Retentions of Windsor Arena


By
November 6, 2023

Sault Ste. Marie is home. Windsor is my acquired home, initially through Croatian family on my mother’s side. As a journalist who has been writing about hockey for a living since 1975, my main passion is now with the various minor and junior teams of northern Ontario. But the Windsor Spitfiires of the Ontario Hockey League and its Windsor Arena home of 1975 to 2008 remain high on my chosen and close to one’s heart list of all time fondness and partiality.

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Sault Ste. Marie Spitfires


By
November 2, 2023

Recently acquired defenseman Connor Toms has become the latest in a long line of players from Sault Ste. Marie who have suited up for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League over the years. Indeed, the number of Sault boys who have become Spitfires is rather notable.

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Spitfires are high on Toms


By
October 31, 2023

WINDSOR — Connor Toms has a good opportunity to go from being a fringe defenseman with the Soo Greyhounds to a stabilizing presence with the Windsor Spitfires. The 19-year old Sault Ste. Marie product is now a seasoned member of a rookie laden Spitfires blue line brigade after being obtained from the Greyhounds for a 12th round pick at the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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Red Wings radio legend


By
October 20, 2023

Paul Woods was certainly no slouch as a hockey player. He captained the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League and once scored 119 points in a season. And before Steve Yzerman came along, Woods was the youngest captain in the National Hockey League history of the storied Detroit Red Wings. But it is as a Red Wings radio broadcaster that Woods has become an unlikely legend.

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Prime prospect Chitaroni


By
October 3, 2023

He has moved up from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League to the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And he is doing so as a coveted prospect of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.

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Soo boys make their points


By
September 30, 2023

First pucks have dropped on the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League regular season. And several skaters with a link to Sault Ste. Marie picked up points in their respective team’s season opening games.

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Captain of the Firebirds


By
September 27, 2023

Northern Ontario product Zacharie Giroux will wear the ‘C’ on his jersey this season as the new captain of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.

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Spirit extends GM and coach


By
September 26, 2023

Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League has extended the contracts of general manager Dave Drinkill and head coach Chris Lazary through the 2026-2027 season.

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Notes from the OHL West


By
September 23, 2023

It was just a short time ago that the Soo Greyhounds were not only finishing atop the five team West Division of the Ontario Hockey League with regularity but were annual contenders among the 10 members of the Western Conference.

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Favourite Windsor Spitfires


By
September 22, 2023

As previously noted, my adopted home town has always been Windsor. I have first cousins who were born there. My uncle owned a bar there for decades. I have a son who is a criminal lawyer in Windsor. And next to the thousand or so Ontario Hockey League games that I have watched in Sault Ste. Marie over the years, I have probably taken in a couple of hundred more in Windsor.

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Fellinger signs with Flint


By
September 6, 2023

Talk about a quick, improbable ascent to the Ontario Hockey League. That is, 2007 birth year defenseman Rylan Fellinger has signed with the Flint Firebirds after being a distant 13th round pick at the 2023 OHL priority selections draft from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.

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Vikings at Hounds camp


By
August 31, 2023

There are a good number of players who are signed to play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for this season who are attending Ontario Hockey League training camps either as draft picks or as free agent invitees.

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Hudson Martin to the Cubs


By
August 28, 2023

Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a second player with a 2007 birth date who was picked by the Sudbury Wolves at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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Ertel family hockey tree


By
August 16, 2023

The name Ertel is a familiar one within the history books of the Ontario Hockey League. Long after his playing days, Bob Ertel coached and managed the Kitchener Rangers before being the general manager of the old North Bay Centennials. His son, Tyler Ertel, who was recently hired as the new assistant coach of the Soo Greyhounds, had a lengthy playing career as a high scoring OHL forward.

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Paper Kings have a Booth


By
August 8, 2023

Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League have renewed their affiliation agreement for a second season. And one player who is slated to develop with the Paper Kings this season is 2007 birth year forward Grant Booth.

