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6 in 6: Sackville Wolves
2015-04-14
For a team rebuilding you couldn't have asked for a better off-season. Along with players coming up from Midget, the Wolves controlled much of the first two rounds of the MMLL Entry Draft with 5 of the first 10 picks. READ MORE for a team preview.
6 Teams in 6 Weeks ECJLL Preview
Next Up: Sackville Wolves
April 14, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
For a team with 0 wins in 2013 and 2 wins in 2014, I guess you could call the Sackville Wolves ‘ascending’. However, losing your captain and top three scorers leaves much to be desired heading into 2015. Gone are Captain Cody Marche and maligned all-star Ricky Canning, but coming in is fresh blood and building blocks for the next five years. No team remade their roster more than the Wolves did over the 2015 offseason, and you can expect those moves to pay dividends perhaps not in 2015, but surely in years to come as this young team matures together.
With the Mi’kmaq Warriors entering the league, this creates a natural rivalry for the Wolves. Mark May 14 on your calendar, as that will be a good test for both the Wolves and Warriors, and an opportunity to set the bar for the rest of the 2015 season.
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
The Knockwood trade was without a doubt the biggest offseason deal heading into the 2015 MMLL Entry Draft. This gave the Wolves the first three picks, and five of the top 10 picks. Hoarding picks is a trend followed by the HNW Marley Lions over the next three years, as there has been an influx of talent in these drafts as a result of shifting demographics.
By trading Bryson Knockwood along with Burgess and Pennell, the Wolves have signaled commitment to a rebuild, and obviously having three quality picks in the draft helps.
Graduating Players
The Wolves are losing a significant amount of scoring from the 2014 team that saw only three players crack the Top 25 in scoring. Captain Cody Marche and Ricky Canning are both leaving the club, as is the potential of Jeremy Vautour leaving to play for his home-town squad Moncton.
On defence the club lost Craig Currie, Jamie Hore, Mitch DuTrizac, and transition player Bryan Fryday.
Rookies and Young Impact Players
The Wolves had a massive haul in the MMLL Entry Draft, taking 11 players:
Aside from Aquanno, the Wolves added much needed depth through this draft, with the majority of these players seeing time in Midget Select in 2014. Arguably the steal of the draft was Logan Whitford of the Bedford Rock. Though he only managed 1 goal and 10 assists in 16 games last year, he showed potential at the Scouting Combine, and promise at the Metro High School tournament held this past weekend playing for runner-up CPA.
Second overall pick Battiste and third overall pick Foley will be able to contribute right away, Battiste with his size and Foley with his stick as he finished with 14 points (12 goals 2 assists) in 14 games last year with St. Margaret’s Storm.
Coach Titchmarsh pointed to three players, Ryan Macgregor, Phil Morrison, and Ryan Arsenault, who he expects will take big leaps forward on the stat sheet and with team leadership in 2014. Titchmarsh also praised Dan Hubley for a spectacular 2014 season considering the amount of rubber that came his way, and you can bet he will be seeing a lot more of it this year.
The Wolves have a good crop coming up from Midget, with Lauchlin Swain, Sam Evong, Liam Reid, Nathan Beaver, and Max Humphreys. Sam, Liam, and Nathan all have Provincial team experience in different capacities, and will add depth at the very least in year one.
Coaching Staff
Coach Titchmarsh is bringing back the same group that led the team in 2014, with Kyle Peace, Steve Brown, and Robbie Desrochers expected to be with the club in 2015. Jay and Kyle have been champions for the Sackville Wolves organization, playing for years with the Jr. A club and representing Nova Scotia with the Senior Privateers that will be playing in the upcoming AH Memorial tournament from April 22-25 (joined by Bandits coaches Hannigan and Parker).
In speaking with Steve Brown over the weekend, he is excited about the 2015 group, and was speaking very highly of Ryan Arsenault’s play at the Metro High School tournament.
The staff was able to secure a significant sponsor this year, welcoming Sportwheels to the organization. Without knowing exact specifics on the agreement, we can tell you that the sponsorship will include a fresh look on the floor for 2015.
Season Outlook
This will not be an easy season for the Sackville Wolves. There will be growing pains. The rookies will take their hits, the coaches will swallow defeat, and the scoreboard won’t always be in their favour. But for a team rebuilding, the pieces are in place. This 2015 MMLL draft will prove to be a boon for the club, and I am excited about the natural rivalry that will form this year with the Mi’kmaq Warriors.
This team is one to watch heading into 2016 and beyond, and it will be interesting to see who emerges from this young group as big-time players in the ECJLL.
Next Up: Sackville Wolves
April 14, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
For a team with 0 wins in 2013 and 2 wins in 2014, I guess you could call the Sackville Wolves ‘ascending’. However, losing your captain and top three scorers leaves much to be desired heading into 2015. Gone are Captain Cody Marche and maligned all-star Ricky Canning, but coming in is fresh blood and building blocks for the next five years. No team remade their roster more than the Wolves did over the 2015 offseason, and you can expect those moves to pay dividends perhaps not in 2015, but surely in years to come as this young team matures together.
