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Ottawa Citizen

Sudbury Wolves GM Papineau enters busy off-season

Article content With a hectic holiday weekend at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, the Sudbury Wolves will unofficially drop the puck on a busy OHL off-season, during which changes to NCAA eligibility rules and the league's own import draft could have wide-ranging impacts. Article content One need only a glance at the Pack's latest draft class, which includes an unprecedented contingent of U.S.-based and college-committed talent, to know this year's prospect orientation camp, set to run on Saturday and Sunday, will have a different look from those of the past. Article content Article content A desire for an early look at those new prospects, as well as an opportunity to sell youngsters from all over the map on Sudbury's major-junior program, was certainly a part of what prompted Wolves general manager Rob Papineau to host the first spring prospect orientation camp since COVID-19. Article content Article content Each preceding prospect camp since the pandemic, beginning with the 2021 orientation event, was held immediately prior to the Wolves' main camp at the end of summer. Article content 'We're excited to bring it back in the spring,' Papineau told The Sudbury Star. 'COVID changed things, but then again, we saw more changes this year, some of the rule changes. Where in the past, we were limited to a 48-hour training camp, because of some of the rules that were in place back then, that restriction is gone. When it comes to the fall camp, we want to be able to dive right in and get started with the veterans involved. 'Orientation camps across the league are great for players to come in, learn about the league, learn about the city and the team and the coaches and really get comfortable in that environment, but showing up in August now, you want to be able to get right into it and we're hoping to be able to play a few more exhibition games this year, because players will be able to play in those, so the dynamics have changed a little bit. And for our coaches, too, they're really excited to see these players. Our scouts know them well, they have watched them all season long, but the coaches haven't had that luxury, so they're anxious to get their eyes on them and to start to get to know them.' Article content Article content A roster has not been released yet for the camp this weekend, but a majority of players from the 2024 and 2025 draft classes are expected to attend, including those who dressed for OHL games as rookies in 2024-25. Exceptions will include players who have to attend regional or development camps as part of the USA Hockey development program and players who are currently overseas, such as recently signed second-round pick Vladimir Provorov. Article content 'That's a big thing with our staff, because they really relate well to players, so getting to know these guys before camp will allow them to start those relationships,' Papineau said. 'They have been talking and texting and communicating already, but now you'll add that personal element to it. Article content 'You get excited to see the 2008s, how they developed over the year since they all went off and played. We have watched them, but it's nice to get them back in this environment, under one roof and seeing how they have taken steps. Some of them had the privilege this year to come in and practise and even get into some games, so we'll see how they have separated themselves. And the '09 group has just got so much talent and speed, so we're really excited to see them, as well, and how they do against guys who are one year older, a little bigger and a little stronger. For a lot of them, that will be the first time they are in that environment.'