Wolves wait for next year

“Wait until next year.”

It’s a phrase that has been heard often around Sudbury Arena, but I think this time there is cause for optimism.

While the memory of the four-game sweep at the hands of the Belleville Bulls in the OHL Eastern Conference semifinals is still fresh in the minds of most of us, it’s not the only thought.

In the past, there was always doubt when someone would say, “Next year is the year.”

However, if you were to have polled fans after the back-to-back shutout losses against the Bulls, a high percentage would have said they were honestly looking forward to next season.

For the first time in a long time, the Wolves have set themselves up nicely to be competitive for the next two or three years.

Now, nobody can say for sure that will result in a championship, but you have to believe, at least the next couple of seasons, just fighting to get into the playoffs won’t be an issue.

The deals made prior to the trade deadline signalled a change of philosophy for the Wolves organization. Trading away top players used to be unheard of, so when the team made deals that saw four veterans moved, it was monumental.

Those deals not only set the stage for the future, but as it turned out, they also helped the Wolves win their first-round playoff series over Brampton.

I think it’s safe to say that win was a bonus for a young hockey team. Most experts expected the Pack to drop out of playoff contention.

While there were some struggles down the stretch, the team not only won a round, but also got a taste of what winning is all about — some on-the-job training that can’t be taught or coached.

Looking ahead, the Wolves are losing only two players heading into next season.

Mind you, they are two pretty good players in Michael Kantor and Charlie Dodero. They won’t be easily replaced, but their absence gives a chance for others to step up into the leadership role.

Expected to return and lead offensively are the likes of Mathew Campagna, Nathan Pancel and Nick Baptiste. Youngsters like the two Dominik’s (Kahun and Kubalic) had great rookie seasons and with a year of North American-style hockey under their belts, you can expect them to be better next season.

Others, like Brody Silk, Jacob Harris and Matt Schmalz, should have a big impact on the team.

It is going to be really interesting to see what happens on defence.

The Wolves have five of their top six defencemen eligible to return — Kevin Raine, Jeff Corbett, Cory Genovese, Evan de Haan and Conor Cummins. Add in the likes of Zach McFadden, David Eckles and Tyler Prong, who all came up late in the season, along with first-round draft pick, Kyle Capobianco, and you have an interesting dilemma heading into next season.

For me, acquiring goalie Franky Palazzese was the most important deal made. As I have said before, Palazzese gives the Wolves the true No. 1 goalie they have been looking for, a goalie who gives his team a chance to win every night.
He won’t take the credit, but without a doubt, Palazzese was responsible for the first-round win over Brampton. If he brings that level of play back to the team next year, anything is possible.

I have stayed away from the “wait until next year” cry in the past, but, this time, I can honestly say the beginning of the 2013-2014 season can’t come soon enough.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the news director at EZ Rock and Q92. This column appears every other week in Northern Life.