With the Mi’kmaq Warriors entering the league, this creates a natural rivalry for the Wolves. Mark May 14 on your calendar, as that will be a good test for both the Wolves and Warriors, and an opportunity to set the bar for the rest of the 2015 season.
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
- SW trade Luke Whitehead, Brad Archibald, Greg Delano, Leighton Yeo and Brandon Rose to Sackville for Sackville’s 1st Pick in the 2015 MUFLL Draft.
- Southwest traded Charlie Nau to the Wolves for a 3rd round 2015 MMLL Entry draft pick.
- Bandits traded Alex MackAskill to sackville Wolves for a 2017 2nd round MUFLL pick.
- MW trades 2015 1st and 2nd round MMLL picks to Sackville for 2015 2nd round MUFLL pick, Bryson Knockwood, Chris Burgess and Matt Pennel.
- Warriors expansion sacrifices:
- Quinton Gloade – Sackville - 2015 4th round draft pick;
- Steven Johnson – Sackville - 2015 3rd round draft pick; and
- Billy Julian – Sackville - 2016 4th round draft pick.
The Knockwood trade was without a doubt the biggest offseason deal heading into the 2015 MMLL Entry Draft. This gave the Wolves the first three picks, and five of the top 10 picks. Hoarding picks is a trend followed by the HNW Marley Lions over the next three years, as there has been an influx of talent in these drafts as a result of shifting demographics.
By trading Bryson Knockwood along with Burgess and Pennell, the Wolves have signaled commitment to a rebuild, and obviously having three quality picks in the draft helps.
Graduating Players
The Wolves are losing a significant amount of scoring from the 2014 team that saw only three players crack the Top 25 in scoring. Captain Cody Marche and Ricky Canning are both leaving the club, as is the potential of Jeremy Vautour leaving to play for his home-town squad Moncton.
On defence the club lost Craig Currie, Jamie Hore, Mitch DuTrizac, and transition player Bryan Fryday.
Rookies and Young Impact Players
The Wolves had a massive haul in the MMLL Entry Draft, taking 11 players:
| 1st Round: Connor Aquanno (Bedford Rock) (1) Mitch Battiste (Bedford Rock) (2) Johnny Foley (SM Storm) (3) |
4th Round: Ian Fraser (Bedford Rock) (16) Matt Jardine (Bedford Rock) (17) Ian Bryan (Bedford Rock) (19) |
| 2nd Round: Devon Collard (Bedford Rock) (6) Eric Purcell (Bedford Rock) (7) |
5th Round: Jack Murtha (SM Storm) (22) |
| 3rd Round: Logan Whitford (Bedford Rock) (11) |
6th Round: Logan Slaunwhite (SM Storm) (27) |
Aside from Aquanno, the Wolves added much needed depth through this draft, with the majority of these players seeing time in Midget Select in 2014. Arguably the steal of the draft was Logan Whitford of the Bedford Rock. Though he only managed 1 goal and 10 assists in 16 games last year, he showed potential at the Scouting Combine, and promise at the Metro High School tournament held this past weekend playing for runner-up CPA.
Second overall pick Battiste and third overall pick Foley will be able to contribute right away, Battiste with his size and Foley with his stick as he finished with 14 points (12 goals 2 assists) in 14 games last year with St. Margaret’s Storm.
Coach Titchmarsh pointed to three players, Ryan Macgregor, Phil Morrison, and Ryan Arsenault, who he expects will take big leaps forward on the stat sheet and with team leadership in 2014. Titchmarsh also praised Dan Hubley for a spectacular 2014 season considering the amount of rubber that came his way, and you can bet he will be seeing a lot more of it this year.
The Wolves have a good crop coming up from Midget, with Lauchlin Swain, Sam Evong, Liam Reid, Nathan Beaver, and Max Humphreys. Sam, Liam, and Nathan all have Provincial team experience in different capacities, and will add depth at the very least in year one.
Coaching Staff
Coach Titchmarsh is bringing back the same group that led the team in 2014, with Kyle Peace, Steve Brown, and Robbie Desrochers expected to be with the club in 2015. Jay and Kyle have been champions for the Sackville Wolves organization, playing for years with the Jr. A club and representing Nova Scotia with the Senior Privateers that will be playing in the upcoming AH Memorial tournament from April 22-25 (joined by Bandits coaches Hannigan and Parker).
In speaking with Steve Brown over the weekend, he is excited about the 2015 group, and was speaking very highly of Ryan Arsenault’s play at the Metro High School tournament.
The staff was able to secure a significant sponsor this year, welcoming Sportwheels to the organization. Without knowing exact specifics on the agreement, we can tell you that the sponsorship will include a fresh look on the floor for 2015.
Season Outlook
This will not be an easy season for the Sackville Wolves. There will be growing pains. The rookies will take their hits, the coaches will swallow defeat, and the scoreboard won’t always be in their favour. But for a team rebuilding, the pieces are in place. This 2015 MMLL draft will prove to be a boon for the club, and I am excited about the natural rivalry that will form this year with the Mi’kmaq Warriors.
This team is one to watch heading into 2016 and beyond, and it will be interesting to see who emerges from this young group as big-time players in the ECJLL.