Next in a series looking back at the Wolves’ five league championships.
By DANNY KARMIN and Chris Kuc
After the Wolves’ first league title in 1998, the franchise’s expectations were set: Cup run or bust.
Only nine players from the ’98 championship were a part of the roster for the 1999-00 season: Steve Maltais, Chris Marinucci, Steve Larouche, Tom Tilley, Scott Pearson, Bob Nardella, Kevin Dahl, Wendell Young and Jeremy Mylymok.
The turnover was evident, but the mindset and goal remained.
The season after ’98, the Wolves lost in crushing fashion in the conference finals, losing to the Houston Aeros in seven games. Their back-to-back title hopes were over.
Despite the loss, the Wolves had created a strong organizational culture and players around the league took notice. The team was in the market for some new blood and interest was mutual.
“I think the fact we had won (in ’98) had people wanting to come play for us and we created positions,” defenseman Tom Tilley said. “We upgraded some positions and some players and (management) did whatever it had to do to continue winning. It wasn’t, ‘hey, we won it, great, our fanbase is bigger than it’s ever been. We’ll keep the same guys for the next five years.’ ”
The Wolves acquired impact players such as forwards Brian Noonan, Chris Ferraro and Derek Plante, defensemen Chris Ferraro and Greg Andrusak as well as goaltender Andrei Trefilov.
“Going into that season, you look down the roster and see the number of NHL games on that roster and you’re going, ‘yeah, we’re going to be really good again,’ ” Tilley said.
The Wolves found strength within their elite scoring forwards. Maltais led the way offensively in the regular season (44 goals, 46 assists) as well as the playoffs (nine goals, four assists). Larouche followed with 31 goals and 57 assists and paced the Wolves in playoff scoring with 14 points (six goals, eight assists).
“It was a special group of guys,” Maltais said. “It was an older group. When you went on the road, it was fun and respectful.”
Maltais and the Wolves cruised through the first two playoff rounds, defeating Long Beach in four games and Houston in six.
The team that rema
ined opposite to Chicago proved to be the ultimate gauntlet: Grand Rapids.
During the regular season, the Wolves were the highest-scoring team in the IHL, while the Griffins placed third. In goals-against, Grand Rapids ranked No. 2 and the Wolves were No. 7.
“You want to talk about talent,” Maltais said. “Grand Rapids had Michel Picard, Derek King and Kevin Miller. There were a ton of guys who had played in the NHL. It was two really good hockey clubs.”
In Game 5, Maltais took a puck to the face and lost his front five teeth as well as suffering a broken nose.
“I woke up from a pregame nap for Game 6 and both of my eyes were shut,” he said. “I had to put ice on them.”
In true hockey player fashion, there had to be a lot more than some missing chiclets and bruises to keep a competitor of that nature out of the fight.
There was no doubt whether Maltais would suit up for a potential championship-clinching game–he was in.
Despite Grand Rapids’ impressive lineup, the Wolves’ depth and strong goaltending performance from postseason MVP Trefilov helped clinch the team’s second Turner Cup championship in three seasons.
The nine players who had won together in ’98 had done so in Chicago on home ice. This time around, they celebrated as visitors in Grand Rapids.
Despite playing miles away from Chicago, the celebration felt reminiscent in front of the Wolves’ faithful.
“To come out on top and have our second one with everyone in that lineup was amazing,” Maltais said. “They’re all special, but to do it on the road was special with families, players and management there. It was different than winning it at home when you have 500 people in the room. There, you had maybe 80 people.”
Marinucci added: “You’d be surprised by how many Chicago fans made that trip to Grand Rapids. Our fans were loud, and it almost felt like a home game. It was a special moment.”
The 2000 Turner Cup champions
Players: Steve Maltais, Chris Marinucci, Tom Tilley, Steve Larouche, Wendell Young, Brian Noonan, Bob Nardella, Niklas Andersson, Scott Pearson, Guy Larose, Dallas Eakins, Chris Ferraro, Greg Andrusak, Dan Plante, Glen Featherstone, Sean Berens, Daniel Lacroix, Mark Lawrence, Dean Malkoc, David Mackey, Kris King, Darrin Shannon, Chris LiPuma, Derek Plante, Gord Dineen, Kevin Dahl, Andrei Trefilov, Brett Lievers, Derek Wilkinson, Lonnie Loach, Martin Hlinka, Brent Gretzky, Jeremy Mylymok, Guy Dupuis.
Head Coach: John Anderson.
Coming soon: Part Three, the 2002 Calder Cup. For Part One of the series, go here.
