Congratulations Nick!

The Burgess Family and the Sudbury Wolves’ organization would like to extend their sincere “Congratulations” to Nick Baptiste on his signing of his first NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

Nick had an outstanding season with the Wolves last year leading the team in scoring with 45 goals and 89 points.  The Ottawa native was selected in the 3rd round of the 2013 NHL draft by the Sabres.   Nick was selected 6th overall in the 1st round of the 2011 OHL draft by Sudbury.Baptiste was recently recognized for his outstanding efforts by being named to one of the OHL’s All-Star teams. Nick also helped lead Team Canada to a world championship at the U-18 tournament in 2013.  Nick also won ‘gold’ when the Wolves won the 2012 Junior World Cup tournament in Russia.

“The Sudbury Wolves are extremely proud of Nick’s achievement and wish him well in his pursuit of a roster spot with the Buffalo Sabres in September” notes Wolves’ President Blaine Smith. “Nick has been an outstanding player for us.  He competes hard at both ends of the rink and he scores big goals. Nick gained a lot of confidence over the past season and he has been rewarded for his efforts. Nick has been a leader for us on and off the ice and we know he will do the same for Buffalo.”

Since Baptiste joined the Wolves, Sudbury has recorded three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 20 years. The Wolves finished with 78 points during the 2011-12 season, 70 points during the 2012-13 season and 77 points this past season.  The last time the Wolves had three consecutive +500 seasons was in the mid-90’s.  During this time, Baptiste has developed into one of the premier young forwards in the OHL and the Buffalo Sabres wisely signed the Sudbury Wolves’assistant captain to a 3-year NHL Entry-level contract on Friday.