May 08, 2017

The Chicago Wolves announced Monday that centers Ivan Barbashev and Zach Sanford and defenseman Jordan Schmaltz have joined the club for the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, following the conclusion of the St. Louis Blues’ Stanley Cup Playoff run.

Schmaltz – a staple of the Chicago blue line through the regular season – rejoins the team for the first time since May 3. Schmaltz skated for the Wolves in all five Central Division Semifinals contests against the Charlotte Checkers as well as Game 1 of the Central Division Finals against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 23-year-old has one goal and three assists through six postseason contests.

Barbashev rejoins the Wolves for the first time since March 1. Prior to that date, the 21-year-old skated in 46 games and collected 37 points (19G, 18A) for Chicago. Though the Moscow native missed 30 games due to call-ups and injury, he still finished sixth on the Wolves in points and fourth in goals.

At the National Hockey League level, Barbashev appeared in 30 regular-season games with the St. Louis Blues and accrued 12 points (5G, 7A) in that span. Through six Stanley Cup Playoff games, Barbashev was held scoreless and posted a -1 plus/minus rating with two penalty minutes.

Sanford joined the Wolves system on Feb. 27 as part of an NHL trade that sent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and goaltender Pheonix Copley to the Washington Capitals in exchange for he and fellow center Brad Malone.

In his rookie AHL season, Sanford appeared in 25 games and registered 16 points (11G, 5A) for the Hershey Bears. He began the season with Washington and made his NHL debut on Oct. 13 against Pittsburgh. With the Capitals, Sanford skated in 26 games and recorded one goal and two assists.

This will mark Sanford’s first stint with the Wolves since the February trade. The 22-year-old appeared in 13 regular-season games and registered five points (2G, 3A) with the Blues. He also played in four Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Prior to turning professional, Sanford skated two years at Boston College (2014-16) where he played 79 games and collected 63 points (20G, 43A). The Massachusetts native spent the 2013-14 campaign with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League.

All three skaters will be available for Game 4 tonight as the Wolves look to even the Central Division Finals series against the Griffins. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m., and the contest will stream live on AHLLive.com.

The series returns to Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Saturday, May 13, for Game 5. For ticket information or updates on the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, visit ChicagoWolves.com.