BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Zack Stortini went through the OHL like a
wild battering ram, crushing opponents with huge hits and
destroying them with his punishing physical style over the past
four seasons.
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Stortini, a Sudbury native, was the blood and
guts of the Sudbury Wolves for the past four seasons, wearing
the captainÂ's C on his sweater and his heart on his
sleeve.
Many nights, Stortini would engage in wild
fisticuffs with the other teamÂ's top tough guy, coming out on
top and helping spark the Wolves to victory.
There wasnÂ't a player in the league that
didnÂ't keep their head up when Stortini was on the ice because
in one brief second, his six-foot-four, 225-pound frame could
pulverize even the most rugged of competitors and knock them
out of the game.
His physical edge and intimidating toughness
earned Stortini a feared and respected presence around the
OHL.
Now, the American Hockey League (AHL) is
beckoning Stortini, even though he does have the option for a
final overage season with the Wolves, but itÂ's unlikely he
will be back. He played two games in the AHL last year with the
Toronto Roadrunners.
The WolvesÂ' fan favourite is eager to carve
out a professional career at all costs. (Stortini was drafted
by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round, 94th overall, of the
2003 NHL Entry Draft.)
Despite his massive frame and willingness to
take on the toughest guys in hockey, Stortini knows the
challenges will only get harder. He will carry the reputation
as a legitimate heavyweight fighter to the next level, where
there will be eager grown men waiting to see if the new guy can
handle the big, bad boys of the professional circuit.
Â"I am basically starting at the bottom of
the food chain again,Â" said Stortini. Â"Nothing is given to
you. If I have to fight, I will fight. Nothing is going
to
come easy now. With the coaching and
experience I got from playing with the Wolves, I am prepared to
make the next step.Â"
Stortini is out to prove one thing at the
next level.
Â"I am looking to make a successful
professional career,Â" said Stortini. Â"ItÂ's always been my
dream. ItÂ's a long road ahead of me now, but I am looking
forward to the challenge.Â"
Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno sees
Stortini as a man possessed with making it at the next
level.
Â"Edmonton drafted Zack because they think he
will have an impact on their organization in time,Â" said
Foligno. Â"Only time will tell, but if you know Zack, heÂ's
going to work really hard to make it happen. He has the mindset
to be there, and will pay any price to reach his goals. ItÂ's a
dream he can make into a reality.Â"
Stortini regrets not taking home a Memorial
Cup, but relishes his time in a WolvesÂ' uniform.
Â"ItÂ's hard to pick one moment that stands
out because I had so many over my four seasons,Â" Stortini
said. Â"To pinpoint one thing would mean leaving out something
that was equally great. I was treated well by everyone in the
organization and the city. The support I got from everybody
was
awesome.Â"
Stortini sees a bright future ahead for the
Wolves.
Â"ItÂ's going to be an exciting time here in
Sudbury for years to come,Â" Stortini said. Â"Under the Foligno
program, the team has been very successful
and itÂ's created a lot of buzz in the city.
They have some great young players coming up.Â"
As a man about to make a splash at the pro
level, Stortini has some simple advice for young players
pursuing their hockey dreams.
Â"ItÂ's all about hard work and having fun,Â"
Stortini said. Â"Compete as hard as you can all the time, but
have fun while doing it because it is just a game.Â"
Stortini will never forget his roots as he
moves away from the friendly confines of the Sudbury
Arena.
Â"Playing for the Wolves was a dream come
true,Â" Stortini said. Â"I was raised in Sudbury and it will
forever be my home.Â"
Stortini played his entire four seasons with
the Wolves, amassing 120 points in 247 games, along with 746
penalty minutes.
