The player who ranks No. 22 on the Chicago Wolves Top 40 Countdown, presented by Jewel-Osco, belongs on the list of original Wolves — and he remained a franchise staple long enough to be a part of the first championship team.
When the Wolves took the ice for their first game on Oct. 1, 1994 at Detroit, Ray LeBlanc was in net. Ted Crowley and Gordie Roberts manned the blue line. And Steve Maltais, Brian Wiseman and Tim Bergland served as the top forward line. Three games later, when the Wolves played their first home game on Oct. 14 before a sellout crowd, Bergland became an instant hero by producing two goals and one assist in Chicago’ 4-2 win over Detroit.
Bergland became an iron man in the Wolves lineup as he suited up for each of the team’s first 128 games and 244 of the Wolves’ first 245 regular-season contests. In 1997-98, Bergland started the season in Finland — but returned to Chicago in December to help the Wolves capture the 1998 Turner Cup crown. He contributed eight goals in 49 regular-season outings and two more goals during the postseason.
The Crookston, Minnesota, native capped his playing career following the 1998-99 season. In five years with the Wolves, Bergland delivered 53 goals and 81 assists in 361 regular-season games. He ranks eighth on the organization’s all-time list for games played and 20th in scoring with his 134 points.
Since 2008, Bergland has served as the head coach for the Thief River Falls Prowlers — the successful Minnesota high school team that he coaches with his brother, Scott, as his assistant.
Want to enjoy more of the countdown?
No. 40: Gage Quinney
No. 39: Tim Breslin
No. 38: Nathan Oystrick
No. 37: Ben Simon
No. 36: Curtis McKenzie
No. 35: Kamil Piros
No. 34: Mark Mancari
No. 33: Simon Gamache
No. 32: Guy Larose
No. 31: Wade Megan
No. 30: Shane Harper
No. 29: Michael Davies
No. 28: Karl Stewart
No. 27: Cory Larose
No. 26: Pat Cannone
No. 25: Brian Wiseman
No. 24: Colin Stuart
No. 23: Brian Noonan