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Sudbury Cubs get Chitaroni


By
August 7, 2023

He was the first of 11 players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League to be picked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. Subsequently, 2007 birth year forward Hudson Chitaroni is slated to develop with the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this season.

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My good, old buddy Max


By
July 31, 2023

As you might imagine, I have met a number of memorable, noteworthy people through hockey in a media career that officially began in 1975 when I first received a pay cheque for being a sports caster and sports writer. Relative to the Ontario Hockey League alone, I have met and had an association with countless colourful individuals. And one of the most engaging and personable people I have ever met is Wayne Maxner.

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New coach in Kam River


By
July 28, 2023

He is well seasoned as a former player. He has earned his stripes as an assistant coach. And as a bonus, Jesse Messier is a well educated, Canadian university graduate.

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Dawson to Powassan


By
July 17, 2023

A championship skater from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who is also an Ontario Hockey League draft pick will suit up for the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this coming season.

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Flint inks another draft pick


By
July 10, 2023

Flint Firebirds have signed a fourth prospect from the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. Right hand shot defenseman Jack D’Arcy has committed to the Firebirds. D’Arcy was Flint’s sixth round pick at the ’23 draft.

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NOJHL to NHL draft picks


By
June 29, 2023

Teammates with the Soo Thunderbirds during the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season, Andrew Gibson and Cooper Foster have since become National Hockey League draft picks.

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Fueled up in Flint


By
June 26, 2023

Flint Firebirds have been a model of steadiness and stability over the past two Ontario Hockey League seasons. Flint has registered respective regular season records of 42-21-5 and 35-28-5 and won two of its four playoff series over the past two OHL campaigns. The Firebirds have playoff series wins over the Owen Sound Attack and Soo Greyhounds. And the two playoff sets that Flint has lost have both been seventh and deciding game setbacks to higher seeded teams, namely the Windsor Spitfires in 2022 and the Saginaw Spirit in 2023.

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Kam River signs OHL draft pick


By
June 16, 2023

Homegrown goalie Travis VanderZwaag has signed with the reigning champion Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.

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Local lads are for the Birds


By
June 5, 2023

Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a pair of Ontario Hockey League draft picks who played for the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in 2022-2023.

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Gagnon has defied the odds


By
June 2, 2023

Naysayers be damned. Sean Gagnon has confronted, withstood and overcome the odds that were stacked against him more than once.

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Memorial Cup & French River


By
May 25, 2023

This looks good — really good — on both the French River Rapids and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. As in, this is the second successive season that a former French River player is with a major junior team that is competing in the Memorial Cup tournament.

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Soo boys catch the Spirit


By
May 7, 2023

Defenseman Candon O’Neill and forward Callum McAuley from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were among the 20 prospects who attended the recent development camp of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.

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Sault boys in key NHL roles


By
May 2, 2023

Six Sault Ste. Marie products hold prominent positions on five of the eight National Hockey League teams that are still active in this year’s National Hockey League playoffs.

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Hamilton to Brantford for good?


By
April 27, 2023

It is being termed as a temporary three-year relocation for the Hamilton Bulldogs when they move 25 or so miles along Highway 403 to Brantford effective the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season. But could the Bulldogs remain in Brantford for good?

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Jr. Hounds picked in U18 draft


By
April 26, 2023

A pair of 2006 birth year players from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were picked at today’s Ontario Hockey League supplemental draft for players who were bypassed a year ago.

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Maguire and Marson


By
April 26, 2023

Only one 2007 birth year goalie from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League was picked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft as Nathan Maguire went from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds to the Flint Firebirds in the seventh round. And while he was not drafted, it says here that goalie Nick Marson of the Sudbury U16 Nickel Capitals also deserved to be selected.

