lot of fun. So yeah, uh good stuff going on with uh the future of the Wolves as well. Just thought I'd mention that.

SPEAKER_02 14:56

For sure. No, I'm excited to get the opportunity to coach some of those guys. Some of them might be as early as you know the spring of this uh coming season. You know, some of those Europeans come over for you know a little bit just to get the taste. So uh heard nothing but great things about them. Great skaters, great size, some physicality, great shots. I mean, that checks a lot of boxes. So uh I think you know, with the future, especially on the D Corps, uh it looks like it continues to get better. And we've had a lot of success on the D Corps over the last couple years. Yeah, so uh it's impressive. It's impressive that our management uh continues to make these kinds of picks and find those guys in later rounds because when you're a successful team, like the canes are, you don't get those top picks. So you've got to get creative and you gotta do your homework. And uh Darren York and the his staff, there's nobody better at at finding every detail in those guys.

SPEAKER_01 15:46

Well it's interesting you mentioned that because you know that's something that that again Nick and I discussed, but man, these picks are way later. Like, you know, they're third, fourth, even up to the fifth round. And and uh and in some cases, we know that some of the picks from Russia, of course, you know, there wasn't as much interest in drafting out of Russia for a period of time. And the Keynes uh took full advantage of that, but but the Keynes are now finding other nuggets and uh and finding some interesting ones. I mean, you think about you know the the work that they do in finding players that folks aren't really thinking about. Charlie Serato last year uh was definitely not seen as a person that we depict when he was. Uh but here's a guy that and you've seen him and you know what you know what you're getting in Charlie. He's gonna be he's gonna be a very exciting player for you this year. So um yeah. Kudos to Darren and the crew. They do a fantastic job.

SPEAKER_03 16:38

Yeah, they do.

SPEAKER_00 16:40

Well, now we're kind of here in in the dog days of summer, and you know, it's it's it's been a little while now since that, you know, that final whistle in the Calter Cup finals, and I mean we've we talked a bit about how you know you're not really super detached from the game, although, you know, we're kind of here in the midst of the offseason. When do you kind of start feeling that itch to get back behind the bench? Are you there right now? Is it gonna be you know a couple more weeks, or like are you kind of taking your summer in where you can get it right now?

SPEAKER_02 17:12

Well, I I I've been doing, you know, I with the Greek team, I was a behind the bench uh, you know, in mid-July. So, you know, I got a couple repetitions there for a good four games uh at a tournament in Montreal. Uh I'm in the dugout a lot, uh, about three, four times a week. I'm in the dugout uh coaching travel baseball with my two boys, and and my wife is actually the head coach. I'm I'm one of her three assistants. Uh so you know the coaching reps never stop. But in terms of on the bench with the Wolves, uh, I mean, I'd be ready to go tomorrow. You know, that's that's uh you know, that's our livelihood, that's our DNA. Uh you know, you you need the rest, you need the reset, but you're you're always itching to be in that in that fight and that compete. That's what keeps us going. You know, the coaching uh identity is is a unique one. You know, I think that's why you see coaches coach into their mid-70s. You know, they it's just we're always ready to go. Um, so yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited for rookie tournament this year. It's in Raleigh. That'll be uh that'll be really nice, you know, to play at the Invisalign there and not have to move around. You know, my first two years were at Nashville and then Tampa last year, which are great cities, obviously, but I think just keeping everything through rookie camp, right through main camp in Raleigh will be a nice change of pace for us. Um and uh yeah, I'm ready to go behind the bench. So yeah, I am I'm pretty much chopping at the bit to get going.

SPEAKER_00 18:41

I love it. You can't keep a real warrior down for too long. Um yeah, I mean, we've kind of covered the the whole summer. You've been keeping yourself busy between, you know, whether it's coaching hockey or coaching baseball, it seems like, you know, you you kind of go from one thing to the next. Um I guess, you know, you've been working on that golf game at all. I know that's there's a couple good swingers on the team. You know, I know Zooks is one, but uh he he's gonna be taking his talents out to to Belleville and taking on the the putting greens out there, I know for sure.

