Wolves' Bischoff named Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award winner

The Chicago Wolves Thursday named Jake Bischoff as this year's recipient of the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award.

The honor goes to the player who best exemplifies "Breslin's on-ice spirit, team-first attitude and level of community involvement." Breslin passed away Feb. 9, 2005 due to complications of appendiceal cancer. The Addison native scored 37 goals and had 82 assists in five seasons with the Wolves and also played an integral role in the team's first championship in 1998.

Wolves fans determined the winner by voting online from candidates nominated by the coaching staff. Right wing Tye McGinn, defenseman Jaycob Megna and center Gage Quinney were also nominated.

"This is a huge honor for me," Bischoff said in a statement. "Being a goal-scorer every night is not my focus. What I try to bring to the team is not so flashy. It's nice that the fans appreciate the role I try to play."

Bischoff, a 25-year-old defenseman, scored 3 goals and had 6 assists in 52 games this season. His impressive play in the D-zone and hard work on the power play also helped the Wolves advance to the Calder Cup Finals last season.

"Those guys easily come out of every game with five or six blocked shots," forward Keegan Kolesar said of Bischoff and Griffin Reinhart during the Cup Finals. "They do it endlessly on every PK, every shift. You know they're going to put their body on the line and that doesn't go unnoticed in my eyes."

Bischoff was scheduled to receive the award from Breslin's family on the Allstate Arena ice prior to the April 5 game against the Iowa Wild, but all American Hockey League games have been suspended indefinitely due to the novel coronavirus.