The ice might not have been littered with headwear but make no mistake: Brandon Grace accomplished a very special hat trick this week.
A member of the Sudbury Wolves' organization since 2010 and the team's current Equipment Manager, Grace has been selected to be part of a Hockey Canada Team Canada staff for the third time in his career, heading to Oakville this coming November as part of the Canada Red contingent participating in the 2026 U17 World Challenge.
In previous years, Grace had served in similar capacities in both 2019 (Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the Czech Republic) and 2024 (Hlinka Gretzky Cup) in Calgary.
Over the course of more than 16 seasons, Grace has worked more than one thousand games, demonstrating an unwavering commitment, professionalism and passion for the Wolves' organization.
The team noted, quite aptly, that "Brandon's dedication and attention to detail have made him an invaluable part of the Sudbury Wolves organization".
**********************************************************On a more sombre and personal note, I wanted to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Brandon, his mother Judie, sister Hannah and the entire Grace family at the unexpected and far-too-young passing of Kevin Grace (father and spouse) earlier this week.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Kevin and his family for nearly fifty years, dating back to umpiring minor baseball games with the Grace clan at O'Connor Park back in the seventies and early eighties.
Not only did Kevin have that rare ability to lighten a room simply with a smile, but his thoughtful, wonderfully-grounded approach to sport as both a participant and later a parent made him an absolute treat to share local sport (and the occasional Wolves) discussions with.
He was the consummate gentleman, a genuinely nice guy and the world is a lesser place without him.
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