Nickel Capital Wolves out to make history

BY SCOTT HADDOW

When the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves won the Central Canadian AAA midget hockey Championship in Ottawa two weeks ago, they made a stop in the small town of Arnprior on their way back home.

It wasn't for food or a rest stop. It was to get the team ready for the TELUS Cup, symbolic of the national AAA midget championship, which will be contested in Arnprior from April 21 to 27. The Nickel Capital Wolves will be there competing to be the best in the country.

The team gathered in the Nick Smith Centre, where all the national games will be played, and took in the atmosphere of the building.

The team looked at the ice surface they would be competing on and envisioned themselves earning more success.

Over the course of the season, the Nickel Capital Wolves have already earned much success and established themselves as the best team in northern Ontario and Ontario and now want to be the top dog in all of Canada.

Overall, the team, which has captured the hearts of many Sudburians, has a record of 46-4-2 in GNML regular season and playoff action as well as the provincial championship action.

The Nickel Capital Wolves will attempt to become the first ever AAA midget team from Sudbury to win the national title.

The closest a Sudbury team has ever come to tasting gold at nationals was back in 1998 when the Sudbury Cara's Capitals earned the silver medal.

Central Region champions haven't enjoyed a strong run at the nationals either. In fact, it's been downright miserable for Central Region teams as only one, North Bay in 1984, has won the national midget crown. Sudbury is hoping to change it all this year.

"The players are hungry," Michelutti Jr. said. "They know all about how the Central champs haven't done well. We consider ourselves to be underdogs...the team feels other teams will underestimate us and we'll take advantage of it. It's great motivation."

When the coaching staff looks at the team, they can't help but be filled with pride because of the player's positive actions all season long.

"Winning the All-Ontario championship was such a big accomplishment and tough task to do," Michelutti said. "In the last 25 years, only three teams from Sudbury have done it. We're proud of these kids. They've sacrificed so much all year in their personal lives. They've dedicated themselves to hockey and the team's goals. It's been a great pleasure to be a part of."

Despite the seemingly disparaging record by past All-Ontario champions, Sudbury is out to give all the other squads the fight of their lives in Arnprior. Regardless of wins or losses, the Nickel Capital Wolves plan to put on a show all will remember for a long time afterwards.

"We're not going there for the fun of it...or to just participate," team captain Mathieu Lecours said. "We're going there to be competitors and be big contenders for the championship. I feel we have the team to do it. I believe we can compete with any team in the country. We've beaten a lot of teams this year and feel we can keep doing it."

The players have spent almost every waking moment of their lives this hockey season sticking to their program to realize this dream of theirs - competing for the national crown. They've put family-time on hold as well as other personal sacrifices. They've had to adjust to demanding road travel and still complete homework assignments.

Regardless of all the extra work and energy, the players have no problem giving up their time.

"When you win an All-Ontario Championship it makes every sacrifice worth it," forward Stefan Herrington said. "It feels so good to do well. We're there to play hockey and win. Everything we've done all season has been in the best interest of the team. Our expectations are high and it's working for us."

The Nickel Capital Wolves have broken down the national tournament into several goals, with making a semi-final game the first priority.

"We have to work our hardest to get there, but if we do, anything can happen after that," goalie Landon Noel said.

"We could do it if we play our best hockey and if all our players step up again. At the All-Ontario championship, we had different guys step up each game to help us win. We need it, this is really big and important to all of us."

During the drive to the GNML and Central Region championships, Michelutti has noticed stronger bonds being developed by the team.

"What has really stood out about this team has been the camaraderie amongst the players," Michelutti Jr. said. "I've been part of other teams over the years, but I've never seen a closer bunch. They're all close and they've shown just what a team can achieve when players come together and stay together. They don't care about individual success...they only care about winning as a team."

The Nickel Capitals Wolves struggled to find ice time to practice after winning the Central Region title. Many local sporting groups stepped up and stepped aside to donate their ice time to help the midget squad prepare. The team can't say enough about what those gestures meant to them.

"It was a big help to us and something we appreciate a lot," Noel said. "We're ready."

The support has given the team extra fuel to try and be the best in Canada. They also relish the fact they're carrying the hopes of many people from the city.

"We've had a lot of support...which means so much to all of us," Lecours said. "Everyone has just been awesome towards us. Seeing the support...it's easy for us to get excited to compete at nationals. We definitely want to make Sudbury proud."

Even though they're engulfed in national hype, the boys haven't lost their focus on the little things that have also helped them make it to the big dance. The behind-the-scenes work done by coaches, managers and volunteers to ensure everything operates smoothly for the players has not gone unnoticed.

"We couldn't have made it this far without the work done by the coaches, managers and volunteers," Herrington said. "They've sacrificed a lot too over the season."

The bottom line is the Nickel Capital Wolves want to hoist the TELUS Cup at the end of the week.

"We're hoping to prove we're the best team in Canada," Herrington concluded.

Check NorthernLife.ca for daily updates from Arnprior next week as reporter Scott Haddow will be covering the team's as they gun for national glory.