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2023 Training Camp is in full swing
The Wolves are back on the ice.
Training camp in preparation for the 2023-24 Wolves season kicked off Monday in Hoffman Estates with 23 players on AHL contracts plus 14 invitees on the initial roster.
“The big thing with training camp is establishing the makeup of our team, seeing who can play with who and what our lines might be,” Wolves general manager Wendell Young said. “The lineup is pretty well set contract-wise, but there are always factors that come into play that could change things.”
The current training camp roster includes:
Forwards (14): Peter Abbandonato, Cory Conacher, Hank Crone, Timothy Doherty, Hudson Elynuik, Dominic Franco,
Rocco Grimaldi, Kyle Marino, Connor McClennon, Josh Melnick, Isaac Ratcliffe, Cole Schneider, Nathan Sucese, Chris Terry.
Defensemen (8): Tory Dello, Matt Donovan, Tyson Feist, Cavan Fitzgerald, Alex Green, Owen Headrick, Austin Strand, Mitch Vande Sompel.
Goaltender (1): Adam Scheel.
Camp invitees include:
Forwards (8): Peter Bates, Liam Coughlin, Patrick Grasso, Patrick Polino, Stepan Timofeyev, Kirill Tyutyayev, Matt Ustaski, Ryan Wagner.
Defensemen (5): Ben Carroll, Joe Gatenby, Darien Kielb, Jacob Nordqvist, Adam Samuelsson.
Goaltender (1): Julian Junca.
In addition, goaltender Keith Kinkaid is currently in New Jersey’s NHL camp.
Following four days of training, the Wolves are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Admirals in back-to-back exhibition games, starting with a showdown at Panther Arena in Milwaukee at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Wolves will then host the Admirals at the Triphahn Center in Hoffman Estates at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
“I think we’ll be very competitive this season with the guys that we’ve put together,” Young said. “We’ve got some size, we’ve got some skill, we’ve got some scoring, we’ve got defense and strong goaltenders. Now, hopefully every player lives up to their ability.”
VIEW FROM BEHIND THE BENCH
After a legendary playing career with the Wolves and many years in the hockey operations department, Bob Nardella is running his first training camp as head coach. Nardella was named head coach on June 13 and since that time has been preparing for the 2023-24 season. Wolves Insider caught up with Nardella at camp.
How does it feel to be running training camp as a head coach?
“It’s taken a while to get here. It seems like it was a really long summer. With not having to go to any development camps or NHL training camps it made it even longer. Now we’re rolling.”
How are things different than when you were an assistant coach for six seasons?
“I’m so ingrained here that it’s not much different. There are more responsibilities and more meetings but otherwise, the hours are similar. The stress level is obviously bigger but that was more to make sure everything would go right the first couple of days. I’m feeling a little better about things. It’s exciting no matter what.”
Now that you’ve seen most of the players general manager Wendell Young has acquired actually on the ice, how are you feeling about the roster?
“We’ll for sure be competitive. Our goal is to make the playoffs and once we get there, win the playoffs.”
Ready for the grind of a full American Hockey League season?
“It’s here so let’s go.”
MEET THE 2023-24 CHICAGO WOLVES
Day 1 of training camp is in the books!
Now it’s time for Meet the Wolves, starring forward Chris Terry. @christerry25 pic.twitter.com/eOVKg9HADE
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) October 2, 2023
Day 2️⃣ of training camp is complete.
Time for another edition of Meet the Wolves, this time starring defenseman Matt Donovan. @SquatchDonovan pic.twitter.com/jydyu38EQX
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) October 3, 2023
UPCOMING KEY DATES
Friday
Exhibition game at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Exhibition game vs. Milwaukee at Triphahn Center in Hoffman Estates, 7 p.m.
OCTOBER 14
2023-24 regular-season opener vs. Milwaukee at Allstate Arena, 7 p.m.
- 30th Season Poster Giveaway, presented by Jewel-Osco
- Adopt-A-Dog Night
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
Wolves vs. Cleveland at Allstate Arena, 7 p.m.
- Howl-O-Ween Night
2023-24 WOLVES TICKETS
For information on Wolves ticket plans for the 2023-24 season—everything from single-game tickets to Flex Packs to group outings—visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
