The Sudbury Wolves’ complement of import players for 2025-26 is taking shape quickly this off-season, with New York Rangers prospect Artem Gonchar the latest to sign with the local OHL club.
Gonchar, an 18-year-old native of Chelyabinsk, Russia and the Wolves’ first-round selection, 29th overall, in the CHL Import Draft last week, announced his commitment in a team press release on Monday evening.
“I’m excited to sign with Sudbury and can’t wait to start the season with my new team,” said the left-shooting 6-foot-1, 165-pounder, a nephew of longtime former NHL star Sergei Gonchar.
Praised for his puck skill, skating and offensive abilities, the younger Gonchar became the 89th-overall selection in the NHL Entry Draft on June 28.
He had 25 points in 50 games with Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy in Russia’s top junior league this past season.
“Artem is a player that we have been high on from this past season,” said Rob Papineau, the Wolves’ vice-president and general manager. “He is a very intelligent, smooth–skating defenceman who was just selected in the third round in the NHL. He has great vision and offensive instincts and is a skilled playmaker.”
Due to turn 19 this October, Gonchar’s skill could help to fill the void left when Henry Mews, a Calgary Flames draft pick, opted to skip his fourth season in the OHL and commit to the University of Michigan for the coming season.
“We are excited to welcome Artem and his family to Sudbury,” Papineau added.
Gonchar’s commitment followed that of Slovak forward Jan Chovan, a Los Angeles Kings draft choice and Sudbury’s first-round import pick in 2024, one week earlier.
The Wolves can fill one more import spot for 2025-26. They also own the CHL playing rights of Slovak forward Adam Nemec, Czech forward Ondrej Kos and Finnish defenceman Lasse Boelius.
