Off season Wolves: Picking a coach and parting with a GM?

The consensus was the off-season of 2015 could be the biggest in Sudbury Wolves history.

Coming off a last-place finish, owner Mark Burgess made no secret about the fact that every aspect of the organization would be placed under the microscope.

More than two months since the season ended, the biggest question was likely the head coaching position. While there was no official release or press conference, the Wolves management decided they had the right man for the job already behind the bench.

Dave Matsos will have the interim tag lifted and is now the head coach.
You might think that a 5-29 record after he took over wouldn’t have been good enough to get the full time job, but I disagree.

Don’t even look at wins and losses. A coach has to have the respect of his players and there is no question the players respect Dave Matsos. I watched over the second half of the season how the players responded to what Matsos was preaching.

You hear a lot about the phrase “players coach," but that is exactly what Dave Matsos is. He knows the game inside and out, and is one of the most prepared coaches I have ever worked with.

Matsos knows how to make the tough decisions, but at the same time, he realizes his players are kids and he knows how to relate to them. As a result, he has their respect and in the end that's what a coach needs for a team to be successful.

The Wolves also have a couple of major decisions to make that will affect the product on the ice.

The team is searching for a full-time assistant coach. Bryan Verreault was behind the bench with Matsos last season, but because of his full-time job, he was not always available. I think this is a good move, but

I hope Verreault remains on the coaching staff because there aren’t many coaches around better with the Xs and Os than Verreault.

There is also speculation that a new general manager is being sought.

Blaine Smith has served with the organization for more than 25 years, adding the title of full-time general manager in 2010. Personally, I think Smith has done a good job, and while he took full responsibility for what happened last season, it was the right decision to bite the bullet and begin the re-build process.

I don't think you will find many people out there who know the OHL like Smith does. If a new GM is brought in, there is no question Smith will continue to play an important role with the organization.

Other news and notes from the off-season:

The Wolves held an off-ice fitness camp this past weekend down in the GTA. Smith said 30 current roster players along with a number of draft picks took part in a series of fitness drills. Smith told me Matsos was very impressed with what he saw, adding that the players are taking their off-season workout regiment very seriously.

The NHL Draft will be held in Florida on June 26 June 27. All eyes will be on Wolves defenceman Kyle Capobianco. He took his game to a new level last season and saw his rakings soar because of it. Not even on the list when the season started, NHL Central Scouting had Capobiano ranked 44th among North American skaters meaning he could go as high as the third round, but more likely in the fourth or fifth.

Also don't be surprised to see forward Matt Schmalz picked in the draft. Passed over in his draft year 12 months ago, interest has peaked after his 24-goal season. Don't be surprised to see the big 6-6 Dunville native go late in the seven-round draft.

The OHL Import Draft goes on June 30 with the Wolves picking third overall. That should result in an impact player, but it might not be as simple as that.

Smith said both Russia and the Czech Republic are starting up their own development programs in an effort to keep more of their players at home. That said, Smith said they expect to add a key player to their line-up.

The Wolves are hoping Pavel Jenys will be back next season, but it is quite possible he will play in the American Hockey League for the Iowa Wild, the farm team of the NHL Minnesota Wild.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the News Director at KiSS 105.3 and Q92.