SPEAKER_02 19:21

Yeah, well, I think Josiah uh Slavin was one of the better ones last year. There's some guys with some power, like Felix Thungerstorm, uh Bradley Nadeau, and I were put on a foursome in our early year uh uh golf tournament. I think they were shocked that I could outdrive both of them, but uh but to no one's surprise, they had a little bit more finesse than I did uh in the short game. Um, you know, they got those good hands, but we were a good foursome. It was uh the three of us and and and Rob Kennedy, our equipment manager, who actually surprisingly is quite a good golfer. He had the years of experience, but uh I unfortunately no, I haven't gone any repetitions this uh summer, uh just with uh moving the family and and you know, baseball and the short summer. We haven't been able to spend a lot of time on the golf course, but I'm sure some of our guys are. I know uh I was talking to Ronan Seeley, and he was on the golf course this past weekend, and I think he was with Josiah and Jacob Slavin uh celebrating something, I don't know what it was, somebody's birthday, or or maybe the Stanley Cup. It could have been that.

SPEAKER_01 20:24

Uh but maybe maybe it was Roman's uh contract.

SPEAKER_02 20:28

Yeah, it could have been that as well. Yeah, he was down in Raleigh, uh, so he's there early to start training. Um so yeah, I mean, I know the guys are, but I unfortunately have not. But uh it's been it's been a great summer and you know try to balance uh work and and leisure at the same time.

unknown 20:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:45

Well, I thought we'd maybe shift gears a little bit just for a few minutes, uh two too on this one, Spiro, to talk about the team coming up. Uh folks are wondering like what's what's up with the wolves, right? So um, you know, you've had some movement. Uh, you know, some interesting ones. Giovanni Smith went to Shanghai in the KHL. That was kind of fun. Uh Dominic Pensori, you know, he's gone. He's gone to the Colorado organization. Of course, Ryan's gone. You mentioned uh Andrew, he's gone to Belleville. He'll be closer to his brother, so I think

Roster Movement & Contract Unknowns (Brind'Amour, Slavin)

SPEAKER_01 21:16

that's kind of cool. Um and you've got others, uh Noel Philp and and uh Noel Gunlin, who both went over to uh to Europe. So a number of players gone. Still some players we're trying to figure out. We're you know, those of us doing these podcasts are asking questions, you know, what's going on with Skylar, what's going on with Josiah, you know, what's going on with Amir. Uh we don't hear much, but uh, you know, hopefully, hopefully we'll hear some news on those guys as things go along. And and then a rumor on Nikita Pablo chap, I kind of laughed the other day. Somebody said he's going to Shanghai and joining Giovanni Smith. So I don't know if that's true or not. You might know more about that than us. But any any update on anything going on with uh with the folks that we don't know about at this stage?

SPEAKER_02 21:59

Yeah, I mean, with the great the great thing at the end of the year, and obviously this may have been uh due to our success, but I'd like to believe it's due to the culture and you know family that we built in our locker room, is uh every one of those guys expressed a a deep interest in returning. Uh, you know, it was for a lot of the guys, uh, we were their first option. Now, obviously, we know there's lots that comes into play, uh, you know, with management and agents and new players coming in and draft picks and so on. Um, so you know, it's true some of those guys are moving on. Uh we all already listed a few that are for sure. Um but I would anticipate that you know some of those unknowns will be back in a Keynes jersey at first uh for training camp and exhibition games and then uh potentially in a Wolves uh jersey for you know 2026-27. But you know, some things are still being ironed out. Uh some contracts take a little longer to figure out than others, and who knows, some of them might already be signed, they just haven't been announced yet, right? So uh that that that happens uh as well. So I would anticipate that a few of those question marks will turn into check marks, and a few of them won't be back just like every other season for every team uh in the American League. But I think we will have a good nucleus, a good core of returning guys, and uh additionally, some guys that'll replace some of that depth production. You know, we're obviously we're losing some with Philip, we're losing some with uh, you know, Noel Gunler. Uh if Nikita Pavlichev doesn't return, you you know, you're starting to talk about 30, 35 goals that you got to replace, but I think we've signed some really interesting guys. You know, you look at Chase Weecroft. Yes. Uh he's coming off an injury-filled season, but he's a guy that was you know steadily getting better every year uh in the American League with Texas. You look at Gabriel Seager, who is uh you know taking steps every year and gotten better. So can they replace a Gunler? Can they replace a Pavlachevi if we need to replace him? Uh a Noah Philp. Yeah, Suzuki is the biggest loss, um, you know, production-wise, but we're a development team and we're really excited about our prospects. So, you know,

