Having grown up in Lombard and Elburn, left winger Bill Sweatt has found a home with the Chicago Wolves as he pursues his dream to play in the NHL.

Photo courtesy of Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves

Like his brother before him, Billy Sweatt played for a lot of youth hockey teams in the suburbs and throughout Illinois.

Photo courtesy of Sweatt family

Billy Sweatt, background, and his older brother Lee spent a lot of time taking slap shots in the family basement when they weren't practicing at local arenas. Lee played professional hockey in Europe and briefly with the Vancouver Canucks before retiring last summer, while Lee was called up by the Canucks for a brief stay in December.

Photo courtesy of Sweatt family

Billy Sweatt played youth hockey for the Glen Ellyn Flames, Chicago Young Americans and Team Illinois before moving to Michigan to take part in USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. .

Photo courtesy of Sweatt family

With 10 goals and 11 assists this season, Bill Sweatt is becoming an offensive threat for the Chicago Wolves, and his speed and quickness on the ice likely will get him a shot at the NHL level.

Photo courtesy of Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves