2013–14 Chicago Wolves season

2013–14 Chicago Wolves
Division 2nd Midwest Division
Conference 4th Western Conference
League 8th AHL
2013–14 record 35–18–4–2 (76 pts)
Home record 18–7–2–0
Road record 17–11–2–2
Goals for 179
Goals against 147
Team information
General Manager Wendell Young
Coach John Anderson
Assistant Coach Dave Allison
Scott Allen
Arena Allstate Arena
Average attendance 7,477 (44.0%)
Total: 201,878
Team leaders
Goals Ty Rattie (23)
Assists Keith Aucoin (24)
Points Ty Rattie (38)
Penalties in minutes Cody Beach (94)
Plus/minus (+) Evan Oberg (+20)
(–) Mark Cundari
Tim Miller (–2)
Wins Jake Allen (26)
Goals against average Jake Allen (2.09)
< 2012–13 2014–15 >

The 2012–13 Chicago Wolves season is the franchise's 20th season in the American Hockey League, which began on October 4, 2013. It marked the first year of the team's association with the St. Louis Blues after ending their relationship with the Vancouver Canucks. It also marked the return of head coach John Anderson after a five-year departure.

Off-season

Affiliation and coaching chances

The Wolves began their new affiliation with St. Louis Blues in 2013–14, having signed a three-year contract with them in April 2013 after Chicago's two-year agreement with the Vancouver Canucks ended.[1][2] Vancouver wanted an American Hockey League affiliate over which they had greater control than the independently-owned Wolves, who in turn wanted a partnership that afforded them more control over their own team.[3][4] Chicago co-owner Don Levin said the team's insistence on choosing its own head coach was a major factor in Vancouver's decision to move on.[2] The previous year's coach, Scott Arniel, departed during the off-season to become assistant coach for the New York Rangers,[5] while assistant coaches Mike Foligno and Nolan Baumgartner left to become assistant coaches of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets, respectively.[6][7]

For their new head coach, the Wolves re-hired John Anderson, who had led the team to more than 600 wins and four Calder Cup championships during his past coaching stint from 1997 to 2008.[8] Anderson's appointment was met with enthusiasm by others in the Wolves, as they had not won a playoff series since his departure, and spirits had become low on the team in recent years.[1][2][9] Dave Allison and Scott Allen became Anderson's assistant coaches; Allison had most recently been the Peoria Rivermen head coach, with Allen as his assistant.[10] The Kalamazoo Wings, who had been Chicago's ECHL affiliate, signed a new agreement in the off-season to continue their association with the Wolves, while simultaneously maintaining their ties with Vancouver and their new AHL team, the Utica Comets.[11][12] Chicago also renewed their one-year affiliation with the Central Hockey League's Missouri Mavericks during the off-season.[13]

Roster changes and preseason games

The Wolves lost several players from the previous season, including goaltender Joe Cannata;[14] defensemen Kevin Connauton,[15] and Brad Hunt;[16] and forwards Darren Archibald,[17] Guillaume Desbiens,[18] Kenton Miller,[19] Stefan Schneider,[20] and Taylor Matson.[21] The team re-signed goaltender Matt Climie,[22] defenseman Brent Regner,[23] and forwards Michael Davies,[24] Nathan Longpre,[25] and Tim Miller.[26] Jake Allen also joined Chicago from the St. Louis Blues. While he led all rookie National Hockey League goaltenders with nine victories the previous year,[27][28] the Blues did not have roster space for him due to the presence of Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halák.[28][29] The Wolves also signed Sergei Andronov and Corey Locke, two veteran forwards and past AHL Most Valuable Players,[30] as well as new forwards Sergei Andronov, Dmitri Jaškin, Ty Rattie,[27] Shane Harper,[31] Chris Porter,[32] Cody Beach, Alexandre Bolduc, Pat Cannone, Christian Hanson, Mark Mancari, Tyler Shattock, Yannick Veilleux and Sebastian Wännström;[33] and defensemen Joel Edmundson, Jani Hakanpää,[27] Henrik Ødegaard,[34] Taylor Chorney, Cade Fairchild, Evan Oberg, Brett Ponich and David Shields.[33]

