While many probably aren’t too disappointed that the Sudbury Wolves' non-playoff season is coming to an end, I will give you three reasons while Game 68 will be bitter-sweet.
Danny Desrochers, Patrick Murphy and Mikkel Aagaard.
The OHL careers of these three players come to an end Saturday night in Barrie.
Mikkel Aagaard was acquired in a trade with the Niagara Ice Dogs in late November and it became evident right away the Wolves had added a special player.
The native of Frederikshavn, Denmark has a skill level that we saw glimpses of when he was with the IceDogs, but really wasn’t unleashed until he arrived in Sudbury. He quickly became the spark plug of the Wolves' offence, the guy that would become the centerpiece of the top line, first power-play unit, key penalty killer and almost a point-a-game player.
Aagaard is also a pain in the butt to the opposition, but one of those players you love to have on your team.
He was also a fun guy off the ice with a great personality who truly enjoyed being a member of the Sudbury Wolves.
It also became pretty clear this week what he has meant to this team.
At the year-end awards luncheon, Aagaard picked up four honours including the 3-Star award and the team’s Top Scorer.
But, what really tells the story of his value is the MVP award and maybe most important, the Players Player Award he shares with Kyle Capobianco, voted on by his teammates.
Patrick Murphy came to the Wolves during the off season after spending parts of four seasons with the Erie Otters.
The Hamilton native quickly became an important piece of the Wolves' defence core, but his versatility turned out to be his biggest asset. He was moved up to the wing and provided some much needed punch to a struggling offence.
Murphy wasn’t going to challenge for the league’s scoring title, but he has come up with some key points while adding solid leadership along the way.
Sudbury fans have had the pleasure of watching Danny Desrochers put on a Wolves jersey for the last five seasons.
Desrochers was the Wolves third-round pick, 48th overall selection in the 2011 OHL Draft.
He played just eight games his first season, but the North Bay native became a full-time member of the team in the 2012-13 season and eventually the heart and soul of the hockey club.
Desrochers has been known mainly as a defensive player and one of the top penalty killers in the league, two aspects of his game that he has taken great pride in.
It was his work ethic, determination and leadership qualities that led to him being named captain this year.
Desrocher has also been heavily involved in the team's efforts in giving back to the community. Whenever the players were making visits to area schools, the hospital or the Children's Treatment Centre, Desrochers was always front and centre.
He has been the perfect person to wear the “C” proving to be a great role model for the young players.
So, while many will be happy to see another non-playoff season come to an end, it will be a sad day to see three players graduate who have been great ambassadors for the city and the Sudbury Wolves.
Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the news director at Kiss 105.3 and Q92.
