Duschesne a force on the Wolves' blue-line

Jonathan Duchesne didn’t take long to show fans of the Sudbury Wolves who he is.

In his debut game, in the first period, the defenceman took a cross-checking penalty for taking out Barrie Colts overage forward Garrett Hooey and sending him crashing to the ice. As Duchesne skated to the box, he did so with little regret. Hooey was taking a few extra whacks at the puck and at Sudbury goalie Sam Tanguay.

Not on Duchesne’s watch. Any opponent trying anything unwise around the Wolves net or goalie, isn’t going to be having a good time when Duchesne responds.

“No one will be getting too many whacks at the puck that is for sure, because I’m going to do something to stop them,” the 18-year-old said. “I play a physical game. Taking care of my goalie and defence is first for me. I’ll get the puck out any way I can. I’ve always been this way. It is just my nature.”

Duchesne was acquired from the Ottawa 67’s for defenceman Evan de Haan and a fifth-round pick in the hopes of revamping the blue-line. Duchesne came advertised as a no-nonsense, gritty-type player who wasn’t afraid to rough up an opponent causing trouble in the Wolves' defensive zone, and even drop the gloves and fight to defend teammates. Above all else, Duchesne is bringing his biggest asset — the will to win. It is needed as the Wolves struggled with just three wins in the first 18 games.

“I want to win,” the six-foot, 201-pound defender said. “That is what matters the most to me. I hope I can help the Wolves win more games by doing my part. I’ve been a part of winning teams growing up. I love winning, and I don’t like losing. There is time to turn things around, and, hopefully, it starts as soon as possible.”

The Wolves coaching staff and management was looking for a rugged customer to add to the back end of the team — a player who had a positive attitude and a desire to make foes pay the price when venturing into the Sudbury defensive zone.

“He brings a physical presence,” Sudbury assistant coach Bryan Verreault said. “We, as an organization, felt it was an element we were missing. He also brings a great work ethic. Jonathan is a stay-at-home type and takes care of business in his own end. We are not worrying about him scoring points, but if they come, that is great. He was acquired to help stabilize the blue-line and be physical and make it harder for opponents to play against us.”

Duchesne is a classic lead-by-example player. He is one of the first players in the gym working out and one of the last to leave. The same goes for practice on the ice. His style of play is going to result in the odd infraction here and there, but the Wolves can live with it because of the intangibles Duchesne has. He has heart and soul and is willing to give it all for the team.

“He’s a character guy,” Verreault said. “He’s a great kid and has a great personality. He is always working. He is positive and wants to win and help the organization turn things around and be a big part of it.”

Duchesne had a good first impression of his new teammates. He sees no problems becoming one of the guys.

“These guys work hard, and I like that,” Duchesne said. “They have bee great and getting me involved and helping me fit in. It means a lot to me to have this chance.”