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Great North to the OHL


By
April 22, 2023

A pool of players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were plucked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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Ellis to Kingston


By
April 22, 2023

Defenseman Cole Ellis of the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Fellinger to Flint


By
April 22, 2023

Defenseman Rylan Fellinger of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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O’Neill to Saginaw


By
April 22, 2023

Smart, steady defenseman Candon O’Neill of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Campbell to Erie


By
April 22, 2023

Pint sized forward Max Campbell of the Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Jones McDonald to Oshawa


By
April 22, 2023

Forward Deven Jones McDonald of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Cooke to Flint


By
April 22, 2023

High scoring forward Brendan Cooke of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Gallivan to North Bay


By
April 22, 2023

Defenseman Declan Gallivan of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Dubowsky to Barrie


By
April 22, 2023

Hard working winger Cole Dubowsky of the Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Maguire to Flint


By
April 22, 2023

Goalie Nathan Maguire of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Valade to Mississauga


By
April 22, 2023

Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals defenseman Alexandre Valade has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

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Chitaroni to Wolves


By
April 21, 2023

Like father, like son. Forward Hudson Chitaroni of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has been picked by the Sudbury Wolves in the third round of the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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Our best of the North


By
April 17, 2023

This is our final list. There are 15 players with 2007 birth dates from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who Hockey News North feels have the best chance to be selected at this weekend’s 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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OHL thoughts and dots


By
April 17, 2023

A plethora of points to ponder relative to personnel and performance in the Ontario Hockey League:

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EL Wings & Barrie Colts


By
April 7, 2023

Elliot Lake Red Wings recently completed their second season as members of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And as an aim of the franchise is to try to develop and advance players for the Major Junior, American Collegiate Hockey Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks, Elliot Lake owner Paul Noad has established a new non-exclusive arrangement to collaborate with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

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The book on Nick Marson


By
April 1, 2023

He looms as a long shot to be picked at this month’s Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. But in doing due diligence on Nick Marson, it shows that the 15-year old goalie had more than a high-end season for the lowly Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.

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Memorial Cup Spirit


By
March 30, 2023

As a Sault Ste. Marie resident, I was hoping that the Soo would be chosen as host city for the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament over fellow Ontario Hockey League bids from Kingston and Saginaw. But I can see clearly as to why Saginaw was chosen over both the Soo and Kingston.

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Rock star is a Flint mint


By
March 12, 2023

Standout goalie Jacob Brown is developing in a big way with the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as a signed plum prospect of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.

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Top 15 from Great North


By
March 7, 2023

We have 15 players with 2007 birth dates from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who Hockey News North feels have the best chance to be selected at next month’s 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

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Muzzin at the crossroads


By
February 23, 2023

The long and winding — not to mention improbable — hockey career of former Soo Greyhounds first rounder Jake Muzzin is at a standstill. 

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Hounds v. Alexanders X 3


By
February 12, 2023

(EDITOR’S NOTE: With the Ontario Hockey League poised to return to Brantford for the 2023-2024 season by way of relocation of the Hamilton Bulldogs, we revert to a timeless flashback from 40 or so years ago.)

To be sure, this did not fall into the one hit wonder category. Rather, these were classic hits that kept on playing. Dressed in the vintage, full-length Cooperall uniforms of the early 1980s, the Brantford Alexanders and Soo Greyhounds faced off in three successive OHL playoff seasons.

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OHL Greyhounds sign a pair


By
February 10, 2023

Soo Greyhounds have inked a pair of prospects from the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, general manager Kyle Raftis has confirmed.

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OHL is returning to Brantford


By
February 8, 2023

The city of Brantford has been without an Ontario Hockey League team since the Alexanders left in 1984 after a six year existence. But the OHL has confirmed that, due to impending renovations and the long-term closure of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, the Bulldogs will at least temporarily relocate to Brantford effective the 2023-2024 season.

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Respect for the Great North


By
February 1, 2023

There are about 200 scouts who work under the 20 general managers of teams in the Ontario Hockey League. And it is rather discernible to someone who pays close attention that players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League do not receive the same overall monitoring as those from programs of the Greater Toronto, Southwestern Ontario and Ottawa areas of the province.

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BR goalie signs OHL deal


By
January 20, 2023

Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League have signed goalie Charlie Burns of the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to a standard player contract.

