Chicago Wolves: Life Under The Pandemic

The Chicago Wolves 26th season abruptly ended in March 2020, as the nation and world braced for the Coronavirus global pandemic. Join Chicago Wolves Play-By-Play Announcer Jason Shaver as he documents and tracks the challenges and changes facing the team. You'll hear from players, management and staff in this limited-series podcast.

On the night of Wednesday, March 11, every Chicago Wolves player was taking it easy because they knew four busy days lay ahead. Morning practice and the official team picture scheduled for Thursday, then home games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the team intended to solidify its top-four spot in the AHL's Central Division standings and the accompanying slot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Then they saw on the news that the NBA had suspended its season because Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. By the time they put on their uniforms and took their assigned spots in the middle of the Allstate Arena ice for the team picture, their whole world had changed. Wolves players, organization leaders, team trainers and more share their perspectives on that dramatic March 12 day.

For the first time since 2011, the Chicago Wolves were scheduled on March 13-15 to host three home games in three days – known in the hockey business as a "3-in-3." Every corner of the organization invested months of effort to prepare for visits from the San Antonio Rampage on Friday night, the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday night and the Manitoba Moose on Sunday afternoon. But 27 hours before the Wolves were to open the Allstate Arena doors for the first of these games, the American Hockey League announced an indefinite suspension of the season. In this week's episode of "Chicago Wolves: Life Under the Pandemic," learn many of the ways the players, coaches, front office and fans were affected by this sudden change. 

With the AHL season suspended indefinitely, Chicago Wolves players have returned to their homes all over North America. For veteran center Patrick Brown, that means he's back in New York City with his bride, Julia. a cardio thoracic nurse. "She's my hero right now. I'm very proud of her and nervous at the same time." That's just one of many inside stories in this week's episode of "Chicago Wolves: Life Under the Pandemic" presented by Jason Shaver and Imran Javed. Learn more about the beautiful St. Patrick's Day jerseys the players never got to wear – and the happy accident during the design process that made them look even greater. Curtis McKenzie talks about his bobblehead that was supposed to be given away at the March 14 game, Tye McGinn discusses what it's like to own a professional hockey team these days and much more.

Not only has the suspended AHL season denied Wolves players and fans the chance to enjoy the excitement of a Calder Cup Playoffs chase, it prevented the Wolves from honoring defenseman Jake Bischoff with the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award before the April 5 game. More importantly, it robbed everyone of the chance to be reminded of Breslin's importance as a teammate, friend, family member and community advocate. Steve Maltais, Wendell Young, Bob Nardella, Courtney Mahoney and many more take advantage of this podcast to share their favorite memories of Tim Breslin. Learn more about the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award and Memorial Scholarship Email us: podcasts@chicagowolves.com SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives

The Dan Snyder Man of the Year award serves as the most prestigious honor a Chicago Wolves player can earn. That's how special Dan Snyder was – and this year's winner of the Dan Snyder Award is pretty special too. Goaltender Oscar Dansk received the 2019-20 award for numerous reasons – many of which are recounted during this episode of "Chicago Wolves: Life Under the Pandemic." But the best story in this week's podcast reveals the remarkable relationship Dansk has built with Angelo and the whole Daichendt family from Chicago's Northwest Side. (You also won't want to miss the great Dan Snyder stories interspersed throughout this episode.) Check out the latest digital edition of the Chicago Wolves gameday magazine, Breakaway Learn more about Dan Snyder and The Man of the Year Award SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email us: podcast@chicagowolves.com

This week's podcast episode features a ton of intriguing topics that help explain how Wolves players are getting through the pandemic. Learn how the new dad thing is going for @JaycobMegna. Find out whether @kkolesar28 can hit a driver straight. Guess which Wolves player declares himself "obsessed" with Michael Jordan and "The Last Dance." Enjoy some excellent book recommendations from a variety of Wolves types…hear from Chicago Sun-Times Wolves beat writer @BrianSandalow…and who's spreading the rumor that @BrettLernout's beard has taken over his entire face? Megna family experiences childbirth during COVID-19 - Suntimes SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email us: podcast@chicagowolves.com

