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'Journey to the Memorial Cup': Zulich has high hopes for his Wolves this season

Almost 50 prospects will be whittled down to this year's version of The Pack
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(From left) Sudbury Wolves general manager Rob Papineau, Sudbury Wolves owner Dario Zulich and players Blake Murray and Quinton Byfield. (Heidi Ulrichsen/Sudbury.com)

Sudbury Wolves owner Dario Zulich is nothing if not optimistic about the local OHL franchise's chances in the upcoming 2019-2020 season, which he called a “journey to the Memorial Cup.”

It's the fourth season since the local developer bought the team, and he's hoping the Wolves can improve on their impressive fourth-place performance last season.

“Our season is going to have 34 home games,” Zulich said, speaking at a Aug. 28 press conference launching the Wolves' 2019-2020 season.

“We're expecting to win every one of those home games.”

The press conference was held in advance of the Wolves' training camp, where 49 prospects will be whittled down to a team of about 22 over the next 48 hours.

“Every year we start and want to win the Memorial Cup,” said Wolves coach Cory Stillman, adding The Pack has gone from a “basement dweller” to last season's finish since he was brought on in 2017.

“It's going to start today. We have 49 kids coming to try out.”

He said he doesn't care where the prospects come from or at what level they used to play, they all have a chance to win a spot on the Wolves' roster.

Quinton Byfield, a first-year centre with last year's Wolves team, and the winner of the Wawanesa Rookie of the Year Award, said he thinks The Pack's chances are pretty good for the upcoming season.

The Wolves' have lost their all-star netminder — OHL Goaltender of the Year winner Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, who's recovering from hip surgery but has signed on with the Buffalo Sabres.

“But we have a lot of prospects that I think are really good,” Byfield said.

If you'd like to catch an early glimpse of the new version of The Pack, the Sudbury Wolves open their pre-season action this Saturday night (Aug. 31) when they host the Sault Greyhounds. The game starts at 7:05 p.m.

The Wolves have also released their full 2019-2020 season promotional schedule for fans. 

Special promotional nights include the Home Opener (Sept. 27), Superhero Night, AAA Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day, Bobblehead Night, food drives and more.

Each home game also has special elements, including TGIF Friday, with deals on snacks for fans who show up early for Friday games, Sudbury Saturday Nights, with country performers and food items unique to Sudbury during Saturday games, and Junior Wolves Sundays, where fans can stick around after Sunday afternoon games to skate with the Wolves.

For more information on ticket sales and the 2019-2020 season, visit sudburywolves.com.


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Heidi Ulrichsen

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