OHL 20 in 20 Season Preview: Sudbury Wolves
On the heels of a strong 2019-20 season atop the Central Division, the Sudbury Wolves are looking to prove they’re contenders once again. New head coach Craig Duncanson is optimistic about the club’s continued success this year.
“The remaining players we do have back I think are character people and will carry on that feeling and that tradition and that workload that helped them achieve being division leaders and division champions…we have an array of what we think are extremely talented players. Obviously we had the first overall pick this year in Quentin Musty and we’re excited about that. But like everyone else, we have two years’ worth of fresh faces and it’s certainly been a pleasant surprise and a lot of fun for us thus far. We think we’re very skilled so hopefully if you and I have a conversation at Christmas we still feel the same way.” – Craig Duncanson
2019-20 Record: 34-27-1-1, 70 points (First in Central Division)
Head Coach: Craig Duncanson (First season)
Opening Game: Friday, Oct. 8th vs. Peterborough
540 days later ? Hockey is BACK! ?
Day 1 of Wolves’ Orientation Camp#ReadytoRun #PackisBack #GameON pic.twitter.com/jDF74qq0Co
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) August 31, 2021
X-FACTORS:
Jack Thompson
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Thompson is a premier player and the class of the League as far as defencemen are concerned. He’s described as Duncancon as a “tireless worker” who showed up to training camp in phenomenal shape. Should he return to the Wolves’ blueline from the Lightning’s training camp, he’ll be leaned upon to lead their squad from the back end.
Chase Stillman
The Wolves house an exceptional young player in winger Chase Stillman, who they’ll look to step into a leadership role and pick up where he left off. After an impressive inaugural season, the New Jersey Devils first rounder is bigger and stronger, and the team’s expecting big things from him should he return to the League following Devils training camp.
Mitchell Weeks
Goaltending might be the Wolves’ most experienced position this season with overage goaltender Mitchell Weeks between the pipes. Described by Duncanson as a “leader in himself” and a “young gentleman of character”, Weeks is slated to help lead their crew of predominantly young players this season.
