Sudbury Wolves long-time statistician has seen it all – literally. Dave Harrison maintains all the Sudbury Wolves statistics over the last 40 years and can provide you a list of just about every statistical category available.
As a result, we have asked Dave to compile a list of his TOP 40 Wolves players of all time. We will unveil the list each week here on the website. Be sure to check back, and let us know what you think of his selections.
A WORD FROM DAVE…
….
Over the past 39 seasons there have been many top players go through the Sudbury Wolves system including many who went on to lengthy National Hockey League and Minor League Pro careers.
I was asked to put together a list of four goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 24 forwards that I felt were tops for the Wolves.
Many will disagree with my choices, many I hope will agree.
The players were chosen for many different reasons, but the major reason was for the dedication that they showed while wearing the Wolves colours over the years.
There have been many highlight performances and many disappointments but the Wolves have provided a great deal of entertainment throughout the years.
To the many people who have come and gone, players, executives and owners I say thanks for the memories it has been a blast.
DAVE’S TOP 40
MIKE SMITH
Played two seasons with the Wolves after being acquired from Kingston 1999-2001.
Holds the team record for shutouts in a season (3) and career (6) with Patrick Ehelechner.
Drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 5th round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Played four seasons in the American Hockey League before moving up to the NHL with the Dallas Stars. Played the four years with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is now with the Phoenix Coyotes.
JAMIE RIVERS
In a very successful four year (1991-1995) career with the Wolves, Jamie set team records for Most Assists (89) and Most points (121) and tied John Baby for Most Goals (32), by a defenceman.
Drafted by St. Louis in the 3rd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
Played 454 regular season games for St. Louis, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Boston, Florida, Detroit and Phoenix.
MIKE GADZIC
Mike played five years with the Wolves (1973-78). One of only four players who played five years with the Wolves.
A local product was drafted by Buffalo in the 4th round of the 1978 NHL Entry Draft.
Played one season in the IHL before retiring from the pro game.
JAMIE MATTHEWS
In a very select group of one, who played over 300 regular season games in a Wolves uniform, from 1989-1994.
Holds the Wolves record for most career assists 249 and most career points of 369.
BOBBY CHAUMONT
Holds the OHL and Sudbury Wolves record for most consecutive games played, completing four seasons, 272 games, without missing a game.
Had four seasons of 20 or more goals and led the team in scoring three seasons. Spent one year at Dalhousie University before moving on to the minor pro ranks.
NORM MILLEY
A four year player with the Wolves holds the record for career goals scored with 167 and is second overall in career points at 368, one behind Matthews.
Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Currently playing for the Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams in the Deutsche Eishockey League in Germany.
PATRICK EHELECHNER
Drafted by the Wolves in the 2003 Import draft.
Played two seasons with the Wolves, 2003-2005 and recorded three shutouts in each season to tie Mike Smith for the team record of most shutouts in a season and career shutouts.
Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 5th round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Following his junior career has returned to play in Germany.
RANDY CARLYLE
Played three seasons for the Wolves 1973-1976, playing in 139 games.
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2nd round of the 1976 NHL Draft and went on to play in a 1055 games with Toronto, Pittsburgh, and Winnipeg.
After coaching the Anaheim Ducks, Randy now coaches the Toronto Maple Leafs.
JIM BEDARD
Played two seasons for the Wolves 1974-76 playing in 108 games.
Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 6th roundof the 1976 NHL draft.
Played two seasons with the Capitals before finishing his career in Finland.
MIKE SANDS
Played three seasons with the Wolves 1980-83 appearing in 146 games.
Drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the 2nd roundof the 1981 NHL draft.
Played ten games in the NHL before finishing out his career with the Canadian National Team in 1988-89.
RYAN HASTINGS
Ryan joined the small ranks of the Wolves five year players having just completed his OHL career.
Played in 295 regular season games for the Wolves to put him in second place on the Wolves all time career games played.
