Welcome to Wolves Insider, presented by Are You Really Winning?: The weekly report that gives you an inside look at the latest Chicago Wolves news and happenings. Look for a new edition of Wolves Insider each week.
BRIND’AMOUR IN FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
The sight of Skyler Brind’Amour hitting the ice wearing a Wolves sweater is so natural that it’s hard to imagine the forward donning a different American Hockey League sweater.
Somewhere in the back of the 27-year-old’s mind, it may come to that—but not at this point.
After signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 9, Brind’Amour is playing in his third season with the Wolves. It’s a natural fit considering his father, Rod, is the head coach of the Hurricanes but it’s Brind’Amour’s skillset that has him back in the organization.
“Honestly, it’s just the way it’s worked out the last couple of years,” Skyler Brind’Amour said. “I’m happy to be here. I love it here. I love playing here. The coaching staff is great and my teammates are all great. There aren’t a lot of complaints from me.”
Brind’Amour recorded 16 goals and 18 assists in 68 games with the Wolves during the 2025-26 season and also made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes on April 16, 2025 against the Canadiens in Montreal. The next night, the Raleigh, N.C., native netted his first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators.
This season, Brind’Amour has two goals and three assists in 11 contests with the Wolves and has also appeared in two games with the Canes. While trying to help the Wolves capture the franchise’s sixth league championship, Brind’Amour is also working on honing his skills with an eye toward a regular spot in the NHL.
“I have to play my game a little more consistently, be a little heavier on the forecheck and use my size a little better,” said the 6-foot-3-inch, 200-pound Brind’Amour. “I also need to continue to build on things offensively and keep growing in that area.”
For now, that growth will take place in a Wolves sweater.
“It was nice they wanted me back,” Brind’Amour said. “One day I probably won’t be here but I’m happy to be here right now.”
ANASTAS LOCKED IN BEHIND BENCH
As the one-year anniversary of his ascension to the Wolves head coaching job approaches, Spiros Anastas is firmly settled in behind the bench, in the dressing room and the coaches’ office.
Anastas, who joined the Wolves as an assistant prior to the 2024-25 season, was named interim head coach Dec. 12, 2025 before having the interim tag dropped in April of 2026 to become the 15th head coach in franchise history.
Since Anastas took the reins, the Wolves have gone 31-20-5-7 during regular-season contests and made a scintillating run to the 2026 Calder Cup Finals.
So, what is the biggest lesson Anastas has learned now in his first full season as the head man?
“The biggest thing I learned about last year and into this year is when you’re surrounded by great people and let them do their jobs, a lot of great things can happen,” Anastas, 41, said. “You’re only as good as the people around you and I think we’ve built a really good staff.”
That coaching staff includes holdover assistant Dan Price as well as newcomers R.J. Enga as an assistant and Gehrig Sarosy as Video Coach.
“I took over midway through (last season) so there were some things I couldn’t implement along the way,” Anastas said. “With the familiarity with Dan and the additions of R.J. and Gehrig, we have a great staff and we’re working very well together.”
IMPACT NETWORKING PLAY OF THE WEEK
During Saturday night’s tilt against the Stars in Texas, forward Viktor Neuchev potted his third goal of the season to put the game away for the Wolves.
C.D.E. COLLISION CENTERS’ COLLISION OF THE WEEK
Wolves forward Gabriel Seger crunched the Stars’ Harrison Scott along the Wolves bench during Friday night’s matchup in Texas.
SAVE OF THE WEEK
Wolves goaltender Cayden Primeau stoned the Stars’ Mike Sgarbossa’s third-period breakaway bid with a quick blocker save during Friday night’s contest in the Lone Star State.
Weekly rewind (1-1-0-0)
FRIDAY, NOV. 6
Stars 4, Wolves 3: Ronan Seeley, Aleksi Heimosalmi and Pierre-Olivier Joseph all scored but it wasn’t enough as Texas took the first of back-to-back games.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7
Wolves 5, Stars 2: Gabriel Seger, Evan Vierling and Juha Jaaska scored, Viktor Neuchev and Josiah Slavin each had a goal and an assist and Ivan Ryabkin had two assists as the Wolves rolled to a weekend split against the Stars.
First Star of the Week
 |
Gabriel Seger, FThe 26-year-old Uppsala, Sweden, native continues to find the back of the net, scoring four goals over his last five games. Seger is tied for the team lead in goals (four) and ranks second with eight points. |
Where we stand
6-6-0-1, fifth in the Central Division.
| Date | Opponent | Time | Location | Broadcast info | Promotions |
| Saturday, Nov. 14 | Milwaukee | 6 p.m. | UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena | FloHockey | |
| Sunday, Nov. 15 | Manitoba | 3 p.m. | Allstate Arena | FloHockey/FOX Chicago+ | Red Kettle Game, presented by The Salvation Army • Adopt-A-Dog Night |
| Tuesday, Nov. 17 | Rockford | 7 p.m. | BMO Center | FloHockey | |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | Toronto | 12:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena | FloHockey | |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | Toronto | 3 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena | FloHockey |
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