Owen Leonard figured it was rare for a 16-year-old goaltender to play in an OHL season opener, so he was admittedly surprised when the Sudbury Wolves tapped him as their starter agains the North Bay Battalion last Friday. Article content

But Leonard, who received the nod over three 19-year-old puck-stoppers who remain on the team’s roster, didn’t find out just how significant that decision was until after his strong 28-save performance was well in the books. Article content Article content

A native of Toronto and Sudbury’s fourth-round pick in the OHL Priority Selection this past spring, Leonard became the first 16-year-old netminder to start in an opening game since Matt Murray did the honours for the Soo Greyhounds back in 2010.

“It felt good for the coaches to trust me with the h

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