It's still early and the Copper Cliff U11 AA Reds (6-0-0) may still have something to say about this, but as of mid-November, the Soo U11 AA Jr Greyhounds are the standard by which the remainder of their Nickel District Minor Hockey League division will be measured.
Reeling off nine straight wins and outscoring opponents 79-12, the Hounds are sure to pepper goaltenders at the other end of the rink with an inordinate number of shots this year.
Thomas Sirman is just fine with that.
"I like getting a lot of shots and making some big saves," said Sirman, netminder for the Sudbury U11 AA Wolves, his team dropping a 5-1 decision to the Soo recently in Coniston.
Though some pucks would inevitably find their way behind him, the grade five student at Ecole Alliance St-Joseph did manage to keep the score more than respectable with some key stops, including a lovely butterfly sprawl in the middle stanza.
"They had guys in front of our net and my defense were battling with them," recalled Sirman. "Then the guy took a one-timer and I slid across and got it with my pad."
Thanks to his efforts, the contest remained close early on. After Beckham Montgomery opened the scoring for Sault Ste Marie, the Wolves pulled even when Sonny Larochelle converted on a feed from Nolan Webster.
Very gradually, the Jr Greyhounds began to pull away, regaining the lead courtesy of a goal from Jax Palahnuk and making it 3-1 when Landon Morley absolutely ripped a shot, top corner.
Palahnuk potted his second on a tap in thanks to a pretty pass from Parker Alfano, with Blake Gibson pounding home the final tally on a third period scramble as the Wolves (3-4-0) continue to acclimatize to a lineup that has welcomed a small handful of newcomers to the fold.
"We are working a lot on skating, shooting and passing," explained Sirman. "We want to make sure not to be selfish, passing the puck to get to know each other. Just get your head up and make a play."
The Wolves are one of eight teams who will take part in the Silver Stick "AA" Tournament in Sudbury from November 27th to the 30th, joined by the afore-mentioned Soo Jr Greyhounds as well as the Copper Cliff Reds, Nickel City Cubs, Barrie Colts, Ajax-Pickering Raiders, Timmins North Stars and North Bay Trappers.
The 2025-2026 roster for the Sudbury U11 AA Wolves features Madden Albert, Elijah Burns, Elliot Burton, Easton Desjardins, Evan Gilchrist, Sonny Larochelle, Kaden Luttrell, Benoit Poulin, Hudson Reipas, Greyson Reipas, Clayton Robins, Reid Seymour, Felix Seguin, Thomas Sirman, Grayson Vaillancourt, Spencer Walker and Nolan Webster.
