BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The Sudbury WolvesÂ' competition in the
Ontario Hockey LeagueÂ's Central Division will be stiff once
again.
Although some of the teams are entering what
could be described as a rebuilding phase, they will still
provide the Wolves with grueling games as they all attempt to
be the class of the division.
HereÂ's a peek at the competition.
Barrie Colts
Last seasonÂ's record: 31-21-12-4, 78
points
The Colts, who have quickly become, in the
decade since they joined the OHL, the fiercest rivals of the
Wolves, have lost arguably the best goalie in the league to
graduation. Paulo Colaiacovo was an OHL first team All-Star and
gave the Colts a chance to win on any given night. The Colts
have also lost last seasonÂ's leading scorer, Cory Stillman, to
graduation, but this doesnÂ't mean they will have a weak
offence.
Superstar sophomore Bryan Little returns as
the main man for Barrie. As a 16 year old, Little torched OHL
goalies for 34 goals. HeÂ's as dynamic as any player in the
league at creating chances and will be a force to be reckoned
with this season and for many more to come. Little is so
talented, many
have him pegged to go first overall in the
2006 NHL draft.
Barrie will have plenty of emotional lift
from rugged winger B.J. Crombeen. The Dallas Stars draft pick
can score, hit and fight. He had a titanic battle with WolvesÂ'
captain Zack Stortini early last season, and could push for 30
goals this year.
The Colts defence will be anchored by Scott
Hotham, who can move the puck around and pile up points.
Â"As a rookie coach, itÂ's hard to get a
handle on all the teams right away and where we measure up,Â"
said Colts head coach Marty Williamson. Â"We are a young team,
the second youngest in the league, but we have a lot of
character. Like every team, we will have to work hard every
game to compete. Our key guys will be Little, Crombeen and
Hotham.Â"
Hunter HaddowÂ's bottom line - The Colts will
have to overcome the loss of Colaiacovo, adapt to new coach
Marty Williamson and persevere through team defence to
challenge the Wolves.
Brampton Battalion
25-32-9-2, 61 points
Any team coached by Stan Butler canÂ't be
taken lightly. Butler knows what it takes to win and demands
the most from his players.
Even though the Battalion have lost two of
their leading scores from last season, in Adam Henrich and
Kamil Kreps, they will have plenty of talent left over to make
some noise. Expect the team to be led by Wojtek Wolski again.
The Colorado Avalanche 2004 first round draft pick put up 29
goals and 70 points last season, and should easily surpass both
totals this year.
Watch for former WolvesÂ' player Howie Martin
to make a little more noise this year. He scored 31 points last
season, and he will want to stick it to his former teammates
when he plays against them.
Â"ItÂ's going to be a tough division,Â" said
Butler. Â"We will have to play good defence every game. Sudbury
is going to be a tough team as well. Two key players for us are
going to be Wolski and Tyler Harrison. Wolski can do it all,
and Harrison is big, fast and can handle the puck. HeÂ's got it
all.Â"
Hunter HaddowÂ's bottom line - Any team
coached by Butler will have plenty of resolve and
determination, making them a foe that canÂ't be
underestimated.
Mississauga IceDogs
36-21-7-4, 83 points
The defending Eastern Conference Champions
know thereÂ's a bullseye on them, but with several key players
returning, the IceDogs will again be a major force.
Superstar Patrick OÂ'Sullivan is back to
terrorize the league with his smooth skating and blistering
shot. He should challenge for the OHL scoring title.
Many experts consider him the best pure
offensive player in the league.
The IceDogs boast a solid roster with high
NHL picks such as defenceman Kyle Quincey, one of the leagueÂ's
best goalies in David Shantz and overage scoring ace Brad
Efthimiou, a former Wolves player.
Â"We rose the bar last season, and we expect
to reach that again this year,Â" said head coach Greg Gilbert.
Â"We have our work cut out for us though.
There will be some heated battles in this
division.Â"
Hunter HaddowÂ's bottom line - The IceDogs
will challenge for the top spot. They have it all, and will be
a worth adversary for the Wolves because of their
balance.
Toronto St. MichaelÂ's
Majors
38-21-7-2, 85 points
The club that put the Wolves out of the
playoffs last season returns with a distinct change to the
franchise. Last yearÂ's head coach Dave Cameron, has moved on
to the professional ranks, but he has been replaced by Bud
Stefanski, formerly with Barrie.
The loss of captain Tim Brent will be felt,
but Toronto returns as a strong team with a blueline loaded
with big, physical defencemen, pesky, feisty forwards and solid
goaltending with Justin Peters and Michael Ouzas.
Watch for an offensive explosion from 19-year
old Corey Vitarelli. He buried 29 tallies last season, and
should bump that total up this year.
Â"ItÂ's wide open because there will be no
real dominant team in the division,Â" said head coach Bud
Stefanski. Â"Sudbury has a good young defence and it will be a
battle with them. Barrie, Mississauga and Brampton will also be
good. We have six returning defencemen and that will be a
strong point for us.Â"
Hunter HaddowÂ's bottom line - Teams coached
by Stefanski always play the Wolves tough and he will no doubt
have the boys fired up every time
they hit the ice against Sudbury.