Latest news with #SudburyWolves
Ottawa Citizen
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Sudbury Wolves prospects impress at orientation camp
Article content Brayden Bennett came as advertised with a combination of skill, speed and competitiveness. Article content Kingston Harris turned heads with his fleet feet and puck prowess in a high-scoring performance. Article content Caleb Deanovich displayed smooth skill and high-level hockey IQ. Article content Ethan Dean and Henry Doucet looked exactly as hoped — faster, stronger and seemingly ready for bigger roles at the OHL level. Article content Article content Eager for a glimpse at their newest crop of prospects, Sudbury Wolves staff and fans got an eyeful during a two-day prospect orientation camp this past weekend, with many youngsters meeting or even surpassing expectations over two days of practices, scrimmages and off-ice testing at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex. Article content Article content 'It's very nice here,' smiled Deanovich, the 16-year-old defenceman from Fond du Lac, Wisc. who was the Wolves' fifth-round choice in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Article content 'The coaches are very good, Scott Barney is an amazing coach and I like the city a lot.' Article content A right-shooting six-foot, 170-pounder who starred for the Chicago Reapers 15U AAA squad this season, Deanovich was among several U.S.-based standouts who helped to make up a roster of 35 players who converged on the Nickel City. Article content Most members of the 2025 and 2024 draft classes, a sprinkling of 2023 picks and a handful of free agents took part the camp, which included Blue and White games on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Article content Article content 'I wanted to see what the OHL is like, especially Sudbury,' Deanovich said. 'I never really got to experience it before, but the college portals have opened up now, so it's good to be here. It's definitely nice to see.' Article content Asked to described his game, he pointed to his speed, offensive skill and ability to see the ice as some of his best qualities. Article content 'I want to show my speed, my vision of the ice — and hopefully, we'll put the puck in a little bit.' Article content That they did, with Deanovich's Team White edged 6-5 on Saturday, then bouncing back with a 6-5 win over the Blue side the next morning. Article content Also a first-round pick in the recent United States Hockey League Futures Draft, Deanovich will have no shortage of options for the next phase of his hockey development, but NCAA rule changes will allow him to explore the OHL route without jeopardizing his Division I eligibility — an intriguing possibility for the youngster.
Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- 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.'
Ottawa Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Sudbury Wolves to host orientation camp at Countryside May 17-18
Article content The Sudbury Wolves will host their first spring prospect orientation camp since before the COVID-19 stoppage when they welcome young players to Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on May 17 and 18 for practices and scrimmages. Article content A majority of players from the 2024 and 2025 OHL Priority Selection draft classes, mainly born in 2008 and 2009, are expected to attend, alongside a handful of free-agent invitees. A finalized roster has yet to be announced. Article content Article content Upon the resumption of on-ice activities after the COVID pause, the Wolves began to host their orientation camp at the end of August, immediately prior to their main training camp, but will return to a spring event for 2025. Article content Article content May 17 Article content
CBC
14-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
How a northern Ontario developer pivoted to running 4 local sports franchises
When Dario Zulich bought the Sudbury Wolves in 2016, he says his goal was to get an arena built When Dario Zulich bought the Sudbury Wolves hockey team in 2016, he said his goal was to get a new arena built. As a developer, Zulich said he was more interested in landing the contract to build, and later manage, a new arena in Sudbury than running the day-to-day operations of an Ontario Hockey League team. "I thought it would be a really good business model if I was integrated all the way through from the landowner, developer, to the constructor, to the manager of the building," he said. Zulich now admits he knew nothing about running a hockey team at the time. "I remember my lawyer giving me the set of keys and, and he said I turned pale," he said. "I was a little nervous, but, you know…And you just gotta jump in with two feet. Then just learn it." He never got to build that arena. In July 2022 Sudbury city council voted to reject a planned arena and event centre at Zulich's proposed Kingsway Entertainment District because of the $215-million price tag attached to the project. It had more than doubled from a $100-million estimate when the project was first proposed in 2017. "I think there was clearly a consensus on council that we're not willing to take on new additional debt. The price tag of roughly $215 million, that was provided as an estimate, was just too much," then Mayor Brian Bigger said at the time. The city has since pivoted to plans for a downtown arena and event centre to replace the Sudbury Community Arena, which was built in 1951. Zulich has also pivoted. He said the land he purchased on the Kingsway will become an industrial park instead. But his focus has also shifted in the nine years since he bought the Sudbury Wolves. "I've jumped in with two feet taking over the management of SWSE. My 100 per cent focus is to manage these teams," he said. SWSE stands for Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment. A year after he purchased the Wolves Zulich bought the Sudbury Spartans amateur football team. In 2018 he brought professional basketball to Sudbury with the creation of the Sudbury Five, who play in the Basketball Super League. And in 2023 he revived the Sudbury Cyclones semi-professional soccer team, which is part of League1 Ontario. A sports franchise model Zulich said he's modelled SWSE after Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, the Toronto-based professional sports and real estate company which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Argonauts and Toronto FC, among others. "It's just a different scale," he said, referring to his company. "In a city like Toronto you get north of 20,000 people. We're gonna get you know, 1,000. I think we're gonna get up to 4,000 with the right venue." No matter the sport, he said the business model for each team is similar. "With any sports business, you sell tickets and then you're going to sell advertising," Zulich said. "If you have people at the event, you might as well give them a hot dog and a Coke. And after that you might as well sell them a hat and a T-shirt." More recently, Zulich said he's become more hands-on with his teams, sitting in on draft meetings, for example. While he got his start in business as a developer, he said managing sports teams is now his full-time job. "I want to bring Sudbury some championships," he said. "I don't know if I can or not, but I'm going to try as hard as I can. I'm 100 per cent focused on doing that."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sharks Prospects Thriving In The OHL
