Wolves announce affiliation with Golden Knights

The Chicago Wolves announced an affiliation change on Tuesday (May 16, 2017) that will influence two NHL teams.

The Wolves announced on its team website it will be the first American Hockey League affiliate of the new Vegas Golden Knights having signed a multi-year partnership with the NHL Expansion team, set to make its own debut this fall.

Don Levin, owner of the Wolves had high praise for Vegas GM, George McPhee in the team’s press release saying he felt the NHL coach puts high importance on having a competitive, if not champion squad at the minor-league level.

“If you look at George McPhee’s history, he has always been a general manager who believes that winning is an important part of developing players,” Levin said. “Professional playoffs are different than the regular season and he understands that and he wants his players to be ready to win.”

McPhee acknowledged the importance he puts on the affiliate’s performance and the three Calder Cups won by the Hershey Bears during McPhee’s tenure as Washington Capitals’ GM proves the claim to be valid.

“American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs and are we are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history,” McPhee said. “I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game and helping young hockey players grow to reach their full potential as professionals. Chicago is without question one of the strongest, most passionate hockey communities in North America. This is a relationship that we truly believe will be mutually beneficial.”

The Golden Knights are the fourth pro team to partner with the Wolves in the past decade – Atlanta Thrashers, Vancouver Canucks and most recently, St. Louis Blues were the previous parent teams. The move appears to leave the Blues as the lone NHL team without an AHL affiliate heading into the new season.

Most of the current roster will likely be replaced with Vegas prospects although the Blues could still have a few players on the Wolves’ roster.

Earlier this year, the American Hockey League stopped a bid to put an AHL team in Kansas City, where the ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks — also a Blues’ affiliate – currently operates. Some publications have reported it is expected the Blues will ‘share’ the Wolves with the Golden Knights, but the Vegas team will be primary tenants and of course get priority. It is expected the Blues will have some players on the Wolves with others scattered around the league as well.

Stories have gone beyond hinting the Blues-Wolves relationship was a rocky one since the NHL team began its affiliation in the fall of 2013, the biggest issue apparently being team control.