With no live sports, teams and fans are looking for new ways to fill the void. As a longtime fan of the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves, I am enjoying the new creative things they are doing.
Founded in 1994, the Wolves are the top minor league affiliate of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights. The Wolves have won the championship four times in their existence. Always among the league leaders in attendance, the Wolves regularly pack Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, and I am often in that fun crowd. Over the years I have seen hundreds of games with my friends. Always a very fan-friendly organization, the Wolves are continuing their fan interaction even during this stoppage of play.
© Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
The Wolves are playing their schedule virtually on Twitch, a live streaming platform for gamers. The Wolves promise “a howling good time” as they play all of their games on EA Sports NHL. When the AHL season was suspended, the Wolves were two points out of the last playoff spot. The Wolves are 8-3 in the virtual world. There is no word on what the Wolves will do once their virtual regular season ends, but I am sure they will do something.
For fans who want to do more than watch, the Wolves are holding two 64-team tournaments for gamers using EA NHL 20. They have one tournament for Xbox and one for PS4. In all contests, both gamers will “coach” the Wolves roster contained in the game. Both tournaments are currently in the second round. Gamers can join the fun at Wolves EA NHL 20 Tournament.
© Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
The Wolves also held a contest to design a puck, with voting across all social media platforms determining the winner. Jake Piludu submitted the winning puck design. The Wolves have a history of producing cool special pucks, many of which I own, and this one continues that tradition.
The team is also doing several other fun things online. Popular team mascot Skates has taken his talents to TikTok. Two episodes of Wolves podcasts have been recorded, and more will come. Personalized player greetings are available for a donation, raising money for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.
Most sports teams and businesses increased their social media and online presence, but the Wolves are doing more than most. You might say the Wolves are leading the pack!
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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