Sudbury Wolves
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 coachKen MacKenzie
CaptainDavid Goyette
AffiliatesSudbury Cubs (NOJHL)
French River Rapids (NOJHL) Espanola Paper Kings (NOJHL)[2]
Stouffville Spirit (OJHL)[3]
Websitesudburywolves.com
Franchise history
1945–1960Barrie Flyers
1960–1972Niagara Falls Flyers
1972–presentSudbury Wolves

The Sudbury Wolves are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ice hockey team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Sudbury has had various hockey teams competing at the junior and senior ice hockey levels of the game known as the "Wolves" (or "Cub Wolves") nearly every year since around the time of World War I. The current junior franchise came into existence in 1972 when local businessman Mervin "Bud" Burke purchased the Niagara Falls Flyers and relocated the team to Sudbury.[4]

The current franchise has never won the Memorial Cup, nor has it captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup. Despite this lack of championships, the team has been one of the top development franchises in major junior over its history,[5] with over 120 players drafted in to the National Hockey League (NHL) since 1973. The Wolves have been a central part of Sudbury's history for decades, and the team is among the most iconic junior hockey franchises in all of North America.[6][7]

History

Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the Wolves or Cub Wolves nearly every year since around WWI. This team name was informally adopted around 1920 as the "Wolves of the North," likely a reference to the "voracity and tenacity that typified the play of these men from Sudbury."[8]

The Sudbury Cub Wolves junior team began play in the 1920s as a member of the Nickel Belt Hockey League. Under the management of Max Silverman, and coached by Sam Rothschild, the Cub Wolves won the Memorial Cup in 1932 with a roster that featured future NHL players such as Hector "Toe" Blake, Nakina Smith, and Adélard Lafrance. In 1935, the Cub Wolves lost in the Memorial Cup finals to the Winnipeg Monarchs.

A senior team competing under the banner of the Sudbury Wolves, again coached by Silverman, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World Championships, winning the title for Canada in 1938 and the silver medal in 1949.[9] An iteration of the Wolves competed as the Eastern Canada entry at the 1954 Allan Cup senior national championship, falling to the Penticton Vees from Western Canada.

A professional Sudbury Wolves team competed in the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) from 1959 until the league folded in 1963. Players such as Don Cherry, Dave Keon, and Gerry Cheevers suited up for the club during its brief existence.

A junior version of the Wolves emerged in the early 1960s as a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association, winning the league championship in 1969 and 1971.[6]

The OHL - then known as the Ontario Hockey Association and later the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League - arrived in Sudbury in 1972 when local businessman Bud Burke, who was a shareholder in the NOJHL Wolves, purchased the Niagara Falls Flyers from Leighton "Hap" Emms and moved the team to Northern Ontario. In 1975-76, the Wolves, coached by Jerry Toppazzini, who won the Matt Leyden Trophy that season, won Hamilton Spectator Trophy for having the best regular season record in the league with a roster of future NHL players such as Randy Carlyle, Ron Duguay, Rod Schutt, and Mike Foligno. Sudbury advanced to the 1975-76 OHL finals, but lost to the Hamilton Fincups in five games. In 1979, Burke sold the team to a large ownership group headed by future Hockey Canada board of directors chair Joe Drago.[10] From 1973 to 1979, a young Joe Bowen began his broadcasting career covering the Wolves on local Sudbury radio.[6]

The Wolves were the worst performing team in the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in the 1980s, making the playoffs only once and not winning a single postseason game in the process. The club did manage to develop some notable players in this era, such as Pat Verbeek and Jeff Brown. A turning point in franchise history came in 1986 when local businessman Ken Burgess purchased the struggling club and initiated a major organizational turnaround. Sam McMaster was hired as general manager in 1988, and under his direction the team experienced renewed success, winning its first playoff series since 1979-80 when they defeated the Oshawa Generals in the first round of 1991-92 OHL playoffs. McMaster was named OHL Executive of the Year in 1989–90.[6]

From the early 1990s to the mid-2000s, the Wolves experienced mixed success. The club lost in Game 7 of the 1994-95 OHL semi-finals to the Detroit Junior Red Wings. A string of disappointing seasons came to an end in 2006–07 - the Wolves' 35th anniversary - when the team advanced to the OHL Finals, but ultimately lost to the Plymouth Whalers in six games. Coached by Mike Foligno, the Wolves roster that season featured several future NHL players, namely Marc Staal, Nick Foligno, Adam McQuaid, and Akim Aliu.[6]

From 2007 to 2016, the team generally struggled, including posting the worst season in franchise history in 2014-2015. In August 2012, the Wolves were sent to represent Canada at the 2012 Junior Club World Cup. Sudbury defeated the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League in the championship finals by a score of 2-0.[11] In 2016, the Burgess family, at the time the longest-serving ownership group in the OHL, sold the team to Sudbury businessman Dario Zulich. Since Zulich's takeover, the team has been moving in a positive direction, drafting players such as Quinton Byfield and Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen, and winning a regular season division title in 2019-20.[12]

Championships

Sudbury Wolves make an entrance on home ice

The current Sudbury Wolves have never won the OHL championship, and have never participated in the Memorial Cup tournament. The team currently holds the third-longest Memorial Cup championship drought in the CHL, and the longest in the OHL.

