Wolves Sign 3 Highly Touted Picks

Press Release

The Sudbury Wolves are delighted to announce the signing of three highly-touted student-athletes. The Wolves’ 1st round selection, defenceman, KYLE CAPOBIANCO, along with the Wolves’ 2nd round draft selection, goaltender TROY TIMPANO as well as defenceman STEFAN LEBLANC, the Wolves’ 7th round selection from the 2012 OHL Priority Draft.

CAPOBIANCO is a skilled defenceman from Mississauga and was the second highest defenceman taken in the draft.  The 6’, 155lb offensively-gifted blueliner played for the OHL CUP Champion Oakville Rangers minor midgets last season, where he notched seven goals and assisted on 24 more in 40 games, while collecting 38 penalty minutes.

“I'm really looking forward to the high competition level and the ability to play against top end players. The OHL is the top junior development league in the world and I am excited to be part of the experience,” says Kyle. “It’s a huge honour to be a part of such a great organization that is highly respected around the league. It’s the first step in taking a hockey career to the next level,” he added.

Wolves’ GM Blaine Smith adds, “Kyle is an outstanding defenceman.  He is very skilled, an excellent play-maker, he has a very accurate shot and he is one of the best skaters in the draft. Kyle is a leader in every respect.   He is mature beyond his years and has a wonderful family to support him in his hockey and schooling aspirations.”

TIMPANO is a highly regarded goaltender from Pickering, ON.  The 6’, 175lb net minder posted a stellar 1.85 goals-against average and .930 save percentage with the Toronto Titans last season. TIMPANO was the first goalie selected in the 2013 draft.

“The Wolves showed that they believed in me and how I can play when they drafted me as the first goalie overall, and now that I’ve officially joined this great organization, I want to do everything I can to be a big part of the team and the city. I can’t wait to compete for a spot on the team,” stated Troy. “I’m just thrilled and excited, and it’s really a dream come true to get this opportunity. I didn’t know much about the Sudbury Wolves before the draft but now I feel really lucky that this is where I could get my start in the OHL.”

Wolves’ GM Blaine Smith was thrilled to select Troy as the first goaltender  in the draft. “Our entire scouting staff led by Head Scout Andrew Shaw identified Troy as the top goaltender in the draft so we were thrilled to have selected him in the 2nd round of the OHL draft.   It has been a while since the Sudbury Wolves have stepped-up and selected the first goaltender in the draft and we are very confident that Troy will develop into a top goaltender  for the Sudbury Wolves.”  Smith adds that Timpano was recently selected to participate in a OHL Goaltender’s Symposium and he made an outstanding impression with the OHL management in attendance.

STEFAN LEBLANC spent last season with the Oakville Blades Jr. A team where he scored four goals and added 29 assists in 49 games. The 5’11” defenceman developed excellent skills as an offensive quarterback as 19 of his points came with the man advantage.

“It is a tremendous honour to sign a contract with the Sudbury Wolves. Sudbury is a great hockey town and the history the organization has here in Sudbury is truly outstanding,” noted LeBlanc. “I'm looking forward to having a chance to play for a great organization in Sudbury, but simply playing here will not satisfy me.    I want to make a contribution to the team and do my best to help the team win every night. I also look forward to developing my game to the next level.”

Wolves’ GM Blaine Smith adds, “Stefan had an outstanding season in Oakville last season and developed into one of the best offensive defencemen in the Ontario Provincial Junior League as a 16-year-old.  Stefan is an outstanding skater, competes very hard and plays in all situations. He is very focused on his hockey career and his education and will be a terrific addition to the Sudbury Wolves line-up.”

Kyle, Troy and Stefan will look to make their first step of acquiring a roster spot with the Sudbury Wolves when the Wolves open Training Camp in August.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)