New Signings (Wheatcroft, Seger) To Replace Scoring

SPEAKER_02 24:10

we lose a 1C, but maybe our 1C and 2c next year, cumulatively, uh, we'll be able to make up for that. And maybe Charlie Serato and Ivan Ryapkin, yeah, uh, you know, start to to you know make up for those lost production points. Um, and it's okay when you have two guys that can make up for one, it gives us a little bit more depth. Yeah. So, you know, there's a lot of promising things around the corner. We'll be young again. Yeah. Uh, you know, we'll have the one of the lower AHL payrolls again. That's that's our identity. But man, does it feel so much sweeter when you knock off the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Colorado Eagles? And yeah, you know, we we lost to the Marlies, but we were right there with them, and we were one of the youngest teams in the league and one of the lowest AHL payrolls. So we'll do it our way and we'll find a way.

SPEAKER_01 24:56

So well, some of these other teams, and and of course Andrew and I talked a lot about this too, Sparros. They had veterans that had been around the AHL for years and make pretty darn good money, as well as you know, and and uh they were loaded up with that. And you guys, as you said, were coming with the younger guys and just playing hard and and uh and doing it. A couple of comments on the new guys, uh, for those that don't know much about them. Uh Chase Wheatcroft, um, he he had a phenomenal year as last year in junior. He had uh 107 points in 60 games. And and when he was uh when he was signed, uh Dobber Prospect said this about him: a productive top six center with a high offensive ceiling, great playmaker with a strong wrist shot. He's an elite finisher with great vision. This sounds like a guy that's a sleeper, right? So he could uh he could be a guy that comes in and really helps you, I think.

SPEAKER_02 25:46

I I agree. I actually just talked to him today. He's so excited. Uh, you know, we've had a lot of success finding those kinds of guys. Uh again, you know, with a cumulative effort, uh, you know, with Darren York and uh Mark Craig, our our head pro scout, and you know, Chris Abbott is the VP of pro player personnel. Uh, and you know, they they like to bring me in the loop too. So there's a real collaborative effort amongst three or four of us when we find these contracts. And uh he's a guy that I think is going to be really hungry and excited to be back. He only played eight games last year. Yes. But we have found success with those sleepers. Two years ago, there's the same situation with Nick Swaaney. Uh he came off a year where only played seven games. He was a critical piece for us in our young team making into the playoffs in 24-25. Uh, you look at guys like Nikita Pavlichev, Evan Veerling, uh, Yannick Turkot. These are guys that grinded through the ECHL, become full-time American leaguers. You know, that's the exciting thing for guys that sign with us. Everyone knows that we don't have hired guns. Everyone knows that we're young. So it gives those guys an opportunity that they're really excited about. And, you know, we think Chase could be one of those guys that steps up and you know produces the way we know he can. So uh we're excited for him and the opportunity. I know he's excited to get back to playing, and uh we think he's gonna give us some some good scoring depth. So, you know, you talk about some of the goals that we're losing. We could be uh you know, we could be supplementing them or surpassing them uh with some of the guys that we've brought in.

SPEAKER_01 27:16

Well, Gabriel Seeger, same story. Like he finished uh his last college year, uh he had 44 points in 35 games with Cornell. So I mean he was he was lighting it up big time, right? And these guys are big, they're not little players. I mean, Seeger's 6'4 and 215, um, and Wheatcroft is 6'3 and 190. These aren't little guys.