The Wolves participated in three preseason games following a training camp that began Sept. 21, which general manager Wendell Young described as one of the most competitive in franchise history,[1] Chicago lost their September 25 preseason opener 2–1 against the Rockford IceHogs, with Matt Caria scoring their only goal.[35] They also lost their next game on September 27, when the Iowa Wild came back from a 3–1 deficit to win 4–3 in overtime.[36] The Wolves won their final preseason game on September 28 in a 3–0 shutout against the Milwaukee Admirals, with Allen stopping 27 shots and Locke scoring the short-handed game-winner.[37] Beach, Bolduc, Fairchild and Shattock all sustained injuries before the start of the regular season.[38] Chicago started the regular season with six veterans, meaning they have played 260 or more professional-level games. They include Keith Aucoin, Bolduc, Chorney, Locke, Mancari and Porter.[39][40] However, the AHL only allows five veterans to appear in a given line-up, so Chicago had to scratch at least one each game.[39]

2013–14 Preseason Game Log: 1–1–1–0
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record
1 September 25 Rockford 2–1 Chicago Meisner 0–1–0–0
2 September 27 Iowa 4–3 Chicago OT Climie 0–1–1–0
3 September 28 Milwaukee 0–3 Chicago Allen 1–1–1–0

Regular season

October

Chris Porter spent October playing for the Chicago Wolves before he was recalled to the St. Louis Blues.

The Wolves started the season with a 3–5–0–1 record in October, their third-worst opening month in franchise history behind 2003–04 and 2009–10.[39] They won their season opener on October 4, defeating the San Antonio Rampage 2–1, with Locke scoring the team's first goal of the season just over three minutes into the game.[41] They lost the day's next game against the Dallas Stars 4–1 after being outshot 38–19.[42] Chicago faced San Antonio twice more the following weekend, winning 3–1 in their home opener on October 12, but losing 4–2 the next day.[43] Goaltending was split between Allen and Climie over the four games, with Allen stopping 71 of 73 shots in two winning games, while Climie allowed four goals in each of a pair of losses. The Wolves went 1-for-17 on the power play in the first four games,[44] but were successful on all seven penalty kills.[43]

Chicago lost 5–3 to Rockford on October 18, coming back from a three-goal deficit before the IceHogs regained the lead 65 seconds later.[45] The Wolves won in overtime the next day to the Milwaukee Admirals, with Mancari scoring two goals including the game-winner.[46] Chicago lost their first shootout of the season on October 24, losing 5–4 to Iowa despite Andronov, Aucoin, Harper, Porter and Shields each recording multi-point games for the Wolves.[47] Chicago also lost their next two games, including their worst loss and first shutout defeat of the season after falling 5–0 to the Charlotte Checkers on October 27. It was also their last home game for 19 days due to the annual Barnum & Bailey Circus.[48] On October 31, Porter was recalled to the St. Louis Blues, bringing Chicago to within their per-game limit of five veteran players.[39]

November

Chicago split a pair of away games on November 1 and 2 against the Oklahoma City Barons, winning the first one 6–0 in their largest victory margin of the season thus far. Bolduc, Harper and Rattie each scored two goals in the game.[49] The Wolves lost the second match-up 4–2.[50]

Standings

Divisional standings

    		 Midwest Division[51] GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
    1 Chicago Wolves (SLB) 76 45 21 5 5 100 239 191
    2 Grand Rapids Griffins (DRW) 76 46 23 2 5 99 238 187
    3 Milwaukee Admirals (NAS) 76 39 24 6 7 91 215 199
    4 Rockford IceHogs (CHI) 76 35 32 5 4 79 234 262
    5 Iowa Wild (MIN) 76 27 36 7 6 67 169 235

