Sudbury Wolves Name Craig Duncanson Head Coach
July 14, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sudbury Wolves News Release
(Greater Sudbury, ON) - The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce the hiring of Greater Sudbury native Craig Duncanson as the hockey club's Head Coach. Craig will be joined by Associate Coaches, Zack Stortini and Darryl Moxam behind the bench.
"We are excited to bring Craig Duncanson back to the Sudbury Wolves," said Wolves VP and General Manager Rob Papineau. "He is a very smart and experienced hockey man who is an excellent teacher and communicator. He is a player's coach who has high demands of his players both on and off the ice with results, character, and integrity. We are also extremely happy to have Darryl Moxam and Zack Stortini return as our Associate Coaches with Craig."
"I feel both honored and privileged to be granted the opportunity to lead and guide a talented group of young athletes along with a staff wholeheartedly committed to winning an OHL championship and ultimately a Memorial Cup for our Sudbury Wolves," said Duncanson.
Duncanson started his coaching career with the Laurentian Voyageurs shortly after finishing his professional playing career. After a short stint with Laurentian, Craig pursued coaching opportunities with the Sudbury Wolves Minor Midget AAA, Nickel City Sons U16 AAA, NOHA All-Stars, and Team NOHA. Craig then returned to the Voyageurs in 2013, where he would serve as Head Coach for the next seven seasons. He also represented Canada as assistant coach leading his team to a Bronze Medal win over the Czech Republic during the 2017 Winter Universiade Games (University Olympics).
"Craig is a Greater Sudbury native, from Naughton, and as a Wolves alumnus he understands how important the Wolves are to the city of Greater Sudbury and how passionate our fans are for our team," added Papineau. "He is the highest local player ever drafted to the Sudbury Wolves, selected 2nd overall. He is also one of the highest drafted Wolves players into the NHL. Craig played a long professional career and understands both how difficult it is and what it takes to play in the NHL. Craig is a leader and was a captain of every team outside of the NHL that he ever played for. Craig is a professional gentleman of character who has been coaching in Usports, bringing 10 years of experience as a head coach. Craig's knowledge and life experience with the game will benefit our very talented group of players. We are personally very proud and excited to have three Greater Sudbury natives with Craig, Darryl and Zack guiding the Sudbury Wolves when we get back on the ice in September."
Duncanson played 136 regular season games with the Wolves between 1983 and 1986, recording 85 goals and 83 assists for 168 points. As a natural leader, he would become captain of the Wolves for the 1984-85 season. He then played with the Cornwall Royals from 1986 to 1987, tallying 148 points (53G, 95A) in 92 games, finishing his OHL career with 316 points (138G, 178A) and 585 penalty minutes in 228 games played. Craig was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings 9th overall in the first round of the 1985 NHL
Entry Draft. Craig's professional career would carry over for 12 seasons between the NHL, AHL, and IHL. Most of his career was spent with the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and New Haven Nighthawks (AHL) from 1985-90 before playing in the Winnipeg Jets system from 1990-92, and the New York Rangers system from 1992-95. Duncanson then shifted to the IHL for 3 seasons from 1995-97, playing for the Orlando Solar Bears, Fort Wayne Komets, and Cincinnati Cyclones. Following his professional playing career, Craig would shift behind the bench for the Laurentian University Voyageurs hockey program.
"I have been proud to be a member of the Sudbury Wolves alumni for a long time." said Duncanson. "I can't express enough how elated I am to be actively back in the Wolves family. There are Wolves fans all over the world and we will strive to make each and every one of them proud! I am excited to get started with Zack and Darryl in drawing up our plan for success. Our commitment to building an integrity laden winning culture will leave a positive and lasting impression on the young men that have entrusted us to help them pursue their dreams. Our team will be fast paced, skilled and relentlessly competitive."
Fans will have their first chance to see Craig behind the bench when the Wolves open the 2021-22 regular season at home against the Peterborough Petes on Friday, October 8th at 7:05pm. The full regular season OHL schedule has been released.
The Pack is back and ready to run! Season tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today because it's #GameON. For more information CLICK HERE. Details regarding Training Camp and Exhibition games will soon become available.
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