If you are looking for lightning to strike twice, standing at one of the higher elevation points in the city in close proximity to one of the largest metal structures in the city might not be a bad way to go.

In April of 2018, the management team of the Sudbury Wolves gathered at the Dynamic Earth / Big Nickel site to introduce local media to Quinton Byfield, their # 1 overall pick in the OHL draft that year.

But for the advent of Covid-19, Byfield would deliver on all counts, spring-boarding from his success in Sudbury to become the highest ever NHL drafted Wolves' alumnus, selected second overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2020.

This past Friday, the gang reconvened to welcome Kash Kwajah to the nickel city, the 6'0" forward from Hamilton coming off an outstanding season with the Toronto Jr Canadiens (63 points in 31 games).

And though early signs suggest that Kwajah might have as much upside offensive potential as any other player that was taken in Kingston in June, it is some of the parallels with Byfield that are potentially at least as exciting to GM Rob Papineau and company.

"Kash has those qualities off the ice that you look for - not even as a hockey player, just as a person," said Papineau. "Any line of work would want a person like him in their organization: very humble, very appreciative, very respectful."

"He listens before he speaks," added Papineau. "Everyone you speak to tells you how special a person he is and we're thrilled to have him."

It did not take long at all for anyone in attendance at the McClelland Arena in June (Wolves Orientation Camp) to get a feel for the puck skills of the prospect who led the 2026 OHL Cup in scoring (13 points in 7 games) while helping to lead his team to the championship final.

When asked what part of his game is most ready for OHL competition, the well-spoken 15 year-old stated confidently: "I think my ability to think the game"

"My body is not the biggest; I won't be the biggest guy out there. I need to be able to get to the right position as the play gets there. I would say that my hockey IQ is quite good."

While coach Scott Barney has demonstrated an ability to take below-average teams, on paper, and have them compete night in and night out - as the Wolves did in a hard fought first round series this year with the powerful Brantford Bulldogs - it is becoming more and more clear that the 2026-2027 Wolves are not likely to be viewed as a team capable of just slipping into the playoffs.

"For me, it's about staying on them early in the season, starting from day one in camp, maintaining those good habits," said Barney. "And having good competition in practice. I am a big believer that your practices have to be harder to make your games easier."

For his part, Papineau was not about to elevate fan expectations just yet, anxious to see just how this current collection of talent compares to what else is out there in the new reality of CHL hockey.

"It's a long season - 68 games," said Papineau. "There's time for adjustments, if adjustments are needed. There's time for additions, if additions are needed. There's going to be time for subtractions if subtractions are needed."

But unlike the 2024-2025 season where clear-cut answers at each and every position were not readily available in August, the outlook for this training camp appears far different.

"We're going to have competition at every position," said Papineau. "If anyone writes down our players by position, you are going to run into a surplus everywhere - and that's a good thing."

"In the end, I am sure you will see some veterans not make the team," added coach Barney.