    Conference standings

     y–  indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
     x–  indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
     e–  indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

      		 Western Conference[52] Div GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
      1 *y– Texas Stars (DAL) WT 76 48 18 3 7 106 274 197
      2 *y– Chicago Wolves (STL) MW 76 45 21 5 5 100 239 191
      3 *y– Toronto Marlies (TOR) NT 76 45 25 2 4 96 223 202
      4 x– Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) MW 76 46 23 2 5 99 238 187
      5 x– Abbotsford Heat (CGY) WT 76 43 25 5 3 94 237 215
      6 x– Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) MW 76 39 24 6 7 91 215 199
      7 x– Rochester Americans (BUF) NT 76 37 28 6 5 85 216 217
      8 x– Oklahoma City Barons (EDM) WT 76 36 29 2 9 83 239 256
      9 e– Rockford IceHogs (CHI) MW 76 35 32 5 4 79 234 262
      10 e– Utica Comets (VAN) NT 76 35 32 5 4 79 187 216
      11 e– Charlotte Checkers (CAR) WT 76 37 36 1 2 77 228 241
      12 e– Lake Erie Monsters (COL) NT 76 32 33 1 10 75 197 232
      13 e– Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL) NT 76 33 35 1 7 74 182 224
      14 e– San Antonio Rampage (FLA) WT 76 30 37 3 6 69 206 235
      15 e– Iowa Wild (MIN) MW 76 27 36 7 6 67 169 235

      * = Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings.
      The top eight teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.

      Schedule and results

      2013–14 Game Log – Regular season
      November: 6–1–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0–0 ; Road: 5–1–0–0)
      # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Gamesheet
      10 November 1 Chicago 6–0 Oklahoma City Allen 2,328 4–5–0–1 9 Gamesheet
      11 November 2 Chicago 2–4 Oklahoma City Allen 2,626 4–6–0–1 9 Gamesheet
      12 November 7 Chicago 2-1 Charlotte 5-6-0-1 11
      13 November 9 Chicago 2-1 Charlotte 6-6-0-1 13
      14 November 13 Chicago 3-1 Iowa 7-6-0-1 15
      15 November 15 Chicago 4-3 Milwaukee 8-6-0-1 17
      16 November 16 Grand Rapids 3-4 Chicago 9-6-0-1 19
      17 November 22 Chicago Milwaukee
      18 November 23 Grand Rapids Chicago
      19 November 27 Iowa Chicago
      20 November 29 Rockford Chicago
      21 November 30 Chicago Rockford

      Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1-point)

      Player statistics

      Skaters

      Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
      Updated as of November 3, 2013[53]

      Regular Season
      Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
      Locke, CoreyCorey Locke 10 3 6 9 1 4
      Harper, ShaneShane Harper 7 3 4 7 5 0
      Mancari, MarkMark Mancari 10 4 2 6 −1 6
      Aucoin, KeithKeith Aucoin 10 1 5 6 −4 0
      Rattie, TyTy Rattie* 11 4 1 5 0 2
      Shields, DavidDavid Shields 11 2 3 5 −1 9
      Oberg, EvanEvan Oberg 11 1 4 5 −1 14
      Bolduc, AlexandreAlexandre Bolduc 9 3 1 4 −3 24
      Regner, BrentBrent Regner 11 2 2 4 0 6
      Porter, ChrisChris Porter‡ 7 0 4 4 −4 15
      Cannone, PatPat Cannone 10 1 2 3 1 2
      Andronov, SergeiSergei Andronov 9 0 3 3 −1 4
      Shattock, TylerTyler Shattock 9 2 0 2 −1 7
      Jaškin, DmitriDmitri Jaškin* 3 1 1 2 0 2
      Davies, MichaelMichael Davies 6 0 2 2 −1 2
      Chorney, TaylorTaylor Chorney 9 0 2 2 −3 6
      Hakanpää, JaniJani Hakanpää* 10 1 0 1 3 6
      Wännström, SebastianSebastian Wännström 7 0 1 1 −1 6
      Longpre, NathanNathan Longpre 8 0 1 1 −1 2
      Hanson, ChristianChristian Hanson 10 0 1 1 −1 6
      Odegaard, HenrikHenrik Odegaard‡ 1 0 0 0 0 2
      Veilleux, YannickYannick Veilleux* 2 0 0 0 0 0
      Miller, TimTim Miller 4 0 0 0 −2 7
      Ponich, BrettBrett Ponich 4 0 0 0 0 10
      Edmundson, JoelJoel Edmundson* 9 0 0 0 −4 8

