HONORING A LEGACY

April 16, 2025

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DOMINIC FRANCO WORTHY OF DAN SNYDER AWARD

On the ice, this has been the most difficult season of Dominic Franco’s hockey career. Off the ice, it’s been the Chicago Wolves forward’s most rewarding.

The one bright spot to the shoulder injury Franco suffered during the second day of training camp that required surgery and kept him from playing in a game until earlier this month is that the 29-year-old was able to devote more time to the Wolves’ myriad charitable initiatives.

Those tireless efforts to help those in need in the Chicagoland area earned Franco the 2025 Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award–the second consecutive year Franco has received the honor, further cementing his legacy as a Wolves player dedicated to helping his community.

Each season, a Wolves player receives the award in memory of Snyder, who passed away Oct. 5, 2003, at the age of 25 after suffering head injuries in a car accident. During his two seasons with the Wolves, Snyder set the standard for community service with his tireless commitment to Chicago-area people and charities. On the ice, Snyder scored five game-winning goals during the postseason to help the Wolves capture the 2002 Calder Cup championship.

“From everything I’ve heard from his former teammates, the Wolves staff and our fans, Dan Snyder was an amazing person who did a ton of things for this organization and this community,” Franco said. “I’m happy I’m able to do enough to honor him.”

Despite the injury that came on the eve of what he anticipated would be a season during which he took the next step in his professional career,” the Scituate, R.I., native brought his upbeat manner to Wolves practices and games while he rehabilitated his shoulder.

Franco was also his usual consistent presence at events to benefit the well-being of others. At the forefront is Franco’s “Friends of Franco,” a space for Military Families to apply for free tickets to a Wolves game and attend a postgame meet-and-greet with Franco.

The cause is near and dear to Franco, a Class of 2020 graduate of West Point who is currently enlisted in the Ready Reserve.

Throughout the season, Franco has dedicated time after Wolves games to interact with Military Families, going beyond quick photo and autograph opportunities to spend extended quality time with the families to share his experiences in the military as well as hear from them about their own.

“We’ve had anywhere from a Vietnam veteran to someone who is only in their second year in the Army so it’s really cool to connect with people and hear their stories,” Franco said. “Family time is not the easiest thing to have these days so it’s a great opportunity for them to find something to bond over and spend some time together.

“Those men and women who have served deserve all the attention and all the gratitude they can possibly get,” Franco continued. “If I’m able to provide a little bit of it, I’m thrilled to do it.”

In addition to helping raise money for charities during the Wolves’ annual “Brews & Bites” event, Franco has been a frequent contributor to the organization’s “Read to Succeed” program. He has visited schools to encourage students to make reading a fun and rewarding part of life.

“I really enjoy being able to provide students with any insight by telling them my story and hopefully try to inspire them to be the best versions of themselves at a young age,” Franco said. “The better you are in school, the more options you have going forward in life. It’s cool to be able to share that message with them.”

Franco’s good deeds aren’t limited to humans. The fifth-year pro is also heavily involved in the Wolves’ efforts to find forever homes for dogs by working with area shelters. Along with teammates, Franco helped serve dogs a hearty Thanksgiving meal at a local shelter. In fact, Franco was so involved with one shelter that when informed it had a new batch of puppies, he quickly adopted “Mullet,” a labrador mix.

“It’s sad to see how some dogs are mistreated so what the rescue shelters are doing is amazing as they try and place dogs in forever homes with families who will give them the best life possible,” Franco said. “I’m sure shelters are almost always understaffed and over-worked but they do it with a smile on their faces. They genuinely care about all the animals they bring in so it’s rewarding to be able to help them out.”

Franco is among a stellar list of former Wolves Man of the Year Award honorees that includes Max Lajoie (2023), Oscar Dansk (2020), Tyler Wong (2019), Scooter Vaughan (2018), Brett Sterling (2010, 2017), Pat Cannone (2016), Shane Harper (2015), Michael Davies (2013, 2014), Darren Haydar (2012), Spencer Machacek (2011), Jordan Lavallee (2009), Nathan Oystrick (2008), Brian Sipotz (2007), Karl Stewart (2005, 2006) and Kurtis Foster (2004).

“The thing you learn going through West Point and through the military process in general is that it’s the ultimate sacrifice,” said Franco, who also captured the Wolves 2024-25 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award. “There are people I knew and grew close with who ultimately lost their lives, and if I can embody that sacrifice in even the smallest way possible while playing here, that’s going to suit me for the rest of my career and as a person.”

NOEL GUNLER ‘SUPER HAPPY’ TO RETURN TO LINEUP

While some players feel nerves when they take the ice for a game, Wolves forward Noel Gunler experiences them more when forced to sit out and watch.

“It’s the worst,” Gunler said of being sidelined with an injury. “I’m so much more nervous just watching the games than actually being in them.”

It’s been an agonizing month for Gunler, who hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder injury in a game against the Hershey Bears on March 15 at Allstate Arena.

The nerves figure to settle with Gunler ready to return to the lineup when the Wolves face the Wild on Wednesday night in Iowa.

“I feel strong again,” Gunler said. “I feel very excited to play and I’m super happy to be back with the guys and go to battle with them for the final push.”

Through the first 55 games of the season, Gunler was one of the Wolves’ most productive forwards. The 23-year-old from Lulea, Sweden, has 12 goals and 13 assists along with 35 penalty minutes. Gunler does much of his damage on the power play with five goals and three assists with a man advantage.

With three regular-season games remaining and the Wolves in a battle with the Grand Rapids Griffins for postseason positioning, Gunler is ready to give a boost to the team.

“I’m just very, very happy to go out and play a game,” he said. “For sure, I feel a lot of energy. It’s an exciting time for me and the team.”

IMPACT PLAY OF THE WEEK

Wolves forward Bradly Nadeau notched his 30th goal of the season–the most among American Hockey League rookies–with this nifty redirection of Riley Stillman’s shot during Saturday night’s game against the Admirals in Milwaukee.

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

During Sunday’s game against Texas at Allstate Arena, Wolves forward Austin Wagner lowered the boom on the Stars’ Luke Krys.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Wolves goaltender Dustin Tokarski made a pair of sparkling stops during Sunday’s game against Texas, first stopping the Stars’ Matej Blumel on a backhanded attempt and then stoning Kole Lind on the rebound.

Weekly rewind (0-2-0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Admirals 5, Wolves 3: Bradly Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki each had a goal and an assist and Skyler Brind’Amour also scored but the Wolves’ third-period rally fizzled and Chicago had its three-game winning streak snapped.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

Stars 3, Wolves 1: Justin Robidas scored but the Wolves came up short when Kole Lind netted the game-winner late in the third period for the Stars.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

35-30-4-0, fourth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE