Sudbury Wolves

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For other uses, see Sudbury Wolves (disambiguation).
Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves logo.svg
CitySudbury, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionCentral
Founded1962 (1962) (NOJHA)
1972 (OHL)
Home arenaSudbury Community Arena
ColoursBlue, white and grey
              
Owner(s)Dario Zulich[1]
General managerRob Papineau
Head coachCory Stillman
Affiliate(s)Rayside-Balfour Canadians (NOJHL)
French River Rapids (NOJHL)[2]
Websitesudburywolves.com
Franchise history
1945–1960Barrie Flyers
1960–1972Niagara Falls Flyers
1972–presentSudbury Wolves

The Sudbury Wolves are an OHL ice hockey team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" (or "Club Wolves" for their junior team) nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World Championships. They were Canada's team at both the 1938 and 1949 World Ice Hockey Championships, winning the World Championship title for Canada in 1938, and the silver medal in 1949.[3]

The Sudbury Cub Wolves junior team began play in the 1920s as a member of the Nickel Belt Hockey League, then later in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 1932 and 1935, this team won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canada's Junior "A" champions. They won the Memorial Cup in 1932 and were runners-up in 1935. The Wolves' Captain is Kyle Rhodes and their Head Coach is Cory Stillman

The current edition of the Sudbury Wolves is a junior ice hockey team that play in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The Sudbury Wolves have existed since 1962 in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association, and 1972 in the OHL.

History[edit]

Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the Wolves or Club Wolves nearly every year since World War I. A Sudbury Cub Wolves junior team began play in the 1920s as a member of the Nickel Belt Hockey League, and then in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Under the management of Max Silverman, this team won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy in 1932 and 1935, as Eastern Canadian champions. They won the Memorial Cup in 1932 and were runners-up in 1935. The senior Wolves represented Team Canada at the 1938 and 1949 World Championships, winning gold in 1938.

The second incarnation of the Wolves was the 1962 entry into the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association. The Wolves won the McNamara Trophy as NOJHL Champions in 1969 and 1971.[citation needed]

The Ontario Hockey Association arrived in Sudbury in the fall of 1972 when the owner of the NOJHL's Sudbury Wolves, Ken Burgess, bought the Niagara Falls Flyers franchise and merged the two teams. The team often ranks near the top of the OHL in attendance.

Sam McMaster was named OHL Executive of the Year in 1989–90 as the general manager, helping his team to its first winning season in 10 years. Sudbury celebrated their 35th anniversary in 2006–07, also reaching the OHL championship series the same year.

In August 2012, the Wolves were sent to represent Canada at the 2012 Junior Club World Cup, a 10-team tournament that would feature some of the best junior clubs in the World. They opened up the tournament with a 9-1 win over Finnish Nuorten SM-liiga champion HIFK. The next day, the Wolves tied Latvian HK Rīga of the Minor Hockey League 1-1. Two days later, the Wolves clinched a semi-final berth with a 7-2 win over Denmark's National Junior Team. They then played the Swedish J20 SuperElit champion Linköpings HC and won the game 6-3. Finishing second in their pool, the Wolves drew the other pool's top seed Belorussian Dinamo-Shinnik of the Minor Hockey League. The Wolves would earn a trip to the finals with a 5-2 win. In the finals, the Wolves met the United States Hockey League's finalist Waterloo Black Hawks. The Black Hawks and Wolves were scoreless until almost halfway through the third, when the Wolves' Josh Leivo scored on a partial breakaway. Thirty-five seconds later Frank Corrado made it 2-0 on the powerplay. The Wolves would hold on to the 2-0 spread to win the Cup. Joel Vienneau picked up the win and the shutout for the Wolves, Michael Kantor was named top forward, and Leivo won the top scorer award.[4]

In July 2016, the Burgess and Edwards families, owners of the Wolves for over 30 years, sold the team to Sudbury businessman Dario Zulich.[5] At the time of the sale, the Burgess and Edwards families were the longest standing ownership in the OHL.

Championships[edit]

Sudbury Wolves make an entrance on home ice

The current OHL Sudbury Wolves have never won the OHL championship, and have never participated in the Memorial Cup. Theirs is currently the third-longest championship drought in the Canadian Hockey League, and is now the longest in the OHL since the London Knights broke their 40-year drought in 2005.

In 1976, the Wolves finished first overall in the OHA with 102 points, winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, and the Leyden Trophy for the Leyden Division. That year Sudbury reached the OHA finals, losing to the eventual Memorial Cup champion Hamilton Fincups in 5 games. The Wolves returned to the OHL finals 31 seasons later in 2006–07, where they were they fell just short in 6 games by the Plymouth Whalers. Sudbury won 7 of 8 playoff games in overtime before losing 2 straight overtime matches to Plymouth. The Wolves also won was the 2000–2001 Emms Trophy as the regular season Central Division champions.

Coaches[edit]

Jerry Toppazzini was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHA coach of the year in 1976, leading his team to a first-place finish in the regular season.

List of Sudbury Wolves coaches with multiple years in parentheses.

Players[edit]

Sudbury Wolves against the Ottawa 67's in Ottawa

The Sudbury Wolves have retired four players' numbers, and have sent 77 players onto the NHL.

Retired numbers[edit]

# 6 Randy Carlyle, # 10 Ron Duguay, # 17 Mike Foligno, # 15 Dale Hunter

Award winners[edit]

NHL alumni[edit]

Team records[edit]

Team records for a single season
Statistic Total Season
Most points 102 1975–76
Most wins 47 1975–76
Most goals for 397 1978–79
Fewest goals for 149 2014–15
Fewest goals against 185 2004–05
Most goals against 427 1983–84
Individual player records for a single season
Statistic Player Total Season
Most goals Rod Schutt 72 1975–76
Most assists Ron Duguay 92 1975–76
Most points Mike Foligno 150 1978–79
Most points, rookie Pat Verbeek 88 1981–82
Most points, defenceman Jamie Rivers 121 1993–94
Best GAA (goalie) Matt Mullin 3.04 1994–95
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

Yearly results[edit]

Regular season[edit]

  • 1962–1972 NOJHL
  • 1972–1974 OHA
  • 1974–1980 OMJHL
  • 1980–2010 OHL

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL SL Points Pct % Goals
For		 Goals
Against		 Standing
1962–63 40 11 29 0 - - 22 0.275 127 222 5th NOJHL
1963–64 39 26 12 1 - - 53 0.679 213 170 2nd NOJHL
1964–65 40 7 33 0 - - 14 0.175 167 275 5th NOJHL
1965–66 40 23 16 1 - - 47 0.588 267 211 3rd NOJHL
1966–67 40 21 19 0 - - 42 0.525 213 189 3rd NOJHL
1967–68 40 19 19 2 - - 40 0.500 211 198 4th NOJHL
1968–69 48 31 15 2 - - 64 0.667 229 160 2nd NOJHL
1969–70 48 33 11 4 - - 70 0.729 341 192 2nd NOJHL
1970–71 48 39 7 2 - - 80 0.833 353 159 1st NOJHL
1971–72 52 23 23 6 - - 52 0.500 214 194 2nd NOJHL
1972–73 63 21 32 10 - - 52 0.413 289 379 7th OHA
1973–74 70 31 26 13 - - 75 0.536 298 288 5th OHA
1974–75 70 31 29 10 - - 72 0.514 324 289 5th OHA
1975–76 66 47 11 8 - - 102 0.773 384 224 1st Leyden
1976–77 66 38 24 4 - - 80 0.606 385 290 2nd Leyden
1977–78 68 16 42 10 - - 42 0.309 255 377 6th Leyden
1978–79 68 40 27 1 - - 81 0.596 397 361 2nd Leyden
1979–80 68 33 33 2 - - 68 0.500 299 309 5th Leyden
1980–81 68 20 45 3 - - 43 0.316 284 380 6th Leyden
1981–82 68 19 48 1 - - 39 0.287 274 401 7th Emms
1982–83 70 15 55 0 - - 30 0.214 269 422 7th Emms
1983–84 70 19 50 1 - - 39 0.279 287 427 8th Emms
1984–85 66 17 46 3 - - 37 0.280 224 348 8th Emms
1985–86 66 29 33 4 - - 62 0.470 293 330 5th Emms
1986–87 66 20 44 2 - - 42 0.318 285 377 8th Emms
1987–88 66 17 48 1 - - 35 0.265 208 339 8th Emms
1988–89 66 23 36 7 - - 53 0.402 262 334 7th Emms
1989–90 66 36 23 7 - - 79 0.598 295 267 3rd Emms
1990–91 66 33 28 5 - - 71 0.538 288 265 6th Leyden
1991–92 66 33 27 6 - - 72 0.545 331 320 4th Leyden
1992–93 66 31 30 5 - - 67 0.508 291 300 4th Leyden
1993–94 66 34 26 6 - - 74 0.561 299 275 3rd Leyden
1994–95 66 43 17 6 - - 92 0.697 314 208 2nd Central
1995–96 66 27 36 3 - - 57 0.432 262 288 6th Central
1996–97 66 21 37 8 - - 50 0.379 251 302 6th Central
1997–98 66 25 34 7 - - 57 0.432 257 268 5th Central
1998–99 68 25 35 8 - - 58 0.426 261 288 2nd Central
1999–2000 68 39 23 5 1 - 84 0.610 262 221 2nd Central
2000–01 68 35 22 8 3 - 81 0.574 237 196 1st Central
2001–02 68 25 33 5 5 - 60 0.404 171 216 3rd Central
2002–03 68 16 46 4 2 - 38 0.265 175 273 5th Central
2003–04 68 25 32 6 5 - 61 0.412 185 220 5th Central
2004–05 68 32 23 6 7 - 77 0.515 201 185 4th Central
2005–06 68 34 28 - 1 5 74 0.544 227 222 3rd Central
2006–07 68 29 30 - 3 6 67 0.486 225 241 3rd Central
2007–08 68 17 46 - 2 3 39 0.287 175 292 5th Central
2008–09 68 26 35 - 3 4 59 0.434 227 282 5th Central
2009–10 68 26 35 - 4 3 59 0.434 193 267 5th Central
2010–11 68 29 35 - 2 2 62 0.456 235 276 4th Central
2011–12 68 36 26 - 4 2 78 0.574 242 240 4th Central
2012–13 68 29 27 - 5 7 70 0.515 214 234 3rd Central
2013–14 68 33 24 - 3 8 77 0.566 219 228 3rd Central
2014–15 68 12 54 - 1 1 26 0.191 149 323 5th Central
2015–16 68 16 46 - 5 1 38 0.279 183 328 5th Central
2016–17 68 27 34 - 7 0 61 0.449 207 263 2nd Central
2017–18 68 17 42 - 9 0 43 0.316 197 291 5th Central

Playoffs[edit]

  • 1972–73 Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 0 in first round.
  • 1973–74 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in first round.
  • 1974–75 Defeated Ottawa 67's 8 points to 6 in first round.
    Lost to Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 7 in second round.
  • 1975–76 Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals.
    Defeated Ottawa 67's 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Hamilton Fincups 8 points to 2 in finals.
  • 1976–77 Lost to Kingston Canadians 4 games to 1 with 1 tie in quarter-finals.
  • 1977–78 Out of playoffs.
  • 1978–79 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
  • 1979–80 Defeated Kingston Canadians 3 games to 0 in first round.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
  • 1980–81 Out of playoffs.
  • 1981–82 Out of playoffs.
  • 1982–83 Out of playoffs.
  • 1983–84 Out of playoffs.
  • 1984–85 Out of playoffs.
  • 1985–86 Lost to Guelph Platers 8 points to 0 in first round.
  • 1986–87 Out of playoffs.
  • 1987–88 Out of playoffs.
  • 1988–89 Out of playoffs.
  • 1989–90 Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 3 in first round.
  • 1990–91 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in first round.
  • 1991–92 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in first round.
    Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
  • 1992–93 Defeated Newmarket Royals 4 games to 3 in first round.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
  • 1993–94 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in division semi-finals.
  • 1994–95 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
    Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 3 in semi-finals.
  • 1995–96 Out of playoffs.
  • 1996–97 Out of playoffs.
  • 1997–98 Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
    Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
  • 1998–99 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 1999–2000 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2000–01 Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2001–02 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2002–03 Out of playoffs.
  • 2003–04 Lost to Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2004–05 Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2005–06 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2006–07 Defeated Mississauga Ice Dogs 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
    Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
    Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 2 in finals.
  • 2007–08 Out of playoffs.
  • 2008–09 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2009–10 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2010–11 Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2011–12 Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2012–13 Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2013–14 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2014–15 Out of playoffs.
  • 2015–16 Out of playoffs.
  • 2016–17 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2017–18 Out of playoffs.

Uniforms and logos[edit]

Green wolves logo.png

From 1972 to 1988 the Sudbury Wolves' colours were green, white and gold, using the logo displayed on the right. The home jerseys featured white background with green and gold trim. The away jerseys had a green background with white and gold trim.

Since the 1988–89 season, the Sudbury Wolves' colours have been blue, white and silver, with the current logo at the top of the article. The home jerseys have a white background with blue and silver trim. The away jerseys have a blue background with white and silver trim.

The Sudbury Wolves have also had special logo designed and worn as patches on the jersey for their 25th and 30th anniversaries.

Jake Cardwell of the Wolves wearing the 2009 version of the away jersey

Sudbury wore a black third jersey briefly in the 1995/96-1996/97 seasons. The next third jersey was first worn October 13, 2006. The jersey has a silver background, with blue and white trim, and the name "Sudbury" on the front diagonally from upper left to lower right and lasted the 2006/07-2008/09 seasons. The current third jersey is black with a grey and white wolf's head, with white piping, and a wolf's paw as the shoulder patch and has been worn starting with the 2010 season.

Before the 2017 season it was announced the Sudbury Wolves would be wearing a redesigned jersey.[6] "The jersey change is a symbol of what this edition Wolves organization believes – respect for the past, our history and tradition but a firm grasp of a fresh clean and bright future,”[6] said Andrew Dale, VP Marketing + Development.

Arena[edit]

The Sudbury Wolves play their home games at the Sudbury Community Arena, which was constructed in 1951 and is located in the downtown core. The arena holds approx. 5,100 spectators - 4,600 seats and 500 standing room, and has an ice size of 200' x 85'. Every time the Wolves score a goal, a taxidermic wolf rolls out on a pulley system to howl at the opposing team's bench. The City of Greater Sudbury and the hockey club have recently upgraded the facility. The 1.5 million dollar expansion included 12 new suites, 990 club seats, a new lounge as well as improved lounge and washroom facilities.

Media[edit]

In the 2009-10 hockey season, Wolves games will be broadcast on CJTK-FM in Sudbury.[7] On TV, games are broadcast on local programming in Sudbury. In 2013, after failing to force The Sudbury Star to provide the chiefly positive coverage the Wolves demanded, the team took its business relationship to another local media company that acquiesced, and vowed to provide positive coverage.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sudbury Wolves Ownership Transferred". OurSports Central. July 29, 2016.
  2. ^ "Wolves Affiliate Rapids and Canadians from the NOJHL for 2017-18". Sudbury Wolves. November 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Holland, Dave (2008). Canada on Ice; The World Hockey Championships, 1920–2008. Canada On Ice productions. pp. 46–47, 56–57. ISBN 978-0-9808936-0-1.
  4. ^ http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/article/wolves-win-2012-world-junior-club-cup
  5. ^ "Update: Zulich issues statement regarding purchase of Sudbury Wolves". Sudbury.com. July 29, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "New Look for Wolves Hockey Salutes Past – Sudbury Wolves". sudburywolves.com. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
  7. ^ "Wolves move away game broadcasts to FM dial", Northern Life, September 11, 2009.

External links[edit]

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