The team has twice lost in the OHL finals, once in 1976 and again in 2007, winning the 1976 Leyden Trophy and the 2007 Bobby Orr Trophy in the process. The Wolves have twice won the Emms Trophy as the regular season Central Division champions, first in 2000-01 and then in 2019-20.

Coaches

Jerry Toppazzini was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the league's 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.

  • 1972–1973 - B.MacKenzie, L.Rubic, T.Boyce
  • 1973–1974 - Mac MacLean
  • 1974–1975 - Stu Duncan
  • 1975–1977 - Jerry Toppazzini (2)
  • 1977–1978 - Marcel Clements, Andy Laing
  • 1978–1981 - Andy Laing (4)
  • 1981–1982 - Joe Drago
  • 1982–1983 - Ken Gratton, M.Clements, B.Harris
  • 1983–1984 - Billy Harris (2), Andy Spruce
  • 1984–1985 - Andy Spruce (2)
  • 1985–1986 - Bob Strumm, Wayne Maxner
  • 1986–1987 - Guy Blanchard
  • 1987–1988 - John Wallin, Ken MacKenzie
  • 1988–1992 - Ken MacKenzie (5)
  • 1992–1995 - Glenn Merkosky (4)
  • 1995–1996 - Glenn Merkosky, Todd Lalonde
  • 1996–1997 - Todd Lalonde (3)
  • 1997–1998 - Todd Lalonde, Tom Watt
  • 1998–1999 - Reg Higgs
  • 1999–2003 - Bert Templeton (4)
  • 2003–2009 - Mike Foligno (5)
  • 2009-2010 - Bryan Verreault
  • 2009-2010 - Mike Foligno
  • 2010–2013 - Trent Cull
  • 2013–2015 - Paul Fixter
  • 2015–2017 - David Matsos (2)
  • 2017–2020 - Cory Stillman
  • 2021–2022 - Craig Duncanson[13]
  • 2022–2023 - Derek MacKenzie
  • 2023-present - Ken MacKenzie

Players

Sudbury Wolves against the Ottawa 67's in Ottawa

The Sudbury Wolves have retired five players' numbers, and have had over 120 players drafted to the NHL.

Retired numbers

# 6 Randy Carlyle, # 8 Rod Schutt # 10 Ron Duguay # 15 Dale Hunter # 14 Marc Staal
# 17 Mike Foligno

Award winners

NHL alumni

Yearly results

Regular season

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

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSLPointsPct %Goals
For		Goals
Against		Standing
1962–634011290--220.2751272225th NOJHL
1963–643926121--530.6792131702nd NOJHL
1964–65407330--140.1751672755th NOJHL
1965–664023161--470.5882672113rd NOJHL
1966–674021190--420.5252131893rd NOJHL
1967–684019192--400.5002111984th NOJHL
1968–694831152--640.6672291602nd NOJHL
1969–704833114--700.7293411922nd NOJHL
1970–71483972--800.8333531591st NOJHL
1971–725223236--520.5002141942nd NOJHL
1972–7363213210--520.4132893797th OHA
1973–7470312613--750.5362982885th OHA
1974–7570312910--720.5143242895th OHA
1975–766647118--1020.7733842241st Leyden
1976–776638244--800.6063852902nd Leyden
1977–7868164210--420.3092553776th Leyden
1978–796840271--810.5963973612nd Leyden
1979–806833332--680.5002993095th Leyden
1980–816820453--430.3162843806th Leyden
1981–826819481--390.2872744017th Emms
1982–837015550--300.2142694227th Emms
1983–847019501--390.2792874278th Emms
1984–856617463--370.2802243488th Emms
1985–866629334--620.4702933305th Emms
1986–876620442--420.3182853778th Emms
1987–886617481--350.2652083398th Emms
1988–896623367--530.4022623347th Emms
1989–906636237--790.5982952673rd Emms
1990–916633285--710.5382882656th Leyden
1991–926633276--720.5453313204th Leyden
1992–936631305--670.5082913004th Leyden
1993–946634266--740.5612992753rd Leyden
1994–956643176--920.6973142082nd Central
1995–966627363--570.4322622886th Central
1996–976621378--500.3792513026th Central
1997–986625347--570.4322572685th Central
1998–996825358--580.4262612882nd Central
1999–200068392351-840.6102622212nd Central
2000–0168352283-810.5742371961st Central
2001–0268253355-600.4041712163rd Central
2002–0368164642-380.2651752735th Central
2003–0468253265-610.4121852205th Central
2004–0568322367-770.5152011854th Central
2005–06683428-15740.5442272223rd Central
2006–07682930-36670.4862252413rd Central
2007–08681746-23390.2871752925th Central
2008–09682635-34590.4342272825th Central
2009–10682635-43590.4341932675th Central
2010–11682935-22620.4562352764th Central
2011–12683626-42780.5742422404th Central
2012–13682927-57700.5152142343rd Central
2013–14683324-38770.5662192283rd Central
2014–15681254-11260.1911493235th Central
2015–16681646-51380.2791833285th Central
2016–17682734-70610.4492072632nd Central
2017–18681742-90430.3161972915th Central
2018–19684320-32910.6692542062nd Central
2019–20633427-11700.5562592401st Central
2020–21000-0000.00000Season Cancelled
2021–22682338-34530.3902232974th Central
2022–23683128-63710.5222722603rd Central

Playoffs

  • 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.
  • 2018–19 Defeated Mississauga Steelheads 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2019–20 Cancelled.
  • 2020–21 Cancelled.
  • 2021–22 Out of playoffs.
  • 2022–23 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.

Uniforms and logos

From 1972 to 1988, the Sudbury Wolves' colours were green, white and gold. The tradition of Sudbury teams wearing green jerseys dates back to the mid-1910s. In 1988–89, Ken Burgess - who famously asked "Who ever heard of a green wolf?" - changed the team's colours to blue, white and grey, which happened to be the corporate colours of the business that bore his name. These have been the Wolves' colours ever since, though the team has occasionally donned throwback green jerseys. The iconic blood-toothed, wily wolf-head logo has subtly evolved since the current franchise's inception, but overall has remained relatively unchanged and today is one of the most recognizable logos in the CHL.[6]

There have been various alterations and versions of the team's primary jersey design over the years, as well as the introduction of third alternate jerseys, such as black and grey ones that were introduced in the mid-1990s and again in the early-2010s.[14] The team unveiled several special edition jerseys during the 2022-23 season, including a fiftieth anniversary jersey,[15] as well as a limited edition Shoresy Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs themed jersey.[16]

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

Arena

The Sudbury Wolves play their home games at the downtown Sudbury Community Arena, which was constructed in 1951. The City of Greater Sudbury and the Wolves have upgraded the facility over the years, but since the mid-2010s there have been intensified debates about the building of a new arena.[17]

Every time the Wolves score a goal, a taxidermic wolf rolls out on a pulley system from the rafters of the Sudbury Arena in the direction of the opposing team's bench. This tradition began in the 1950s when The Sudbury Star donated a stuffed wolf to the local Wolves team as a token of appreciation.[6]

Media

In the 2009-10 hockey season, Wolves games were broadcast on CJTK-FM in Sudbury.[18] As of 2018, Wolves games are broadcast on CKLU-FM.[19]

See also

References

  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. ↑ "Wolves Affiliate with Cubs and Spirit". Sudbury Wolves. October 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ "'He was hard as nails, but fair and firm' — Sudbury hockey community mourns Bud Burke". thesudburystar. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  5. ↑ "The Hockey Factory – Sudbury Wolves". Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Miller, Scott. "Leading the Pack: 50 Years of Sudbury Wolves History". Latitude 46 Publishing. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  7. ↑ "Wolves to stay in Sudbury as OHL team celebrates 50 years, says owner".
  8. ↑ Pagnucco, Frank (1982). Home-Grown Heroes: A Sports History of Sudbury. Miller Publishing.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "Joe Drago honoured by Hockey Canada". thesudburystar. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  11. ↑ "Wolves Win 2012 World Junior Club Cup – Ontario Hockey League".
  12. ↑ "Update: Zulich issues statement regarding purchase of Sudbury Wolves". Sudbury.com. July 29, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Sudbury Wolves Name Craig Duncanson Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 14, 2021.
  14. ↑ "New Look for Wolves Hockey Salutes Past – Sudbury Wolves". sudburywolves.com. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
  15. ↑ "Wolves Unveil 50th Anniversary Jersey in Support of Ten Rainbows Children's Foundation – Sudbury Wolves". Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  16. ↑ "Wolves Unveil Shoresy Jersey in Partnership with New Metric Media – Sudbury Wolves". Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  17. ↑ "Full story: The KED is dead". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  18. ↑ "Wolves move away game broadcasts to FM dial", Northern Life, September 11, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Wolves Announce Branden Scott to Host Audio Broadcast". sudburywolves.com. September 21, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
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