Sudbury Wolves

For the team in the Eastern Professional Hockey League, please see Sudbury Wolves (EPHL).

The Sudbury Wolves are an OHL ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. 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.

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 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
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, then later 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.

The Ontario Hockey Association arrived in Sudbury in the fall of 1972 when the owners of the NOJHL's Sudbury Wolves bought the Niagara Falls Flyers franchise and merged the two teams. Ken Burgess went out on a limb and purchased the hockey club and brought the team back to Sudbury. Ken Burgess was a visionary and he wanted to bring a championship to Sudbury. He died before his vision came true.

The Wolves frequently garner support from the hometown fans, and 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 have 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, an 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.

On July 31, 2016 the team issued a press release stating that the Burgess and Edwards families, who have owned the team for 30 years had reached an agreement with Sudbury businessman Dario Zulich on the sale of the clue. The transfer of ownership is on the agenda for the OHL's Board of Governors meeting for August 17 & 18, 2016.

Championships
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 7 games by the Plymouth Whalers. The Wolves also won was the 2000–2001 Emms Trophy as the regular season Central Division champions.

J. Ross Robertson Cup
 * 1976 Lost to Hamilton Fincups
 * 2007 Lost to Plymouth Whalers

Bobby Orr Trophy
 * 2006–2007 Eastern Conference Champions

NOJHA McNamara Trophy
 * 1969 Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
 * 1971 Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

NOJHA Regular Season Champions
 * 1970–1971 80 pts.

Hamilton Spectator Trophy
 * 1975–1976 102 points

Leyden Trophy
 * 1975–1976 Leyden division

Emms Trophy
 * 2000–2001 Central division

Junior Club World Cup
 * 2012 Defeated Waterloo Black Hawks

Coaches
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.


 * 1972–73 - B.MacKenzie, L.Rubic, T.Boyce
 * 1973–74 - Mac MacLean
 * 1974–75 - Stu Duncan
 * 1975–77 - Jerry Toppazzini (2)
 * 1977–78 - Marcel Clements, Andy Laing
 * 1978–81 - Andy Laing (4)
 * 1981–82 - Joe Drago
 * 1982–83 - Ken Gratton, M.Clements, B.Harris
 * 1983–84 - Billy Harris (2), Andy Spruce
 * 1984–85 - Andy Spruce (2)
 * 1985–86 - Bob Strumm, Wayne Maxner
 * 1986–87 - Guy Blanchard
 * 1987–88 - John Wallin, Ken MacKenzie
 * 1988–92 - Ken MacKenzie (5)
 * 1992–95 - Glenn Merkosky (4)
 * 1995–96 - Glenn Merkosky, Todd Lalonde
 * 1996–97 - Todd Lalonde (3)
 * 1997–98 - Todd Lalonde, Tom Watt
 * 1998–99 - Reg Higgs
 * 1999–03 - Bert Templeton (4)
 * 2003–09 - Mike Foligno (5)
 * 2009-10 - Bryan Verreault
 * 2009-10 - Mike Foligno
 * 2010–13 - Trent Cull
 * 2013–15 - Paul Fixter
 * 2015–present - David Matsos

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

Retired numbers

 * # 6 Randy Carlyle, # 10 Ron Duguay, # 17 Mike Foligno

Award winners

 * 1975–76 - Jim Bedard, Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team GAA)
 * 1978–79 - Mike Foligno, Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player), Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion), Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger)
 * 1981–82 - Pat Verbeek, Emms Family Award (Rookie of the Year)
 * 1984 - Dave Moylan, Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall draft pick)
 * 1985–86 - Jeff Brown, Max Kaminsky Trophy (Most Outstanding Defenceman)
 * 1987 - John Uniac, Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall draft pick)
 * 1993–94 - Jamie Rivers, Max Kaminsky Trophy (Most Outstanding Defenceman)
 * 1994–95 - David MacDonald, F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA)
 * 1998–99 - Norm Milley, Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger)
 * 1998–99 - Ryan McKie, Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian of the Year)
 * 2000–01 - Alexei Semenov, Max Kaminsky Trophy (Most Outstanding Defenceman)
 * 2004–05 - Benoit Pouliot, CHL Rookie of the Year, Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year)
 * 2006–07 - Marc Staal, Max Kaminsky Trophy (Most Outstanding Defenceman), Wayne Gretzky 99 Award (Most valuable player in playoffs)
 * 2011–12 - Michael Sgarbossa, Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Player)
 * 2015 - David Levin, Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall Selection)
 * 2018–19 - Quinton Byfield, Emms Family Award (Rookie of the Year), Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall Selection)
 * 2018–19 - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player), OHL Goaltender of the Year

NHL alumni

 * Akim Aliu
 * Mike Allison
 * Derek Armstrong
 * John Baby
 * Ryan Barnes
 * Don Beaupre
 * Jim Bedard
 * Adam Bennett
 * Jason Bonsignore
 * Kip Brennan
 * Jeff Brown
 * Randy Carlyle
 * Tom Colley
 * Brandon Convery
 * Frank Corrado
 * Dean De Fazio
 * Paul DiPietro
 * Ron Duguay
 * Craig Duncanson
 * Ben Dunn
 * Dave Farrish
 * Fedor Fedorov
 * Mike Fisher
 * Rory Fitzpatrick
 * Marcus Foligno
 * Mike Foligno
 * Nick Foligno
 * Jim Fox
 * Dan Frawley
 * Sean Gagnon
 * David Goverde
 * Josh Gratton
 * Scott Gruhl
 * Richie Hansen
 * Randy Hillier
 * Randy Holt
 * Dale Hunter
 * Dave Hunter
 * Mike Hudson
 * Dan Jancevski
 * Wes Jarvis
 * Jason Jaspers
 * Chris Kelly
 * Chris Kontos
 * Marc Laforge
 * Josh Leivo
 * Mike Lenarduzzi
 * Kevin MacDonald
 * Derek MacKenzie
 * Paul Mara
 * Hector Marini
 * Mike Marson
 * Dan McCarthy
 * Dale McCourt
 * John McFarland
 * Brian McGrattan
 * Jay McKee
 * Alex McKendry
 * Don McLean
 * Adam McQuaid
 * Ken McRae
 * Max Middendorf
 * Norm Milley
 * Mike Moher
 * Barrie Moore
 * Ethan Moreau
 * Glen Murray
 * Zdenek Nedved
 * Sean O'Donnell
 * Mike Peca
 * Randy Pierce
 * Benoit Pouliot
 * Taylor Pyatt
 * Andrew Raycroft
 * Jamie Rivers
 * Shawn Rivers
 * Warren Rychel
 * Mike Sands
 * Rod Schutt
 * Alexei Semenov
 * Jason Simon
 * Brad Smith
 * Mike Smith
 * Marc Staal
 * Steve Staios
 * Zack Stortini
 * John Tanner
 * Eric Vail
 * Steve Valiquette
 * Pat Verbeek
 * Dave Watson
 * Dennis Wideman
 * Mike Wilson

Regular season

 * 1962–1972 NOJHL
 * 1972–1974 OHA
 * 1974–1980 OMJHL
 * 1980–Present OHL

Playoffs
Lost to Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 7 in second round. Defeated Ottawa 67's 8 points to 2 in semi-finals. Lost to Hamilton Fincups 8 points to 2 in finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in semi-finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals. Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals. Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in division semi-finals. Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals. Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 3 in semi-finals. Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals. Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in conference semi-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. Lost to Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
 * 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.
 * 1975–76 Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 9 points to 5 in quarter-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.
 * 1979–80 Defeated Kingston Canadians 3 games to 0 in first round.
 * 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.
 * 1992–93 Defeated Newmarket Royals 4 games to 3 in first round.
 * 1993–94 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
 * 1994–95 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
 * 1995–96 Out of playoffs.
 * 1996–97 Out of playoffs.
 * 1997–98 Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 2 in division 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.
 * 2000–01 Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-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.
 * 2005–06 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
 * 2006–07 Defeated Mississauga Ice Dogs 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-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.
 * 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.
 * 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 none in conference quarter-finals lost to Ottawa 67's in conference semi-finals
 * 2019-20 Playoffs cancelled
 * 2020-21 Season cancelled

Uniforms and logos
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.

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 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 the 2010 season.

Arena
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 includes 12 new suites, 990 club seats, a new lounge as well as improved lounge and washroom facilities.

Media
Since the 2009-10 hockey season, Wolves games have been broadcasted on CJTK-FM in Sudbury. On TV, games are broadcast on local programming in Sudbury.