‘I feel more confident now’

November 26, 2025

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HEIMOSALMI SETTLING IN

In his second season in North America, Wolves defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi has found his comfort zones on the ice, away from the ice and even on the basketball court.

The 22-year-old from Pori, Finland, has developed into one of the Wolves’ most reliable defenders and has also begun focusing on joining the offensive rush.

“I feel more confident now,” Heimosalmi said. “It’s my second year and you learn about a lot of things in the first year and now it’s way easier to come here off the ice and on the ice. I’m learning the playing style on the ice and the routines off the ice. And the food and language is different but now things are easier for me.”

That ease has translated into solid play–especially in recent contests. Heimosalmi recorded his first multi-point game of the season–including his first goal–during the Wolves’ contest against the Manitoba Moose on Saturday. During the 2025-26 campaign, Heimosalmi has a goal, five assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-1 in 15 games. Last season, he finished with five goals, nine assists and a minus-29 rating in 56 contests.

“I’m playing a solid two-way game,” Heimosalmi said. “I can make something happen in the offensive zone and at the same time I can play tight defense all around. Both ends are good.”

Also good is Heimosalmi’s living situation. He is close friends and roommate with teammate Juha Jaaska and the duo is taking advantage of all the Chicago area has to offer.

“Now we’re living close to the train station so you can go downtown a little bit easier,” Heimosalmi said. “We have done way more things than we did last year. We’re just trying to do a little bit of different things so it’s not like staying at home all the time.”

One of those different things is taking to the basketball court when weather permits. Along with Jaaska, Heimosalmi is often joined by Felix Unger Sorum and Noel Gunler to get shots up. Or, as Heimosalmi put it, “we’re just throwing the ball to different spots.”

What kind of basketball player is the 5-feet-11-inch Heimosalmi?

“I’d say I’m above average but not too good,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe it will turn into an after-hockey career.”

THANKSGIVING GOES TO THE DOGS

Thanksgiving dinner has been served … to nearly 200 dogs at Border Tails Rescue.

On Tuesday night, Wolves players Nikita Pavlychev, Braden Doyle, Blake Biondi, Skyler Brind’Amour, Bryce Montgomery and Yanick Turcotte continued the Wolves’ unwavering commitment to help enrich the lives of dogs awaiting adoption at the Northbrook, Ill., animal shelter.

There were plenty of smiles from the players and tail wags from the dogs as turkey and all the trimmings were dished out—and quickly devoured.

“It’s very special for all of us to be able to do this,” said Pavlychev, who along with his wife, Julianna, have a 6-year-old rescue dog of their own named Odie.  “It’s so cool to see these little puppies and older dogs be happy and enjoy their food. I’m so happy we’re able to give them some family love. Every dog deserves a loving family and there are so many amazing dogs here.”

It marked the second consecutive year the Wolves served Thanksgiving meals at Border Tails Rescue, which is currently housing and caring for 173 dogs.

“We are so excited to have the Wolves again this year to help us celebrate the holidays and bring something special to the dogs,” said Harleigh Garcia, Founder of Border Tails Rescue. “It’s not ideal for these dogs to be spending their holidays in the shelter. We’d love for them to all find homes but that’s just not possible right now so it’s nice to bring them a little something special and we love partnering with the Wolves.”

Wolves players certainly enjoyed partnering with the dogs—and even sampling some of the Thanksgiving dinner the team served.

“It’s cool to see these dogs and do something nice for them by giving them a Thanksgiving meal,” Montgomery said. “I’m a dog guy—every time I come here I want to leave with one.”

For information on adoption or to make a donation, go to bordertailsrescue.org.

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK

During Sunday’s game in Manitoba, Aleski Heimosalmi cut the Wolves’ deficit to 3-2 with his first goal of the season. With an extra attacker on the ice, the defenseman sent a shot on goal that Moose goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis stopped but the rebound caromed off a defender and bounced into the net.

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

During the first period of Sunday’s tilt against Manitoba, Wolves defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi delivered this crushing hit to the Moose’s Colby Barlow.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Making his third start of the season Thursday night against the Moose in Manitoba, Wolves netminder Cayden Primeau turned aside Samuel Fagemo’s breakaway chance—and saw Wolves forward Bradly Nadeau bail out the rebound by sweeping the loose puck off the goal line.

Weekly rewind (0-2-0-0)

THURSDAY, NOV. 20

Moose 2, Wolves 1:  Evan Vierling scored but that was the only offense the Wolves could muster as they saw their five-game points streak come to an end. Isaak Phillips had a goal and an assist to propel the Moose to their fifth win in a row.

SATURDAY, NOV. 22

Moose 3, Wolves 2: The Wolves got a goal and assist from Aleksi Heimosalmi and an Evan Vierling score but dropped their third game in a row—and second to open the trip. Manitoba extended its winning streak to six contests.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

7-6-3-0, fifth in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE