There’s reason for optimism in the Renfrew Wolves dressing room heading into 2024.
After winning just one game in their first eight attempts at the start of the CCHL season, Head Coach Ryan Leonard says the young team is adjusting to life at the Junior A level.
He says they’ve played some of their best hockey in the past six weeks and now find themselves in the hunt for the playoffs.
That patience has begun to pay off for Leonard and his Wolves, as they wrapped up 2023 by winning seven of their last ten games and likely changed their outlook to become buyers heading into the trade deadline.
Leonard credits the team for buying into the system and finding scoring depth up and down the lineup as the season progressed, something that was sorely missed in the early going.
That recent scoring bump will likely be bolstered by fan-favourite Noah Vom Scheidt making his return to the Wolves Den for the remainder of the season following a strong first half with the NAHL’s Rochester Jr. Americans.
Leonard also praises goaltender Viacheslav Gordiechuk for settling in after a rough start, becoming part of a dependable tandem between the pipes with teammate Nolan Lane.
Looking ahead, he expects to continue their push up the standings, noting that a pair of wins to start the second half could send the Wolves from 8th to 3rd in the league’s standings.
The Wolves also plan to be at least a little active on the trade market in the second half, with a veteran defenseman to shore up difficult minutes against opponents’ top-line forwards at the top of the club’s wish list.
Their next game is in Brockville on Friday, January 5th, and you can hear all the action live on 96.1 myFM starting with the pre-game show at around 7:20 p.m.
(written by Kasey Egan)
