Tim Breslin Scholarship and Awards

In Memoriam

Tim Breslin (1967-2005), one of the first three players signed by the Wolves organization, passed away on Feb. 9, 2005, due to complications from appendiceal cancer, which is a malignancy of the appendix. The Addison native and Driscoll Catholic High School graduate played five seasons with the Wolves and was an important member of the 1998 Turner Cup Championship squad.

Read this column by the Daily Herald’s Barry Rozner: Ten years after death of Wolves legend, a light shines through

Learn more about Tim Breslin.

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HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the 2020 Tim Breslin Scholarship are now closed.

Questions? Please contact the Chicago Wolves Community Relations Department at (847) 832-1983.

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2019-20 TIM BRESLIN UNSUNG HERO AWARD WINNER

The Chicago Wolves are proud to announce defenseman Jake Bischoff has been named as the winner of the 2020 Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award. This honor celebrates the Wolves player who best exemplifies the late Breslin’s on-ice spirit, team-first attitude and level of community involvement.

Breslin, the third player signed by the Wolves when the organization was formed in 1994, passed away on Feb. 9, 2005, due to complications from appendiceal cancer. The Addison native and Driscoll Catholic High School graduate contributed 37 goals and 82 assists in five seasons with the Wolves and played a big role on the franchise’s first championship team in 1998.

Bischoff, a 25-year-old defenseman from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has been a crucial part of the Wolves blue line for the last three seasons — including the 2019 squad that went all the way to the Calder Cup Finals. Though he owns 12 goals and 33 assists in 181 regular-season appearances, Bischoff’s value to the team is measured more by his ability to shut down opponents and make the correct play in all situations. His willingness to sacrifice his body to block shots is on display every shift.

“This is a huge honor for me,” Bischoff said. “Being a goal-scorer every night is not my focus. What I try to bring to the team is not so flashy. It’s nice that the fans appreciate the role I try to play.”

Wolves fans determined the 2020 Breslin Award winner as they voted at ChicagoWolves.com for the four candidates nominated by the team’s coaching staff: Bischoff, right wing Tye McGinn, defenseman Jaycob Megna and center Gage Quinney.

Bischoff was scheduled to receive the award from Breslin’s family on the Allstate Arena ice prior to the April 5 game against the Iowa Wild, but all American Hockey League games have been suspended indefinitely due to the novel coronavirus.

Bischoff joins former teammates Zac Leslie (2019) and T.J. Tynan (2018) along with Bryce Gervais (2017), Andre Benoit (2016), Brent Regner (2014, 2015), Bill Sweatt (2013), Mark Matheson (2012), Jaime Sifers (2011), Matt Anderson (2010), Steve Martins (2009), Brian Sipotz (2008), Brian Fahey (2007), Kevin Doell (2006) and Tim Wedderburn (2005) as the Wolves players who have earned this honor.

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2018-19 Tim Breslin Memorial Scholarship Recipient

The Chicago Wolves recognized Prospect High School senior Anelisa Marie Spagnola, who is this year’s recipient of the Tim Breslin Memorial Scholarship earmarked for a college-bound student who has overcome a hardship. With help from her mother and two older sisters, Anelisa has handled the loss of her father, Chicago police officer Michael Spagnola, who passed away suddenly on Feb. 10, 2013. To honor her father, who dreamed of becoming a dentist, Anelisa plans to pursue a degree in dentistry at University of Illinois-Chicago.

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Previous Unsung Hero Award Winners