AHL Central Division News: August 2023

As the 2023 AHL offseason trudges along, news involving the upcoming season continues to trickle out. From signings to community events, teams have been able to keep themselves busy. Below is what you may have missed in August.

Chicago Wolves

The Chicago Wolves are celebrating their 30^th season with a schedule chocked full of promotions, giveaways, and theme nights. “We can’t wait to get the upcoming season underway,” Wolves President of Business Operations Jon Sata said. “We’re pleased to roll out a robust promotional calendar for our 30^th season. We have a lot in store for our fans. This is going to be an exceptionally memorable season for the Wolves and one that Chicago is going to want to be a part of!”

The fan favorite “Adopt-A-Dog” night returns for seven games this season – Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 16, Jan. 6, Feb. 17, March 9, and April 20.

Forward Josh Melnick will be featured on a WWE bobblehead for WWE Night on Saturday, November 11.

Every hockey fan’s favorite event of the year, the Teddy Bear Toss, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 16 at 7:00pm. Be sure to stock up on stuffed animals to rain down onto the ice after the Wolves score their first goal of the game.

For those who love to wear specialty jersey, there will be two jersey auctions this season. A Dementia Awareness jersey on January 27 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Lewy Body Dementia Association, and Chicago Wolves Charities, as well as other dementia-related charities.

On March 16, a St. Patrick’s Day jersey will be auctioned off to raise awareness for autism and funds for Easterseals and Chicago Wolves Charities.

Click here to see the Wolves’ full promotional schedule for the 2023-24 season.

Grand Rapids Griffins

The Grand Rapids Griffins hosted their annual youth hockey camp August 14 -18 with more than 25 kids in attendance. Dominik Shine, Tyler Spezia, and assistant coach Brian Lashoff were instructors at the camp alongside Hope Colle and West Ottawa High School Hockey players.

On August 21, the 29^th Annual Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic took pace at the American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven. Nearly 200 golfers, including forwards Taro Hirose, Dominik Shine, and Tyler Spezia, and assistant coach Brian Lashoff, helped raised funds for the Griffins Youth Foundation. Also, each participant’s greens fees will be donated to Folds of Honor. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded academic scholarships in the amount of $125 million to more than 44,000 spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

The Griffins promo schedule is overflowing with theme nights, bobble heads, giveaways, and promotions. There will be seven jersey auctions this season as well – snow camo jerseys (Nov. 11), Hispanic heritage jerseys (Nov. 26), The Salvation Army Red Kettle jerseys (Dec. 1), Flying Toasters jerseys (Jan. 27), sensory/mental health awareness jerseys (Feb. 24), Van Andel Institute purple jerseys (March 15), and the HOPE Network jerseys (April 12).

You can find Grand Rapids’ full promotional schedule for the 2023-24 season here.

Iowa Wild

On August 7, the Iowa Wild announced the singing of former Laval Rocket standout former Joël Teasdale. The Quebec native tallied 38 points in 58 games with the Rocket during the 2022-23 season. His 23 goals were second best on the Rocket (just behind Anthony Richard, who had 30). Teasdale also led the team with 11 power play goals.

Follow along with our 2023 Iowa Wild Offseason Player Tracker to see who has signed for the upcoming season.

At the beginning of August, Iowa announced their 2023-24 promotional schedule full of wild theme nights, player bobbleheads, and 13 giveaways. They will wear three specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off to support charities like the ALS Association Iowa and the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America.

You can view the Wild’s full promotional schedule here.

The Wild will play a preseason game against the Rockford IceHogs on Friday, Oct 6 at 7:00pm at Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets are $10 with $2 from every ticket going to the team’s Tame Hunger initiative.

You can buy tickets here.

Manitoba Moose

On August 25^th, Manitoba’s parent club, the Winnipeg Jets, announced they had entered into an affiliate partnership with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals for the 2023-24 season. Ten players played for both the Moose and with an ECHL team during the 2022-23 season. This partnership will allow the Moose and Jets the ability to send players to the same ECHL team for development and playing time.

