The process may have taken longer than expected but that doesn't mean that Mike Foligno is second-guessing his decision to return to the Sudbury Wolves in the least. The former team captain, who completed his initial four-year contract as coach and GM of the Wolves this past season, inked a multi-year deal with the local OHL club earlier this week.

"There were a lot of reasons to come back", notes Foligno who had been in discussion with a handful of teams regarding pro hockey opportunities over the past 6-8 weeks. "The bottom-line is that I've really enjoyed my time here - it's a great city to coach in."

Foligno will re-visit history as he now begins working with his youngest son (Marcus) as Ottawa Senators' prospect Nick Foligno makes the step up to likely the AHL or NHL level this fall. While the elder Foligno has remained quite upfront regarding his long-term aspirations of acquiring a head coaching position in the NHL, he is steadfast in his belief that a second stint with the Wolves will not jeopardize his dream.

"Having already coached at the AHL level (Foligno spent five years as head coach of the Hershey Bears), I just felt that it was not in my best interest to return to that level at this time", said Foligno. "And unfortunately, there are only a few of those jobs that come up each year."

With the decision made, it's clearly time to move forward and fans of the Wolves should expect little change in the approach that the confident Wolves bench boss will bring to his second go-around the OHL. "I've been successful at every level I've coached. I am the second winningest coach in Hershey history. I know that what I'm doing works and it's really just a matter of sticking with it."

Still, Foligno acknowledges that working with the particular age group that comprises the OHL rank and file has provided a learning experience over the past four years. "One thing I've learned is that you cannot take anything for granted, don't take anything lightly. It's something we want to build on is to make sure that all of our players are very good in all parts of the game."

Getting that message across may be a touch more challenging next year given the departure of long-time OHL assistant coach Bob Jones, who hooked up with childhood friend Bob Boughner in accepting an associate coaching position with the Windsor Spitfires after spending the past three seasons with the Wolves.

"I think that Bobby Jones did a great job and I've got the utmost respect for Bobby" states Foligno, adding that the Windsor opportunity is a good one for Jones and movement within the hockey world is simply a part of the business. As for a replacement, Foligno admits the team may not have to look very far.

"We'll look internally first" suggested Foligno, noting that current assistant coach Bryan Verreault shares aspirations of working his way up the coaching ranks. "I also think we will be looking at bringing in someone else who can handle the technological aspect of the game - working with video footage, breaking down the tapes, manning the headsets - and perhaps take on some advance scouting duties."

Foligno also explained that the Wolves may well take advantage of personnel within the current management structure to better prepare the OHL team for another run at an OHL championship in the not too distant future. "We have a lot of changes this coming year" said Foligno, touching on the refurbishments at Sudbury Arena along with organizational changes.

"We've addressed some needs by touching on the responsabilities and duties of people within our group, some of whom will take on different roles", confirmed Foligno. "I think mistakes that we've made over the past four years, we want to make sure we don't make those mistakes again." One particular area that Foligno wants to see addressed is the follow-up contact needed with drafted Wolves prospects who may not yet have cracked the OHL roster.

All in all, one has to believe that Mike Foligno would be only too happy to mirror some of the success his teams enjoyed in his first four years with the Sudbury Wolves as he begins this journey a second time around.