"We are proud to be affiliated with such a historically and financially successful American Hockey League franchise," said Waddell. "I'm confident our prospects will receive first-class treatment in Chicago, while continuing to be guided by coaches, management and trainers who work closely with the parent club in Raleigh."
READ: Q&A WITH DON WADDELL
Founded by current owners Don Levin and Buddy Meyers as an International Hockey League (IHL) expansion franchise in 1994, the Wolves have captured four league championships, winning the IHL's Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000 and the AHL's Calder Cup in 2002 and 2008. Chicago joined the AHL in 2001 as the top minor-league affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers, and have since captured eight division titles, four conference championships and two Calder Cups. The Wolves recently completed a three-year affiliation agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights, during which they advanced to the 2019 Calder Cup championship before falling in five games to the then-Hurricanes' affiliate Charlotte Checkers. The Wolves play their home games at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, and more than 58 percent (376 of 647) of Wolves players have played in the NHL.
Ryan Warsofsky, who served as head coach for the Hurricanes' top prospects in Charlotte in 2019-20, will continue to serve as head coach for the team in Chicago. In his first year as an AHL head coach, Warsofsky, 32, led the Checkers to a record of 34-22-5 before the season was suspended in March. Patrick Dwyer, who spent his rookie AHL season with the Wolves in 2005-06, will continue to serve as assistant coach under Warsofsky. In addition, Bob Nardella will maintain the role of assistant coach that he has held with the Wolves over the past three seasons. Nardella and Dwyer were teammates on the 2005-06 squad as Nardella wrapped up a 12-year professional career that featured three championships with the Wolves (1998, 2000, 2002) and two appearances with Italy's Olympic team (1998, 2006).
"It's a great organization," Chicago Wolves General Manager Wendell Young said of the Hurricanes. "Our relationship with Don Waddell over the years has been terrific and he leads an all-encompassing organization. They care about their AHL affiliate and they've done a great job of drafting and building through trades. We're excited about the prospects coming here and accompanying them with quality veterans. We're looking forward to putting a great team on the ice."
