Wolves reduce roster to 23

The Sudbury Wolves coaching team made its final player decisions on Sunday and are now ready to begin the pre-season schedule with 23 players on the roster. Newcomers to the team include Eddy Leitans-Rinke, Justin Sefton, Frankie Corrado, Kristoff Kontos, Greg Jambrosich, Greg Trichilo and Stefan Stepanov.

Forward Kyle Shaw has been assigned to the Kal Tire Jr. Wolves and will play exhibition games for the Wolves as an affiliate player. Shaw has signed an OHL contract and is expected to play a number of games with the Wolves this season.

Rinke, Kontos, Jambrosich and Trichilo have won positions on the Wolves' forward lines while Sefton, Corrado and Stepanov have earned positions on the Wolves' blueline.

At the end of last season, Wolves' general manager Mike Foligno stated that the Wolves' would be looking to add new leadership, more skill and a new attitude. He said that one-third of the team could be changed, and that is exactly what has transpired with seven new faces in the Wolves' line-up, a press release stated.

“We believe that we had an excellent draft in May and it was proven at this year's training camp," said Foligno. "We didn't expect to add so many 16-year-olds to our lineup, but the players that we have added are outstanding young players and will have an impact on our team right away."

The Wolves open their pre-season schedule on Tuesday in Sault Ste. Marie before travelling to Barrie on Thursday. The Wolves will play a double-header at home on Labour Day weekend with a home game on Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. against the Oshawa Generals. The Wolves wrap-up the weekend on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. against Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.

2009-10 Sudbury wolves roster

Forwards:
John Kurtz (20)
Eric O'Dell (19)
Jared Staal (19)
Dean Howard (19)
Kain Allicock (19)
Kyle Tarini (19)
Marcus Foligno (18)
Eddy Leitans-Rinke (18)
John McFarland (17)
Greg Trichilo (17)
Kristoff Kontos (16)
Greg Jambrosich (16)
Kyle Shaw (16)

Defence:
Chris Van Laren (19)
Daniel Maggio (18)
Peter Hermenegildo (18)
Jake Cardwell (17)
Justin Sefton (16)
Stefan Stepanov (16)
Frankie Corrado (16)

Goaltenders:
Andrew Loverock (20)
Alain Valiquette (19)
Craig Rylett (18)