After a strong 50-game stretch that saw the Wolves develop into one of the top teams in the American Hockey League, the interim label has been dropped from Spiros Anastas’ coaching title.
On Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that Anastas, who had been serving as interim head coach of the Wolves, has been named head coach–the 15th in team history–as the team prepares for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Anastas had been serving as interim since Dec. 12, 2025 when the Hurricanes, the NHL affiliate of the Wolves, relieved Cam Abbott of his duties. After Anastas took over the head coaching duties, the Wolves compiled a record of 25-14-5-6 and secured second place in the Central Division and a second consecutive postseason berth.
“Any time you get an opportunity to work for an organization like this one and are solidified as the guy taking them into the next season is really exciting for a young coach like myself,” the 40-year-old Anastas said. “I just need to express as much gratitude as much as I possibly can to the staff that’s here and to the players I get to work with every day. It’s a receptive group and the supportive staff has really propped me up to be able to secure this position.
“It’s been a great journey and I’m sure excited and blessed and grateful,” Anastas continued.
Anastas was named to the Wolves coaching staff on Aug. 28, 2024 and served as an assistant before moving up the ranks.
Prior to joining the Wolves, Anastas worked as a head coach in international competitions for Greece and China, as well as a scout for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
Anastas also has head coaching experience with the ECHL’s Brampton Beast and South Carolina Stingrays, among other stops. The Toronto native won a Calder Cup championship as an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2013.
Up next: The Wolves travel to Texas to take on the Stars in Game 1 of the Central Division Semifinals on April 28 (7 p.m.).
