
It has long been said that the true value of minor sports lies in the life lessons that are taught also the way.
Clearly, the members of the Sudbury U18 AAA Wolves have been paying attention.
When teammate Josh Cholette and his family lost most of their home and personal belongings in a fire two days before Christmas, it was those teens who occupy the stalls next to the talented young defenseman who quickly sprung into action.
"It was all very quick," noted veteran Rowan Smith and a defense partner with Cholette for much of the time the two have played hockey. "As soon as we found out, we started a group chat."
"We were making a plan to try and get him back on the ice as quick as we can."
With all of Cholette's equipment lost in the fire, their first instinct seemed fairly natural.
"We were originally going to go to Skaters Edge and each buy him one piece of equipment," noted Smith. "But then we got the Go Fund Me going. We figured he would be better off if we just let him go and pick up his own equipment."
By that evening, the team had received the blessings of Cholette and his family. "We told him (about the plans) kind of the night of the 23rd, just to make sure he was alright with it and everything, making sure the pictures and the text were alright," Smith added.
"We let him know what the boys were planning and he was on board with it."
By December 28th, Cholette was back in attendance at team practices, helping the Wolves chalk up a pair of victories in Timmins shortly thereafter as the team kicked off the second half of their 2024-2025 Great North U18 AAA League schedule.
For as much as hockey is everything to so many of these young men, the truth is that it really isn't.
"I think this shows that we are more than just hockey teammates; it shows that we're family," said Smith. "It's nice to see that we have that kind of support."
Anyone wishing to assist the family in their efforts to recover from the blaze can provide support via:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-josh-cholette-and-his-family-help-him-get-back-on