Hey sports fans, it's time to lift the lid off the local athletics scene and see what's cooking up.
I know, it's the middle of summer and hockey should be the last
thing on most people's minds, but it isn't and for good
reason.
As of the end of the weekend, the Wolves coaching staff was
looking a bit thin. Assistant Bobby Jones has bolted for
Windsor, while head coach and GM Mike Foligno remains
unsigned.
The other assistant coach, Bryan Verreault, is still on
board.
Foligno guided Sudbury to one of its best playoff this season
as the squad made the OHL final and came within a whisker of
winning the league championship.
The writing on the wall at the annual OHL draft (which took
place in early May) stated Foligno was going to be back for
sure. The club traded away Akim Aliu, essentially, to acquire a
second-round pick, which they used to nab Foligno's youngest
son Marcus.
Everyone much expected once the playoffs were over, an
announcement the bench boss and GM would be returning to the
fold and coaching Marcus would be made shortly after.
It hasn't come.
The rumour mill has been working on overdrive during the past
few weeks. Some sources have indicated that Foligno could be
leaving as well. One rumour has him turning up as the next
coach of the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League
(AHL). One of my sources has stated it's Foligno's job if he
wants it. All he has to do is say yes.
It does make sense. Like any hockey person, the NHL is where
they want to be and Foligno is no different.
The AHL is the launching pad for players and coaches.
Binghamton needs a head coach. Former coach John Paddock was
bumped up to the Ottawa Senators top coaching job last week,
leaving the Binghamton spot wide open.
Also, Foligno's other son, Nick, drafted in the first round by
Ottawa in 2006, is likely going to be playing for Binghamton
next season.
Foligno has AHL experience. In fact, he has five seasons as
head coach of the Hershey Bears, in which he forged a record of
186-154-44.
Foligno has been relatively successful in the OHL in the last
four years, picking up 120 wins to 125 losses.
It's in the playoffs where Foligno has shown his true worth. In
the post season, Foligno has a record of 27-16, and that's when
the wins count the most.
He has brought some talented teams deep into the playoffs. His
first year, the Wolves lasted seven games before being ousted
by Toronto. Then he coached Sudbury to back-to-back trips to
the second round. Then, of course, there was the miraculous run
to this year's final.
With the graduation losses of Marc Staal, Jonathan D'Aversa,
Adam McQuaid and Justin Donati along with Jones, this team will
need Foligno, and need him big time.
Foligno showed, especially in his first year, he can truly get
the most out of players and at least motivate them to put on a
good show for the fans.
Still, when the pros coming knocking, it's hard for any hockey
person to ignore it.
It could mean more money, and more importantly, an opportunity
to take the reigns of an NHL club.
If Foligno leaps to the pros, there will be no shortage of
applications for his job.
If it's for coach and GM, Sudbury would probably get 100
applications.
Of course this is all speculation and rumour mill catering, but
it will make for some interesting developments this summer.
