‘It’s good to be back’

October 08, 2026

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WOLVES’ JAASKA MAKES HIS RETURN

Juha Jaaska isn’t just happy to be back on the ice scoring goals for the Wolves, the forward is thankful he can move normally at all.

It was this time a year ago when Jaaska was suffering through a painful injury that had him doubting whether he could ever live a normal life again.

After a standout 2024-25 season during which he had 12 goals and 21 assists with the Wolves as well as an 18-game stint in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes that earned him a two-year, one-way contract inked in June of ’25, Jaaska was riding high.

But a persistent groin injury wouldn’t heal and the Helsinki, Finland, native underwent surgery to repair it. Several times during the Wolves’ ’25-26 campaign Jaaska appeared to be on track to return to the lineup but that never came to fruition and a second surgery was required.

“I wouldn’t wish that for anyone,” Jaaska said. “It changed my perspective on hockey totally. I realized how much gratitude I have to be a pro and how much of a love of the game I have. To go one year without it, it changes your perspective.”

Dark times followed as doubts crept in as to whether the 28-year-old would ever recover enough to live a normal life.

“Around this time last year I was done with hockey for sure and I was worried I was done even moving normally,” Jaaska said. “It’s crazy how fast it can happen. I had a great season (in ’24-25); I played my first NHL game and I signed a two-year contract and everything was great. Then suddenly it was like, ‘oh, no.’ But it’s a part of sports and part of life.”

While still not fully healed, Jaaska is back with the Wolves and on Sunday, notched the team’s first goal of the ’26-27 campaign when he took a feed from Viktor Neuchev and snapped a shot from the left dot that beat Manitoba netminder Thomas Milic to the glove side. It was Jaaska’s first goal with the Wolves since April 23, 2025 and signaled that he is ready to be an impact player again.

“It doesn’t feel the same way it used to be,” Jaaska said. “I trust that if I stay healthy and get reps in weeks and months that I will be back to where I used to be.

“I’m just so excited to turn the page,” he concluded. “It’s time to go day by day and get better. It’s good to be back.”

–Chris Kuc

Vierling ‘HUNGRIER THAN EVER’ IN SECOND SEASON

As Evan Vierling stepped onto the ice for the first day of Wolves training camp prior to the season, the 25-year-old carried a confidence he may not have had at this time last year entering his rookie season.

Vierling was one of the Wolves’ biggest surprises during the 2025-26 campaign, leading all team rookies with 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) and adding six points (goal, five assists) during the Wolves’ run to the Calder Cup Finals.

Despite Vierling’s individual success, he’s determined to build off his first season and help Chicago in its quest for a sixth league championship.

“I think I’m hungrier than ever,” said Vierling, who re-signed for another season with the Wolves on July 21. “Just coming back to Chicago and being here with the guys is exciting enough. I think I had a good year last year and I want to match that and exceed it.”

Vierling was in communication with head coach Spiros Anastas and assistant Dan Price during the summer and is pumped to be able to work with both as well as new assistant coach R.J. Enga.

“They were a big reason why I re-signed here,” Vierling said. “They were great for my game and developing me last year (by) really just believing in me and helping me become reliable on both sides of the puck.”

A long postseason run came with a short summer as Vierling spent some time home in Toronto as well as a trip to Charleston, South Carolina to unwind a bit after last season.

As he arrived back in Chicago, he couldn’t help but feel the excitement from Wolves fans and lingering anticipation for the Home Opener on Oct. 10 against the Manitoba Moose.

“I have big expectations, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” Vierling said. “I want to just play and let everything else take care of itself.”

–Danny Karmin

 

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK

During Sunday afternoon’s game against the Moose in Manitoba, forward Juha Jaaska deposited his first goal with the Wolves since April 23, 2025. The veteran forward took a feed from Viktor Neuchev and snapped a shot from the left dot that beat Manitoba netminder Thomas Milic to the glove side.

 

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

During the second period of Sunday’s game in Manitoba, Wolves forward Gabriel Seger delivered a crunching hit to the Moose’s Isaak Phillips.

 

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Late in the first period of the Season Opener against the Moose on Saturday in Manitoba, Wolves goaltender Zach Sawchenko stoned Noah Gregor’s chance in tight with a left-pad save.

HELP STICK IT TO BREAST CANCER

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Wolves have again partnered with A Silver Lining Foundation to help raise awareness for the all-too-common disease.

On Saturday, Oct. 24 when the Wolves take on the Milwaukee Admirals, it will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Allstate Arena and fans can do their part to honor a breast cancer survivor by purchasing a Breast Cancer Survivor Stick.

The $175 donation equals the cost of a mammogram for someone who cannot afford one. Wolves players will write the name of the survivor on their sticks and fans who purchase a stick will have the opportunity to greet the player after the Oct. 24 game.

Fans purchasing a Breast Cancer Survivor Stick will also receive two free tickets to the Oct. 24 contest.

Weekly rewind (0-2-0-0)

SATURDAY, OCT. 3

Moose 3, Wolves 0: In their 33rd season opener, the Wolves were unable to solve Moose goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis, who made 36 saves to record the shutout.

SUNDAY, OCT. 4

Moose 8, Wolves 3: Juha Jaaska, Skyler Brind’Amour and Bradly Nadeau each scored for the Wolves but it wasn’t enough as the Moose swept the weekend series over the defending Western Conference champions.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

0-2-0-0, seventh in the Central Division.

For information on Wolves tickets, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.