Notes from a Stillman scene
It really is a new era in Sudbury. Yes indeed folks, these are the new era Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.
After David Matsos and the Wolves parted ways on Tuesday, a new head coach was ushered in on Thursday when it was confirmed that former National Hockey League forward — and two-time Stanley Cup champion — Cory Stillman would take over as the new bench boss in Sudbury.
Stillman quickly revealed the style of play that he will be implementing — and it contrasts from the game the Wolves have played in recent years.
“The game plan that I will have is that we will be a fast, puck possession team. We will be well-disciplined and for every one coming on a Friday night here in Sudbury when you leave the game you will be excited,” Stillman told a press conference assembly.
Afterwards, I asked him about what fans can expect from a Wolves team that was the most penalized in the OHL over the course of the 2016-2017 season.
“I’m hoping this is going to be an easy adaptation but there could be a bit of a learning curve. Our goal is to build a Memorial Cup champion, sometimes it takes a little bit of time.
“But I’m hoping that come the first day of tryouts, the first day we step foot on the ice, we know our systems. We will go through systems before we even step on the ice. That first exhibition game, even intra-squad play, they will know the systems. There are going to be mistakes but we will build from there,” Stillman told me.
The Wolves made a return to the playoffs this past season and it built the fan base back up here in Sudbury. Sudbury is a hockey market, there really is no denying that. Fans are loud, they are passionate, and as the season went on, more and more filled the blue seats at the arena.
Stillman was in fact in Sudbury for Game 6 of this spring’s playoffs (his son, Riley, is a defenseman with the Oshawa Generals) and can attest to the following here in Sudbury.
“Dario (Zulich) has done the best job bringing fans back into the rink,” Stillman said of the Wolves owner who took control of the franchise prior to the start of the ’16-17 season. “Even for me being a fan, you want to see a product on the ice that wins hockey games, that is exciting, that is entertaining, and is fast.
“I think for an organization, if we can have fans come to a game, whether it is 4,000 or 5,000 fans walking away saying I enjoyed that, that was entertaining, we are winning and we are getting better, I think by the end of the year it will be a sold out building.”
Meanwhile, holdover Wolves assistant coach Darryl Moxam is excited about working with Stillman. The two have history together as former OHL teammates with the 1992-1993 Peterbourgh Petes.
“For me personally, it’s exciting. It’s great for the city. Dave leaves huge shoes to fill as a representative of the Sudbury Wolves family but if anyone can come close to filling those shoes, Cory is the right guy for the job,” Moxam opined.
One of the things that really stuck out after meeting Stillman is the quality person and true character guy that he is, which is something Moxam can vouch for.
“If you talk about Dario’s philosophy of developing young men of character on and off the ice and you are looking for someone to do his part on the ice, we are well on our way with Cory. If you are looking for someone to also come in and continue the building development on the ice, Cory is the right guy,” Moxam pointed out.
“As far as our players are concerned they should be very excited as here is a guy who has a track record of helping and developing young men and they should be excited because our guy’s goal is to get to the next level,” Moxam added.
PHOTO: New Wolves coach Cory Stillman, in his first media scrum.
Well written Amanda . I am personally very excited to have a 2 time cup winner , 15 year NHL pro and, maybe most importantly, a former director of scouting and player development at the highest level of hockey coaching and developing the Wolves young core . The fact he has no coaching experience is a non factor for me, based on his above credentials. His resume looks like a future coach/GM combo to me. Nothing wrong with that potential!
I appreciated Matsos character, friendliness and player first approach as much as the next fan, but it became very clear early on last year that his style of coaching was not ideal for our group. Lack of discipline from day 1, to no accountability on shift lengths and minimal back checking I feel can all be partially to blame on this laid back style.
Hopefully the transition doesn’t take too long as the Wolves window is now based on how their roster is currently constructed . Regardless , I am very excited about what a fast paced, discipline system will look like with these supremely skilled forwards . One thing we can’t deny from year one of the “new era” and that is the supreme skill level displayed “at times” last season on forward. A fast paced system, disciplined system should help take these guys to that next level and potentially even elite status in the O.
In addition, this system could also help our young D core. Quick puck movement and consistent systematic back checking can cover up a lot of flaws on D that are sometimes inevitable to avoid during the growing stages of a yound D man.
Especially when there is a potential star in net with McGrath.
Excited for training camp already !
Mike R: You make many good points about the Coaching change. No argue ment about Matsos great guy and all but all the PIMs and no accountebility. The Wolves of this Season should a done much better IMO. Glad to see that the Wolves hired some body of such a stature.
GO WOLVES GO
Amanda: Great Article. Luv the Headline!
I am for one excited about this .
I to like Dave Matsos as a person however if he choose to walk away and the Woofers can get a proven man who played 1000+ games in the Show and that has worked with NHL levels as a Development Coach then HURRAH!
I love love love the Coverage of the Wolves on HNN.
Good work Amanda and of course RR!
Interesting photo. Nobody wanted to ask a question during the actual press conference that was being livestreamed yet here’s all the media scrumming around Stillman, stealing each other quotes. Sudbury media are a strange bunch.