      †Denotes player spent time with another team before joining team. Stats reflect time with the team only.
      ‡Left the team mid-season
      *Rookie

      Goaltenders

      Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time on Ice; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; SV = Saves; SA = Shots Against; SV% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty Minutes
      Updated as of November 3, 2013[54]

      Regular Season
      Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SV SA SV% SO G A PIM
      Allen, JakeJake Allen 8 240:49 4 4 21 2.60 240 261 .920 0 0 0 2
      Climie, MattMatt Climie 3 177:10 0 3 11 3.73 81 92 .880 0 0 0 2
      Totals 660:59 4 7 32 2.90 321 353 .909 0 0 0 4

      ‡Left the team mid-season
      *Rookie

      Milestones

      Player Milestone Reached
      Dmitri Jaškin 1st AHL Game
      1st AHL Goal       		October 4, 2013[55]
      Joel Edmundson 1st AHL Game October 4, 2013[56]
      Henrik Ødegaard 1st AHL Game October 4, 2013[56]
      Ty Rattie 1st AHL Game October 4, 2013[55]
      Ty Rattie 1st AHL Goal October 12, 2013[43]
      David Shields 1st AHL Goal October 13, 2013[43]

      References

      1. 1 2 3 LaTour, Paul (October 3, 2013). "Chicago Wolves: Expectations high for Chicago Wolves". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      2. 1 2 3 Spellman, Mike (October 10, 2013). "With Anderson back, Wolves set sights on Cup". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      3. ↑ Rutherford, Jeremy (May 21, 2013). "Blues swap of AHL affiliates is hard for Peoria". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      4. ↑ Ecker, Danny (April 22, 2013). "Chicago Wolves look for more 'control' with new NHL affiliate". Crain's Chicago Business. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      5. ↑ Tucker, Cam (July 2, 2013). "Report: Scott Arniel expected to join Rangers coaching staff". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
      6. ↑ "Mike Foligno Named Devils Assistant Coach, Replaces Matt Shaw". CBS News. July 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      7. ↑ "Comets add to coaching staff". Observer-Dispatch. August 12, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      8. ↑ LaTour, Paul (July 10, 2013). "Anderson returning to coach Wolves". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
      9. ↑ Sasso, Matt (July 17, 2013). "Wolves bring Anderson back as head coach". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      10. ↑ Eminian, Dave (June 6, 2013). "With the Rivermen: Peoria wins coin flip, drafts SPHL players". Journal Star. p. 3D.
      11. ↑ Timmermann, Tom (September 22, 2013). "Blues make roster cuts; defenseman Edmunson stays". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      12. ↑ McGlothlen, Mark (September 29, 2013). "Kalamazoo Wings announce affiliations". WLKM-FM. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      13. ↑ "Wolves Re-up with Mavericks". Chicago Wolves. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      14. ↑ Caswell Jr., Mark (September 23, 2013). "Canucks Assign Four More to Utica". Utica Comets. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      15. ↑ Drew, David (October 2, 2013). "5 former WMU hockey players make NHL Opening Day rosters". Booth Newspapers. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      16. ↑ Baldwin, Michael (September 30, 2013). "OKC Barons: Defense will be the Barons' strong point". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      17. ↑ Pitarresi, John (September 25, 2013). "New team name, new ice: Archibald, Comets prep at Aud". Observer-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      18. ↑ Dater, Adrian (July 5, 2013). "Colorado Avalanche sign Nick Holden, Nate Guenin, Guillaume Desbiens, J.T. Wyman, David Van der Gulik, Colin Smith". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
      19. ↑ Denny, Adrian (October 6, 2013). "Utah Grizzlies: Grizzlies announce training camp roster". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      20. ↑ Troyke, Christine (September 24, 2013). "Gladiators add some experience, youth". Gwinnett Daily Post. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      21. ↑ "Taylor Matson (F)". American Hockey League. October 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
