That stance starts with the first game of the season and goes through to the last. If you were to distill that stance down to a theme, it might be: No compromises.
“The name of our game this season will be battle and compete,” Desrochers said. “Every game and everyone on this team has to work hard and have no excuses.
“We want to make a name for ourselves right from the start as a team that is hard to play against. I know we have the guys on the team to play this way every game.”
Key to that though, Desrochers told NorthernLife.ca, will be for the players to buy into the message first and then make sure it becomes part of their game every time the Pack steps onto the ice.
The Wolves begin the 2014-2015 season at home when they host the Niagara IceDogs on Sept. 26. Game time at Sudbury Arena is 7:30 p.m.
The Wolves then hit the road to play Belleville on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and finish with a tilt against Oshawa on Sunday at 6:05 p.m.
Starting the regular season on home ice suits the Wolves just fine. At the same time, the players know success is something they will have to earn this year. In talking to players, it seems like they're getting the message and realize the beginning of the season is the time to head in the right direction.
“It’s important to start the season on a good note,” veteran defenceman Conor Cummins said. “It is crucial to get that first win out of the way and set the tone. We have to go out and play like a team and earn it.
“It is nice to start on home ice, but we have to take advantage of it and play our best.”
The Wolves roster is full of rookies and new faces for 2014-2015. There are also plenty of sophomores who have to step up, eat big minutes and play like veterans. The veterans and leaders on the team have their work cut out for them, too, as they have to guide the younger players into the heat of battle.
“The older guys have to go out each game, not just the first one and set the example by always playing hard,” Desrochers said.
For many of the veterans, last season’s start is still lingering in their minds.
Sudbury’s first game last year was cancelled due to fog at the arena and rescheduled. The Wolves ended up playing their first game of 2013-2014 on the road against Sault Ste. Marie and they were pounded in a 10-3 loss.
No one wants to repeat that performance on opening night.
“It is on,” Desrochers said. “We have to be ready to come out. Our first game last season wasn’t pretty and we remember that. We don’t want to do that again. I know the way we can play and we can play with any team, I think.
“We just have to go out and compete and want it.”
Whether they want it badly enough to grab the win in the season opener remains to be seen. But after last year's disappointing end and six months without hockey, Wolves fans are hungry to see how this year's team shapes up.
Enemy Lines
Niagara IceDogs
The IceDogs come back with a roster feature returning players at every position and only a few rookies and new faces. Some scouts have them pegged as one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. Niagara finished seventh last season with a 24-35-3-6 record. Veteran scorers carter Verhaeghe and Brendan Perlini will destroy opposing defences.
Belleville Bulls
The Bulls began a major reconstruction effort last season by shipping out vets for prospects and draft picks. They missed the playoffs by one point with a 23-38-4-3 record. Centre Stephen Harper (no, not that Stephen Harper) could be poised for great things in 2014-2015.
Oshawa Generals
The Generals were the class of the Eastern Conference last season thanks to a 42-20-0-6 record. Oshawa took some hits due to graduation, but still returns a potent team with a deep defence. Forwards Michael Dal Colle and Cole Cassels will rack up goals and points.