SPEAKER_02 27:37

So Yeah, we've added we've we've added a little bit of meat. Uh you know, even some of our depth signings, you look at uh Matt Kercia uh out of wheeling. Like he's he's a sleeper as well. He's a big dude, he's a tough dude who can who can find ways to to score goals at the same time. Uh, you know, like he's been kind of a Tom Wilson guy in the ECHL. Uh you know, he he that you know he's produced really well for wheeling over the last number of years. He's had a few games for Wilkes Berry in the American League. But um, you know, he might he might be able to run with an opportunity with us, so we're excited to see what he can bring to the table as well. So it's uh yeah, we're happy about our depth and uh like I said, the collaborative effort between our scouting department, our management, and our coaching staff in Chicago. We uh we find ways to get guys that'll help our style of play.

SPEAKER_01 28:31

Yeah, that's kind of cool. And like Zach Sachenko was at in goal, and this was an interesting one to me because he played in Alberta in the college ranks when you were there, correct?

SPEAKER_02 28:42

Yeah, I actually tried to recruit him to the University of Leftwood. Yeah, he was uh he left a year earlier than most uh WHL players would have. Most WHAL players play their 20-year-old year and then go on to Canadian University. I I had an early insider information that he was thinking of leaving a year early, so I tried to get the the first step on him. We talked for a couple weeks and uh he ended up choosing the U of A, uh probably a good choice at the end of the day. Um, you know, but uh finally I finally got him. I finally got him on these years later. I think we're about eight years later now. So um he was a great goaltender. He was a great goaltender for Moose Jaw, great for the U of A. Oh, yeah. He's had a good career through, you know, starting the ECHL and then working his way to the American League. Like he was, man, he was one shot away from beating those Marlies, you know, in the in the uh division finals. Uh so you know he he he really took the reins for Cleveland last year, which was real promising for the for his game. Uh we think he's gonna bring a leadership piece to our our goaltending unit as well. So we're happy to have him back in Chicago because first class human, uh good goaltender, and uh yeah, we're happy to have him as well.

SPEAKER_01 30:03

Yeah, I I I've seen some things about him on uh social media, and he does look like a great guy. So um that's great stuff. So yeah, uh a couple of guys from last year wanted to just talk about those for a minute. Of course, Evan Veerling's back. I think that's great. I thought he was he just did a great job and the rule that he had.

SPEAKER_02 30:23

Yeah, we love Veers. Uh, you know, I gotta give kudos to uh Dan Price first. Uh I had some familiarity with Evan Veerling um through my scouting days with the Jets, having covered some ECHL. I remember the first first time I watched him was at actually the Buffalo uh rookie tournament when he was with Boston at the time. Uh but I'd watched him when he played in Wheeling,

Key Returners & Development Focus

SPEAKER_02 30:46

played in in Maine. But you know, he signed a two-way deal with us. You know, he was probably you know penciled into being Greensboro last year. And after his first game at rookie tournament uh in Tampa last year, Dan Price immediately is like, we gotta watch this guy a little bit a little bit more closely. And uh, you know, he just liked the plays he made, he liked some of the decisions he made. And then because I had a little bit of a book on him, I was like, Yeah, of course, I'll watch him. I got time for him. And then, you know, after game two, then he had two fans and and Dan and myself. Uh, you know, and it takes sometimes it takes some convincing because you got things penciled in. Yeah. Uh you know, it takes some convincing to turn the pencil around and use the eraser because you know, you have an idea what the depth chart looks like. But you know, everything happens for a reason as cliche as that is. You know, there's some early injuries and some guys aren't available right away. Giovanni Smith um, you know, he has a little bit of a visa issue to start the season, and then he comes and plays six games and he gets injured. So just Evan kept earning a a spot just a little bit by default, but then his play kept showing in every game, and then eventually ended up being a full-time player for us, playing 70 of our, you know, 72 games and 20 of our 21 um uh playoff games. So you know he played 90 games for the Wolves last year. So he definitely earned uh the re-signing uh and uh to be back in our you know in our fold. So yeah, he's somebody that's continued to grow and one of those guys that you know was that sleeper and now he's he's kind of made a name for himself. So really excited to have him. He's very versatile. He can play power play, play penalty kill, can move him to the top six. He's more of a middle six guy that you know provides a great secondary offense, but we think he can take a step forward and provide even more this year. So really happy for Evan. Uh, we love him, and I know he loves being a Chicago Wolf, so great spot for him to be.

