Wolves add former captain Zack Stortini as Assistant Coach
(Greater Sudbury, ON) The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce that alumni Zack Stortini has joined the organization as an Assistant Coach for the upcoming season. Zack will replace Bud Stefanski behind the bench who has chosen to retire.
“We are very grateful and thankful for having Bud with our team last season,” said Rob Papineau, VP Hockey Operations and General Manager. “The experience he brought and knowledge he shared with our players and entire staff will help each of us for many years to come.”
“Bud enjoyed returning to the OHL and helping Daryl and I on the bench with our record-breaking season in Sudbury,” said Wolves Head Coach Cory Stillman. “Everyone from the players, trainers, and coaching staff learned a lot from Bud and his years of experience proved to be valuable to the organization. Bud plans on being a full time Wolves fan and is willing to help the team out in any capacity from his home base in Lakefield, ON.”
“Our organization is very excited to welcome Zack back to the Sudbury Wolves,” Papineau added. “He is the longest serving captain in our team’s history. The chance to bring back a Sudburian who has had the success in the game he has had is outstanding for our team and especially our players. Fresh off a Calder Cup championship where he both played and was also very close to the coaching staff, he understands what it takes to compete every night and what it takes to win.”
“With Bud’s departure, I am pleased to have Zack Stortini join our staff as an assistant coach this upcoming season,” said Stillman. “As a hard-nosed player Zack played with grit, determination and always had a team first mentality. With his 14 years playing experience and 2 Calder Cup Championships, Zack will be able to share his knowledge, excitement and passion for the game with our players.”
“I am very excited to be coming back to the Sudbury Wolves organization,” said Stortini. “I played here and grew up in Sudbury and I am very fortunate to join the organization once again. I am looking forward to being a part of one of the premier organizations in the OHL and joining an elite coaching staff with Cory, Darryl and Alain. I look forward to working with the team and helping the players here in Sudbury develop and grow into future professionals.”
Zack played 247 regular season games for the Wolves between 2001 and 2005 accumulating 55 goals and 65 assists along with 746 penalty minutes. He was also the longest serving captain of the Wolves across three of those seasons. He was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 3rd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, where he would go on to spend most of his NHL career. Zack played 860 professional games between the NHL and AHL. Most recently, Zack was a member of the Charlotte Checkers Calder Cup championship team this past spring. He was also a three-time nomination for the AHL’s Man of the Year Award for his contributions to his local community and charitable organizations.
For more information visit sudburywolves.com.
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