Fireside Chats: Chicago Wolves Forward Nick Swaney
Photo Credit: Chicago Wolves
After four seasons with the Minnesota Wild organization, forward Nick Swaney hit the free agency market this summer. Countless hours were poured into his decision on where to play next. On August 2, 2024, Swaney found a new home with the Chicago Wolves inking a one-year AHL Standard Player Contract. A few months later, he was named an Assistant Captain for the 2024-25 season. All season, Swaney has worn the “A” with pride and found ways to contribute to the lineup on and off the score sheet. Thus far, the highlight of his on-ice production came on January 18, 2025, against the Bakersfield Condors, when he scored two goals and two assists.
Below is our conversation about playing in Chicago, taking on a leadership role with the team, and the importance of his wife’s support.
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Elaine Shircliff: I know you’re from Minnesota. Hockey is life there, but I was kind of curious how you got into hockey?
Nick Swaney: I grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, which is about 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities. I started skating when I was two years old. My dad played hockey growing up, not at a super high level, but he played, and all my cousins played. So, it was kind of just a natural progression getting on the ice.
Once I skated, I never looked back.
ES: Was there a moment you can remember where you were like, “Oh, I want to do this the rest of my life. This is my passion.”?
NS: That’s a good question. I don’t know if I have one specific moment. I think maybe just playing with my AAA team in the summer. My team was the Eastern Dells. We had a really good, close group of guys and our families were super close too.
I think when I was on that team, I just loved the game and wanted to do it my whole life.
ES: You played in Minnesota and the Minnesota organization basically your whole career. High school, college, professional. Now, you’re in your first year playing outside of Minnesota. What is that like for you to have to adjust to a new town, a new city, a new organization, a new life?
NS: I’ve been very fortunate being able to play very close to home my entire life. Before this year, three hours was the furthest I played away from home, which was in college at Minnesota Duluth. This year it’s obviously a little bit different being in Chicago but at the same time it’s not too much further. It’s only five and a half hours from home. It’s been a pretty easy adjustment for me.
Coming here is obviously different being with a new organization, new coaches, new teammates. Everyone has been so awesome, and I think we have a really tight knit group of guys which makes it that much better.
ES: What went into your decision to come to Chicago?
NS: This was my first year not re-signing with Minnesota. It was a new thing for me talking to different teams and seeing what my different options were. Once I talked with Chicago and a little bit of Carolina, I think the system that Carolina plays, that we want to play in Chicago here, fit my game perfectly. Being hurt last year, it was a great opportunity for me to come in and prove myself again after not playing any games last year.
As soon as I talked to the coaches and the staff, I thought it was a perfect fit.
ES: Chicago automatically put you into that leadership role. So what was it like to realize that there were people you haven’t really played with before that also saw that leadership quality within you still?
NS: It was huge. I haven’t played with any of the players on our team this year before the season. I’m not super old, I’m 27, but at the same time we have a younger group, and I was one of the older guys. Coming in I knew I wanted to be a leader from the start and getting that recognition by being an assistant captain was a huge honor to me. I’m very fortunate my teammates, coaches, and everyone trust me to be in that role.
It was a huge honor being announced as assistant captain and now being able to be a leader on and off the ice for these guys has been special.
ES: Now, you’ve been to Chicago, you’ve played in Chicago when you were with the Wild. So, you got to see the fire from the standpoint of an opponent. What was it like to go out there and your name’s being called and fire is just lighting up around you?
NS: Yea, it was pretty cool that first game of the season and everyone’s name gets called. You go out there and the fireworks are going off, it was pretty cool. I know my first time playing in All State Arena the fireworks went off it kind of scared me. It made me jump a little bit. Now, I’m getting used to it every single game. It’s been a lot better being on this side.
ES: What has been the best part about being in Chicago?
NS: For me, It’s the group of guys that we have here. Like I said before, we have a super tight knit group of guys. Being able to come to the rink every single day and do what you love with a great group, it makes it pretty awesome. Whether we’re playing or we have off days, getting guys together and doing things as a group, I think it’s been pretty special and we are going to keep building that throughout the season.
ES: You got married this summer. When people get married it tends to change the sport a little bit for them. Has it changed for you?
NS: Honestly, I think it’s been the same. Me and my wife have been together, this will be seven years now. So, she was with me all through college and then the first three years of pro.
For me, I think that getting married this summer was one of the best days of my life and hers too.
I guess it motivates me more.
We’re so close and she’s such a huge part of my life. It motivates me to do what I love, and it’s been awesome.
ES: You’ve had that consistent support for seven years. That must be really nice to know that you have that with someone who understands how the sports works. Because this sport is crazy sometimes.
NS: Ha Ha. Yea, I know it is for sure. You never know what’s going to happen. This past summer for instance, re-signing with a new organization, new team. I mean it’s a tough decision to make, where you want to go, and who you want to do it with.
Having her by my side, it made the decision that much easier just knowing that I have someone that supports me no matter what.
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*”Fireside Chats” is a series of Q and A style interviews of the Chicago Wolves by Elaine Shircliff of “Graced By Sports” and Andrew Rinaldi of “The Calder Times”. Our goal is to interview as many staff members, coaches, and players as possible during the 2024-25 season to allow fans to get to know the team they love. The title “Fireside Chats” is an homage to the Chicago Wolves pre-game pyrotechnic show during home games at All State Arena.
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More “Fireside Chats” Interviews
Forwards
Nick Swaney - Assistant Captain
Coaches
Jake Nitsche - Strength and Conditioning Coach
Cam Abbott - Head Coach
Spiros Anastas – Assistant Coach
