The Sudbury Wolves have added a new 19-year-old forward to their roster, acquiring OHL third-year veteran Ryan Lopes from the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors. In return, the Wolves’ sent a seventh round draft selection to the Majors.
Lopes, 19, has recorded 19 goals and 15 assists in 113 OHL games with the Majors. The Brampton native played 16 play-off games last season for the Majors and recorded two goals and one assist. Lopes is 5-11, 180 pounds and plays centre or right wing.
“Lopes is a solid two-way forward that will compliment our young players,” Wolves’ general manager Blaine Smith said in a press release. “He is an excellent penalty-killer and he is very good on face-offs. He has a solid work ethic, battles for pucks and has a good touch around the net.”
Lopes was drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 OHL Entry Draft by the Majors from the Brampton Minor Midgets.
“I’m looking forward to playing for the Sudbury Wolves,” Lopes said in the release. “We have an exciting up-and-coming team and I’m thrilled to be a part of the team’s development.”
Lopes will join his new teammates at practice this week and will suit-up for the Wolves on Thursday when the team travels to Barrie to take-on the Colts. The Pack returns home Friday night for a second game against the Colts, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night the Wolves will take on the Erie Otters at the Sudbury Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
McFarland, Cardwell sidelined
The Wolves have confirmed that forward John McFarland will remain out of the Wolves’ lineup for at least another week with an undisclosed injury.
“It is a nagging injury and we are hopeful that John can begin practicing again with us by mid-week,” head coach Trent Cull said in the press release. McFarland, 18, missed the Wolves’ last two home games and may be sidelined until the end of October.
The Wolves have also announced that 18-year-old defenceman Jake Cardwell has been returned to his home in Niagara Falls.
“We feel that it was important for Jake to return home to work-through some personal issues,” Smith said. “This is a decision that we believe is in the best interest of Jake and our organization.”
Cardwell is playing in his third OHL season and has recorded one goal and one assist and 14 penalty minutes in eight games this season.
