PYOTR’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN

November 04, 2025

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KOCHETKOV’S PRESENCE SPARKS TEAMMATES

The Wolves got a lift over the weekend not only on the ice but in the dressing room when veteran goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov arrived on a conditioning stint from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kochetkov, who was recalled Friday and then backstopped the Wolves to a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday night at Allstate Arena, is a bit of a legend around the organization.

The Penza, Russia, native came to North America at the age of 22 and spent his first season with the Wolves, helping them capture the 2022 Calder Cup—the fifth league championship in team history.

The following season, Kochetkov was the Wolves’ No. 1 netminder and went 17-6-3 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Along the way, he also became the 20^th goaltender to score a goal in American League history when he found the back of the net in a win over the Manitoba Moose on March 3, 2023.

“I have a good history and some very good memories here,” Kochetkov, 26, said after making 22 saves to shut down the Marlies. “It’s very special for me to come back. When I was here before I was a child—22 years old—and now I’m a little bit older and I see how guys are doing in their first steps in North America so that’s fun.”

The personable Kochetkov also made an impact in the dressing room, raising the spirits of teammates just by his presence.

“First and foremost, he’s a really nice guy and he’s got a great personality,” teammate Skyler Brind’Amour said. “He brought a lot of life to the locker room.

“He’s also a heck of a goaltender so that was nice to get an NHL goalie in there and he played great and it was nice to get a win,” Brind’Amour added.

Kochetkov’s stop was a short one as he was recalled to the Hurricanes following Sunday’s contest—in which he did not appear.

For now, Kochetkov’s statistics with the Wolves this season include a record of 1-0-0, 1.00 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

ROBIDAS WINGING IT

There are times during Wolves games when Justin Robidas has to remind himself to skate down the wing and not carry the puck through the center of the ice.

Such is the learning curve for Robidas during the early going of the season. The 22-year-old from Plano, Texas, has been shifted from his natural position of center to wing and it is a work in progress.

“I’ve started the year on the wing, something I’m not really used to but it’s something I can get good at,” Robidas said. “It’s something you can put in your arsenal bag and add to your talents.”

In each of the Wolves’ eight games this season, Robidas has skated on the wing alongside center Ryan Suzuki. Other than rare occasions while in Juniors, with the Wolves last season and his two-game stint with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, he has always been a center.

Robidas is still adjusting to the differences in positions.

“At wing, I feel like you’re standing still a lot more and as a centerman you can roam around a little bit more,” Robidas said. “I take draws on the power play and PK but when I’m not taking them five-on-five, sometimes getting into the rhythm can be hard. There are also a lot more board battles as a winger–that’s a big difference.”

The move hasn’t put a crimp in Robidas’ offensive style as he leads the Wolves with seven assists this season. Still, there’s the part of remembering to stay on the wing when the Wolves race toward the offensive zone.

“Me and (Suzuki) have been talking about it,” Robidas said. “Sometimes we’re kind of all over the place but we’ll get there for sure. It’s a little adjustment but it’s fun to try new things.”

 

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK

Forward Evan Vierling notched his first goal in a Wolves sweater to open the scoring during Chicago’s 4-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

 

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

During the opening period of Saturday night’s game, Wolves forward Givani Smith lowered the boom on the Toronto Marlies’ Benoit-Olivier Groulx.

 

SAVE OF THE WEEK

A day after being assigned to the Wolves by the Carolina Hurricanes for a conditioning stint, goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made his first save in Saturday night’s game against the Toronto Marlies’ Borya Valis a good one.

 

HELPING HAND

During Wolves home games in November, including contests on Nov. 8, 9, 15 and 16, the organization will be collecting non-perishable food items to support Common Pantry of Chicago, the oldest continually operating non-profit food pantry in the City.

“I think now, more than ever, it’s even more essential that we support those with food insecurities,” Courtney Mahoney, Wolves President of Operations, said. “We have an opportunity these next few games in November to really make a difference.”

From 2021-24, the Wolves have donated over 2,300 pounds of food to Common Pantry.

Help Common Pantry fight hunger by donating here today.

Weekly rewind (1-2-0-0)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29

Admirals 4, Wolves 1: Gavin Bayreuther scored for the Wolves but it wasn’t enough as the Admirals skated to the  victory. It marked Chicago’s second consecutive loss after opening the 2025-26 American Hockey League season with a four-game points streak.

SATURDAY, NOV. 1

Wolves 4, Marlies 1: Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 22 saves and got offensive support from Nikita Pavlychev (goal and an assist), Evan Vierling (goal), Dominik Badinka (goal), Skyler Brind’Amour (goal) and Noel Gunler (three assists).

SUNDAY, NOV. 2

Marlies 4, Wolves 2: Gavin Bayreuther and Skyler Brind’Amour scored but the Wolves fell short in the second of back-to-back contests between the teams. Alex Nylander scored twice to help the Marlies snap a four-game losing skid.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

4-3-1-0, fourth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE