Owen Paquette is quickly becoming one of Sudbury's own - but if he keeps this up, we may soon have to share the talented 17 year-old pugilist with the rest of the country.

A native of Brantford (Ontario), Paquette was one of ten boxers recently named to the Youth National Team 2022-2023 by Boxing Canada, just the latest accolade for the now St Charles College student who began working out with local Hall of Fame coach Gord Apolloni a few years back, moving to the area this past year.

Owen is the son of Darryl Paquette, a Sudbury born and raised netminder who spent a small portion of his OHL career with the Wolves, suiting up for the majority with the Cornwall Royals, and eventually playing professional hockey with the Portland Pirates, Hampton Roads Admirals and Brantford Smoke after graduating from the University of Cape Breton.

As for Owen, who boxes out of the 63.5kg weight class, the latest honour comes on the heels of attending a national talent ID camp in Montreal back in the fall. "This brings me one step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a world champion and being an Olympian," said Paquette.

"I'm super excited and honoured to represent Canada on international stages."

Preparing to compete at the YYC Cup in Calgary from May 13th to the 15th as a lead in to the Bornemissza Youth & Junior Memorial Tournament in Eger (Hungary) the following month, Paquette is thrilled simply to be stepping back into the ring in a combative nature.

"It's been difficult trying to find fights, people in my weight class," he said. "It's mostly been exhibitions. I've been focused on sparring and getting the most out of it that I can."

Now able to leverage both the knowledge and instruction that he receives from Apolloni with the resources of Boxing Canada, Paquette sees a road to advancement via this new opportunity.

"It's all about getting down to the little technical aspects that may not seem like much, but they will really benefit me when I get back in the ring," he said. "Being able to adjust to any situation in the ring, with all of the different styles that the world of boxing has to offer, is important."

"You've got to branch out and know how to beat other styles."

It is that constant thirst for knowledge that Apolloni most appreciates with his latest prodigy.

"He is still young in his development, but he is far more advanced in his knowledge than most," said Apolloni, a man who has likely attended more out of country events than almost any other boxing personality in the country.

"He is very boxing smart. He understands the difference between Canadian boxing and boxing worldwide. He thinks outside of the box - no pun intended."

In fact, Paquette is nothing if not the consumate thinking man in the ring.

"Owen is very inquisitive," stated Apolloni. "He takes the time to establish a strategy to beat these guys. He adjusts to situations really well. He understands that boxers in Canada will not get him to where he needs to be, given that his ultimate goal of reaching the Olympic Games in Paris (2024)."

And while there have always been ties to northern Ontario, Paquette couldn't be happier with his decision to leave the comfort of home.

"It's been two tough years," he noted. "Moving away from home, changing schools, it was all tough - but it's really paid off in the end. I made the right move by training even harder."

Other boxers named to the Youth National Team include Miguel Estrada, Victor Tremblay, Zion Ash, Retias Wheaton, Jacob Blais, Brayden LeBlanc, Wilkens Mathieu as well as female counterparts Sierra Eshouzadeh and Marie Al-Ahmadieh.