SPEAKER_01 32:41

Yeah, we're pleased to see he was coming back for sure. He's uh he's a guy that uh really put it out last year. I thought he did a great job. Now, what's a player on the forward side, just to wrap up the forwards that I'm wondering about is Gleb Trikoza. What's going on with Gleb?

SPEAKER_02 32:56

Talking to Gleb today, actually. Uh yeah, I wasn't kidding you. I you know, I try to keep in touch with these guys, and uh, you know, Gleb's uh his little boy Leo is starting to buzz around, so I can't wait to see him, you know, walking it, you know, and running around at the rink uh next year. You know, Gleb's getting stronger, he's getting faster. Um, you know, everybody's journey and everybody's path is a little bit different. Uh, you know, we know the strengths that Gleb Trikozov has. He's he's a strong individual. He when he wants to play physical, he can play with anybody in the league. Um, you know, and he's got a heck of a shot. It's just some little details that he needs to continue to work on that we thought he took steps forward with last year. Uh you know, he had some great games. You know, there's one game in Rockford where he was just a force, uh, a couple games at home against Milwaukee. And the promising there thing there is those are two of the heavier teams in our division. So he's showing he's shown us that he can play heavy hockey, efficient hockey, you know, smart hockey, where he's depositing pucks, going to get them, and opening him himself up for you know key shooting opportunities. Um he's just an individual that needs to continue to work on consistency. He knows it. Uh you know, he's he's determined to get better every day. You know, we there's some opportunities now in our lineup with having lost some depth pieces that he's gonna compete against guys, and I think he's he's gonna be hungry going into his last year of his entry-level contract. So uh yeah, I'm excited for Gleb, just like I'm excited for all of our guys. But uh yeah, from the last I heard from him, he's he's enjoying the summer, enjoying being a you know, a new dad still. Uh but he guarantees me he's gonna be faster and stronger, and and I believe him.

SPEAKER_01 34:36

Yeah, well, you know, when when uh when Gleb was drafted and first came over, uh we had tremendous high hopes for him. Um and you know, we're still we're still hoping that he can find the magic because he had uh I think one of the the um development or one of the uh prospect showcases, he really was hot. He had a hat trick in one game, and and we thought, oh man, the guy's ready to go, right? And uh, you know, he's had some injuries and some setbacks, but hopefully this year will be the difference for him. Yeah. Um okay, two other things just to wrap up on the lineup, uh, Sparros. Defensive core, a lot of guys coming back. That's great. You talked about Noel Franson adding to it. Um, how are you feeling about the decor as you head into the year?

SPEAKER_02 35:22

Yeah, I think we're excited. Uh, you know, the the newest piece or the only new piece is gonna be Franzen. Um, you know, reports at a development camp are real positive with him. He's got great skating ability. He's not he's not small at all. Uh, you know, so he's he's got some size to him. Now he's gonna have to adjust and learn how to use that size at the American League level and learn

Defense Identity & Goalie Depth (Sawchenko, Velmakin)

SPEAKER_02 35:43

how to take those hits night in and night out. Um, you know, but we got you know Don Baninka coming into his second year. Yeah, you know, we have guys who only two years ago I felt like I was, you know, taking on his huge development projects and now are gonna be our older statesmen. You look at, you know, Ronan Seely and you know, potentially Charles Charles Lego. Um, you know, does does Joel Nestrom end up with us? You know, these I what I love about it is there's gonna be a spot in Carolina, and two or three guys are gonna be capable of filling it. And that internal competition, if it's channeled the right way, can mean really great things for the Chicago Wolves when they're when they're playing with us. Uh, you know, Joel got 38 games last year. Uh I think Charles got 12 or 13.

SPEAKER_03 36:35

Right.

