‘The best is yet to come’

January 22, 2025

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A SIT-DOWN WITH WOLVES COACH CAM ABBOTT

When the Wolves leave the ice following Wednesday night’s game against the Monsters in Cleveland, the five-time league champions will have officially reached the midway point of the 2024-25 American Hockey League season.

That makes it a perfect time to check in with head coach Cam Abbott to get his take on the current state of the Wolves, who head into Wednesday’s contest with a 18-15-2-0 record and stand in fourth place in the Central Division.

How would you assess the first half of the season?

“It depends on if you’re a glass half-full or a glass half-empty type of person.

For me, I think there’s been a lot of positives. We’ve seen how good we can be when we’re playing our game and then, obviously, even recently how when we get off our game how it can look.

You don’t want to ride the ups and downs too much, either. It’s not going to be helpful. Looking at it as a whole, I think we’ve established that we can compete and win against every team in our division.

It’s been a lot of fun, though. We have a wonderful group to work with. We have to keep making progress.”

What area needs the biggest improvement?

“It’s pretty clear the last number of games that the micro situations–the individual situations—can turn into the collective, whether we’re winning our battles or we’re going into situations with the intensity that is required to come out with the puck.

And then the next situation builds off that first one, one way or another. If we’re soft and we’re disinterested then the next one is going to be tough to be really competitive and it starts flowing against us.

When we do have that intensity and win the puck then the next one starts to snowball in the right way. It’s up to the players to have that determination consistently. We have to challenge them that way.”

On the flip side, with what are you most pleased?

“We had a good 15-game set when we felt like guys were coming back to get the machine rolling all four lines. That’s where the strength is. Everybody had their role and they were excited about putting that work in for the betterment of the team within that role.

You could feel it—it’s not just seeing it. You could feel it as a team. It’s a quiet confidence that doesn’t have any complacency. And then when you get off it, it can fall the other way pretty quickly.

We’ve had ups and downs as every team will with the lineup and guys being available and injuries and such. It all plays into it. We have to get back to where we were before.”

The thing that has stood out is the team’s ability to win no matter who is in the lineup. To what do you attribute that?

“The quality of the players who are coming to join us. At the same time, there is something to be said for opportunity. If you watch, the majority of guys’ first games have an awful lot of intensity but maybe they’re kind of locked up a little bit with the excitement of it.

We have to recapture the appreciation for opportunity. Even if you play 35 games in a row, play it like it’s your first and that you’re playing for your job. Not in a stressful way but in a way that is helpful toward bringing that enthusiasm.

It’s kind of the meat of the season here and that’s when I find the true pros really shine.”

By all accounts, it appears this team is close-knit and willing to battle for each other. From where does that come?

“I really think our leadership in particular has done a great job to create that environment. And as coaches we try to do that as well.

It’s the best when guys are coming to the rink and enjoying walking through the door and getting better together.

Sometimes, I also feel like we shouldn’t just be here for a good time. That’s not to disrespect the guys, but we need it to be fun with a purpose. Above all else, I want guys to respect each other. We have great guys, great friends and great teammates in this locker room. I want to see that competitive nature consistent through the rest of the 36 games.”

You’re midway through your first season as an AHL coach. How haS it gone for you?

“It presents different challenges. It’s been a great learning opportunity. New is always exciting in its own way in terms of the people you get to meet and work with and the relationships you get to build with players and staff. That part has made me really blessed and thankful for that opportunity. It’s been fun. It’s hockey. I’m grateful every day for it. The best is yet to come.”

BIG MAN ON A BIG ROLL

After recording just two assists over his first 20 games, forward Nikita Pavlychev has come alive offensively.

The 27-year-old from Yaroslav, Russia, has piled up three goals and five assists over the course of the last six games to become the Wolves’ hottest player.

“I’m just playing hard and playing simple,” Pavlychev said. “My teammates have been really helping me out and I have to give them a lot of credit.”

Pavlychev, who is riding a four-game points streak heading into Wednesday night’s game, said that despite the slow start offensively, he didn’t get down on himself.

“Everybody starts gripping the stick tight when those intrusive thoughts about points come but I actually take a lot of pride in staying mentally tough,” Pavlychev said. “I knew the points would come as long as I played my game and did things right on both sides of the puck.”

Most of Pavlychev’s damage come from close range as he has been using his size to create chaos in the crease and screen goaltenders.

“Being 6’7, 220, you have to park yourself in front,” he said. “Even if you’re not going to get points, your teammates are going to put it in if you create a screen for the goalie. That’s all I’m trying to do.”

 

IMPACT PLAY OF THE WEEK

With the Wolves holding a 4-2 lead over the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday night at Allstate Arena, veteran Nick Swaney capped this pretty passing play with teammates Danny Katic and Justin Robidas with his second goal of the game.

C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE WEEK

During Saturday night’s game at Allstate Arena, Wolves defenseman Riley Stillman delivered this crunching check on Bakersfield’s Seth Griffith. The hit led to a skirmish between Stillman and the Condors’ Daniel D’Amato.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Goaltender Spencer Martin made this sparkling stop on the Bakersfield Condors’ James Hamblin to maintain the Wolves’ two-goal advantage midway through the second period of Saturday night’s 7-3 win at Allstate Arena.

Weekly rewind (1-1-0-0)

SATURDAY, JAN. 18

Wolves 7, Condors 3: Nick Swaney had two goals and two assists, Bradly Nadeau scored twice, Danny Katic had a goal and two assists and Nikita Pavlychev and Josiah Slavin also tallied to help the Wolves snap a four-game losing skid with a season-high seven goals. Ryan Suzuki and Scott Morrow each chipped in two assists.

SUNDAY, JAN. 19

Condors 6, Wolves 3: Ryan Suzuki, Nick Swaney and Riley Stillman scored goals but the Wolves’ rally fell short in the second of back-to-back games between the teams. Scott Morrow and Nikita Pavlychev each chipped in with two assists as the Wolves settled for a split of the series.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

18-15-2-0, fourth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE