During their 20th season as a franchise, the Chicago Wolves utilized a blend of new and old to make their milestone year a memorable one. The 2013-14 squad featured fresh faces on the ice such as Jake Allen and Ty Rattie while bringing back a familiar figure behind the bench in four-time champion coach John Anderson. This combination proved successful as the team went on to capture the Midwest Division title and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2014 Calder Cup playoffs. As a look back on the historic year, here are the top 20 moments of the Chicago Wolves’ 20th season.
July 15: Anderson returns as head coach
In an excitement-filled press conference, John Anderson was announced as the Wolves’ head coach, rejoining the team after four years in the NHL with Atlanta and Phoenix. Anderson steered the Wolves from 1997-2008, claiming four championships and becoming the winningest head coach in franchise history. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
VIDEO: Full Press Conference | Feature
Sept. 10: The 20th-season logo is unveiled
The Wolves unveiled a complementary logo prior to the season’s opening puck drop to honor the team’s 20th year. The logo was designed by Imran Javed, Troy Mueller, and Cindy Navarro in the team’s Creative department to honor the Wolves’ brand, longevity, and accomplishments. (Photo: Dale Woltman/Chicago Wolves)
Sept. 29: The 20th-season alternate jersey is revealed
Along with the logo, the Wolves created a specialty alternate jersey to commemorate the 20th season, incorporating an updated old-school look with a cream-colored base and reverse nameplates. The sweater was designed by Christina Moritz, who also created this season’s First Responders and St. Patrick’s Day commemorative jerseys.
Oct. 12: Wolves open 20th-season home slate with 3-1 win over San Antonio
Six days after opening the season with a road win at San Antonio, the Wolves kicked off their home schedule with a 3-1 victory over the Rampage at Allstate Arena. Center Corey Locke opened scoring while goaltender Jake Allen made 30 saves. (Photo: Dale Woltman/Chicago Wolves) VIDEO
Dec. 18: Chorney named the ninth captain in Wolves history
After beginning the year with a bevy of rotating alternate captains, defenseman Taylor Chorney was selected as the franchise’s ninth player to don the “C” He joined Steve Maltais, Troy Murray, Kevin Dahl, Derek MacKenzie, Darren Haydar, Jamie Rivers, Jason Krog, and Nolan Baumgartner. (Photo: Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves)
Jan. 4: Aucoin hits a major milestone
With two points against Iowa, center Keith Aucoin moved into 7th place on the AHL’s list of all-time point leaders with 830, surpassing Harry Pidhirny. Additionally this season, Aucoin became the fifth player in AHL history to hit 600 assists and 46th player to appear in 750+ games. (Photo: Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves) VIDEO
Jan. 9: Allen selected to AHL All-Star Game
In January, Jake Allen was named as one of two AHL goaltenders to represent the league in the 2014 All-Star Classic on Feb. 11-12 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The netminder was chosen as the team’s starter and stopped all 14 shots he faced in 28:28 of action as the All-Stars topped Färjestad BK 7-2. (Photo courtesy of The AHL)
Jan. 18: Wolves beat Rockford 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 16,005
The Wolves hosted their largest crowd of the year at Allstate Arena, welcoming 16,005 fans for a Saturday night victory over the rival Rockford IceHogs. Nathan Longpre and Ty Rattie tallied for the Wolves while Jake Allen turned aside 23 shots. (Photo Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves) VIDEO
Jan. 26: Meyers enshrined in the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame
Chicago Wolves vice chairman Buddy Meyers was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame in the “Builders” category, joining 2013 inductee Don Levin. With the team since the beginning, Meyers has been involved with hockey for nearly 40 years as an agent, owner, parent, and ambassador. (Photo: Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves)
Feb. 5: McCudden travels to Russia for the Sochi Olympics
When he was not on the ice with the Wolves, skating and skills coach Kenny McCudden helped train the U.S. Women’s National Team. In February, the coach had the opportunity to travel with the team to Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Winter Olympics, from which they returned with a silver medal.
March 2: Wolves set franchise record with 17-game home point streak
The Wolves were dominant in the confines of Allstate Arena beginning in December, turning around a 3-7 start at home with a franchise-record 17-game point streak. The run enabled the Wolves to leapfrog Grand Rapids for the division title and earn home-ice advantage in the postseason. (Photo: Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves)
April 5: Wolves clinch 16th postseason bid
With a 4-1 victory over Milwaukee in front of more than 10,000 fans at Allstate Arena, the Wolves claimed a postseason spot for the 16th time in 20 years. John Anderson has led Chicago to the playoffs in every season but one during his 12 seasons with the team. (Photo: Dale Woltman/Chicago Wolves) VIDEO
April 7: Regner wins the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award
Defenseman Brent Regner was voted by fans as the winner of the 2014 Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award, presented prior to a game in April. Regner, Michael Davies, and Evan Oberg were nominated by the coaching staff, and Regner was selected via a poll on ChicagoWolves.com to best exemplify Breslin’s on-ice spirit, team-first attitude, and community involvement. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
April 10: Allen named to the AHL First All-Star Team
Jake Allen joined elite company when he was selected as the goaltender for the 2013-14 AHL First All-Star Team, becoming the first Wolves netminder to do so. He now accompanies former greats Travis Roche, Brett Sterling, Darren Haydar, and Jason Krog on the list of Wolves who have garnered AHL first All-Star Team status. (Photo: Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves)
April 16: Anderson bags win No. 700
With a 4-3 shootout victory in Iowa, the Wolves helped John Anderson earn his 700th regular-season win as a head coach. Anderson has captured five league championships during his time coaching, including four with the Wolves, and sits seventh on the AHL’s list of all-time regular-season coaching wins and second among active bench bosses.
April 17: Allen wins the Bastien Memorial Award
To cap off his historic season, Jake Allen was named as the 2013-14 winner of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the league’s most outstanding goaltender. He became the first Wolves netminder to win the honor while with the team. His credentials for the award included the “Triple Crown,” leading the league in wins (33), goals-against average (2.03), and save percentage (.928) as he became just the second AHL goaltender since 1984-85 to achieve the feat. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
April 18: Davies selected as Man of the Year
Right wing Michael Davies was selected as the Wolves’ recipient of the 2013-14 IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year Award and became a repeat winner of the Wolves’ Dan Snyder Award. He was chosen to receive these honors due to his unwavering commitment to the Chicagoland community and charitable efforts. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
April 19: Wolves beat Milwaukee 4-0 to claim Midwest Division title
On the final night of the season, as the Wolves cruised to a 6-0 victory over Milwaukee, eyes were on the scoreboards. Tied in the standings but trailing in the tiebreaker going into the game, Chicago needed to earn more points than Grand Rapids to clinch the division. Once the Griffins fell to Lake Erie in the shootout, the path was clear for the Wolves to capture their ninth division title in franchise history. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves) VIDEO
April 19: Allen sets franchise record for shutouts in a single season (7)
En route to the Midwest crown, goaltender Jake Allen kicked out all 20 shots he faced for his seventh whitewash, setting the franchise record for shutouts by a goaltender in a single season. The previous mark (6) was set by Allen’s teammate, Matt Climie, in 2012-13 and general manager Wendell Young in 1999-2000. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
April 19: Rattie becomes first rookie to lead Wolves in regular-season scoring
Potting two tallies in the April 19 finale gave Ty Rattie 31 goals and 48 points on the year, making him the first Wolves rookie to lead the team in points during the regular season. The right wing was tied for the most goals among league rookies and became the only first-year Wolves player since Brett Sterling (2006-07) to bag 30-plus tallies. (Photo: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves)
