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Wolves' No. 1 pick arrives in the Nickel City

As a young hockey player, Owen Lalonde is used to busy days, but today was one-of-a-kind in the life of the Sudbury Wolves' first-round draft pick.
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Sudbury Wolves head coach Dave Matsos poses with the team's newest defenceman, Owen Lalonde. Photo by Nick Liard.

As a young hockey player, Owen Lalonde is used to busy days, but today was one-of-a-kind in the life of the Sudbury Wolves' first-round draft pick.


The Wolves chose the defenceman second overall in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection Draft out of Windsor’s Minor Midget system.


Wolves general manager Barclay Branch said earlier in the day they knew they would be picking Lalonde all along, and Lalonde had an idea it would be Sudbury, as well.


“I was talking with Sudbury and at the OHL Cup we got to talk to them, too. Barclay (Branch) was good to us with that, giving us a little bit of an idea there. Coming to Sudbury is an honour, being drafted that high is an honour, too. I’m excited about coming here, I've heard lots of good things about it,” said Lalonde.


Still, being drafted near the top was a shock to him.


“It’s been an amazing day. Spending the morning at the OHL offices has been a great experience, too. I didn’t know I was going to be a top-three pick, so being able to be there was unreal. It’s been a great day so far, and coming up to Sudbury has been cool, too,” said Lalonde.


The hectic day wasn’t just limited to what he had to do and where he had to go.


“I’ve gotten tons of texts. I looked at my phone and Twitter was blowing up, too. Got to answer all those people. It will take a little while, but it’s cool,” said Lalonde.


The Wolves staff knew they needed to shore up their blue-line, and Lalonde spoke about what Wolves fans can expect and what will make the transition to the next level a smooth one.


“I think I’m a good offensively minded defenceman. I like to take care of my own zone first though, making a good first pass. Hockey senses, I think, are one of my strongest assets to my game, but if there’s a rush out there or rush in the offensive zone, I think I like to jump into the rush and be offensively minded,” said Lalonde.


His mother, father and brother all made the trip to Sudbury. 


“We’re just so proud of him. He’s excited and thrilled because of all the years of hard work. I just always am blown away by the level of hockey that we see and for him to be classified with that group of kids, to be ranked up so high, that is just so thrilling for him and for us,” said his mother, Elaine Lalonde.


While Windsor is a far drive, she is confident this is the best move for her son.


“Every single person that we know just says positive things about Sudbury, so that’s why we’re excited. To send send your 16-year-old away, you need to feel that comfort and know that they’re going to take good care of him, and he’s going to have a chance to develop and grow as a hockey player and as a man.


“Road trips are no big deal; we’re used to it.”


This trip was actually the first time to Sudbury for the family.


“Everything that I’ve heard has been good — the city, the team, the fans. Obviously, Barclay and coach Dave, because Dave has been in Windsor coaching there, too, so I knew about that,” said Owen Lalonde.
Now the draft is over, there’s still a long road ahead, he said.


“It’s going to be a big summer for me. Getting bigger and stronger because of the next level obviously everyone is bigger and stronger. I think I definitely have to work on my quickness, though. It’s going to be a big component to the next level, so I think that’s one of the main things I have to work on.”

Following is a full recap of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection Draft for the Sudbury Wolves

It was a busy day for the Wolves' front office and scouting staff, from the second overall pick to the 15th round, here is a look at who the local juniors took and what they bring to the table.

1st round

2nd overall - D Owen Lalonde from Windsor, ON by way of Windsor Jr. Spitfires Minor Midget AAA.
2015/16 stats
13 goals 24 assists 37 points in 33 games.
Height: 6’0” Weight: 174

2nd round

34th overall - C Owen Gilhula from Gadshill, ON by way of Huron Perth Lakers Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
21 goals 13 assists 34 points in 26 games.
Height: 5’11” Weight: 182

3rd round - No Pick

4th round

63rd overall - RW Dawson Baker from Baltimore, ON by way of Quinte Red Devils Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
17 goals 20 assists 37 points in 34 games
Height: 6’0” Weight: 167

80th overall - LW Nolan Hutcheson from Gananoque, ON by way of Kingston Frontenacs Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
25 goals 19 assists 44 points in 34 games
Height: 6’3” Weight: 181

5th round

83rd overall - RW Blake McConville from Lasalle, ON by way of Windsor Jr. Spitfires Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
10 goals 9 assists 19 points in 25 games
Height: 6’0” Weight: 189

95th overall - D Adam Samuelson from Rye, NY by way of North Jersey Avalanche 16U
2015/16 stats
2 goals 9 assists 11 points in 21 games(w CT Rangers)
1 goal 7 assists 8 points in 16 games(w North Jersey Avs)
Height: 6”4” Weight: 219

6th round - No pick

7th round

123rd overall - RW Edward Yan from Toronto, ON by way of Don Mills Flyers Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
3 goals 12 assists 15 points in 32 games
Height: 5’8” Weight: 150

8th round

143rd overall - G Joshua Eisfeld from Toronto, ON by way of Vaughn Kings Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
2.14 GAA
Height: 6’0” Weight: 168

148th overall - C Jacob Roach from Brooklin, ON by way of Whitby Wildcats Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
21 goals 28 assists 49 points in 35 games
Height: 5’11” Weight: 189

9th round

163rd overall - LW Christian Gaudreau from Val Caron, ON by way of Mississauga Senators Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
8 goals 9 assists 17 points in 33 games
Height: 6’3” Weight: 208

10th round

183 overall - D Ty Emberson from Eau Claire,WI by way of Eau Clair Memorial High School
2015/16 stats
10 goals 23 assists 33 points in 22 games(w Eau Clair)
4 goals 31 assists 35 points in 34 games(w Wisconsin 16U)
Height: 6’0” Weight: 182

11th round

203rd overall - D Charlie Mackie from Toronto, On by way of Toronto Marlboro Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
1 goal 10 assists 11 points in 58 games
Height: 6’4” Weight: 197

12th round

226th overall - RW Ryan Mahabir from Pickering, ON by way of Toronto Jr. Canadiens Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
5 goals 15 assists 20 points in 31 games
Height: 6’2” Weight 165

13th round

243rd overall - G Dave Bowen from Unionville, ON by way of Markham Islanders Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
NO AVAILABLE STATS
Height: 5’11” Weight 150

14th round - No pick

15th round

283rd overall - D Francesco Reda from Maple, ON by way of Vaughn Kings Minor Midget AAA
2015/16 stats
8 goals 24 assists 32 points in 56 games
Height: 5’9” Weight: 168


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