Marshall McCharles has experienced some special moments playing hockey in Sudbury.
The North Bay product scored the series-winning goal for the Sudbury Cubs as they beat the Powassan Voodoos in the NOJHL final capturing the Copeland Cup at Countryside Arena last April.
McCharles will have another special moment at the Sudbury Community Arena tonight in Sudbury as he will play his first OHL game with the Sudbury Wolves as they face the Owen Sound Attack.
"Getting the call up to play for the Sudbury Wolves has been something I’ve been looking forward to," said McCharles before Wolves practice Friday morning. "The guys have been very welcoming."
The 2006 birth year forward is currently playing with the King City Rebellion of the Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League as he accepted a trade to the southern Ontario league in the off-season from the Cubs.
See related: McCharles shines for Cubs at Centennial Cup
See related: OHL Prospect Profile: McCharles improving and impressing
Through 51 games, McCharles has registered 22 goals and 21 assists for 43 points.
McCharles was a 10th-round selection of the Cubs in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection after converting from defence to forward that season with the North Bay U16 AAA Trappers.
McCharles did not attend Wolves training camp in the fall.
The St. Joseph-Scollard Hall graduate hoped to pursue opportunities in the NCAA and figured that door had closed to play OHL hockey. That changed in November after the huge shift in the hockey landscape where the NCAA allowed major junior hockey players to play.
It is also a special game for McCharles as he plays against Scott Wray's Owen Sound Attack. Wray, the former Battalion assistant coach, took on the role of head coach with Owen Sound in the off-season. For years, McCharles has done on-ice training with Wray in the off-season and he is a former teammate of his son Masen Wray, who is injured.
"It’s icing on the cake to play my first OHL game against a team whose coach I’ve known since I was just a kid," said McCharles about playing against coach Wray.
McCharles will be the fourth North Bay area player to dress for an OHL game this season joining Masen Wray (Owen Sound), Briir Long (North Bay), and Andre Mondoux (Kingston).