Jeff Roberson / AP FILE
Chicago Wolves’ Tim Wedderburn (15) is congratulated by teammates after his goal during the second period against the Manitoba Moose in Game 1 of the AHL Western Conference Finals Thursday, May 19, 2005 in Rosemont, Ill. The Wolves won the game, 4-3.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 | 11:50 a.m.
The Golden Knights officially have a minor-league affiliate.
The team has entered into a multiyear affiliation with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League starting in the 2017-18 season, the team announced today.
Negotiations between the teams have gone on for months, and the signing of Reid Duke to the Wolves in April all but guaranteed this deal would be done eventually. The teams, however, waited for Chicago’s season to end to make it official.
“American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs and are we are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history,” said Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee. “I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game and helping young hockey players grow to reach their full potential as professionals. Chicago is without question one of the strongest, most passionate hockey communities in North America. This is a relationship that we truly believe will be mutually beneficial.”
The Wolves’ seasaon ended Saturday when they were bounced from the second round of the AHL playoffs with a 5-2 loss to Grand Rapids.
Duke was on the Wolves roster for the end of the regular season and both rounds of the playoffs but never saw the ice. He will join the Golden Knights at the Las Vegas Ice Center for their inaugural rookie camp from June 27 to July 1.
The Wolves have been the affiliate for the St. Louis Blues since 2013, and sources tell the Las Vegas Sun the Blues will still be able to loan players to the Wolves during the upcoming season.
The contract between the Blues and Wolves expired this year, and the Blues have not announced their plans for a new affiliate.
“If you look at George McPhee’s history, he has always been a general manager who believes that winning is an important part of developing players,” said Wolves owner Don Levin. “Professional playoffs are different than the regular season and he understands that and he wants his players to be ready to win.”
Founded in 1994, the Wolves were originally a member of the International Hockey League and joined the AHL when the IHL folded in 2001. They served as the minor-league affiliate for the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001-2011.
Chicago was then affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks for two years before joining the Blues in 2013.
