Chicago Wolves: Life Under The Pandemic

Like co-host Imran says, a pair of Davids is the best hand in Texas Hold ’em! We close out the 2021 season’s episodes by sharing terrific interviews with Texas native David Cotton, our team’s leading goal-scorer, and the pride of Orland Park, David Gust! Jason Shaver and Billy Gardner draw a lot of laughs and stories from the pair of Wolves forwards. Learn all about Cotton’s journey from suburban Dallas to Boston to Chicago — and Gust’s round-trip from Marist High School and Glacier Ice Arena to The Ohio State University and back. He also reveals how many toes he was born with…and how doctors dealt with the situation. Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

This week’s episode is devoted to two men who are devoted to keeping pucks out of the net. Goaltender Antoine Bibeau, whose next AHL win will be his 100th, once produced a 51-save shutout on one of hockey’s biggest amateur stages: The Memorial Cup. And defenseman Brandon Hickey, while playing for Boston University, once blocked 17 SHOTS in one NCAA Tournament game. But this podcast isn’t all about hockey. Bibeau, a Quebec native, tells us where to find the finest poutine while Hickey, who grew up just outside Edmonton, shares his grandpa’s reaction when he was drafted by the Calgary Flames (the Edmonton Oilers’ archrival). Take a minute to enjoy their stories! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

Co-hosts Imran and Jason welcome two entertaining young Wolves — defenseman Joey Keane and forward Dominik Bokk — to this can’t-miss episode. Keane, who grew up in south suburban Homer Glen, fondly remembers going to Wolves games on school field trips. Another of his long-time Wolves connections? He used to play for Chicago Mission with Nick Nardella, the son of Wolves legend Bob Nardella (who coached the Mission’s defensemen for several years). Keane shares tales of playing Irish sports such as Gaelic football and hurling, then we stay international with the German-born Bokk, who speaks four languages well (Russian, Swedish, German and English) thanks to his parents and all of his hockey adventures. Bokk also discusses the merits of German beer vs. American beer, which sends Imran on wild tales of his time at Oktoberfest in Munich. You’ll enjoy every minute of this episode! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

NHL debuts don’t get much more amazing than the one for Wolves defenseman Max Lajoie. When he was just 20 years old, he suited up for the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 4, 2018 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Barely 12 minutes into his career, Lajoie saw Patrick Kane turn his back to him, so he flashed into the slot, took a pass from Matt Duchene and flipped it top-shelf for a goal. Five minutes later, he set up a power-play goal for his first assist. Hear all about the bilingual Lajoie’s terrific journey from Quebec City to Calgary to Ontario to the Wolves…and then stick around for co-host Jason Shaver’s interview with veteran center Matt Boudens. When it took extra time for this season to get underway due to the pandemic, Boudens used his college degree and took a job teaching Grade 11 English at his former high school in Ontario. Recently, he joined the Wolves on a professional tryout contract and became the team’s only player who had suited up in Chicago prior to this season. When Boudens was with the Wolves last year, he boasted a beautiful handlebar mustache…but he explains why he doesn’t wear it any more. Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

It’s not uncommon for professional hockey players to have fathers and brothers who are professional athletes, but how many have mothers or sisters who’ve played professionally? Joakim Ryan’s mother, Catalina Lindqvist, won five pro tennis titles and reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Josh Healey’s younger sister, Jess, won a World Junior Championship gold medal for Team Canada and has spent the last three years playing professionally in Sweden. Not only do Ryan and Healey share stories about their fabled family members in this week’s podcast, they share a ton more great stories about hockey, tennis, fishing, education…it’s a jam-packed episode you don’t want to miss! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

Nineteen-year-old Luke Evangelista, the Nashville Predators’ second-round pick in the NHL draft last October, owns an engaging personality that matches his creative streak on the ice. Shortly after making his professional debut and making a beautiful pass to earn his first pro point, the Ontario native joins Jason Shaver and Billy Gardner for a fun interview that includes a shoutout to his Nona for her special tomato sauce — so you know he’s a respectful young man as well. You’ll have to listen to find out how many meals he ate per day in order to move from 159 to 175 pounds. Speaking of food, the Wolves are hosting an important Food Drive this month to provide some help for Chicago’s Common Pantry. Co-hosts Imran and the Shaves give you the scoop on how you can help! Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

As the Wolves have rocketed out to the best record in the AHL, third-year pro Sheldon Rempal hasn’t worried that he hasn’t gotten as much shine as several of his teammates. “Everybody looks good when the team is winning,” Rempal said. And while Rempal has nothing but great things to say about the Wolves’ gang of terrific teenagers — “They’re all really good kids. They’ve got really good heads on their shoulders and I think they’re going to have long careers for sure” — they’ll be lucky to have a first NHL game experience as wild as Rempal’s. We won’t give it away, but it involves Ilya Kovalchuk (443 career NHL goals) and Jeff Carter (388 goals)= To learn more about Rempal’s intriguing career path — and to enjoy some trademark repartee between podcast co-hosts Imran Javed and Jason Shaver — tune in to the latest 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 have two fantastic stories for you this week! First, Wolves forward Tanner Jeannot grew up in Oxbow, a Saskatchewan town of 1,300 “where the air hurts our face.” Not drafted by the Western Hockey League. Not drafted by the National Hockey League. Yet he’s ripping up the AHL in Chicago and recently made his NHL debut with Nashville. Next, what could possibly make Wolves general manager Wendell Young state these words? “I never thought I would say this: I owe a lot of gratitude to the Rockford IceHogs organization.” Wendell feels this way in the wake of Monday night’s game between Rockford and Iowa, which marked the professional debut of his 20-year-old son, Jack, as a referee! Learn all about that night and how Jack has worked hard to develop into an officiating prodigy. Shop for Wolves gear! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Android | TuneIn | RSS | Archives Email the show: podcast@chicagowolves.com

Chicago Wolves goaltender Beck Warm and center Ryan Suzuki entered the professional hockey ranks in opposite fashions — Warm as an undrafted free agent and Suzuki as the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2019 first-round pick — but you’ll discover during this podcast episode they’re more similar than you might think. Both have brothers who play hockey at a high level (Ryan’s brother, Nick, made his pro debut with the Wolves and now centers a line for the Montreal Canadiens), both have upbeat personalities and both have great stories to share with Jason Shaver and Bill Gardner. Enjoy getting to know Beck and Ryan in this episode! 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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