The Sudbury Wolves added 15 new prospects to the city’s Ontario Hockey League team during the two-day 2023 OHL Priority Selection event on Friday and Saturday.
They kicked off the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Friday with the ninth overall selection of forward Caden Taylor, from the Mississauga Senators. Described as a “sniping forward” in a media release issued by the Wolves, Taylor is credited with earning 121 points, with 58 goals and 63 assists in 60 games played.
"To begin by being able to select Caden at ninth was something that all week we were anticipating and building up for,” Sudbury Wolves VP and general manager Rob Papineau said in a media release. “Just the way he shoots the puck and the way he can score goals, it is unique at his age. We are really excited to be able to pick him because he's got the potential to score a lot of goals in this league."
Next up was defenceman Nolan Jackson, who stands at 6’1” and weighs 170 lbs. The Innisfil product is known to scouts as a defenceman who can join the rush and contribute offensively, but also equally adept at controlling the play in the defensive zone, according to the Wolves. For the 2022- 23 season, Jackson registered 32 points, with nine goals and 23 assists through 38 games played.
"No. 1, Nolan's skating is outstanding. He is a leader as he was the captain of his team,” Papineau said. “You notice him every shift he’s on the ice, he's just one of those guys, he's out there competing hard all the time, and he possesses a high compete level. We really had our eye on him as a guy we wanted.”
Hudson Chitaroni was also selected. He is the son of former Wolves’ captain Terry Chitaroni, who played four seasons for the Wolves, from 1988 – 1992. Chitaroni stands 5’10” and comes from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds. Scouts praised Chitaroni due to his high hockey IQ along with his exceptional work ethic. Chitaroni is coming off a campaign which saw him win the NOHA player of the year award.
"With our third pick, we were excited to select Hudson Chitaroni, who has strong playmaking ability and a high compete level,” Wolves head scout Mike Taylor said. “He can play both wing and centre, displaying his versatility. He is also a smart two way player that can put points up on the board.”
The Wolves started off the second day of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection by selecting Jayden Connors, from the Mississauga Senators. Connors, a teammate of the Wolves’ first-round selection, Caden Taylor. Connors is known to scouts as a player who has the ability to make good decisions at high speeds while being highly intelligent.
The Wolves used their 89th selection on Bjorn Bronas, a goaltender out of Chicago, who is one of the top 2,007 goaltending prospects coming out of the U.S.
The Wolves used their final 10 picks to add five forwards, four defenseman and a second goalie. Late round picks were highlighted by Sudbury product Grant Booth, who is currently playing in Phoenix, Arizona.
"We had great conversations with everybody, had communications with every single player that we've been able to draft here in the last two days,” Papineau said.
"We're really happy with the outcome and we value the compete level, the hockey IQ, and the speed. We were able to address a lot of these values today."
For full draft results and information, click here.
The 2023 OHL U18 Priority Selection is set to take place April 26 at 7 p.m., which is in addition to the 2023 CHL Import Draft slated for later this summer.