SPEAKER_02 36:35

So, you know, when you're when you're counting the games played by Wolves defensemen last year, that's half an NHL regular season. Uh so I think the guys see that the importance for them to stay ready, um, the impact they can have on the NHL club, and the development that's been made, you know, playing important games and a lot of repetitions with the Chicago Wolves. Um, so our guys, you know, they come into camp with one vision and one goal, but they're aware that the journey takes time, and uh every you know, every piece of it is important for the end goal and and the end result. So uh yeah, excited, excited to have uh, you know, Alexi Hamelsolamy back. Like he took such a stride last year. Uh he played he didn't play every playoff game, but when he did, it seemed like he always did something. Uh you know, we kept calling him the closer because it seemed like even though he was in and out, he was always in on those on those series deciding uh games, and he and he made it an important impact. You know, but even all the way, you know, all the way to Bryce Montgomery, who's had to earn it through the ECHL. Like he's bigger, he's tougher. Um, you know, he's an exceptional skater. You know, he he's made such an impact on the guys too, and and guys feel safe when he's on the ice. Um so I'm excited about our D Corps. Uh, you know, I don't know if we're gonna get a veteran guy. Obviously, the Canes re-signed uh Yuso Valamak. He was but um I I've said this like five times now, but I also talked to him today. Uh yeah, like he um you know he's dead set on being an NHLer. And could like who are we kidding? Like he is an NHL defenseman, right? So uh he he wants to be with the canes, and that's where we want him to be, because that's what's best for him, that's where he belongs. But uh does that push someone else down? Do the canes sign an eighth defenseman to be with the wolves like they've had the last couple years? Sure. We don't know exactly, it's not uh nothing set in stone yet, but what we know is that there's gonna be some familiarity for sure with only Franzen being the new guy, and everybody should be a seasoned better. So it's been our strength the last couple years. I expect it to be a strength again.

SPEAKER_01 38:38

Yeah, and when you look at uh Nolan Nistrom and Noel Fransen and Alexei Himasolny, these guys can motor and really move the puck for you. So if you've got those three guys, you're uh you're gonna get out of the zone quickly.

SPEAKER_02 38:50

That's for sure. Yeah, they've been our style of play, just keeping the puck moving north.

SPEAKER_01 38:55

So yeah, they're and they're great guys. Uh one last question, and something I talked to Nick about was uh Igor Valmacken signed to a deal with the Wolves. That was kind of interesting. Uh Nick had uh had he really liked Valmacken. He had met him at a development camp, I think, last year. Uh really uh really thought he was a great guy. And and so he's there. You've got uh Ruzman Gazaev, who's you know, still fighting to get up with the Wolves, and of course you've got Sachanko Mal. It's getting kind of crowded on the goaltending side.

SPEAKER_02 39:26

Yeah, I mean, goaltending depth is important. You never know when you need it, and uh you never want to be caught unprepared for those moments where you do need somebody to come up, whether it's to the big club or to the AHL team. Um you're not gonna believe this, but I talked to Ruswan and Igor today as well. Uh I was putting in the work today. I was putting in the work. Um Igor sounds so excited. Uh you know, this is going to be his first full season in North America. Um, you know, Ruswan has been getting better every year. He saw so much value in playing a lot of games and seeing a lot of rubber in Greensboro last year. Um, you know, he only played the one game with us, which he played exceptionally well. He handed Grand Rapids their first loss of the season, which was kind of kind of cool. Um But uh, you know, when he came with us through the playoffs, he was such an excellent presence and he was always ready and worked extremely hard. Those are two young, you know, goalies from Russia and Belarus that they know that they're gonna take some time. And uh, you know, usually goaltenders take some time, but having them here within our scope, uh, being able to work with Jason Mazzati or Stan Dubicki when they're with us, um, I think that's the important part. And I know Yeagor ass signed an AHL deal, but that's not uncommon. No. Uh, you know, when I was with the Jets organization, they did that with you know Thomas Milich. Uh they signed they signed him to an AHL deal first and eventually made him an HL deal. I there's there's some reasoning behind that with rights and you know burning years. I I don't know, that's above my pay grade, but uh yeah, it's it's uh it's a good start for Valmack and uh to come over to North America. So I'm I'm excited for those guys. Uh you know, without a doubt, they're gonna have to play games for us. I don't know how many, but uh, you know, it's it's gonna be an important development season for both of them.

