Sudbury Wolves Street Party finds its way inside amid unfavourable weather

Friday was an exciting night for hockey fans in Greater Sudbury as the city’s OHL team in partnership with Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe hosted a pre-game street party ahead of their pre-season game against the Barrie Colts.

Sudbury Wolves OHL players sign autographs for fans during the team's street party meet and greet at the Sudbury Community Arena on September 6, 2024. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontairo)

The festivities were moved inside the Sudbury Community Area due to poor weather conditions.

However, Sudbury Wolves fans were still given the chance to meet with the team before the exhibition game.

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The first 500 attendees got to enjoy some free popcorn and got the opportunity to get some player autographs and speak with coaches.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapoint in partnership with the Sudbury Wolves hosted a street party for the city's OHL team on September 6, 2024. The first 500 attendees received free popcorn. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Wovles players told CTV News that the event was a good opportunity to connect with fans before the regular season begins at the end of the month.

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“I think I just think that they're a huge, huge part of this season and kind of who we are and kind of how we do during the season,” said defencemen Donovan McCoy.

“They're here to back us night in and night out and kind of they're the reason why we get up for games and really the reason why we come out and play and we enjoy it so much.”

No. 19 added that without fans the team would be playing to an empty building.

“I thank everyone who always comes out to the games,” he said.

“And I think kind of things like this, just a meet-and-greet and being able to connect with the fans is awesome for us and them as well.”

Fans CTV News spoke with seemed to agree.

“I've been a season ticket holder for about two to three years, and I live in Sudbury,” said Kaeden Dennie.

“It's really, really a good opportunity for me to come out and I love hockey, so it's just the best of both worlds.”

Sudbury Wolves fans -- including season ticket holder Kaeden Denniee -- took pictures with team players during the 'street party' on September 6. 2024, before their person exhibition game. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Andrew Morin said he enjoyed seeing all the new players and catching up with the old ones.

“I watched players become good, really good friends of mine. They became like best friends, family and some of them even are and I watch them succeed,” said nine-year season ticket holder Destiny Gratton.

“They're now part of the NHL. I'm excited for the new season to start and to, like, get used to the new boys coming in and out and watching them succeed and hopefully, they get part of the NHL as well.

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The Wolves beat the Colts 7-4 after trailing 2-1 to end the first period.

Two Sudbury Wolves players during a rough first period in a pre-season exhibition game against the Barrie Colts at the Sudbury Community Area on September 6, 2024. (Sudbury Wolves/X)

The Wolves will be heading on the road for their next exhibition game against the Peterborough Petes on Sunday and their regular season action kicks off at home on Sept. 27 with a rematch against Barrie.

Sudbury Wolves defencemen Donovan McCoy walking into the Sudbury Community Area in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on September 6, 2024, ahead of the team's OHL pre-season game against the Barrie Colts. (Sudbury Wolves/X)

“I think kind of we've got a good squad here and we can kind of do some good things again this year and hopefully that's the outcome,” said Dennie.