When the Chicago Wolves defend their Central Division title during the 2017-18 season, they’ll navigate a 76-game American Hockey League schedule that features several traditional rivals, four new opponents and the team’s first trip to California in 18 years.
The Wolves’ regular-season journey, revealed Tuesday by the AHL, begins on Friday, Oct. 6, with a visit to the Texas Stars. The Wolves celebrate their 24th home opener on Saturday, Oct. 14, when the Ontario Reign make their inaugural appearance at Allstate Arena.
The Wolves also play home-and-home series for the first time with the Bakersfield Condors, San Diego Gulls and Tucson Roadrunners as new head coach Rocky Thompson’s squad is slated for 20 games against Pacific Division opponents. When Chicago travels to San Diego on Jan. 10, it will mark the franchise’s first visit to the Golden State since clinching the Turner Cup Western Conference Semifinal series against the Long Beach Ice Dogs on May 3, 2000.
In addition to expanding the scope of their schedule, the Wolves are maintaining treasured rivalries with 56 games against Central Division foes. The Milwaukee Admirals make their first of six Allstate Arena visits on Saturday, Oct. 28, while the Rockford IceHogs come to town for the first of six times on Saturday, Nov. 25. The Grand Rapids Griffins, who eliminated the Wolves in the Central Division Finals on their way to the 2017 Calder Cup championship, make their first of four trips on Saturday, Dec. 2.
The Wolves have just six Central Division rivals this season as the Charlotte Checkers have moved to the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. Chicago, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Rockford, the Iowa Wild, the Lake Erie Monsters and the Manitoba Moose will battle for four spots in the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Wolves host 17 games on Saturday nights, 10 games on Sunday afternoons and two games on Friday nights as they continue to play the bulk of their home games on weekends.
For the 17th straight year, the majority of Chicago’s games will be broadcast live on local TV as CW50 returns with its “Saturday Night with the Wolves” package and The U Too delivers games for the sixth season in a row. Broadcast schedule specifics will be announced closer to the season’s start.
For information on season-ticket packages, which are available now for as little as a $25 deposit, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
Instructions:
PC users:
Right-click link and choose “Save Target As…” to download to your hard drive.
MAC users:
Right-click link and choose “Save Link As…” to download to your hard drive.
