The Chicago Wolves launch their pursuit of the 2015 Calder Cup championship at 7 p.m. Saturday versus the Charlotte Checkers at Allstate Arena.
The four-time league champions welcome back 14 players who helped the Wolves earn the 2014 Midwest Division title and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Right wing Ty Rattie, who shared fourth in the American Hockey League last year with 31 goals, and left wing Dmitrij Jaskin lead a potent offense that features six players who appeared in National Hockey League games last year.
“I think we’ve gotten faster and I think we’ve gotten deeper as a team. It’s the deepest team that I’ve had here,” said head coach JOHN ANDERSON, who directed the Wolves to two Calder Cup and two Turner Cup titles in his first 12 years at the helm. “I’ve got five lines – plus an extra – that should all be playing in the American Hockey League, if not the National Hockey League.”
“We are excited to bring another year of championship-caliber hockey to Chicago hockey fans,” said MIKE GORDON, the Wolves president of business operations.
The Wolves are transforming their opening game into a day-long celebration that begins at 2 p.m. with a free, four-hour tailgate party in Allstate Arena’s West Lot. The party features food, games and live music. Fans who arrive before 4 p.m. park for free.
The team also kicks off its 14th season of Adopt-A-Dog Nights in conjunction with Chicago’s Animal Care and Control. For just $65, fans can be a hero and adopt one of Skates’ Sidekicks in the South Lobby during the game. In the first 13 years of the program, Wolves fans have provided forever homes for 1,146 dogs.