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Devin Mauro to Espanola


By
January 10, 2023

Sault Ste. Marie product Devin Mauro has joined the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League via the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.

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Hope for the small goalie


By
January 9, 2023

There is little doubt that when it comes to goalies — especially as they get older and the level gets higher — that coaches and scouts prefer and favour those net minders who have size. But according to one reputable scout, there is once again hope for the small goalie.

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Sault boys in the OHL


By
December 28, 2022

Several skaters who played minor hockey in Sault Ste. Marie are on rosters of teams in the Ontario Hockey League. And with the OHL now returning from the holiday break we check in on some statistical numbers of the local lads.

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Great North to Team Canada


By
December 12, 2022

If this doesn’t speak volumes about the under-rated Great North Under 18 Hockey League then nothing will. Team Canada has unveiled its roster for this month’s World Junior Championships and two of the players are from northern Ontario.

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The old Centennial train


By
November 17, 2022

North Bay Centennials. The moniker is etched in the memory bank. They boasted a legendary coach and played to rowdy crowds at venerable Memorial Gardens with a who’s who of players, many of whom were homegrown or from the fellow northern towns of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and White River.

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Wolves have a new coach


By
November 9, 2022

Derek MacKenzie is the new head coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. He replaces Craig Duncanson, who was fired 11 games into the season following a 3-7-1 start.

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Assinewai assists Cubs


By
October 28, 2022

Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a skilled forward with 46 games of Ontario Hockey League experience to their lineup. 18-year old Samuel Assinewai made his debut with the Cubs on Thursday and had an assist as league leading Sudbury improved its record to 13-2-2 with a 3-2 overtime win over the Timmins Rock.

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Bonar, Peer and the dog house


By
October 27, 2022

This is a flashback story of how two high end forwards with the Soo Greyhounds were able to get out of the dog house when the team was rebuilding after a spectacular five year run.

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’06 goalies of the NOJHL


By
October 24, 2022

No less than four goalies who were picked at the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft are developing and playing well for teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League thus far this season.

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Paper Kings via the OHL


By
October 21, 2022

Two Ontario Hockey League draft picks have just joined the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.

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Hounds have solid NOJHL seam


By
October 4, 2022

A pair of plum prospects who were high picks by the Soo Greyhounds at the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft will develop with the reigning champion Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this season.

…[read more]

A first for Tyson Doucette


By
October 4, 2022

It didn’t take Sault Ste. Marie product Tyson Doucette long to make his mark in an Ontario Hockey League regular season game. The 18-year old un-drafted forward netted a goal in his OHL debut to help the Sarnia Sting to a season opening road victory over the Kitchener Rangers.

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Evan Roach with Soo Indians


By
September 29, 2022

Having just recently recovered from a nagging injury, Soo Greyhounds draft pick Evan Roach is set to restart his development with the Soo Indians of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association’s Under 18 Tier 1 AAA League.

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Season of alteration in OHL


By
September 27, 2022

Changes to coaching staffs, the hiring of a legendary National Hockey League head coach as a senior advisor, milestone team anniversaries, and updates to the rule book are part of what is contemporary in the Ontario Hockey League for the 2022-2023 season.

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Soo to Windsor connection


By
September 26, 2022

Since its entry into the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1975 a slew of personnel from Sault Ste. Marie either played for or coached the Windsor Spitfires.

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Soo boy in the Windsor Zone


By
September 18, 2022

Sault Ste. Marie product Gage Evans has signed with the Windsor Zone of the Under 18 Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, Hockey News North has confirmed.

…[read more]

Soo boy signs with Sarnia


By
September 13, 2022

Tyson Doucette

Tyson Doucette, a late developing forward who has grown seven inches in height over the past three years, has signed with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League as an undrafted free agent.

…[read more]

Two Wolves in Espanola


By
September 10, 2022

Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League have formally certified their affiliation agreement with the assignment of a pair of 2006 birth year prospects.

…[read more]