Defenceman Liam Ross is the new captain of the Sudbury Wolves, the team announced Jan. 12.
Ross and assistant captain Ethan Larmand will be in these new roles for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season.
“It is truly a huge honour to be named captain,” Ross said in the news release. “I want to thank my coaches – Duncanson, Stortini and Moxam – and my teammates for their support. I’m excited and looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Ross scored 17 goals and 47 assists for 64 points in 220 regular season games with the Wolves. He was a fourth-round draft pick for the Wolves in the 2017 OHL priority selection.
Having been with the Wolves the entirety of his OHL career, Wolves general manager Rob Papineau is excited for Ross to take on the title of the new team captain.
“Liam is one of the hardest working players to ever wear a Wolves jersey and he is the perfect leader for our team,” Papineau said in the news release. “This is very well-deserved. We are honoured to have Liam become our next captain and join our Captain’s Wall where his name will remain forever among the many previous captains who have all been true gentlemen of character.”
Head Coach Craig Duncanson, who joined the team in July last year, also sent praise Ross’ way. “He is a true man of integrity, hard work and commitment. I am confident he can lead our group to a successful second half this season,” Duncanson said.
Ross and Larmand were elevated to captain and assistant following a couple of recent trades.
Jack Thompson was traded to the Soo Greyhounds for Dallas Stars defensive prospect Jacob Holmes, left-winger Marc Boudreau and the Hamilton Bulldogs’ 2nd round 2022 draft selection.
Thompson was a “tremendous” captain for the club, said Wolves VP and general manager Rob Papineau in a news release.
“Jack has been one of the top players that I have had the privilege of drafting and getting to know,” said Papineau. “He is first-class and comes from an incredible family. We are proud of his development and wish him the very best. We have a great young group here that looks to finish strong and push towards the playoffs.”
The Wolves also announced this week the team has acquired former Hamilton Bulldogs 2021 first-round OHL draft pick and Sudbury native Alex Pharand from the Peterborough Petes.
The Wolves have also acquired Sarnia’s second-round draft pick in 2022, Niagara’s second-round pick in 2024, Kitchener’s third-round pick in 2023, Owen Sound’s third round pick in 2023 and Hamilton’s third round pick in 2024.
In exchange, the Petes receive New Jersey Devil’s prospect Chase Stillman.
