‘The biggest thing is just believing’

May 27, 2026

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VIERLING MAKING HIS MARK

When Evan Vierling arrived at Wolves training camp in October, the forward’s goal was simple: Make the team.

Fast-forward eight months or so and Vierling isn’t only on the team, he’s remained one of its most valuable players as the Wolves continue their run in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Even during a slow start—Vierling didn’t score his first goal until Nov. 1—as well as enduring a 17-game slide from Jan. 31-March 18 when he didn’t find the back of the net, the Aurora, Ontario, native never doubted his abilities or value to the Wolves.

That confidence came from those who believed in him most: Vierling himself and the Wolves coaching staff.

“If I didn’t believe in myself, I wouldn’t be here,” Vierling said following Tuesday’s practice in preparation for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Colorado Eagles on Thursday night in Loveland, Colo. “The biggest thing is just believing.

“I remember talking with the coaches after the first six games and the production wasn’t coming and asking if that was going to affect where they’d see me in the lineup and they said, ‘no, it’s more about doing the right things and just trusting that the points will eventually come,’ ” Vierling continued. “And they did.”

The 23-year-old finished the season with 16 goals—including three on the power play—and 19 assists in 70 games.

“When coming in here and just trying to make this team I just tried to put my best foot forward and have a positive mindset and it’s paid off for me,” Vierling said. “As the season went on it was just about contributing and knowing my role.”

What is that role?

“Really anything the coaches need me to do,” Vierling said. “I can penalty kill and play on power play. Whatever the coaches want from me, I try to do my best at it.”

Growing up just outside of Toronto made Vierling a Maple Leafs fan—Auston Matthews was his favorite player—and stoked his dream of playing in the NHL.

It’s a goal that remains to this day.

“I really want to keep pushing,” said Vierling, who was selected in the fifth round (No. 127 overall) by the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. “As a kid, it’s your dream to play in the NHL and that’s still my dream. There’s a lot of work that has to be done and this year has been a great step for me.”

For now, Vierling is laser-focused on helping the Wolves advance past the Eagles and go on to win the Calder Cup.

“It’s pretty cool being a part of something like this,” Vierling said. “We’re in the Western Conference Finals and everybody knows their role. This has been great.”

PRIMEAU LEADING THE WAY

Cayden Primeau is as adept at deflecting praise for his strong play as he is at steering pucks away from the Wolves goal.

The veteran netminder has been in goal for each of the Wolves’ nine games during the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs and sports a 6-3 record, 2.31 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. Primeau’s 268 postseason saves ranks fourth in the American Hockey League.

The 26-year-old credits his teammates in front of him for the success.

“It helps when the guys are buying in and blocking shots and breaking up passes,” Primeau said. “They have good sticks in lanes, they’re boxing guys out around the net and picking up sticks so I feel like we’re playing really well defensively.”

One person who isn’t shy to heap praise on his goalie is Wolves head coach Spiros Anastas.

“Cayden just has a calm demeanor and he takes accountability for his games,” Anastas said. “He identifies when he needs to have goals back and really cultivates a real confidence in the team in front of him. He’s a leader from our goal line out and they love playing in front of him.”

WORKING OVERTIME

The Wolves are no strangers when it comes to playing close games.

During the regular season and into the playoffs the Wolves have thrived on extending games into overtime to come out on top.

Chicago tied with Calgary for the most games that went beyond regulation during the 2025-26 campaign with 24 and picked up 33 points in the process. In one-goal contests, the Wolves went a sparkling 18-5-8-7.

It’s been more of the same in the playoffs as four of the Wolves’ nine games have gone into overtime (two wins) and seven have been decided by one goal.

Head coach Spiros Anastas said the extended success is due to the players “leaning into our preparation. Our team has a lot of confidence in the messaging the coaches bring,” Anastas continued. Our staff of Dan Price and Zach Richards doesn’t leave any stone unturned. When we bring information, our team knows it comes from a good place and that will set us up for success.

“The other thing is our preparation on the physical side,” Anastas continued. “We’ve put a lot of thought into workload management and how we structured our practices all year. That comes from our training and medical staff. Between Jack Rinzel, Austin Kasper and Jim Schroeder, we have one of the best in the league so we lean into that knowing that there aren’t as many teams that are in as good of shape as us and definitely none in better shape than us.”

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS schedule

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