SPEAKER_01 41:23

So well, for sure, the uh you know the lineup's starting to come together uh as you sit up on the whiteboard and start to put the names in the in the positions, it must be exciting for you on that whole size, girls.

SPEAKER_02 41:37

Yeah, you know, I have this little depth chart on my phone that I'm I continuously look at and I keep tinkering with, and then I remember that there's all these big trays that the canes seem to be in on every week. I hear about them. Uh you know, nothing's happened yet, but you don't know when the trigger's gonna be pulled on something. Uh, you know, then there's knock on wood, there's injuries, there's you know, there's call-ups, there's waiver wire. So uh yeah, you you can't uh you can't really feel 100% until you see the whites of their eyes in your locker room. So uh but you know, you can you can plan and have contingency plans. I'm excited for the core that we're gonna have regardless, and uh, you know, it's gonna be an exciting brand of hockey again uh for the Chicago Wolves.

SPEAKER_01 42:22

Yeah, that's amazing. The uh yeah, you talk about the whites of their eyes. Andrew has told me many times, and we've laughed about these this, he said, you know, you have to understand in the American Hockey League, players are coming and going all the time. So don't get uh fixated on the lineup today because it could be a lot different tomorrow. So yeah, you're uh you're obviously uh facing some of that as well. But yeah, we obviously doing the you know, talking about the hurricanes on our other podcasts. We keep wondering when the shoe's gonna drop. And and of course the players that you know their names keep coming up are the ones that also are part of your organization. So um yeah, that must be kind of ooh, there's the phone.

SPEAKER_02 43:04

Yeah, I mean it's uh it's part of the game. Uh what I do know is you know, Eric Tulski and and his staff, uh, you know, Tyler Dello and Darren York, they're they're very calculated, they're very, you know, thoughtful and purposeful with everything they do. And I obviously that that showed this year uh with winning a Stanley Cup. And uh, you know, so they're not gonna do anything just to do it. Um and you know, they're they're really good at communicating and letting us know what the you know the future has in store. So uh yeah, just trust in the process, you know. So it's uh you know, we'll we'll take whatever whatever comes our way and we'll do our best. So we're excited to do that.

SPEAKER_01 43:49

And you know, we affectionately called Eric the uh wizard because of what he does. We're always in awe of what Eric does. He's he's incredible. And of course, uh Darren and the rest of the crew that help him, uh, they've just done a phenomenal job. Um okay, as we uh as we wrap up, uh Andrew, what you got, man?

SPEAKER_00 44:11

You know, obviously you had the whole second half and then some of the season and all the playoffs. So this is your your first official full year as the full-time head coach and all that. I mean, does it feel any different to you? Obviously, you've been around in uh this is not your first rodeo, you're heading into the third season. season behind the bench there, but like, you know, is it after everything from last season with the Canes, with the Wolves, you know, do you feel like you just

Staff Changes And Next Season Approach

SPEAKER_00 44:42

is it like, is there just kind of getting back to that mountain that you feel ahead of you, or is it just kind of, we're gonna roll up the sleeves, we're gonna get to work, and and just kind of keep that keep that well old machine going?

