When it comes to formulating specific plays for the power play and such, the young teenagers who form the Sudbury U15 AAA Wolves team are far more involved in the process than most players their age.

Yes, they have definitely earned that right.

Though there are a few lineup changes in the mix, this is the bulk of the OHF U13 AAA Championship silver medal winning Nickel City Sons team from 2022-2023 that are back again this winter, a squad that has enjoyed far more success than most local "AAA" entries when facing the top ten teams in the province over the years.

Plus, Gerry Dupuis has seen the strategy work.

"We allow the players to have a of input, even though they are young," said the man who returns for his second year as head coach and has assisted with this specific collection of talent for some time now.

"I was lucky enough to have a coach (Marc St Georges - West Nipissing) do that for me when I was in bantam. Players are on the ice and can see what is going on too. We're open to hearing from them."

Sounds like this was just one of many factors behind another successful showing at the Toronto Red Wings Early Bird Tournament last month, the U15 AAA Wolves posting a 4-0 record in pool play (one of 10 teams to win four straight in a field of 42) before edging the Chicago Reapers 4-3 in the consolation semi-final and dropping a 4-0 decision to the Mississauga Senators in the final.

"He (coach Dupuis) gives us a lot of flexibility to do what we want and figure stuff out on our own," noted defenceman Owen Angus, who netted a couple of big goals in his role as "bumper" on the power play unit.

"We will try different plays, mess around in practice," Angus added. "We try and get something to work, try and figure out something."

It's clear in chatting with the athletes that have they grasped a great many key concepts over their years in the "AAA" ranks - to the point where the conversation sounds an awful lot like a chat one might have with any member of their coaching staff.

"Our defensive game has stayed relatively the same, but we're more free now," noted forward Nick Christakos, primarily a left winger but versatile enough to slot in at any position up front and more than hold his own.

"We know what we have to do, we know where we have to be, we know who we have to cover," he said. "It's less confusing, more muscle memory now."

Motivated by another crack at the OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation) playdowns next April, the talented crew continue to raise the bar.

"The transition game at this stage is big for everybody," said Dupuis. "If you can excel at that, come through the neutral zone with speed, that's how you win hockey games."

"We're going to work hard on that all year."

A 14 year-old whose time with a handful of teammates predates even their move to the "AAA" ranks, Christakos enjoys being immersed in the play at both ends of the rink. "I like to play hard on the forecheck, hard on the backcheck - and play a smart game too," he said.

"I think we still have to be better in our "D" zone, play a little bit more structured to be able to move the puck fast."

One of the many fans of country music on this team (as we chat with the likes of Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs blaring in the background), Owen Angus was quick to deflect the praise for his goal scoring touch in Toronto - though he clearly is comfortable being right in the thick of the play.

"My teammates gave me some great passes to bury a couple of nice goals," he said, drawing praise from his coach for his play in the Early Bird Tournament. "I like getting into the dirty areas; I'm not afraid to get into scrums."

Still, Angus along with the others recognize the direction that hockey is taking now 25 years into the new millenium.

"All of our practices are super fast, with lots of puck movement," he said. "It really gets us prepared in that aspect of the game."

Truth is that part of the challenge for Dupuis, given the skill this team possesses, lies in keeping things fresh while continuously striving for more.

"Individually, we want to improve every player on this team," he said. "That's our main goal. I'm not a big fan of scrimmages; I don't bag skate them (though the goalie coach sometimes might)."

"I do have a lot of hidden skating drills - and I always try and finish practice with something fun."

As for the Early Bird Tournament, the SMHA reps recorded preliminary round victories over the Southern Tier Admirals (7-2), Halton Hurricanes (5-2), Burlington Eagles (4-1) and Ottawa Valley Titans (6-4).

The group that missed out on the top eight bracket at the event by a single goal against kicks off NOHL (Northern Ontario "AAA" Hockey League) regular season play on Thanksgiving weekend, hosting the Timmins Majors for a three game set.

A new interlocking schedule with the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association), the U15 AAA Wolves will hit the road on October 26th & 27th for matchups with the Guelph Gryphons, Burlington Eagles and Credit River Capitals.

Rounding out the 2024-2025 roster are Warner Bain, Ty Belanger, Jaxsin Chatwell, Dacey Dupuis, Ethan Farquarson, Bradley Huffman, Ty Imbeau, Malik Jakubo, Merik Maillet, Jackson Mead, Tucker Newton, Cooper Niquet, Alex Proulx, Nicholas Rocca, Tayden Smith and Ryan Thompson.