A junior hockey franchise that looked like it
was on life support, has got a brand new lease on life and a
bright future because Sudbury Wolves president Mark Burgess has
purchased the Sudbury Northern Wolves of the Northern Ontario
Junior Hockey League (NOJHL).
The Wolves also announced the Ontario Hockey
League franchise will be the exclusive sponsor of the AAA
program of the Sudbury Minor Hockey Association (SMHA).
The Northern Wolves announced Monday Barry
McCrory will be director of operations and Mike Rowlandson will
be the team's new general manager.
Burgess said he felt the time was right for
the Wolves organization to step forward and invest in Junior A
hockey for the benefit of local youth.
"The Sudbury Northern Wolves have been very
helpful to the Sudbury Wolves by developing players like Bobby
Chaumont, Kevin Beech, Mike Mills and Jeff Christison, to name
a few," said Burgess, in a news release.
"I felt the time was right for our
organization to support the Tier II Junior A level in an effort
to ensure NOJHL hockey remains alive and well in the Sudbury
area. We have a vested interest in the game of hockey in the
Sudbury area and with the NOJHL."
The Wolves will now sponsor all of the SMHA's
five AAA clubs from minor peewee to major midgets. The OHL
franchise will provide Sudbury Wolves jerseys and the coaching
staff led by head coach Mike Foligno will provide mentorship
programs to the AAA teams during the season.
Wolves' vice-president Blaine Smith will set
up the Northern Wolves organization and the sponsorship program
with the SMHA. Smith has work for the Wolves in various jobs
for 20 years and was the former executive director of the SMHA
from 1981-86.
The Northern Wolves are expecting to continue
to play out of the McClelland Arena in Copper Cliff. Burgess
plans to meet with city officials to arrange a
deal to bring the team to the Sudbury Arena
in the near future.
If interested in coaching or training
positions, contact McCrory at 522-8477.
