Hockey coach Jason Young is certainly not easing his way back into the local "AAA" ranks.

The former Sudbury Wolves' forward who has coached at pretty much every level imaginable in the Nickel City over the years is back in the swing of things for the 2025-2026 season, taking on the challenge that is the Sudbury U16 AAA Wolves.

The team is once again part of the Great North U18 AAA League this winter, kicking off regular season play with a weekend visit to face the Kapuskasing Flyers on September 20th and 21st.

Less than seven days later, the SMHA reps will travel to the GTA, site of the Toronto Titans 12th Annual U18 AAA Prospects Tournament.

The Sudbury U16 AAA lineup features a number of new faces this year, with Warner Bain, Brayden Baronette, Chase Baronette, Ty Belanger, Jaxsin Chatwell, Nick Christakos, Bradley Huffman, Malik Jakubo, Noah Jyhla, Merik Maillet, Jackson Mead, Bryston Nixon, Logan O'Shaughnessy, Alex Proulx, Nicco Rocca, Felix Sapay, Tayden Smith, Lennox Therrien and Sam Whitney all signed and ready to go.

Joining Jason Young on the team staff are assistant coaches Joel Whissell and Jordan Kuruliak and trainer Dan Mead.

On those rare quiet stretches or two during the season, Young will undoubtedly still take in more hockey, perhaps heading south to check out some GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League) action as his son (Ryker - 12th round in 2024 - Kitchener Rangers) makes the move to coach Todd Bertuzzi and the Cambridge Redhawks after amassing 19 points in 31 games with the Guelph U18 AAA Jr Gryphons last year.