While the Sudbury Wolves will dress a notably different roster to start the 2025-2026 OHL season as the one which was swept recently by the Kingston Frontenacs in first round playoff action, there is a core group of returning talent that will be (in all likelihood) counted upon heavily to lead what should be a younger team next year.

A handful of those players were front and centre when the announcement of the year-end awards for 2024-2025 were unveiled this week.

With a new NHL entry level contract in hand, Kieron Walton will head to the Winnipeg Jets training camp in the fall after capturing the Samuel Rothschild MVP honours, as well as the statistically-based Bill Plaunt Top Scorer trophy (92 points in 66 games) and Most Goals (38).

Heart and soul forward Nathan Villeneuve received the Jim Pappin Memorial Award (high level of daily compete and intensity) while Alex Pharand was recognized as the Joe Drago Players' Player recipient and the Community Service Award.

Captain Donovan McCoy was presented with the Leadership Award, Nick DeAngelis was named Top Defenceman (and Plus/Minus leader) with rookie Ethan Dean rewarded for his academic efforts with the Scholastic Award.

Rounding out the hardware line were Nate Krawchuk (Gord Ewin Most Improved Player), Rowan Henderson (Best Defensive Player) and Henry Mews (Pete Shields Most Assists).