The Sudbury Wolves were ranked 8th in the CHL's official top 10 preseason rankings, is it time that they live up to expectations? Or will they remain a borderline playoff team?
In the official CHL Top 10 Preseason rankings, the Sudbury Wolves were listed at #8. This may come as a surprise after they were eliminated in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs last year.
No question, the Wolves are projected to have a much better season, but are they good enough to be a top 10 team in the entire CHL?
That is yet to be determined.
The Wolves are led by captain David Goyette, a Seattle Kraken prospect who put up an impressive 92-point campaign last season — ninth-most in the OHL. If the Wolves are going to find major success this year, it will be largely due to Goyette. His playmaking ability is what highlights his game. He is able to create and find space while playing a high-paced game. He is one of the most lethal forwards in the offensive zone in the entire league, and his unpredictability makes him difficult for defenders to stop.
The Wolves talent up front doesn’t end there.
A couple of 2023 NHL draft picks — Quentin Musty (26th overall, San Jose) and Alex Pharand (99th overall, Chicago) — are set to have productive seasons offensively. Musty’s offensive intelligence and ability to create in the attacking zone should result in plenty of goals for the Wolves. Meanwhile, the hard-nosed and ultra competitive Pharand should continue to aggravate opponents and produce some secondary scoring.
Nathan Villeneuve heads into his draft year expected to play a much larger role than he did last season. Villeneuve has high-end offensive tools, especially his hands and passing ability, but he also possesses a high motor and work ethic. Other offensive threats include Evan Konyen, Kocha Delic, Landon McCallum, Kieron Walton, and rookie Caden Taylor.
On the backend, Sudbury is a little weaker. Matthew Mania, the fiery, risk-taking defender, is sure to hit the highlight reel a couple of times with his offensive game. Mania will likely be the Wolves’ power play quarterback this season.
Recently signed by the Ottawa Senators, 6-foot-7 defenceman Djibril Toure has established himself as a physical presence. Toure scored two goals in his first game returning from Senators camp, and may look to impact more offensively this year.
Jakub Chromiak, who is eligible for next year's draft, will be another big piece on the blue line. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Nolan Collins, and overage defender Andre Anania will also play big roles on the blueline this year. The Wolves also picked up Nick DeAngelis from the Windsor Spitfires.
This may not seem like a defence core that could lead it’s team to the OHL Finals, but the same thing might have been said about the Petes' defense — and Peterborough ended up knocking out Sudbury in the first round of the playoffs last year.
The crease currently belongs to 2023 Import Draft pick, Jakub Vondras. Vondras, who was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the sixth round in 2022. The 19-year-old goalie should put up solid numbers, as he brings valuable experience having played in the Czechia U20 league last season.
Backing him up is Nate Krawchuk, a rare U18 draft pick, who should get a number of games this year.
Sudbury has the potential to be one of the best offensive squads in the OHL, and they have one of the league's best forwards in David Goyette. Unfortunately, they have not been able to live up to expectations in the last couple of years, and it shows in the standings. The league certainly views the Wolves as a top team, ranked 8th in the entire CHL, but they will have to take many strides forward in order to reach that goal.