When the final pre-season cuts are made and the Sudbury Wolves open their regular season on Sept. 19 at home against the North Bay Battalion, second-year defenceman Luca Blonda will still be one of the youngest players on the roster.

The Sault Ste. Marie native, chosen 12th overall in 2024, won’t turn 17 until November. But the graduation of older blueliners like Donovan McCoy and Nick DeAngelis means Blonda is suddenly a veteran, if you can label a 16-year-old that way.

Despite his age and the fact he still has plenty of time to develop his own game at this level, the 5-foot-11, 179-pounder realizes he’s someone who can impart a little wisdom and take on more of a leadership role given his experience in the league.

“We have a young D corps and I think from learning what my veteran guys

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