MEET THE ‘MENACE TO SOCIETY’ LINE

November 05, 2026

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RUSSIAN TRIO BECOMING A FORCE ON THE ICE

During the Wolves’ showdown with the Griffins on Oct. 11 in Grand Rapids, head coach Spiros Anastas shuffled the forward lines, grouping Russian natives Viktor Neuchev, Ivan Ryabkin and rookie Stiven Sardarian. The move paid immediate dividends as Sardarian netted his first professional goal that night with Neuchev and Ryabkin collecting assists.

Six games and 16 combined points later, the trio has developed a chemistry that has become a driving force for the Wolves.

Shift after shift, Neuchev, Ryabkin and Sardarian bring an imposing blend of tenacity, power and skill. Their relentless approach helped fuel the Wolves’ six-game points streak from Oct. 17-31, while making life difficult for opposing defenses.

They’ve earned their reputation through their play, but they’ve also picked up a nickname courtesy of the coaching staff that captures their identity perfectly.

Meet the ‘MTS (Menace to Society) Line.’

“We call them that because they have that menacing style of play and sometimes they’re a little bit menacing in practice, too,” Anastas said. “But they’ve progressed and developed really well together.”

What makes the trio so menacing?

“A big part of it is just the familiarity with the style of play they have with each other,” Anastas said. “They come from the same background and speak the same language. At the same time, they’re very committed to expressing themselves within their line while actually learning how to communicate with their English teammates as well.

“But they’re tenacious, they win pucks back, they attack the interior and the offensive zone a lot,” he continued. “So they’ve given us a lot of really good looks and they’ve produced.”

With English not being their native language, the trio has found comfort in each other.

The 23-year-old Sardarian is the oldest–Ryabkin is 19 and Neuchev is 22–and speaks the best English of the group. He spent the last four seasons in North America playing college hockey (NCAA) for the University of New Hampshire and Michigan Tech. He’s enjoying a breakout rookie campaign, recently recording a six-game assist streak from Oct. 18-31.

“They are both really good players,” Sardarian said of his linemates. “Neuchev is a great teammate and has played in this league for four years and Ryabkin is one of the best prospects in the (AHL). Speaking Russian together helps and I think it’s also like a power for us that we communicate really well and help and support each other all the time.”

“He’s a tough guy and he’s strong,” Sardarian said. “I really like this about him because I know if something happens, he can fight and protect me.”

Is Ryabkin talking in English or Russian during on-ice scrums?

“Probably 80 percent Russian and 20 percent English,” Sardarian said. “He doesn’t care–he’ll get under their skin either way.”

–Danny Karmin

SAWCHENKO SETTLES IN

Being in familiar surroundings has made goaltender Zach Sawchenko’s return to the Wolves a smooth one.

In his second stint in Chicago—Sawchenko appeared in 41 games with the Wolves during the 2022-23 season—the Calgary, Alberta, native has settled in as the backup to Cayden Primeau to give the defending Western Conference champions a formidable one-two punch between the pipes.

“It’s obviously easier to be with a club that you’ve been with before,” said Sawchenko, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 4. “There’s a lot of familiarity there so it’s not that big of an adjustment. You get used to a few things when you’re with a team so it’s definitely making it easier on me.”

During the ’22-23 campaign, Sawchenko posted a 17-18-3 record, 3.10 goals-against average and .895 save percentage as the No. 1 netminder with the Wolves. After a stop with the Abbotsford Canucks, Sawchenko spent the next two seasons with the Cleveland Monsters before heading back to Chicago.

The 28-year-old is using the return to the Wolves as an opportunity to showcase his talents with the hopes of taking the next step, even if it is in a backup role.

“You see how it goes nowadays—you can’t just run one guy out there for 72 games,” Sawchenko said. “You need both guys pulling the rope and Cayden and I have got a great relationship. We’re just trying to do our job when we’re called. And when you’re not called, it’s supporting the other guy.”

Sawchenko has appeared in seven career NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, registering a 1-2-1 record with a 3.35 goals-against and .905 save percentage. To get back to the NHL, Sawchenko said he needs to focus on being consistent each time he’s in the crease.

“Pro hockey is a grind,” Sawchenko said. “It’s a long season and you have to stick with it. It’s just about finding consistency in my game and the process and sticking with it.

“You never know when your opportunity is going to come,” he continued. “You’ve seen it in the past when guys are getting called up and next thing you know you have a chance to be a full-timer. It’s being prepared for that opportunity and trusting the process when it does come.”

–Chris Kuc

IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK

During Saturday night’s tilt against the Texas Stars at Allstate Arena, Gabriel Seger was the beneficiary of a beautiful move and setup by fellow forward Chase Wheatcroft.

 

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

Wolves defenseman Bryce Montgomery delivered a booming hit to the Texas Stars’ Emil Hemming during Saturday’s matchup at Allstate Arena.

 

SAVE OF THE WEEK

On Sunday afternoon against Grand Rapids at Allstate Arena, Wolves goaltender Zach Sawchenko flashed the leather on Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s breakaway bid.

Weekly rewind (1-1-0-0)

SATURDAY, OCT. 31

Wolves 6, Stars 3: Justin Robidas notched the winner in the third period, Gabriel Seger had two goals and assist, Aleksi Heimosalmi scored and added an assist and Evan Vierling and Ivan Ryabkin each tallied to help extend the Wolves’ points streak to six games.

SUNDAY, NOV. 1

Griffins 5, Wolves 1: The Wolves, who had their two-game winning streak snapped, got a goal from rookie Charlie Cerrato—his first as a professional—but that was it in the second of eight scheduled meetings between the Central Division rivals this season.

First Star of the Week

Where we stand

5-5-0-1, fourth in the Central Division.

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