Branch has skills the Wolves need to succeed, Burgess says

It has been an offseason of change for the Sudbury Wolves and just when it seemed to be quieting down, the Wolves announced they have hired Barclay Branch as their new General Manager.

The 39-year old Branch has spent the last 11 seasons as assistant GM and director of player personnel for the Belleville Bulls, so he is no stranger to the league.

Branch is also the son of OHL commissioner and CHL president, David Branch.

Branch takes over for Blaine Smith, who will remain with the team as team president.

“I can’t say enough about having the opportunity to work for such a storied franchise with such a deep rooted history in junior hockey,” said Branch.

Ken MacKenzie will continue to serve as assistant GM of the Wolves.

Wolves owner Mark Burgess said after the season the team endured last year, it was time to make some changes, but he was quick to say the changes shouldn't be construed as discipline or punishment.

“There was no blame put on anybody, it was an off year, and we had to rebuild," Burgess said this week. "This group is put together to move us forward not as a penalization of what went on.

“No one liked the year last year, and that warrants change. It’s a business and it’s a sports business and that’s the nature of the beast. We’re really excited, we’re recommitted to this organization going forward, and I think we have a heck of a lot of good young talent.”

But Burgess did say that Smith was wearing too many hats and this is the right course to take.

As for Branch, Burgess is excited about what he brings to the team.

“This young man is a terrific person," he said. "He has grown up in the industry and is well educated.

In particular, Burgess said Branch's scouting knowledge is particularly important.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of the draft," he said. “Not only has he been involved and exceeded in the Ontario Hockey League, but he has been a key point in Hockey Canada in the Under-17 program, a role which I think he is going to continue to be involved in as well, which can only help our team.”

Before Belleville, Branch spent time as an assistant coach, then the director of scouting and player development, for the Oshawa Generals — experience that was invaluable to his career, Branch said this week.

“I did most of the management duties while there, while the position of general manager may be new to me in title, the job won’t be," Branch said. "I was very fortunate to spend a number of years working with George Burnett under his mentorship and I feel like moving forward, it’s going to be a relatively seamless transition into the position of general manager."

So with his background he will also now take over as the head scout for the Wolves.

Branch did not say this would mean wholesale changes to the scouting staff, but the belief is he will look to bring in his own scouting staff in the coming weeks.

“Making that assumption or decision right now would be a little premature," he said. "I’m just looking forward to the chance to get going and get to know the staff and we’ll see what the future brings.”

Branch said there is no first order of business beyond sitting down with the staff.

He said a deciding factor in taking the job was the young talent the Wolves brought in and the coaching staff now in place.

“I have regard for David Matsos and I think the staff that’s in place is one of the best in the league, and I just look forward to working along side them and bringing a product forward that the fans of Sudbury can be very excited about.”

The Wolves training camp begins in just a few weeks.

-- With files from Stew Kernan