NEW MAN AT THE HELM

December 18, 2025

Welcome to Wolves Insider, presented by Are You Really Winning?: The weekly report that gives you an inside look at the latest Chicago Wolves news and happenings. Look for a new edition of Wolves Insider each week.

A SIT-DOWN WITH INTERIM COACH SPIROS ANASTAS

Last Friday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that Spiros Anastas had been elevated to interim head coach. The 40-year-old Toronto native had been serving as a Wolves assistant coach under Cam Abbott since Aug. 28, 2024. Prior to joining the Wolves, Anastas worked as head coach in international competitions for Greece and China as well as a scout for the Manitoba Moose.

Anastas also gained head coaching experience with Brampton and South Carolina of the ECHL and other stops. He won a Calder Cup championship as an assistant coach with Grand Rapids in 2013.

What are your initial thoughts on your first American Hockey League head coaching stint?

“It feels great to get the opportunity and to be trusted by the organizations–both the Hurricanes and the Wolves—to lead these guys. It’s been a pretty easy transition because I’ve been with them for the last 16 months and we have a great group of players.”

How would you describe your coaching style?

“I think I’m a guy who is very purposeful in the sense that everything needs to connect to the why and why we’re doing it and how it connects to the game and the game plan and those details in terms of Xs and Os and practice planning perspective.

I’m someone who focuses on how we’re going to develop and win each game that we play in terms of the relationships and the one-on-one connection with players.

I’d like to consider myself a player’s coach, but they know at the same time I’m pretty demanding and that I’m big on accountability.

But when you build those interpersonal relationships and you know them more than just being a hockey player, you’re able to keep them accountable for their actions because they know that you care about them.”

How do you balance trying to develop guys for the NHL but also trying to win a championship?

“From my experience, especially back when I worked in Grand Rapids, winning really develops winners and develops guys who know what it takes in high-pressure situations. So it is a balance. At the same time, I think they coincide. So for me, it’s getting guys into those high-stake situations and making sure that they have the preparation and the video and the conversations that gets them ready to take on those opportunities.

And when they execute in those areas, then we win. So I think they’re hand-in-hand. We have a lot of great young players, a lot of talent, and if we tighten up some of their details it’ll make us execute in those areas on the ice and we’ll win hockey games. So everyone should be happy if we’re doing our jobs right.”

Did your phone blow up when the news broke?

“I heard from a lot of guys, including a lot of guys who were on the Wolves last year who are no longer here and it’s always nice to get that support.

More importantly, it’s always nice to get the support when things don’t go your way. So it was nice to see some familiar names because I’ve been without a job before. When the same people show up, you know that you have some true friends and supporters in the game. That’s what it’s all about. We’re here to lift each other up.”

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

“Right now, we’re finding a level of consistency and we have a positive swagger. So it’s two-pronged: We want to be top of this division so we can set ourselves up nicely for the playoffs and we want to make sure guys get their opportunities so when the Hurricanes are in need it’s an easy transition for them and it’s seamless when they go and play.

I think we’re getting close to really accomplishing that. We’re a year more mature and a year more experienced and you see that in some of our key players so I think we’re going to get rolling here and I’m excited for it.”

NYSTROM ‘happy to be back’

Defenseman Joel Nystrom began his first full professional season in Chicago, playing in the Wolves’ first three games of the 2025-26 season.

Then injuries started to mount for the Hurricanes so the 23-year-old got the early call-up and a new opportunity. Nystrom made the most of his time in the NHL, playing in 24 games for the Hurricanes and registering five assists and a plus-three, plus-minus rating.

“It was a great experience,” Nystrom said. “All the guys welcomed me very well when I first came up, and then helped me a lot during the games and practices. So, yeah, it was a good time being there, but now I’m happy to be back (in Chicago) with the boys.”

Nystrom was especially excited to be reunited with a couple of his Swedish counterparts.

“I’ve been watching highlights of the (Wolves) games and talking with a lot of teammates regularly,” Nystrom said. “It’s nice to be back with my roommate ‘Gunny’ (Noel Gunler) again, and to see Felix (Unger Sorum) and all the other guys.”

Nystrom’s strong play was rewarded with a four-year contract extension to be a part of the Hurricanes and Wolves organization for years to come. As a seventh-round (219th overall) pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the blue liner was beaming with joy and gratitude.

“It’s a childhood dream,” Nystrom said. “I like being with both organizations.”

 

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK

During the first period of Saturday night’s game against Milwaukee at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Ivan Ryabkin recorded his first professional AHL goal. Teammate Domenick Fensore worked the puck to the side of the Admirals goal where Ryabkin swooped in and knocked it into the net.

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

During the first period of Saturday’s tilt against Milwaukee, Wolves defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi delivered a crunching hit to the Admirals’ Ryder Rolston.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

During Sunday’s game against Grand Rapids, Wolves defenseman Gavin Bayreuther did his best goalie impression, blocking a prime Griffins chance late in the third period.

 

STILL TIME TO HELP OTHERS

The Wolves/Vitalant Blood Drive will take place on Saturday  from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Allstate Arena Skyline Room prior to the Wolves’ game against the Iowa Wild. During this holiday season, fans have the perfect opportunity to help their community before enjoying an evening of exciting hockey.

All donors will receive two complimentary ticket vouchers to use for any future Wolves game during the 2025-26 season, a limited-edition Vitalant/Chicago Wolves T-shirt and a Wolves hat as well as being entered into a drawing to win a team-autographed Wolves jersey.

While walk-ins are welcomed on the day of the event, the Wolves and Vitalant recommend that appointments be made in advance. Donors must be at least 17 years old—or 16 with parental consent.

The best donation preparation includes eating well, staying hydrated and arriving at the Skyline Room with proper identification. Plan on the appointment lasting about an hour, though the donation takes just 10 minutes. The entire process is both safe and comfortable.

To schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org/wolves

Weekly rewind (2-0-0-1)

SATURDAY, DEC. 13

Wolves 4, Admirals 2: Domenick Fensore had a goal and two assists while Bradly Nadeau, Ivan Ryabkin and Justin Robidas each scored to help the Wolves hand the Admirals their fifth loss in a row—the last three to Chicago.

SUNDAY, DEC. 14

Griffins 2, Wolves 1 (SO): Justin Robidas scored but the Wolves couldn’t hold a third-period lead as the Griffins extended their franchise-high 11-game winning streak.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17

Wolves 3, Admirals 2: Cal Foote, Justin Robidas and Skyler Brind’Amour had goals to propel the Wolves to their fourth win—all against the Admirals—in the past five games. The victory lifted the Wolves into second place in the Central Division with a 13-7-3-2 record.

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First Star of the Week

Where we stand

13-7-3-2, second in the Central Division.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE