Wolves select 14 new players in OHL draft

The Sudbury Wolves had an eye to the future on April 6 as they selected 14 new players in the OHL's priority selection draft.

The Wolves selected seven forwards, five defencemen and two goaltenders. The Wolves selected seven players from the Toronto area and two players from Northern Ontario.

Kyle Capobianco was selected seventh overall by the Wolves as the Wolves' first-round selection. He is regarded as one of the most skilled defencemen in the draft. The 6-foot, 170-lbs rearguard played for the OHL Cup Champions Oakville Rangers and was instrumental in the team's success.

Capobianco is an excellent skater and play-maker and possesses a hard, accurate point shot, said the Wolves in a news release.

The Wolves selected the first goaltender in the draft in the second round in the form of Troy Timpano of the Toronto Titans. The Toronto native stands six fee tall and is regarded as one of the top goaltenders in the province. Timpano was also one of the top performers at the recent OHL Combines testing competition held at the Ricoh Centre in Toronto.

In the third round, the Wolves selected centre David Zeppieri. The Mississauga native is 6-1, 180 lbs and is the captain of the Mississauga Rebels. Zeppieri is a high-energy gritty centre with excellent hands around the net. He is expected to bring some outstanding leadership, skill and tenacity to the Wolves lineup, according to the news release.

In the fourth round, the Wolves drafted what many consider to be the steal of the draft in right-shot defenceman Austin Clapham. The skilled rearguard is a big strong defenceman that makes a good first pass and is willing and able to jump up into the play, according to the Wolves. CLAPHAM is an excellent skater and finishes his checks. The Wolves believe that they selected two of the most skilled defencemen in the draft in Capobianco and Clapham.

In the fifth round, the Wolves selected another defenceman, Chase Hawley, from the Kingston Minor Midgets. The big rearguard is a tough customer and can play both the left and right side. He brings a much-needed dimension to the Wolves' lineup and loves to play a physical role on the team. Watch for Hawley to become a fan-favourite in the Nickel City, said the Wolves organization.

The Wolves had two selections in the sixth round, going with Noah Robinson of the Toronto Marlies. The big right-winger is a hard-working forward that has good puck skills and scoring ability. With the second selection in the sixth round, the Wolves selected North Bay native Michael Silveri. The 6-2 centre brings a good skill set and size up the middle of the ice.

In the eighth round, the Wolves selected left-winger Josh Dickenson, the younger brother of Jason Dickenson of the Guelph Storm. Josh is a skilled forward that stands 5-11.

In the ninth round, the Wolves selected 6-1 goaltender Liam Turnbull from the London Gold minor midget team. Turnbull is a very athletic goaltender with an outstanding work ethic.

In the 11th round, the Wolves drafted 6-1 right-winger Connor Schmalz, the younger brother of Matt Schmalz, who the Wolves acquired in a trade with the Kitchener Rangers. Connor has similar physical qualities of his older brother and is expected to develop into a big power forward.

In the 12th round, the Wolves selected Nicholas Hamre from the Ottawa Eastern Ontario Wild team. Hamre is 5-7, but plays much bigger than that due to his passion and intensity. Hamre is a skilled left-winger that can put up good offensive numbers and plays with a physical edge.

In the 13th round, the Wolves selected Niibin Nashkawa. The 5-9 left defenceman is a very good skater and led the power play for the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves Major Midgets of the Great North Midget League this season.

The Wolves concluded the draft with two selections in the 15th round including 6-4 right defenceman Nolan Smith from the Markham Majors and 5-11 left-winger Rory Milne of the Oshawa Kinsmen Minor Midgets.