A STAR IN THE LONE STAR STATE

April 29, 2026

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ROBIDAS RELISHES HOMECOMING

The Central Division Semifinals are a homecoming for Wolves forward Justin Robidas.

Born in Plano, Texas, in 2003 while his father, Stephane, played for the Dallas Stars, Justin has returned to the Lone Star State for Games 1 and 2 of the Wolves’ best-of-five postseason series against the Texas Stars in Cedar Park, Texas.

Though the Robidas family moved to Canada when Justin was 12, the 2026 American Hockey League All-Star has plenty of country in him.

How much country?

A month ago, Robidas bought his first pair of custom cowboy boots and his music playlist is almost entirely country.

“I like the cowboy style,” Robidas said. “Cowboy boots and the hat and living on a ranch, that kind of vibe. And pretty much all I listen to is country music. I grew up listening to that and it kind of stuck.”

Robidas, who had a team-high four shots on goal during the Wolves’ 2-0 loss in Game 1 on Tuesday night, said he still gets a thrill playing in the state in which he was born.

“It’s just always nice to be back there,” Robidas said. “It’s still kind of feels like home so it’s pretty special.”

Robidas had three assists in two regular-season games against the Stars in Texas in 2025-26 and during his rookie campaign in ’24-25, the 23-year-old had three goals and three assists in four contests in Texas.

He has even excelled during Country Night at Allstate Arena—Robidas had two goals on Dec. 28, 2024, and a goal and an assist during the Feb. 21 game.

While Robidas joked the new cowboy boots might make an appearance during the trip, he added, “we know what we have to do—we need to take care of business.”

‘best two years of my life’

It was an adversity-filled sophomore campaign for former Penn State Nittany Lions and current Wolves forward Charlie Cerrato. The second-round (No. 49 overall) pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft was plagued by unfortunate injuries.

The Fallston, Maryland, native, who signed a Professional Tryout Contract with the Wolves on March 31, posted 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 23 games with Penn State despite being  injured in the second half of the season. He returned for the first round of the NCAA Tournament in late March only to get injured again as Penn State’s season ended with a loss to Minnesota-Duluth.

“What I had was kind of a tricky injury,” said Cerrato, who made his professional debut during the Wolves’ loss to the Stars in Game 1. “It was tough being out but I’m feeling good and making sure nothing happens again and being smart right now.”

Cerrato had nothing but great things to say about his college experience and how the program set him up for future success.

“It was the best two years of my life,” he said. “Everyone says that college is some of the best years and I think it was even more special being able to play hockey at such a fun university. I mean, I have 30, 40 best friends for life now. It’s incredible.”

The 21-year-old center skated on a line with Nikita Pavlychev and Noel Gunler in Game 1 and had a couple of quality chances around the net.

It was a strong start to his Wolves career.

“Everyone’s been really nice and welcoming to me since I arrived,” Cerrato said. “I’m just getting used to the fast-paced practices. The speed and strength are going to take some time but everything’s been awesome so far.”

Cerrato highlights his agility and competitiveness as two of his biggest attributes as he adapts to professional hockey.

“I’m super-excited to be here and obviously just going to do what I can to help the team win wherever they assign me,” he said. “I’ll just try to play my butt off and work hard.”

 

CALL HIM IRONMAN

Just one player took the ice for every Wolves regular-season game during the 2025-26 campaign.

Felix Unger Sorum appeared in all 72 contests—and even added a 73^rd when he made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes on April 14. The Trondheim, Norway, native closed out his regular season by playing in four games in six days.

“You want to play all the games and as a team we did a great job so it was fun to be in there,” Unger Sorum said. “It’s nice to play all the games but now the focus is on the playoffs.”

The Wolves opened the Central Division Semifinals with a loss to the Stars and Unger Sorum was again on the ice for his 74^th game.

While appearing in each game is a highlight on Unger Sorum’s statistical line, more impressive was the 20-year-old’s career highs in goals (17), assists (49) and team-leading points (66) during the regular season. Those numbers are a marked improvement from the ’24-25 season when Unger Sorum had five goals and 15 assists in 61 games.

What is Unger Sorum’s formula for staying on the ice in ’25-26?

“Just try to sleep as much as I can and eat right and then go out and have fun,” he said.

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE SEASON

On Oct. 19, 2025 against the Rockford IceHogs at Allstate Arena, Wolves forward Bradly Nadeau brought the crowd to its feet with a “Michigan” goal. The 20-year-old forward scooped the puck up with his stick, carried it around the Rockford goal and tucked it over the left shoulder of IceHogs netminder Drew Commesso.

 

C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE SEASON

Wolves defenseman Domenick Fensore delivered a crushing hit to the Admirals’ Joakim Kemell during the Dec. 9 game against Milwaukee at Allstate Arena.

SAVE OF THE SEASON

Wolves goaltender Cayden Primeau robbed the IceHogs’ Rem Pitlick with a diving, desperation glove save on Jan. 17 against Rockford on home ice.

 

Weekly rewind (0-1)

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Stars 2, Wolves 0: In a classic goaltending showdown, the Stars’ Remi Poirier (16 saves) out-dueled the Wolves’ Cayden Primeau (25 saves) to propel Texas to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Artem Shlaine scored both goals of the contest for the Stars.

First Star of the season

Where we stand

36-21-8-7, finished in second place in the Central Division.

*-If necessary

For information on Wolves tickets for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.