Five reasons Wolves are eager to begin Calder Cup pursuit
The Chicago Wolves head into the American Hockey League playoffs for the 18th time in the team's 23-year history filled with optimism they can hoist the Calder Cup for the third time and the first since 2008.
The Wolves, an affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, are awaiting the playoff pairings, announced when the regular season ends Saturday.
Here are five reasons the Wolves, who played at Iowa Thursday, are looking for a deep run in the playoffs:
Kenny Agostino
A former National Champion at Yale, Agostino has been the team's offensive machine this season - and he is leading the league too. He has 24 goals, 59 assists in 65 games played. He is 18 points ahead of Chris Terry (St. John's), and positioned to be the Wolves' first league scoring champion since Jason Krog in 2007-08. The Les Cunningham Award, given to the league MVP, is named Friday afternoon - and Agostino is the leading candidate to win the award.
"I don't think it's ever good to set specific numbers as goals," Agostino said. "My goal since turning pro has been to improve my game every year. I think I've continued to do that. Playing in this environment makes the recipe for success a little easier when you've got guys in a room all pulling for you. It makes it easier to play your game and not worry about all the extra that goes on in pro hockey."
Agostino has 22 multi-point games and 10 games with at least 3 points, highlighted by a 5-point game (4 goals, 1 assist) at Iowa on New Year's Eve.
Coaching staff
Craig Berube was named the Wolves head coach last June, then added two-time Stanley Cup champion Darryl Sydor and Daniel Tkaczuk to the staff.
"You're not going to find a much better coaching staff in the AHL than what we have right here," Agostino said. "(Sydor) has done an amazing job with the defense. (Tkaczuk) has been one of the hardest-working coaches I've ever seen. He's been so good for the forwards; he's a power-play specialist. (Sydor) has done an amazing job with the (penalty kill), too.
"And you've got 'Chief,' (Berube). Talk about a guy who just gets it. He understands how to get the most of his players and he's very approachable. He has a group that wants to play for him. You put all that together and you're going to get a winning product on the ice."
Youth is served
The roster boasts about 10 rookies, and first-year skaters are accounting for about a quarter of the team's offense.
Defenseman Vince Dunn has been a breakout: 13 goals, 29 assists in 69 games, tying him for second-most points for a rookie defenseman, 1 point behind Devon Toews (Bridgeport).
Samuel Blais (LW) has 23 goals and 16 assists, tying him for third-most goals among league rookies.
"We try to make (the young guys) feel welcome," Megan said. "We're not changing anything. We're going about our business. Those guys have been good at getting on board. They see the way we work every day and that's what expected of you. Those guys pick it up pretty quickly. They've been able to contribute early, which is good."
Wade Megan shines
Megan has developed into one of the league's best forwards in his first season here.
In 70 games he has had a career-year: 31 goals, 32 assists, including a 4-point night in Rockford last December. He has had at least 1 point in the Wolves' last 7 games.
He is tied for the league lead in goals with Milwaukee's Pontus Aberg.
"He's earned that," spot on the Wolves' top forward line, Berube said.
Talented goalies
Ville Husso is a rookie, but not playing like one.
In 20 games, he has allowed only 46 goals and carries a 12-6-1 record, including a 36-save showing against Charlotte on April 2 at home.
Jordan Binnington is in his fourth season with the Wolves, with a 15-7-2 record and 2.71 goals-against average.
"I think we have a pretty good mindset within the locker room. We don't get too high, we don't get too low," captain Chris Butler said.
"We have a lot of guys who are extremely hungry. They want to get to that next level. Outside of that, we have a really fun group to be around. It makes it easier to work with each other on the ice."