It's a tough day with the news that the 2019-20 season has been canceled, but this week's podcast puts the spotlight on happier times: Our wonderful run to the 2019 Calder Cup Finals! Sit back and enjoy as Jason Shaver and Imran Javed share insights from Cody Glass, Nic Hague, Jake Leschyshyn, Zac Leslie, T.J. Tynan and Zach Whitecloud as they steer us through the Grand Rapids, Iowa, San Diego and Charlotte series. Hear some of the best calls by Shaves and Billy and, hey, get ready to play the Wolves Nicknames Game! Den Diversions - Games For Kids SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email us: podcast@chicagowolves.com

  Part 1 of this week's podcast features some heavy hitters – AHL president and CEO David Andrews and Wolves general manager Wendell Young – as they share significant insights from the process that led to the 2019-20 season's cancellation and what the AHL requires to launch the 2020-21 season. Wendell also provides a few details on the Wolves' forthcoming affiliation agreement. Goaltender Garret Sparks, who grew up 15 minutes from Allstate Arena, reveals how much he enjoyed playing for his hometown team and how good the Wolves felt about themselves when the season was suspended. Part 2 arrives later this week! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email us: podcast@chicagowolves.com

In Part 2 of this week's podcast, Wolves senior vice presidents Courtney Mahoney and Jon Sata and public relations director Lindsey Willhite discuss how the cancellation of the 2019-20 American Hockey League season serves as a springboard for the team's 2020-21 season. Tune in to learn how the Wolves are working with fans, sponsors, charities, Allstate Arena and everyone else to get through this pandemic together – as Season 1 of our podcast comes to a close. Don't worry…there will be a new season! Skates Birthday/Special Occasion Parade Request SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email us: podcast@chicagowolves.com

The Life Under The Pandemic podcast is back as Imran Javed and Jason Shaver bring you a special holiday edition! Shaves catches up with Wolves general manager Wendell Young, who provides insight on how the Wolves built their partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes and offers names of potential Wolves players. (Hint: these are some good names.) SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

Happy New Year! The Life Under the Pandemic podcast kicks off 2021 with a must-listen episode featuring No. 21: Scooter Vaughan! The American Hockey League's 2018 Man Of The Year has completed his transition from the ice to the business and charity worlds — and now he's thriving in Florida. Jason Shaver interviews Scooter and their lively conversation ranges all over the place, which makes sense when you engage a world traveler who's not afraid to say exactly what he means. Links: Chicago Wolves Social Equality Page Chicago Wolves Charities SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

Let's play some hockey — and enjoy another Life Under The Pandemic podcast! With the new American Hockey League season ready to begin Feb. 5, it's the perfect time to catch up with new Wolves head coach Ryan Warsofsky! Jason Shaver interviews him and you'll love hearing him say such things as "We want to win, no matter what the season looks like." Tune in to find out why Hall of Famer Ray Bourque long has been one of his boosters…what he puts on a hot dog…and so much more! Links: Ryan Warsofsky Q&A (Part I) Ryan Warsofsky Q&A (Part II) SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

ith just one month to solve all of the issues presented by playing at the Chicago Wolves Training Facility in Hoffman Estates during the COVID-19 pandemic, every person in the Wolves organization has been working overtime to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy while delivering the best atmosphere to play great hockey. In this episode, Jason Shaver talks with general manager Wendell Young and senior vice presidents Courtney Mahoney and Jon Sata to gain insight on how things will work during this unique season. For example, if you want to learn more about the one-year partnership with the Nashville Predators and how playing time will be distributed between Carolina Hurricanes prospects and Predators prospects, you want to listen here! Links: Wolves donate $250,000 to local charities SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

In 2005-06, Patrick Dwyer spent his first full season as a professional with the Chicago Wolves and he stacked up 16 goals and 29 assists. Fifteen years later, following a lengthy career that including 416 NHL games, Dwyer has returned to the Wolves to serve as an assistant coach. To get a sense of all that Dwyer has learned during his time away from Chicago, you'll want to hear Jason Shaver's interview with the 37-year-old Montana native. Among other nuggets in this episode, you'll get a sense how training camp has been going, learn Dwyer's nickname for head coach Ryan Warsofsky and discover the nickname Dwyer received during his first Wolves tenure. Links: Order your Fan Cutout! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com  

The Chicago Wolves and the Same Here Global Mental Health Movement have teamed up to create "Project Thrive," a multi-faceted plan to change the conversation about mental health in Chicago and provide opportunities for people all over North America to learn from national experts in integrative health. The Wolves will host Zoom Sessions two Thursday nights per month to share information on Sleep, Connecting with Nature, Stress, Diet, Self-Awareness and other subjects that affect everyone's mental health and well-being. #SameHere Global founder Eric Kussin hosts the first Zoom at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, so Wolves podcast co-host Jason Shaver checks in with Eric as well as Wolves Group Event Specialist Leslie Metcalf to explain how Project Thrive can help everyone. They both have a wonderful way comparing mental health to physical health and ways to feel better. Learn more about Project Thrive and to join any or all of the Zoom sessions. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

It's finally time to drop the puck and podcast co-hosts Imran Javed and Jason Shaver get you ready for Friday's opener! Hear new head coach Ryan Warsofsky talk about going unbeaten and reveal several other insights about this year's team. Veteran trainer Kevin Kacer explains our strict testing protocols. Then Wolves senior vice presidents Courtney Mahoney and Jon Sata and directors Dan Harris and Lindsey Willhite share some of the organization's favorite experiences during the 11 months away from the rink — and what they can't wait to see once the team hits the ice. Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com  

The Wolves are the hottest hockey team in North America — and Jason Shaver and Bill Gardner interview 19-year-old savants Seth Jarvis and Phil Tomasino and head coach Ryan Warsofsky and find out all the things you want to know. Learn about the tight connection between Jarvis and former Wolves forward Cody Glass. Listen as Billy G. and Tomasino compare experienes about playing for Canada in the World Junior Championship. Oh, and Warsofsky lays down the law about how hard he plans to coach his younger brother, David: "If he doesn't like it, he can come at me as much as he wants." (He says this with a smile, by the way.) There's nothing but gold in this edition of the Life Under The Pandemic podcast! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

As the Wolves keep rolling, podcast co-hosts Imran Javed and Jason Shaver keep delivering the goods! In this week's episode, Jason and Bill Gardner help you get to know defenseman Jeremy Davies and forward Jamieson Rees. Davies, who leads the AHL in assists, spent part of his junior career in Bloomington, Illinois, while Rees, who scored two goals Sunday two days after turning 20, grew up watching AHL hockey in Hamilton, Ontario. Rees was in the arena when the high-scoring Wolves faced Hamilton goaltender Carey Price in the 2007 Western Conference Finals (he was rooting for the wrong team, but Jason and Billy don't hold that against him). And don't worry: This episode isn't all about hockey. Jason, a native Minnesotan, enlightens Imran, a native Chicagoan, about the culinary masterpiece that is the Minnesota Hot Dish. All that and more in this week's Life Under The Pandemic podcast! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

We celebrated International Women's Day on Monday — featuring videos on our Twitter account (@chicago_wolves) — but the women who work for the Wolves deserve way more than a day to have their stories shared and their success celebrated! Jason Shaver interviews senior director of program development Stefanie Evans, client services coordinator Hailey Kaufman, senior vice president of operations Courtney Mahoney and senior director of ticket retention and services Jackie Schroeder during this week's podcast — and senior vice president of partnerships and business development Jon Sata adds his thoughts on the women who make our organization so much better. As a bonus, the Shaves lauds his mother for her groundbreaking role with Minneapolis' Met Center — and reveals the all-time great athlete he got to meet as a result of her hard work. Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com