For the Sudbury U15 AAA Wolves, there’s no better feeling than winning on home ice. Just days after a narrow overtime loss to Hill Academy at the Shanahan Tournament, the Wolves rebounded with a thrilling championship victory at the Big Nickel Hockey Tournament, clinching the title with an overtime goal.
The 10-day stretch has been intense, with the team playing 11 games. Forward and associate captain Jackson Mead highlighted the physical toll but stressed the importance of recovery amidst the excitement. "Playing so much hockey takes its toll on the body. It’s fun, but you need the recovery for sure," said Mead.
Head Coach Gerry Dupuis and the coaching staff are already preparing for upcoming games, including a three-game road trip against OMHA teams and the VK Classic tournament in early December.
In the lead-up to the Big Nickel Tournament, the Wolves went 2-2 in the round-robin at the Shanahan Tournament, scoring a decisive 3-1 win in the quarterfinals over York Simcoe Express before falling to Hill Academy in a tightly contested game.
The Big Nickel Tournament began with a dominant 8-0 victory over Okanagan Hockey Academy, where Dacey Dupuis netted a hat trick, while Mead contributed three assists. The Wolves continued their winning streak with a 9-0 win over Timmins Majors, with Mead leading with four goals and Warner Bain adding three assists. They went on to secure victories over the Soo Jr. Greyhounds (4-3) and Eastern Ontario Wild (6-4) to complete the round-robin phase.
In the final, the Wolves faced the Eastern Ontario Wild again, overcoming a 1-0 deficit with a late equalizer by Owen Angus. During the second shift of overtime, Nicholas Christakos broke through, scoring the championship-winning goal with a precise shot.
Mead emphasized the team’s strength in overtime, despite a rare OT loss to Hill Academy the previous week. "We’re a strong OT team. We had possession and a lot of shots; it was a well-played game,” Mead reflected.
Merik Maillet, a new addition to the AAA squad, noted the fast pace and team cohesion that AAA hockey demands. “The team moves the puck well, and the coaches are always there to help,” said Maillet, a first-year student at Ecole secondaire Champlain. He appreciates the adaptability encouraged by Coach Dupuis, who frequently adjusts player combinations to build versatility.
“This team is like a big family,” added Mead. “We’re a solid team that plays great hockey.”
Rounding out the 2024-2025 Sudbury U15 AAA Wolves roster are Ty Belanger, Jaxsin Chatwell, Ethan Farquarson, Bradley Huffman, Ty Imbeau, Malik Jakubo, Tucker Newton, Cooper Niquet, Alex Proulx, Nicholas Rocca, Tayden Smith, and Ryan Thompson.
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