Wolves sign top three picks

Press Release

The Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club is pleased to announce that the Club’s first three draft selections from the 2009 OHL Entry Draft including Justin Sefton, Frankie Corrado, and Kristoff Kontos, have all agreed to terms and signed OHL contracts with the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club today.

“We are very pleased to receive their written commitment to play for the Sudbury Wolves” notes Wolves’ President Blaine Smith. “We were able to work through their respective advisors and provide each of the players with four full years of post-secondary education benefits” notes Smith.

“We are confident that all three of these players have what it takes to play in the NHL” notes Wolves’ Head Coach and General Manager Mike Foligno. “The Burgess Family is also providing them with an educational safety net that will cover all of their educational needs as well.”

“Each player brings his own skill set but the one common denominator is the leadership quality that each of these players brings to our team” says Foligno. “All three are focused on becoming the very best player that they can be and doing whatever it takes to help their team win each and every night. As a coach, you can’t ask for anything more. These are the type of character players that we need to help lead the Sudbury Wolves back to the top of the league.”

*1st round selection, JUSTIN SEFTON, selected 5th overall
Last Year’s Team: Notre Dame Hounds
Right Defenceman, 6’2”, 195 lbs, Shoots Right

“The wait has been worth it” notes Wolves’ President Blaine Smith. “Justin is an outstanding hockey player and an outstanding individual. He is mature beyond his years – both physically and mentally. He will be a young leader on our team and will bring his dynamic game to Sudbury. Wolves’ fans are going to enjoy watching Justin play here in the Nickel City.”

“The Wolves organization has a great history and I am very pleased to be a part of it” notes Justin. “I am bringing my commitment and a strong work ethic to the rink every night. I look forward to the challenge of playing in the OHL and becoming a player that the coaching staff in Sudbury can depend on.”

Sudbury Wolves’ Head Coach & General Manager is equally pleased to have Justin join the Wolves. “Justin is the big, strong physical defenceman that we were looking for in the draft” notes Foligno. “He plays an intimidating game and can back it up. Nobody will enjoy playing against Justin when he is out there on the ice.”

“Justin is an offensive defenceman as well” notes Foligno. “He scored 18 goals and added 15 assists for 33 points in 31 games for Notre Dame Hounds in the Saskatchewan AAA Midget league. He is a champion and a leader on the 2009 Canadian National Champion Notre Dame Hounds.”

*2nd round selection, FRANKIE CORRADO, selected 25th overall
Last Year’s Team: Vaughn Kings
Left Defenceman, 5’11, 175 lbs, Shoots Right

“The Sudbury Wolves are a first-class operation and they have treated me extremely well since the day that I was drafted” notes Wolves’ defenceman Frankie Corrado. “I couldn’t be happier playing for the Sudbury Wolves and I can hardly wait to get started.”

*2nd round selection, KRISTOFF KONTOS, selected 38th overall
Last Year’s Team: North Central Predators
Centre, 6’, 185 lbs, Shoots Left


“My father played here in the 80’s and now it’s my turn” notes Kristoff Kontos. “My goal is to lead this team to a championship and play in the NHL some day. I know that the coaching staff here in Sudbury will help me achieve my goals.”

All three players and their families will be making the trek to Lasalle Secondary School later today to meet with the school principal and discuss their educational needs for the upcoming school year.

This evening, all three players will attend Laurentian University’s fitness facilities for a work-out under the guidance of team therapist Dan Buckland.

On Saturday, the players will join ownership and management to discuss billet homes and attend a barbecue at the home of Wolves’ CEO Mark Burgess.

All three players have already begun their summer work-out program and will use the next ten weeks to prepare for the Wolves’ Main Training Camp which begins on August 26th at the Sudbury Arena.

A total of 45 players are expected to be invited and attend the Wolves’ try-out camp with the hope of securing one of the starting 20 positions on the team.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)