Welcome to Wolves Insider: the report presented by Power Crunch that gives you a taste of all Chicago Wolves developments as the organization enters its 27th season.
THE EXCLUSIVE WOLVES’ BROTHERS CLUB
When the Chicago Wolves played their first game on Oct. 1, 1994, against the Detroit Vipers, head coach Gene Ubriaco’s 18-man lineup featured brothers Joe Crowley and Ted Crowley. In fact, Ted scored the first goal in Wolves hockey (assisted by Gordie Roberts and Steve Maltais).
The Crowley brothers from Concord, Massachusetts, played in 16 games together — making their last appearance on Dec. 7, 1994, at Kalamazoo. Then the Wolves went more than 26 years and 2,000 games without having a pair of brothers play together in the same game — until David Cotton and Jason Cotton teamed up in the Wolves’ 4-2 win over Grand Rapids on Thursday at the Wolves Training Facility in Hoffman Estates.
For 26-year-old Jason, the Feb. 11 game marked his professional debut. For the 23-year-old David, it marked his second pro game. With all of that extra experience under his belt, David proceeded to pile up two goals and one assist — the first pro points of his career — to lead the Wolves to victory. By David’s reckoning, it served as the first time these brothers from Parker, Texas, played on the same side in an official game.
“We’re a couple years (apart), so we never played on the same team,” David said. “This was the first time we were able to link up and go through this process together. It’s been very special for me — and special for him as well.”
What’s left on their agenda? Becoming the second set of brothers to score goals in the same Wolves game. The Crowleys accomplished the feat once: during a 7-4 win on Nov. 23, 1994, at Cleveland.
CELEBRATING HOCKEY WEEK ACROSS AMERICA
Join USA Hockey in commemorating Hockey Week Across America — a seven-day salute that highlights a different aspect of our great sport each day. The fun starts today with a Salute to Players and proceeds with a Salute to Coaches (Tuesday), Salute to Officials (Wednesday), Salute to Local Rinks (Thursday), Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day (Friday), Try Hockey Day (Saturday) and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day (Sunday).
The Wolves will be celebrating with everyone else — and also encouraging everyone to enjoy hockey with a terrific offer: Ten lower-level ticket vouchers for the 2021-22 season and one Wolves Fan Gallery cutout for this season at a significant savings: To learn more about this #HWAA offer, click here.
NUMBERS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE
During the first 26 seasons of Chicago Wolves hockey, players wore 49 different jersey numbers: 1 through 42, 44, 45, 49, 55, 77, 84 and 92. Only four games into this season, three new numbers already have been worn: rookie forward Patrick Harper wears No. 43, veteran defenseman Alex Carrier has donned No. 47 and rookie forward Phil Tomasino wears No. 50.
GET YOUR PERSONALIZED WOLVES FAN CUTOUT!
Fans can’t attend Wolves home games this season, but that doesn’t mean their smiling faces can’t be inside Triphahn Center for every game! How do fans get inside the building? By joining the Chicago Wolves Fan Gallery, presented by Hefty, with a purchase of their own personalized cutout for just $50.
Each cutout will “attend” every home game. Then, at the end of the season, each cutout will be autographed and sent to you as a permanent souvenir of the 2020-21 season. To learn how to purchase a cutout and submit your picture, click here.
TOP LINE
SETH JARVIS
The Carolina Hurricanes’ first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has scored one goal in each of his first four professional games. Those four goals put the 19-year-old atop the American Hockey League’s goal-scoring list with Tucson’s Michael Bunting. He also shares second on the AHL’s points list with 6.
DAVID COTTON
In his second professional game, this 23-year-old Parker, Texas, native produced two goals and one assist to lead the Wolves to a 4-2 win over Grand Rapids on Thursday. His great day included scoring the game-winning goal in the third period. He became the sixth Wolves rookie this season to record the first points of his pro career.
PHIL TOMASINO
In his third professional game, this 19-year-old forward from Mississauga, Ontario, delivered the first two goals of his pro career along with and one assist in a 5-2 victory over Rockford on Tuesday. Tomasino shares ninth place among AHL scorers with 5 points and ranks fourth in scoring among rookies.
REWIND (2-0-0-0)
THURSDAY, FEB. 11: (at) CHICAGO 4, GRAND RAPIDS 2
- Forward David Cotton scored two goals and handed out one assist as the Wolves turned a 2-2 third-period tie into their fourth consecutive win.
- Center Seth Jarvis delivered the team’s first goal for the third time in four games while Tanner Jeannot provided insurance with a short-handed empty-net tally with 1:55 to go.
- Goaltender Beck Warm stopped 26 shots to earn the win in his professional debut..
TUESDAY, FEB. 9: (at) CHICAGO 5, ROCKFORD 2
- Nineteen-year-old forward Phil Tomasino scored his first two goals as a professional and added an assist as the Wolves never trailed in a Tuesday afternoon clash.
- Center Rem Pitlick added two goals — including the game-winner on a shorthanded breakaway — while Seth Jarvis scored and Joey Keane and Tanner Jeannot posted two assists apiece.
- Goaltender Jeremy Helvig posted 23 saves to best Rockford for the second time in four days.
UPCOMING GAMES
Tuesday, Feb. 16 | at Rockford | 6 p.m. | Rockford MetroCentre | AHLTV |
Saturday, Feb. 20 | vs. Iowa | 7 p.m. | Wolves Training Facility | AHLTV |
Sunday, Feb. 21 | vs. Iowa | 3 p.m. | Wolves Training Facility | AHLTV |
Friday, Feb. 26 | at Grand Rapids | 6 p.m. | Van Andel Arena | AHLTV |
Sunday, Feb. 28 | vs. Grand Rapids | 3 p.m. | Wolves Training Facility | AHLTV |