Wolf pack built on family values

Hey sports fans, it's time to see what's cooking up in the local athletics scene.

I'll take a round out of the Sudbury Wolves this week.

Training camp is just around the corner, and already there are some exciting story lines for fans to keep their eyes locked onto.

As with any new season, most fans will be eager to see what the latest round of draft picks can do. The Wolves first pick in 2007, seventh overall, was defenceman Daniel Maggio. He's a big, smooth skating defender with strong offensive potential and tremendous size - six-foot-three and 190 pounds.

This year, we could see a true rarity in the sports world, not just in hockey.

A lot of cards have to fall into the right places at the right time for it to happen though.

The Wolves could potentially have a double father/son, coach/player scenario in 2007-08.

If prospects Marcus Foligno and Jeffrey Verreault make the club, they will join their fathers, head coach and GM Mike Foligno and assistant coach Bryan Verreault.

(Nick Foligno could be back, but if he doesn't make the Ottawa Senators, he probably will join their AHL farm team, Binghamton.)

It would certainly be something new to this reporter. I tried racking my brain to come up with a team, anywhere in sports, that's in such a unique situation.

In fact, I have trouble coming up with a combination like that in the history of sports. (If you do know of this happening before or right now, please send me an email and end my misery.)

It could happen, but it could also not happen.

First, Marcus was a second-round pick, 39th overall, this year. The Wolves essentially moved power forward Akim Aliu to London to land the 39th pick overall so they could draft him.

Unless he falls completely flat on his face, and mark my words he will not, Marcus will be in the lineup this year.

He's big, assertive and has a great will to compete hard. Marcus toiled for the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves of the GNML last season, scoring 23 goals and 40 points in 35 regular season games. He also piled up 74 penalty minutes.

He helped Sudbury to second place in the GNML with a record of 28-7-0-1. Marcus also helped the team reach the GNML championship final by registering two goals, seven points and 40 penalty minutes in eight games.

Marcus will bring a great blend of toughness and skill to the rink everyday, so get ready to see plenty of him.

He has that edge which made his father and older brother famous.

One Eastern Conference scout, wishing to remain anonymous, stated Marcus, once he fills out, will be a star in the OHL in two years.

Now as for Verreault, the odds are stacked mightily against him to make the team.

He was a ninth round pick in 2006 out of Rayside-Balfour. Last season, he played for the Sudbury Junior Wolves in the NOJHL. The team had a shaky season - going through two head coaches - but Verreault, playing forward was respectable, scoring six goals and 16 points in 48 games. He also had 30 penalty minutes. He helped Sudbury reach the NOJHL championship final, tallying one goal in 16 playoff games.

Verreault isn't as strapping as Marcus, which is another slight against him. He stands five-foot-10 and weighs about 160-pounds.

Still, he could find his way into the line up if he plays hard enough and totally commits himself to defence.

The same eastern scout had reservations about Verreault making the Wolves and figures his chances are slim to none.
There's no doubt both players will get long looks at camp. They've earned it, but it will be up to them to earn a spot on the roster.

Enjoy training camp fans, it's a thrilling time of watching players on the bubble give their all to grab a coveted roster spot.