BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The Sudbury Wolves are on the loose, hunting for an OHL title.
The team enters the 2006-07 season with a few unknowns, but a
lot of expectations. The rabid fan base is eager for glory and
are growing impatient. Sudbury returns as a fairly confident
group that feels they can get the job done this season despite
inexperience on the blueline. The Wolves kick off their 2006-07
season this upcoming Friday, when they host the Mississauga
IceDogs. game time at the Sudbry Arena is 7:30 pm.
2005-06 Review
Last season, the Wolves boasted, arguably, the best defence
platoon in the OHL. They also featured top NHL draft pick Ben
Pouliot. Despite the embarrassment of riches in all areas, the
Wolves never seemed to put together a sustained run of
victories and took fifth place in the East Conference with a
34-28-1-5 record.
The Wolves, especially Pouliot (eight goals and 11 points) dismantled Kingston in the first round of the playoffs, before succumbing to the eventual OHL champs Peterborough in four straight games.
Off season and pre-season
The Wolves kept fairly quiet in the off-season, making no major trades. In August, the club shipped overage winger Anton Hedman to Owen Sound for a draft pick and dealt back-up goalie Chris Abbey to London for another pick.
At the 2006 draft, the Wolves went for forwards, nabbing Jared
Staal, Justin Larson, J.K. Gill and local product Kyle Tarini
with their first four picks. Two other local players were
hoisted by Sudbury-goalie Alain Valiquette and Jeff Verreault,
son of the assistant coach Brian Verreault.
The club took a trip to Poland in late August to strengthen team bonds. Sudbury won three games against junior clubs from Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic. During the exhibition season, the Wolves went winless, with two losses and one tie.
Goaltending
Like last season, the main man in-between the pipes will be
Kevin Beech, 20.
Beech, six-foot-four and 180-pounds, forged a record of
33-25-1-4, with a 2.94 goals-against-average (GAA) and .906
save percentage in 2005-06. Beech also showed incredible poise
in the clutch all season. The lanky puck stopper was the top
rated goalie in shoot outs, winning seven of 11 games.
With question marks on defence, the squad will lean even
more on Beech this season.
With the graduation of top netminders such as Kitchener's
Dan Turple, Barrie's Dan LaCosta, London's Adam Dennis and
Ottawa's Danny Battochio, the Wolves' brass expects Beech to be
one of the best goalies in the league.
"We want Kevin to learn from what he went through last
season and be the best goalie in the league," said head coach
and GM Mike Foligno.
"He has all the qualities and the capability to do it. We
hired a goalie coach (Michael Lawrence) to help all our
goalies. "Michael has already had a tremendous impact on our
goalies and is affecting them in a positive way. Kevin has
developed a better form and more confidence."
Michael Swick, 17, will serve in the back up role. Swick is
an American from New Jersey and has brought the right attitude
to the club.
"Michael is a good person in the dressing room and
understands his role on our team...He knows to be ready when we
call on him," stated Foligno.
The burning question: Will Beech be able to withstand the
pressure and higher expectations with a potentially younger
defence in front of him or will he crack?
"This is a challenge I want," said Beech. "I don't feel any more pressure. I know it's my year to carry the team. It makes it more exciting for me knowing my role is even more important this year. I thrive on these types of challenges."
Defence
The Wolves success could start and end with the defence corps. The news got better on late Monday when it was determined Adam McQuaid and Jonathan D'Aversa have returned from pro camps.
Superstar Marc Staal could also return, if he doesn't stick
with the New York Rangers.
Another overage player, Nicholas Tuzzolino (six-foot-six and
220-pounds), will also factor into the equation. He could be
trade bait or one of the top defencemen on the team.
Regardless of returning players, the Wolves are green on the blueline. Second year player Ryan Crouch will see more ice time as will Stephen Miller, who returns from a season with the Junior Wolves. Rookies Tyler Arps (six-foot-three, 185-pounds) and Andrew Beuman (six-foot-six, 210-pounds) bring size and strength. 2006 import pick Jakub Korinek will also be a big cog in the defence.
"There's a lot of if's," said assistant coach Bobby Jones. "We
have a lot of young players we have to work with, but they're
all capable of playing solid hockey. Guys like Beuman, Arps and
Crouch will need some veteran help to put them in a position to
succeed."
Miller, six-foot-two and 215-pounds, has been a pleasant
surprise.
"Stephen is a strong player, and if he can play at the top
of his game, with a physical presence, each and every night, he
will be a factor," said Foligno.
The burning question: Will the crew of Arps, Beuman, Crouch, Miller and Korinek get the job done over a full season?
Forwards
The team has lost some firepower in the form of Pouliot (35
goals) and Hedman (18 goals), but returns a decent group of
players who should be ready to take the next step and have good
seasons.
The Wolves will need plenty of production, even career
years, out of their top six to eight forwards for any kind of
success.
Starting the offensive fireworks for the club will be centres Nick Foligno and Kevin Baker and wingers Akim Aliu, Matt Dias, Devin DiDiomete, Jesse Messier and import Patrik Lusnak.
Foligno (70 points) and Baker (63 points) will be under the
microscope all season as the two top returning scorers from
2005-06.
"We have two lines that can compete with any other two top
lines in the league," said Foligno. "There can be no nights off
and they must take the next step. "Nick and Kevin will lead,
and they expect that. Messier has worked hard to get back (from
a serious neck injury in 2005), and he has all the qualities of
a top scorer. Devin has come back from Calgary in unbelievable
shape and we will count on him."
The players have put the onus on themselves to break out and
light up the league.
"Everyone is expecting to improve on last season and become
a better team," said Nick Foligno. "Guys like myself, Baker,
Akim...we have to become the leaders. It comes with maturity.
The young guys will also have to chip in. We will have to work
hard all season and be patient with the rookies. We are all
excited and ready to go."
Rookies Larson, Staal, Tarini and Gill will all be thrusted
into the spotlight and be called upon to make significant
contributions on the third and fourth lines. Players such as
Gary Friesen (recovering from shoulder injury), Geoff Guimond
and Gerome Giudice will be counted on to supply grit and skill.
The burning question: Will Dias, Aliu, DiDiomete and Messier
emerge as top snipers in the OHL and help power the club to
wins?
"We know we have to step it up," said DiDiomete. "We have to contribute a lot more offence and it falls on us. We are out to prove we can be one of the best teams in this league."
Import impact
The Wolves will feature the standard European flavour this
season with defenceman Korinek and winger Lusnak making the
team. Korinek is a six-foot-one, 205-pound defender with some
jam and skill. He had three goals, seven points and 79 penalty
minutes in 37 Czech junior games. Lusnak, a six-foot, 180-pound
forward scored 26 goals in 51 games in the Slovakian junior
league last year.
"Patrik has good skills and is hard to take off the puck," said Foligno. "He protects the puck well and doesn't shy away from contact. Jakub takes the body and can make a good first pass. He likes to be a go-to-guy."
Outlook
Time will tell with the Wolves this season if they're serious contenders. A lot has to go right and fall into place. With Foligno calling the shots and always demanding hard work from his players, the club should challenge for a decent playoff spot. If the offence sputters, the defence doesn't come together quickly and effectively and the goaltending falters, it could be a tough season for the local squad.
"We have a club that will get better everyday," said Foligno.
"We have a good mix of players with good camaraderie.
This year, we will have an important focus on solid defensive play. We also have to cut down on our penalties...we were the most penalized team last season and we don't want to be that team again. We still want to play aggressive and physical, but take out the bad penalties. We need to come out of the gates strong and perform at a high level every game...We want to vie for the Memorial Cup."