Brighter days lie ahead for San Jose Sharks fans based on the performance of four of their prospects in the OHL this season. There hasn't been a ton to cheer about in San Jose this season as the Sharks sit last in the NHL. Most fans are choosing to concentrate on the emergence of young stars like Macklin Celbrinni, William Eklund and Will Smith. For those looking for more information on the Sharks prospects look no further than the OHL! Of the 18 picks San Jose made at the last two NHL Drafts, four played in the OHL this season. Quentin Musty - Sudbury Wolves - 2023 First-Round Pick Musty finished the 2023-24 OHL season fourth in league scoring and second on the Wolves with 102 points in 53 games. Disappointingly, the team flamed out in the first round of the playoffs resulting in a coaching change. Coming into 2024-25 Musty was adamant that he would not play for Sudbury, demanding a trade. OHL - Sudbury Wolves issue statement on Musty trade request"If a deal arises that significantly improves our team, we will consider it. Until then, Quentin remains an important part of the Sudbury Wolves, and he is welcome to join the team at any time." — Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) October 7, 2024 Ultimately, there was no trade, and Musty joined the team in November. In 32 games, Musty has scored a stunning 29 goals and a total of 58 points. His 1.8 points per game would result in 123 points over the course of a full season which would easily land him in the top-10 scorers in the OHL. At 6-foot-2, Musty is an elite offensive player with a laser for a shot and excellent hands. Due to his speed, he is a player who can hurt opposing teams all over the ice with his skill set. While he can be devastating on the powerplay, he also excels at scoring at even strength with more than half of his points coming at even strength during his draft year. At 19, he complements the young core in San Jose, and is a guy who will complement San Jose's young core extremely well and provide them with size and scoring. Kasper Halttunen - London Knights - 2023 Second-Round Pick Halttunen started the season in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda and performed admirably in the six games he played. The right-handed forward scored two goals and added two assists during his time with the Barracuda. The Finnish forward has spent the last two seasons in London playing under Head Coach Dale Hunter. In 91 OHL games, Halttunen has 98 points maintaining an average of 1.08 points per game. He also plays on London's top powerplay unit where he delivers explosive one-timers from the left side of the ice. The big forward also comes with the ability to play a heavy game, bullying his opponents with his size and delivering crunching hits. During last year's playoffs, this style served him well resulting in 17 goals and nine assists in 18 games on the way to an OHL Championship. Even at this early stage in his career, Halttunen has played in a lot of big games. In 2021 he helped Sweden win a bronze medal at the U-18 World Junior Championship, before helping the U-20 team win a silver at the last World Junior Championship. Overall, Halttunen brings a unique combination of skill and physical play that could make him an effective power forward in the NHL. He could be an excellent depth player for the Sharks in the future. Sam Dickinson - London Knights - 2024 First-Round Pick The eleventh overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft lit the world on fire to start the OHL season. He was not only the top-scoring defenseman in the league going into the break, he was a top-five scorer as well. Since the World Juniors, Dickinson's torrid scoring pace has cooled slightly resulting in a total of 27 goals and 55 assists through 51 games played. He is second in scoring amongst OHL defenders trailing only Zayne Parekh. This total far exceeds the 70 points he scored in 68 games last season. Impressively, only 12 of his goals come on the powerplay meaning that more than half of his goals were scored at even strength. The 6-foot-3 defender could be the whole package. He excels at joining the rush while his hockey IQ and puck moving skills are excellent. He can also play a physical game while shutting down the opposing team's top scorers. "Continual Growth" Resulting In Sam Dickinson's Phenomenal Start San Jose first-round pick, Sam Dickinson, currently leads all OHL defensemen in points and sits sixth in league scoring. Though plus-minus is a flawed stat, Dickinson leads the league with a plus-61 on the season. It's also the highest plus-minus in the CHL. Dickinson has the potential to be a number one defender on an NHL team. While he isn't there yet, he could be ready to make an impact in the NHL in the coming years. Igor Chernyshov - Saginaw Spirit - 2024 Second-Round Pick The Russian forward joined Saginaw in the second half of the year and has taken the league by storm. In just 18 games Chernyshov has 17 goals and 27 assists for a stunning 44 points. He's averaged 2.44 points per game during his extremely short tenure in the OHL. At that pace he would score 64 goals and a total of 166 points in a single season. For context, that kind of a season would place Chernyshov third in the rankings for most points in a single OHL season. Only John Goodwin (1980-1) and Doug Gilmour (1982-3) scored more points in a single season. However, all of this is irrelevant as Chernyshov was unavailable for the beginning of the year due to injury. At 6-foot-3, Chernyshov is another big forward with tons of offensive potential. He plays an uncomplicated game that is augmented by strong hands and a strong shot. Interestingly, he played in the KHL last season and is still adjusting to the smaller ice in North America. It should be noted that playing in the KHL at 18 is a big accomplishment. Ultimately, these are four players Sharks fans should be excited about. They have played huge roles on their OHL teams and shown up big time on scoreboards throughout the season. If they continue to develop, these players could be joining a young Sharks group in the near future. Not only are they all skilled, but they are all big, which will help them adjust to playing against NHL players. It remains to be seen how they will develop, but if they do, they will help usher in a new era in Sharks history.