Milwaukee Admirals

On August 18, the Milwaukee Admirals announced the signing of Penn State alternate captain Kevin Wall to a two-year AHL contract. During the 2022-23 season, the standout forward led PSU in goals (17), points (31), and plus/minus (+20).

You can see all signings and departures in our 2023 Milwaukee Admirals Offseason Player Tracker.

Not only were there changes to the roster for Milwaukee, but there were also changes to the front office and staff.

Ryan Costello was elevated from Hockey Operations Coordinator to Assistant General Manager. Heading into his 17^th season with Milwaukee, Costello will now serve as the primary liaison between the Admirals and their parent club, the Nashville Predators.

Luke Eichas was hired by Milwaukee to serve as Head Equipment Manager. He spent the past five seasons as the Ontario Reign’s equipment manager.

The Predators named Jason Barron the Head Goalie Coach of Milwaukee, as well as, the Goaltending Development Coach for Nashville’s goalie prospects. Barron has spent the past two seasons as the Goaltending Coach for the Niagara IceDogs (OHL).

Rockford IceHogs

According to Rockford IceHogs team physician Dr. Geoff Van Thiel, forward Luke Philp underwent a successful surgery on August 5 to repair his right Achilles tendon. Philp is expected to be out for approximately six months.

Philip finished the 2022-23 season second on the IceHogs with 29 goals and first on the team with 11 power play goals.

On August 21, Rockford announced the signing of forward Bryce Kindopp to a one-year AHL contract for the 2023-24 season. Kindopp comes from the San Diego Gulls where he scored nine points in 65 games during 2022-23.

To see who else the IceHogs have signed this offseason follow along with our 2023 Rockford IceHogs Offseason Player Tracker.

In the month of August, Rockford gave out four grants to charities and organizations in the area. Both the Greg Lindmark Foundation and Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford received $6,500 each. The Greg Lindmark Foundation offers no-cost special services such as confidential counseling, financial assistance, education, and training designed to help lessen the impact of cumulative stress and trauma on first responders. The Easterseals will be using their Community Fund grant for its Autism Program.

The Rockford Razorbacks Lacrosse Club was awarded a $10,000 grant to help continue to make the sport financially accessible to youth in the area. “This grant from the IceHogs Community Fund will provide dues and equipment assistance to 15 underserved kids in the community who would otherwise not be able to afford to participate in lacrosse, while helping us host learn to play clinics in the region,” Robert White, President of the Rockford Lacrosse Club said per the club’s press release.

Think Big!, a Rockford-base organization that supports minority owned businesses, received a $20,000 grant.

Texas Stars

On August 1, the Texas Stars signed defenseman Ben Zloty to a one-year AHL contract for the 2023-24 season. Zloty comes from the Winnipeg Ice (WHL), where during the 2022-23 season he was alternate captain and led all WHL defensemen with 68 assists and 81 points.

You can follow along with Texas’ other signings in our 2023 Texas Stars Offseason Player Tracker.

In early August, the Dallas Stars announced two promotions to the NHL and two new AHL hires.

After spending two-years as Head Equipment Manager for Texas, Nick Lazor was promoted to Assistant Equipment Manager in Dallas. They hired Charlie Kaser as his replacement in Texas. Before coming to the Stars organization, Kaser spent around 13 years with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the last five of which were spent as Assistant Equipment Manager.

Chris Demczuk spent one season as Texas’ Video Coordinator before Dallas decided to elevate him to Assistant Video Coach at the NHL level. Josh Johnson was hired as his replacement in Texas. He joins the Stars organization after spending two seasons as the Director of Hockey Operations for the University of St. Thomas men’s hockey program.

Texas also announced their promotional schedule for the 2023-24 season featuring 16 different giveaway items. Some of those items include 15^th anniversary memorabilia,  a Ringo youth replica jersey, and Curtis McKenzie bobblehead.

You can see the full promotional schedule here.