Branch builds champion teams, Wolves’ owner says

Barclay Branch has a track record of on-ice success and building championship OHL teams, and that’s why he’s been named the new general manager of the Sudbury Wolves, team owner Mark Burgess said this afternoon.

The team made this announcement this afternoon. The team’s longtime GM, Blaine Smith, will stay on the team president.

Branch, 39, has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant GM and director of player personnel for the Belleville Bulls, directing the team’s OHL Priority Selection and picking such elite players as PK Subban Malcolm and Jordan Subban, Brendan Gaunce, Eric Tangradi, and Brandon Saigeon — all of whom helped lead the Bulls to four Eastern Conference finals in seven years and a Memorial Cup appearance in 2008.

Branch also served as a regional scout for Hockey Canada’s U17 program.

"Barclay Branch has a proven track record of consistency and success and building championship teams in the OHL" Burgess, the Wolves owner, said today. "He has proven knowledge and experience in identifying, selecting and recruiting some of the best players in the OHL over the past 12 seasons.

“Barclay is a professional in every way and our organization will truly benefit from his leadership. He has what it takes to lead and manage our young team into a contending team in the near future."

Branch said he was excited to take over as the Wolves GM and looks forward to seeing how the season plays out, especially with some promising new blood sporting Sudbury jerseys.

"I am extremely excited and proud," Branch said in a news release, thanking Burgess for the opportunity. "The Sudbury Wolves have assembled a very exciting group of players including David Levin and Dmitry Sokolov. I am very excited about the future of the Sudbury Wolves and I look forward to working closely with the coaching staff and building a championship team.”

Barclay also expressed appreciation to George Burnett, the head coach and GM of the Hamilton Bulldogs, for his mentorship.

Calling it a season-of-change, the Sudbury Wolves have signed David Matsos as the team’s new head coach and Drake Berehowsky as assistant coach. Ken MacKenzie stays on as assistant GM.

Branch will also serve as the team's new head scout and he will be selecting a new scouting staff in the days and weeks ahead.

Branch will have his first opportunity to meet the players on Sept. 3 when the Wolves open camp at the Sudbury Arena.

Incidentally, Branch is the son of David Branch, the commissioner of the OHL.