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Byfield taking everything in stride as he prepares to join the Wolves

"I don’t think he realizes even how great he is and that’s what makes him so special" - Wolves GM Rob Papineau
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Sudbury Wolves General Manager Rob Papineau called it the easiest draft pick you could make, as the organization announced 15-year-old Quinton Byfield of Newmarket will be the first overall pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Sudbury Wolves General Manager Rob Papineau called it the easiest draft pick you could make, as the organization announced 15-year-old Quinton Byfield of Newmarket will be the first overall pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Byfield was in Sudbury for the announcement along with his father Clinton Byfield, mother Nicole Kasper, sister and grandmother.

The 6-4 centre stepped up to the podium after it was announced he would be the recipient of the Jack Ferguson award.

He looked nervous but confident - all this is new to him - but he had an infectious smile like he can’t wait to get going.

“It feels really great, especially coming to Sudbury, it’s a great organization, great staff and everything. I feel like it would be a great fit for me, playing with all the players they have here, it’s going to be a great experience here,” said Byfield.

In this day and age with agents and pressure to succeed at a young age, players have more options; they can often pick where they want to go, but Sudbury wanted Byfield and Byfield wanted Sudbury.

“I think the coach is great, he can develop me really quick, it’s just going to be a really great experience. I’ve heard it’s a great city here, great place to be, great place to live and I think it’s going to be great,” said Byfield.

Perhaps that decision shows his character above all, no attitude, no ego just a guy who loves to play the game, the way his parents raised him.

“I believe and he does to, wherever you’re supposed to go is where you’re supposed to go," said his mother Nicole Kasper. 

"Whatever team would have picked him is where he would report to.” 

Quinton credits his family and especially his mother for always being there for him during his early playing days, but his parents say it was all just for support and the biggest part of his development was his ability to succeed on his own.

“I think he did it on his own, we were just there for the support. I had tears flowing down, but it’s an accomplishment for the kid, just to see what he has gone through. He handles himself and this is a moment for him, these are tears of joy," said his father Clinton Byfield.

His family already has figured out that they can watch him play at least 60 times next season so they won’t be missing much of what their son does on the ice.

As Rob Papineau said, this was the easiest pick they could make, because they and many people around the league feel Byfield is the complete package.

“First and foremost, he’s an outstanding player, he’s got a great ceiling. Then when you start talking to him he’s got those characteristics of a great player," said Papineau. "He’s a humble kid, he’s a shy young guy, he really welcomes it but he doesn’t even know if he deserves it. I don’t think he realizes even how great he is and that’s what makes him so special.” 

The Wolves knew early on in talking with him that he wanted to come to Sudbury, which really showed his attitude.

“We love that he has that attitude, if you look back at all the great ones, they all have that attitude they just want to play hockey and that’s what makes them great,” said Papineau.

Sudbury will get the first look at Byfield when he is back for their orientation camp April 14 and 15.

What comes next for the young man is how he will transition to the OHL playing against guys 18 to 20-years-old.

“I think it (my game) will translate good because I’m like 6-4, so that’s pretty big here so I think I can hold my own. It’s fast and I’m a pretty fast player so I think I will keep up with them here,” said Byfield.

The teenager also spoke about how he’ll handle the pressure of being the number one pick.

“I think I’ll do good with the pressure, it will always be making me want to step up my game and face new challenges and I think it will be great for me,” said Byfield.

Right now he’s going to listen to his family’s advice and soak everything in from this week, go home celebrate with teammates and then begin the work.

The work doesn’t end for Papineau and the Wolves management as they have the rest of the draft to think about on Saturday.

They made a small move prior to the Byfield announcement picking up the 78th pick overall for a ninth round pick this year and a third round pick next season.

Papineau’s plan remains the same for this draft.

“We’re looking for speed, skill, compete. If we get lucky to find some guys that are going to be able to compliment Q (Byfield) like that then that’s going to be a huge thing for us," said Papineau.

"We really believe we’re on the right path and tomorrow is going to be about adding those other pieces. So we’ve got a really good idea about what we want to do, it’s just about getting into those rounds and seeing kind of what’s going to be available when you pick and hoping it’s a guy we have targeted."


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