The Sudbury Wolves have named their new coach and it’s a name that should be familiar to National Hockey League fans.

Former long-time NHLer Cory Stillman was formally announced as Wolves head coach at a press conference on Thursday morning.

The next phase in the new era of the Wolves is now in motion

“We will build off what was happening last year. The game plan that I will have is that we will be a fast, puck possession team,” said Stillman.

Stillman had a professional hockey career. He played for six different teams and won the Stanley Cup twice.

He has over a thousand games on his NHL resume, and several years in player development with Florida and Carolina.

Stillman’s experience is something the Wolves feel is a huge asset.

"The day he announced his retirement from playing the game is the same announcement Dale Tallon made to bring him back to Florida to put him into player development,” said Rob Papineau, Sudbury Wolves general manager.

“You just don't do that with anybody you do that to people that are able to teach.”

"I enjoyed the NHL but my passion is to teach kids. When I retired, I moved right back into a player development role with junior and college kids and seeing them improve I wanted to get back into an everyday hands on role,” Stillman explained.

The 43-year- has ties with Papineau, who scouted for the Carolina Hurricanes.

He also has history with Wolves assistant coach, Darryl Moxam; they were former teammates with the Peterborough Petes.

"Cory was a 19-year-old and I was a 16- year-old and his professionalism never showed any more than it did back then,” said Moxam.

“He'd take me aside and we'd work on things after practice. He is a true professional"

Stillman will soon meet with the Wolves players, but he has already seen then in action.

In fact, he was here for game six of last season's playoff series, when Oshawa eliminated the wolves.  His son Riley plays for the generals.