The Chicago Wolves announced Tuesday that forwards Tomas Hyka and Teemu Pulkkinen have been loaned to the club by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Pulkkinen last played in the American Hockey League with the Iowa Wild during the 2016-17 campaign and appeared in 47 games. The 25-year-old’s 36 points (18G, 18A) placed him third in team scoring behind former Wolves captain Pat Cannone (9-29–38) and current Vegas forward Alex Tuch (18-19–37).
Before Iowa, Pulkkinen spent nearly three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins after being selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. As a rookie in 2013-14, Pulkkinen tied Wolves rookie Ty Rattie for fourth in AHL goal-scoring with 31 tallies in 71 games. During the 2014-15 campaign, Pulkkinen paced the AHL with 34 goals in 46 games. He added 14 goals in 16 Calder Cup Playoff games to lead the Griffins to the Western Conference Finals.
Hyka joins Chicago for the first time since signing a one-year deal with the Golden Knights on June 1. The 24-year-old spent most of his European professional career competing internationally for the Czech Republic as well as playing in his native country’s top league.
Through three seasons with BK Mlada Boleslav, Hyka skated in 130 games and tallied 79 points (37G, 42A).
With the addition of Hyka and Pulkkinen, the Wolves have released three training-camp invitees: forward Travis Ewanyk and defensemen Chris Joyaux and Josh Monk.
Hyka and Pulkkinen will be available as the Wolves travel to Cedar Park, Texas, to kick off the 2017-18 AHL regular-season with a set of games against the Texas Stars. The first of back-to-back contests takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at HEB Center and will be broadcast by The U Too.
The Wolves return to Allstate Arena for their first home game of the 2017-18 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 14, against the Ontario Reign. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
