Chicago Wolves’ Wendell Young To Be Inducted Into The AHL Hall of Fame

Wendell Young played parts of four seasons for the Frederickton Express in the American Hockey League, starting with 11 games in the 1983-84 season – and so started his illustrious AHL run.

During the 1987-88 season, while in goal for the Hersey Bears, Young and the club zipped through the AHL playoffs, sweeping all three best-of-seven playoff rounds to capture the Calder Cup over the Express.

Young received the 1988 Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s best goaltender, as chosen by AHL media and players. He said it was, “my best year as a pro.”

The award is named after former AHL Pittsburgh Hornets goaltender Aldege “Baz” Bastien, the first winner (1947–48) and first repeat winner (1948–49) of the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award as goaltender of the AHL team with the lowest goals-against average; he later served as general manager of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Young’s AHL legacy also includes championship runs as a Chicago Wolves team executive, coach and general manager.

Now he’s being honored for his AHL journey. The league announced in early November that Wolves Vice Chairman/Governor Wendell Young is a Class of 2026 inductee into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame, along with Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux and Jim Wiemer.

The induction ceremony is Feb. 11 as part of the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford.

“It’s a huge honor. It’s a proud moment for myself, my family and everyone else who has contributed to my career,” said Young, who has been a Wolves’ player, coach and executive over the franchise’s 31-plus seasons.

A standout goaltender who helped the Wolves capture their first two of five league championships since the team’s inaugural campaign in 1994, Young also served as assistant coach and executive director of team relations before transitioning into the general manager role and then Vice Chairman/Governor.

Young has had a role in all five of the Wolves’ league titles, earning five championship rings. He also helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991-92.

“It’s nice to have validation for the hard work,” Young said.

Young learned of his AHL Hall of Fame status in September – because he had to. Young was called by AHL president Scott Howson, who told Young that he was going into the Hall of Fame in 2026 because there was going to be a vote by the board of governors – and Young is on that board, too.

“It was a quite a surprise; I wasn’t expecting it,” Young said, learning he was being inducted. “It was emotional, for me and my family.”

Once announced in November, Young was flooded with congratulations from around the world, especially Chicago, his hockey home for three-plus decades.

“I thought I was just coming for six months during the NHL lockout of 1994-95,” Young said. “Phil Esposito gave me the choice of staying locked out or playing for the Wolves in their inaugural year.

“I’m like the (house) guest who never leaves and am still here.”

After 15 seasons as the Wolves GM, Young was promoted to Vice Chairman/Governor on May 3, 2024. During his stint as GM, the Wolves captured the 2022 Calder Cup (after earning the 2022 Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for compiling the league’s best regular-season record) and reached the 2019 Calder Cup Finals.

The 62-year-old Young stands as the Wolves’ all-time leader among goaltenders in games (322), wins (169), saves (8,467), minutes (17,912), and shutouts (16). His jersey number “1” was retired on Dec. 1, 2001—becoming the first Wolves player to receive the honor.

“Seeing the names who are in the AHL Hall of Fame, it’s humbling. It’s almost surreal to see your name among the other inductees,” Young said.

Young played 18 seasons of pro hockey, including 10 in the NHL. He compiled a 59-86-12 record in 187 games with the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Penguins. 

Young is the only man in hockey history to have won all four North American championships: the Stanley Cup, Turner Cup, Calder Cup and Memorial Cup.

“On ice, the game (in the AHL) is so much faster; the players are so skilled, (much more than when I first played in the league in the 1980s). It’s amazed me every year how much better the skill level gets,” Young said. “The speed and the transition of the game is amazing. Off the ice too, the way the guys now (in the AHL) are treated is amazing, too.”

Young said his four-year run in Frederickton included “a great bunch of guys, great experience to start my pro career.” He still has friends in Frederickton to this day, he said.

Rockford IceHogs GM Mark Bernard nominated Young for the Hall of Fame honor.

“We’re rivals on the ice, but really good friends off the ice,” Young said of Bernard, who has been the IceHogs GM since the 2010–11 AHL season.