JEFF BROWN
Played four seasons for the Wolves in the mid 80’s. Went on to a successful career in the NHL after being selected in the 2nd round of the 1984 NHL draft, 36th overall.
Played for Quebec, St. Louis, Vancouver, Hartford, Carolina, Toronto and Washington, a total of 747 regular season games.
JIM KOUDYS
Played every single game in three straight season for the Wolves from 1981 to 1984 registering a total of 208 consecutive games.
Held the record until broken by Bobby Chaumont.
MARC STAAL
Played four years for the Wolves from 2003-2007 playing 236 regular season games and recording 123 points.
The New York Rangers selected him in the 1st round, 12th overall in the 2005 NHL draft and he moved up to the NHL in 2007 and is touted as their top defenceman.
RORY FITZPATRICK
Played three seasons for the Wolves from 1992-1995 and was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens on the 2nd round, 47th overall in the 1993 NHL draft.
Has played in 287 NHL games for Montreal, St. Louis, Nashville, Vancouver and Buffalo.
JAY MCKEE
Played 90 games for the Wolves before being traded to the Niagara Falls Thunder in 1995.
Was selected in the 1st round, 14th overall in the 1995 NHL draft and enjoyed a 14 year career in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, the team that drafted him and St. Louis and Pittsburgh. He played 802 NHL games.
DAVE FARRISH
Played three seasons with the Wolves 1973-76 before moving up to the NHL after being drafted in the second round of the 1976.
Draft by the New York Rangers. Played 430 games in the NHL before moving into the coaching ranks, and is now an assistant coach with Randy Carlyle with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
JOHN BABY
Joined the Wolves in the 1975-76 season from Kitchener and played two seasons on the blueline.
Set the record for most goals by a defenceman in the 1976-77 season of 32.
Drafted by the Cleveland Barons in fourth round of the 1977 NHL Draft and played 26 games in the NHL before closing out his career in the minor leagues.
RANDY HILLIER
Drafted in the 13th round of the 1977 OHL draft by the Wolves went on to play three seasons with the Wolves before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round of the 1980 NHL draft and playing 543 games in Boston, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders and Buffalo.
JAMIE MATTHEWS
In a very select group of one, who played over 300 regular season games in a Wolves uniform, from 1989-1994.
Holds the Wolves record for most career assists 249 and most career points of 369.
DEREK MACKENZIE
Played four seasons for the Wolves 1997-2001 and was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL draft.
Had split his pro career between the Thrashers and the Chicago Wolves of the AHL before moving up to the Columbus Blue Jackets where he has played parts of the last four seasons.
RON DUGUAY
One of the most popular players to wear a Wolves uniform, Ron spent four seasons with the Wolves 1973-77 before moving directly into the NHL with the New York Rangers after being drafted 13th overall in the 1977 NHL Draft.
Played a career 864 regular season games for the Rangers.
ROD SCHUTT
Played three seasons with the Wolves, 1973-74 and recorded 130 goals (3rd highest career total) and finished fifth in career points with 293.
Drafted in the 1st round by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976 NHL Draft and went on to play 286 NHL games.
PAUL DIPIETRO
A four year career with the Wolves saw Paul increase his goal output each season finishing with 56 goals in his final season.
Drafted in the 5th round of the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens went on to play in 192 NHL games before moving to Switzerland where he has played for over a decade.
BARRIE MOORE
A four year career 1991-1995 with the Wolves, was drafted in the 9th round of the 1993 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres.
Was one of the Wolves top playoff scorers with 15 goals and 14 assists in the 1994-95 playoffs.
Played in England for four seasons before retiring in 2009.
MIKE FOLIGNO
Played four seasons with the Wolves from 1975-79 and is the only Wolves player to win an OHL scoring championship. He recorded 150 points in the 1978-79 season with 65 goals and 85 assists.
