BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The 2005-06 Sudbury Northern Junior Wolves
are on the prowl and looking to feast on the competition in the
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL).
The Northern Wolves play their home opener on
Thursday, Sept. 15 against the defending league champions North
Bay. Game time at the McClelland Arena in Copper Cliff is 7:30
pm.
After finishing fourth in the Eastern
Division last season with a record of 12-33-1-2, the Northern
Wolves shook up their organization, hired new coaching staff
and the entire franchise was purchased by the Sudbury Wolves of
the OHL. The Northern Wolves also received an injection of
talent from the Rayside-Balfour team that has, for now,
folded.
With stability being provided from the parent
Wolves, the Northern Wolves are looking to jump up in the NOJHL
standings and contend for the league championship.
"The real strength comes from the top," said
Northern Wolves GM Mike Rowlandson. "The support from the
Sudbury Wolves provides stability, resources and good
players."
The Northern Wolves brought in former OHL and
NOJHL star Darryl Moxam as head coach. They also hired
long-time hockey men Dave Clancy and Steve Lauzon as assistant
coaches. Moxam brings a wealth of experience, since he was an
assistant coach with the Rayside-Balfour team that won the
2001-02 Dudley Hewitt Cup.
"Our coaches are familiar with the league and
understand the players," said Rowlandson. "They know how to
win."
Moxam is ecstatic for his squad to take on
the league.
"I am really happy with this team," said
Moxam. "We have a great mix of players. We will be a fairly
offensive club. We want to win this league and go to the Dudley
Hewitt Cup."
The Northern Wolves feature an awesome array
of experienced offensive weapons. The team will be lead by
veteran NOJHL scorer Brian McGarry. The crafty centreman has
sublime skills and can find open teammates and fire off a
pinpoint pass. McGarry will be expected to lead the charge.
McGarry scored 20 goals and 58 points in only 28 games with the
Northern Wolves last year.
McGarry will be supported by the likes of
sniper Jesse Graham, former Sudbury Wolves forward Jordan
Prevost, as well as Nick Heins, Josh Slobodian and Sudbury
Wolves 2005 third-round draft pick Gerome Giudice.
"We have a lot of players who have a knack
for scoring goals," said Rowlandson. "They are highly skilled
and definite assets."
The defence will be anchored by veteran Rob
Bonhomme, who brings a wealth of playmaking and skill to the
line up, and is considered one of the better defenders in the
league.
"To start with one of the best forwards and
defenceman in the league is a real nice advantage for us," said
Moxam.
The goaltending will be supplied by Darren
Rowlandson and Jesse Pischlar, two more veteran NOJHL
players.
"We have a chance to win the league," said
Rowlandson. "That's our goal, and we have a strong nucleus of
players, coaches and management to achieve it."