SPEAKER_02 44:55

Yeah, a little bit of both. Like every season brings a new excitement and you know new challenges and a new opportunity to refine yourself and get better. In terms of like the first full season, you know, with 50 game regular season games and 21 playoff games, I was only one game shy of actually a 72 game season as the head coach. So you know I almost did get a full season as the head coach last year. So thankfully I got those reps and I'll be ready. The exciting part and the different part this year actually you know we just we just finalized the hire uh for our our coaching staff uh so we'll be adding an assistant as we are operating a man short um that'll be announced shortly so stay tuned on that uh you know we're hiring a new video coach as Zach Richards took a bench coaching job with Michigan Tech and college hockey so we're excited for Zach and excited for the new hire that we're gonna be bringing in so with the new dynamic of the staff um the biggest change for me is I'm gonna be sliding to the middle of the bench uh you know it's it's bittersweet because my D unit and my D dinners and uh all our little D individual meetings I'm gonna have to pass the torch to a a coach who is going to be a real excitable guy and really great for development of our young D prospects um a wonderful person and a really great hockey coach uh and maybe he'll do you know he'll do better for our guys than I did uh you know that that's that's actually my hope because that means that we'll be in in in the right direction with those prospects. So a little bit of a change on the bench with me kind of shifting to the middle you know working the forwards with Dan. Dan does an exceptional job at strategizing. You know if I could give him a title of like director of strategy like he's the man. Like if if you you you look at those war movies where they got the map and the little ponds going around everywhere and the general is just standing over the board but there's the guy who's moving everything that's Dan. And uh you know he's talk about an intelligent coach and I know you guys got you know to to feel that a little bit in your interaction with him but uh line matching uh timing uh you know taking advantage of the the last change but somehow flipping the advantage of the first change when we're on the road um he talk about wizard type people he is one of them so um you know I'm excited to for that new dynamic where I shift closer to him and we work that together uh you know that'll make make me a better coach for sure so so some changes that I'm excited for but at the end of the day like you had mentioned ready to get to work uh you know keep the momentum going build on the positives and the building blocks and foundation that we've set but also you gotta you gotta always be willing to adapt and uh you know try some new things which we'll we'll be discussing as a staff over the next month. Yeah for sure and and uh yeah we enjoyed Dan immensely um and uh he lived up to his advanced bill and for sure he's he's a great guy yeah just to wrap up from you any final comments well as as always I appreciate you know the coverage of the wolves uh you know Chicago and Raleigh aren't aren't too close together but uh you know for all those canes fans that that watch us and keep track of the future canes it's it's exciting to follow our success and you know thank guys like Andrew and Tom for bringing that to light and you know potentially we'll we'll we'll do some even more stuff this uh this season so I'm excited about that but uh yeah these are exciting young young men and uh you know they deserve all the recognition so I'm really appreciative of of that and uh you know hope to see some more games

The Standard to be a Cane is Clear

SPEAKER_02 48:36

played from our boys up with the canes this year not due to injury or anything like that but hopefully they make an impact when they're there so for sure and and uh you know we we talked a lot about this last year where every time one of your players went up to join the canes they didn't miss a beat because they know exactly what they need to do and and uh they were all just incredibly effective so uh great work by you and your your coaching staff to prep these guys and and boy we were thrilled to see them I mean we're we're happy to be a very small part of that success but to tell you the truth the the the standard uh you know of what it means to be a player in the Hurricanes organization it starts with Rob Brindamore and his staff yeah uh it is so seamless is so clear I know you've seen those clips of that first meeting when training camp starts you know the Wolf staff is in that back of that room too so we're getting just as juiced up and salivating at the mouth uh you know ready to go just by his you know his presence so you know he sets the standard uh they set the systems and we try our best to have the guys ready but uh it's his culture runs deep right through to Chicago uh so you know he sets the tone and his staff is they've earned everything they got last year I couldn't be happier for uh for all those guys up there so just you know trying to have our guys ready so I appreciate the kudos thanks Tom no for sure and and hey as always Ferros it's it's just a great time having you on board with us we we have so much fun and we obviously learn a ton so so thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule you're trying to move and and you've got your your guys in ball and you're you're doing all these things at the same time but thanks so much for joining us I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 50:23

Thanks for having me and I I look forward to chatting a lot more this year and uh yeah you know let's enjoy the rest of summer but let's be ready for hockey season let's get ready for hockey yeah it seems like uh it's just around the corner anyway um andrew of course always great to have you on board we uh we enjoy the conversations uh immensely and uh we'll continue to do this and as as Hero suggested we're gonna be doing more coverage of the wolves this year for sure and uh and we're excited about that and and uh we'll let the folks know more about that as it kind of comes together but top of mind for us will be the Chicago Wolves this year so that's awesome. In any case uh for those of you who've been watching or listening of course we're delighted to spend time with us. If you like this episode please press the like button and of course uh if you have comments or questions for Sparos or Andrew or myself please put those in the comment section below and finally if you want to be alerted of future episodes of Storm Trafford please press the subscribe and the bell buttons and we'll make sure you're made aware just as soon as they're available. As always we thank you so much for spending time with us and we look forward to getting together with you real soon right here.