BY KEITH LACEY
Will the best player to ever wear a Sudbury Wolves jersey be the next head coach? That?s the million dollar question circulating around town as Sudbury Wolves owner Mark Burgess has made no secret the job is Mike Foligno?s if he wants it.
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The problem is Foligno is the head coach of the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and many insiders believe he wants to take the big step into the coaching ranks of the National Hockey League, either as a head coach or an assistant.
?I would think that coaching in the NHL would be his goal as that?s the goal of almost every coach who has reached the level Mike Foligno has,? said Burgess, in an interview with Northern Life Tuesday.
Burgess wouldn?t deny he?s contacted Foligno about the job, and he?s confident Foligno will agree to an interview in the next few days.
However, to suggest, as some have, that signing Foligno as head coach is imminent, isn?t fair, said Burgess.
?I would love to have Mike Foligno come here and run our hockey club,? said Burgess. ?But there?s just too many things going on right now out of our control to state he?s going to take the job.
?I?ve known Mike Foligno and his family for about 30 years since the old days of playing playground hockey and there?s no question I?ve spoken to Mike and his family. He?s certainly my top choice, but a lot of things have to happen before this could happen and there?s a real chance it just won?t happen.?
Following the OHL draft this past weekend, the team?s top priority is to find a head coach and a short list of 10 candidates has been drawn up from the 45 people who applied, said Burgess.
Foligno ?is definitely on our short list,? said Burgess.
However, if Foligno has already made a decision he wants to pursue a coaching career in the NHL or remain in the AHL with the Colorado Avalanche organization, there?s not much he or the Wolves organization will be able to do about it, said Burgess.
The short list of candidates who will be interviewed starting next week is impressive, said Burgess.
The Wolves hope to have their new coach in place by at least the middle of June when the team will be holding a mini training camp.
The Wolves have been without a head coach since Burgess fired Bert Templeton days after the team ended a disastrous season in March.