      22. ↑ "Wolves bring back goalie Climie". Daily Herald. May 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      23. ↑ "Tuesday's Sports Transactions". KRGV-TV. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      24. ↑ "Wolves Bring Back Davies". Chicago Wolves. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      25. ↑ "Sports in 60 seconds". Sports. Daily Herald. October 4, 2013. p. 3.
      26. ↑ "Scoreboard -- June 18, 2013". The American News. July 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      27. 1 2 3 Rutherford, Jeremy (September 26, 2013). "Allen, Jaskin among Blues' roster cuts". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      28. 1 2 LaTour, Paul (October 12, 2013). "Wolves rock Rampage 3-1". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      29. ↑ Rutherford, Jeremy (September 16, 2013). "Allen aware of goalie situation, but still trying to impress". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      30. ↑ LaTour, Paul (October 3, 2013). "Expectations high for Wolves". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      31. ↑ "Wolves Ink Shane Harper". Chicago Wolves. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      32. ↑ "Blues' Porter clears waivers and is assigned to minors". Belleville News-Democrat. September 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      33. 1 2 Bierman, Scott (September 22, 2013). "Blues trim roster to 31 players". KMOV. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      34. ↑ "Wolves Sign Henrik Odegaard". Chicago Wolves. October 1, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      35. ↑ "Rockford IceHogs down Chicago 2-1 in first preseason contest". Rockford Register Star. September 26, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      36. ↑ "Des Moines Register". The Des Moines Register. September 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      37. ↑ "Admirals fall to Wolves". September 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      38. ↑ LaTour, Paul (October 4, 2013). "Wolves embracing change". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      39. 1 2 3 4 LaTour, Paul (November 1, 2013). "Wolves hit the road looking to end slump". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      40. ↑ "State of the Pack - October Update". Chicago Wolves. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      41. ↑ "Wolves win season opener 2-1". Chicago Tribune. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      42. ↑ "Stars open season with 4-1 win over Wolves". YNN Austin. October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      43. 1 2 3 4 "Wolves Weekly Press Notes for Oct. 14". Chicago Wolves. October 14, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      44. ↑ LaTour, Paul (October 16, 2013). "Wolves Notes: Shields' 1st AHL goal offers peek into Anderson's system". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
      45. ↑ LaTour, Paul (October 18, 2013). "Wolves rally falls short". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
      46. ↑ Boehler, Dave (October 20, 2013). "Admirals coach finds gold in home opener loss". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
      47. ↑ "Wolves drop Wild one in shootout". Daily Herald. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      48. ↑ LaTour, Paul (October 27, 2013). "Wolves lose 5-0 at home to Checkers". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      49. ↑ Baldwin, Michael (November 1, 2013). "Chicago routs OKC Barons 6-0". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      50. ↑ Baldwin, Mike (November 2, 2013). "Oklahoma City Barons: OKC beats Chicago Wolves". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      51. ↑ "2013–14 Regular Season – Division". American Hockey League. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
      52. ↑ "2013–14 Regular Season – Conference". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
      53. ↑ "Skaters – 2013–2014 Regular Season – Chicago Wolves". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      54. ↑ "Goalies – 2013–14 Regular Season – Chicago Wolves". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
      55. 1 2 "Wolves Weekly Press Notes for Oct. 7". Chicago Wolves. October 7, 2013. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
      56. 1 2 "Gamesheet: Chicago at San Antonio". American Hockey League. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.

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