A relationship that has spanned almost 20 years will see three more years at least, thanks to the ongoing partnership between SWSE (Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment) and their presenting sponsor, Desjardins.
At an Oct. 16 press conference at the Sudbury Community Arena, Sudbury Wolves owner Dario Zulich announced the continuation of the partnership, noting that the relationship even precedes his ownership of SWSE, the umbrella company for his four sports teams: The Sudbury Wolves, Sudbury Spartans, the Sudbury Five, and the Sudbury Cyclones.
Zulich told attendees that the partnership has been one that got the team “through thick and thin,” especially with the challenges that came with the pandemic.
“Desjardin has stuck with us the whole time,” he said. “I really value our partnership,” noting it highlights a commitment “not just to our team, but to the growth and wellbeing of our community.”
Stéphan Plante, Desjardin’s vice president of member experience and retail banking, said the partnership between the two is “stronger and better than it's ever been, and that's thanks to the great, great, great people working for the organization,” he said. “We're more than just a financial partner, we're fans, we're neighbours, and we're part of this community.”
For Plante, the sponsorship of SWSE is not just about the game, “but really about belonging, pride and the sense of tradition,” and that the renewal of the partnership “is a reflection of our deep, deep commitment to staying close and committed to this beautiful community.”
Julia Williams, promotion director of SWSE, hosted the conference and also introduced “the leadership group” of Wolves players.
She described them as “a lineup of professional gentlemen of character who were chosen to lead the path both on and off the ice, displaying characteristics and qualities that define both leadership and discipline.”
Coach Scott Barney described the players as “four great young men that are going to build our culture and franchise for years to come,” before introducing assistant captains Rowan Henderson, Kieron Walton and Alex Pharand, as well as team captain Nathan Villeneuve.
“They’ll be in the community on a weekly basis, important for our franchise and a big part of the season now and going forward into the future,” he said.
But while the team is looking to the future, they are also enjoying a bit of a throwback this year.
The players, Williams and Howler himself were sporting green jerseys at the press conference, with a special one given to Plante.
“Embracing our history, the Wolves will be wearing their retro green jerseys for 10 games this season, including our first ever retro Wednesday night,” which is coming up on Oct. 29.
The green jersey has a storied past with the Wolves, and actually traces back more than 100 years, with the tradition of green jerseys traced all the way back to 1915 in Sudbury. You can read more about it here.
The team will be wearing the jerseys for a total of 10 games, the full list of which can be found here.
For more information about the teams under SWSE, click here.
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter at Sudbury.com.