Mike was drafted by the Detroit Red wings in the first round, third overall and went on to a lengthy NHL career in Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto and Florida.
JASON YOUNG
Still holds the Wolves record for shorthanded goals on one shift recording a pair against the Oshawa Generals October 23,1990 at the Sudbury Arena.
Played three seasons with the Wolves 1989 to 1992 and enjoyed a minor pro career in Europe.
JASON JASPERS
Recorded 116 goals in his three season with the Wolves 1998-2001 and 252 points.
Drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 3rd round of the 1999 NHL draft and played nine games in the NHL before moving to the minor pro ranks in North America and then to Europe. Played last season for the Cologne Sharks.
TODD LALONDE
Played four season with the Sudbury Wolves from 1985 to 1989 and then returned in 1995 to Coach the Wolves.
Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 1987 NHL draft his playing career was cut short by an injury.
BOB RUSSELL
A member of the first Wolves team played three seasons 1972-1975 and was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the ninth round of the WHA draft 1975.
Played minor pro in North America before closing out his playing career in Europe.
BENOIT POULIOT
Played in three seasons for the Wolves 2003-2006 and was drafted in the 1st round, fourth overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2005 NHL Draft.
Has played 183 games in the NHL with Minnesota and Montreal and joined the Boston Bruins.
DALE HUNTER
Two seasons with the Sudbury Wolves, an NHL career that lasted twenty years and a total of 1407 regular season games.
Dale is now a Coach with the NHL’s Washington Capitals.
GLEN MURRAY
Played three seasons with the Sudbury Wolves before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round, 18th overall in the 1991 entry draft.
Had a lengthy NHL career with the Boston Bruins, his second stint with the Bruins after stops in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
He played in 1009 games scoring 337 goals and 314 assists. He also played 94 playoff games.
TAYLOR PYATT
Played three seasons with the Wolves from 1997-2000 finishing with 297 points.
Was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 1st round, eighth overall by the New York Islanders in the 1999 NHL Draft. After stops with New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, Taylor now plays for the Phoenix Coyotes.
MARCUS FOLIGNO
Played four seasons with the Wolves from 2007-2011 finishing with 139 points.
Drafted by Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL draft. While assigned to the Rochester Americans, Marcus was recently called up to the Buffalo Sabres and scored his first NHL goal.
JOHN KURTZ
Played three seasons for the Wolves from 2007-2010 amassing a total of 128 points in 193 games.
A team leader he played both ends of the rink well and was well liked by all his teammates.
Spent most of last season in the American Hockey League with the Syracuse Crunch.
ERIC O’DELL
A member of the Wolves for four seasons from 2007-2011 and scored at more than a point a game average with 207 points in 198 games.
Was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2008 NHL draft and was later traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, which team is now the Winnipeg Jets.
NICK FOLIGNO
An interesting stat over the three years that Nick played with the Wolves from 2004-2007. He scored at a point a game average in his 196 games in the regular season, continued that in the playoffs with 43 points in 43 games and his penalty minutes were an average of two minutes per game over the regular season career.
Draft in the 2006 NHL draft by the Ottawa Senators in the first round 28th overall, and is now in his fourth season with the Sens.
ZACK STORTINI
Zack played four years for the Wolves from 2001-2005 and will not be remembered for his goalscoring but for his toughness and his willingness to stick up for his teammates throughout his career.
Zack amassed a total of 746 penalty minutes in 247 games during the regular season. He was still able to contribute 55 goals and 65 assists in his Wolves career.
Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL draft. Zack has played five seasons in the National Hockey League and currently plays with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.
MICHAEL SGARBOSSA
While a teammate of the Sudbury Wolves for just 37 games last season, Michael showed some great skills in the 37 regular season and eight playoff games last year scoring 29 goals and adding 33 assists in the 3 regular season and recording 14 points, five of them goals in the eight playoff games.
This season, he has continued his scoring streak and is at the top of the league leaders for the OHL scoring.