Wolves out to repeat Knights’ work ethic

A new club, a bunch of castoff players, starting from the bottom: The odds were thoroughly stacked against the Vegas Golden Knights.

A rough start, slew of injuries, a tough division: The odds were just as harsh for the Chicago Wolves.

Jump to midseason. The Knights have proven doubters wrong. And their example has been contagious to their minor-league team.

“We want to play the same way that they play. They play fast, they play hard, they take no nights off,” Chicago coach Rocky Thompson said. “I think since we’ve started to emulate that style, there’s been a shift in our game, and it’s encouraging.”

The Knights and Wolves are both riding high, but Vegas was a force to be reckoned with from the start.

The Knights became the first expansion team to win eight of its first nine games. Chicago set an eight-game record of its own — a winless streak that’s still the longest of the AHL season.

The Wolves improved in early December when they went on a league and franchise-best 14-point streak that lasted until Jan. 6. They jumped from last in the league standings to the top half, good for fourth in a tight Central Division.

Where does some of that fire come from? The big club.

“They’re known for outworking every team they play. They focus on the little things, and obviously they’re getting the results,” team captain Paul Thompson said of the Knights. “I think that’s the perfect team for any team to look up to, and to say, ‘Look what they’re doing, look at the way they work, and the results it’s getting them.’ ”

The Golden Knights continue to defy expectations and set an example for their prospects, but Chicago is looking for its own identity. Some players come from Knights contracts, some from former affiliate St. Louis, and others Ahl-exclusive. The Wolves look to build on all of the success surrounding them but also to forge their own path.

“Coming from two or three organizations in some scenarios, I think our guys have done a great job persevering and playing for each other,” Rocky Thompson said. “At the end of the day, we’re the Chicago Wolves. That’s who we are and that’s what we represent.”

All-star adjustments

A new member of the Wolves family has helped make Tomas Hyka an All-star.

Brandon Pirri was originally named to the the All-star Classic Central Division team but withdrew last week because of family considerations.

Pirri’s all-star moment came Tuesday when his wife, Elyse, gave birth to a baby boy, and Hyka will now represent Chicago in the All-star competition attheendofthemonth.

Hyka, a Knights prospect, is third in points for the Wolves with 27 in his 28 games played. The forward is currently on a three-game points streak, including three assists at Bakersfield.

Contact Emily Polglaze at enpolglaze@gmail.com. Follow @enpolglaze on Twitter.