From the moment the Chicago Wolves took the ice in 1994, they’ve been a smash hit. A sellout crowd of 16,623 fans greeted the Wolves for their first home game on Oct. 14, 1994. That became the first of many, many nights when the Wolves sent their fans home happy with a victory.;xNLx; ;xNLx;The Wolves started as an International Hockey League franchise and captured the Turner Cup championship in 1998 and 2000. When the Wolves shifted to the American Hockey League for the 2001-02 season, they made an immediate mark by claiming the 2002 Calder Cup. Head coach John Anderson and Kevin Cheveldayoff capped a remarkable run of four championships in 11 seasons with the 2008 Calder Cup title.;xNLx; ;xNLx;As the Wolves approach the quarter-century mark as a franchise, they’ve earned more than 1,000 regular-season wins and their all-time roster features more than 300 players who’ve also enjoyed time in the National Hockey League. Now partnered with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, the Wolves’ commitment to winning championships and providing a terrific show remains as strong as ever.
The International Hockey League grants franchise rights to Don Levin, Buddy Meyers and Grant Mulvey to operate a team in Chicago, called the Chicago Wolves, with home games at the Rosemont Horizon. Ex-Blackhawk Mulvey is named president/general manager and Wayne Messmer is chosen senior vice president
The Wolves officially announce the team and the Horizon as its home rink. The Horizon debuts plans for a $4 million renovation project to include a state-ofthe- art ice-making system.
Season tickets go on sale; the Wolves receive more than 1,000 calls.
Ground is broken on the Horizon renovation project; the first objective is to build new locker rooms.
The Wolves announce Gene Ubriaco as their first assistant general manager/head coach, the eighth time that Ubriaco, an experienced architect of pro hockey teams, is hired for an inaugural season.
The Wolves sign their first player, veteran International Hockey League defenseman Kevin MacDonald, the Phoenix Roadrunners’ all-time penalty minutes leader (855
The Wolves sign Chicago-area natives left wing Tim Breslin and center Jeff Rohlicek.
The Wolves announce WCBR ”The Bear“ (92.7 FM) as the official radio home of the Wolves; the station will carry all 81 1994-95 regular-season games and playoff games live.
AUG. 15, 1994 Center Brian Wiseman is signed to a Wolves contract; the University of Michigan product was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as a Wolverine senior.
The Wolves announce their inaugural season schedule.
