BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The Sudbury Wolves unveiled their future this
week, announcing the signing of 2005 first-round draft pick
Brett Parnham, and showcasing him with 2004 draft pick Ryan
Crouch at a press conference.
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New Wolves' player Brett Parnham
(back) and Ryan Crouch, who joined the team late last
season, can't wait to hit the ice at training camp,
which opens Sept. 1. |
Parnham, 16, was drafted 13th overall in the
2005 OHL Priority Draft early this summer.
Crouch, 17, was selected 105th overall in the
2004 Draft.
"It's a good day for the Sudbury Wolves
organization," said head coach and GM Mike Foligno.
Parnham is advertised as a hard working,
win-at-all-costs, skilled centre.
Parnham, five-foot-nine and 165 pounds,
scored 12 goals and 30 points in 49 Junior 'A' games with the
Huntsville Otters last season.
"Every team would love to have him," said
Foligno. "Brett's a great two-way player and works hard on and
off the ice. He really competes for every inch of ice. We are
fortunate to have acquired Brett. He brings a lot of
competitive spirited hockey to our team. He's a very good
skater and he
compliments and rounds out our team."
Crouch, six-foot-two and 190 pounds, made
plenty of noise after a late season call up to the Wolves in
the second round of the 2005 playoffs against Ottawa.
With injuries lambasting the Wolves blueline
during the series, Crouch was inserted into the lineup and
didn't look out of place, scoring a goal and two points in
three games against a very tough Ottawa team that went on to
the Memorial Cup.
"Ryan's a homegrown product who has come up
through the ranks," said Foligno. "He played very solid hockey
for us against Ottawa in the playoffs. Ryan's very competitive
and really committed. We knew he was going to be a player who
makes a difference. He practiced all year with last season and
that really helped his development. He became faster and
stronger as a player last season."
For Crouch, being a local boy and having
watched the Wolves battle opponents over the years, getting the
chance to sign with the team was a dream come true.
Crouch is looking to continue his fine play
from the playoffs to training camp and a full slate of 68
games.
"I don't feel any pressure at all and I am
going just set my mind to working hard and doing what I do
best," said Crouch. "I am more of a defensive defenceman, but
with some offensive ability."
Parnham was excited to pull on a Wolves'
jersey and looks forward to showing the rabid Sudbury fans that
he has what it takes to be a premiere player in the
league.
"Everything I have heard about Sudbury is
that it's just a great hockey town," said Parnham. "I am going
to do whatever I can to help the team win. I like to create
offence, but I also take defence very seriously. I don't mind
the physical play at all. Playing with Huntsville, against the
older, stronger
guys, has prepared me for the jump to the
OHL."
The Wolves also introduced their new
trainer/athletic therapist Glen Burke, who last worked with the
Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.
"Glen's a no-nonsense guy and will do a great
job for us," said Foligno.
The Wolves training camp officially opens on
Sept. 1, with player registration.
Practices and scrimmages begin on Sept. 2,
and run until the 4th.
The Wolves will play three exhibition games
in September, including two games against the Sault Ste. Marie
Greyhounds on Friday, Sept. 16 (at the Sudbury Arena) and on
Sunday, Sept. 18, in the Sault.
The Wolves will also host a Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) team, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on
Saturday, Sept. 10. Game time at the arena is 7 pm.
It's a great chance to see another team from
the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
