“We’re getting two very hard-nosed players,” said Blaine Smith, Sudbury Wolves president and GM, Blaine Smith. “They’re 5-10, 175 pounds, they played in a junior league as 15-year-olds this year because they don’t turn 16 until October.
“Playing against older kids, they developed extremely well, and they finished one-two in that league in scoring, so I think that speaks very highly of their abilities.”
The twins went undrafted in the OHL, but made huge strides this past season in the Canadian International Hockey League as a part of a Batchewana Attack team that won the CIHL championship, defeating the Espanola Rivermen.
Darian finished the year with 18 goals, 28 assists for 46 points in 35 games while brother Drake finished with near identical numbers at 18 goals 26 assists for 44 points in 36 games.
And to re-iterate the hard-noised style Smith mentioned, both players finished with more than 100 penalty minutes.
The Wolves had first crack in the waiver wire and because the players were a package deal the Wolves were able to pick both.
They were not the only team vying for their services.
"They have been to a number of junior camps this summer, and any time they go anywhere teams want to sign them right away,” Smith said. “That’s the kind of impact they have had in terms of development this past year. We know there were teams that wanted them that were selecting behind us, (so) we felt we were very fortunate to acquire these two young men.”
The Pilons are from Sault Ste. Marie and played AAA and AA hockey there.
“It’s really nice to be able to acquire northern kids, it always is,” Smith said.
“Northern players that come in here and play hard nosed hockey is right up the Sudbury Wolves alley.”
Their talents aside, just like the other player, the Pilons will to try out in September to make the Pack’s roster.
“They have to come here at training camp — they know that — and compete for a job with all of our other drafted players and returning vets,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge.”
The Pilon brothers will be in tough against a number of other young Wolves who will also be at training camp.
Over the weekend the club announced the signing of 16-year-old forwards David Levin, Shane Bulitka, MacAuley Carson and Owen Lane.
The players were the Wolves top four picks in the 2015 OHL Priority Draft.
“It’s important they make the commitment to play for the Sudbury Wolves, because they all have options,” Smith said. “There are other places and other leagues to play hockey in these days and develop, but they made the decision that the Sudbury Wolves and the Ontario Hockey League is their first choice, and we’re thankful they made those decisions.”
“Now we can just worry about them preparing to try out in September and earn a roster spot,” said Smith.
Next up for the Wolves will be some tough decisions at the 2015 CHL Import Draft where the Wolves have the third overall pick.
***An earlier version of this story said the Pilon twins are 15. They are actually 16.
