New York Rangers prospect Artem Gonchar commits to Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves' complement of import players for 2025-26 is taking shape quickly this off-season, with New York Rangers prospect Artem Gonchar the latest to sign with the local OHL club.
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Gonchar, an 18-year-old native of Chelyabinsk, Russia and the Wolves' first-round selection, 29th overall, in the CHL Import Draft last week, announced his commitment in a team press release on Monday evening.
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'I'm excited to sign with Sudbury and can't wait to start the season with my new team,' said the left-shooting 6-foot-1, 165-pounder, a nephew of longtime former NHL star Sergei Gonchar.
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Praised for his puck skill, skating and offensive abilities, the younger Gonchar became the 89th-overall selection in the NHL Entry Draft on June 28.
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He had 25 points in 50 games with Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy in Russia's top junior league this past season.
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'Artem is a player that we have been high on from this past season,' said Rob Papineau, the Wolves' vice-president and general manager. 'He is a very intelligent,smooth–skating defenceman who was just selected in the third round in the NHL. He has great vision and offensive instincts and is a skilledplaymaker.'
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Due to turn 19 this October, Gonchar's skill could help to fill the void left when Henry Mews, a Calgary Flames draft pick, opted to skip his fourth season in the OHL and commit to the University of Michigan for the coming season.
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