The player checking in at No. 39 on the Wolves Top 40 Countdown, presented by Jewel-Osco, is one of the most important and treasured people in the organization’s history: Tim Breslin.
Born in Downers Grove, the Driscoll Catholic High School graduate was the third player to sign with the Wolves after the franchise was founded in 1994. Breslin spent five seasons as a staple in the Wolves lineup and produced 37 goals and 100 assists in 330 regular-season appearances.
Breslin also played an important role when the organization captured its first of four league championships. He played in 21 Turner Cup Playoff contests on the way to the dramatic Game 7 triumph over the Detroit Vipers on June 15, 1998.
Breslin took his commitment to the Chicago community just as seriously as his hockey. If there was a public appearance to be made or a local cause to be supported, Breslin was there to help.
On Feb. 9, 2005, Breslin passed away at the age of 37 due to complications from appendiceal cancer. In June of that year, the entire Chicago community came together to host the Breslin Cup — a celebrity hockey game between Wolves alumni and Chicago Blackhawks alumni held at Allstate Arena in order to help the Tim Breslin Family Trust.
To ensure Breslin’s legacy and spirit live on within the organization, the Wolves created the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award — an honor bestowed on the Wolves player each year who best exemplifies Breslin’s on-ice spirit, team-first attitude and level of community involvement.
The Wolves also launched the Tim Breslin Memorial Scholarship, which helps fund the education for a college-bound high school senior who has overcome a hardship. The Unsung Hero award and the scholarship are presented to the winners on the Allstate Arena ice each season during a pregame ceremony late in the regular season.
Want to review the rest of the countdown?
No. 40: Gage Quinney
