NOJHL path to OHL, QMJHL
As the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League continues to send record numbers of its alumni to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Canadian Interuniversity School ranks, the same can be said for a large group of alumnus that has made the step up to the major junior level, specifically the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League.
As of this writing, no less than 15 NOJHL alumni are currently with OHL or QMJHL teams.
Boasting a tremendous affiliation with the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, the Powassan Voodoos are the beneficiaries of now having four skaters who have seen time at the major junior level.
That list includes former NOJHL rookie-of-the-year, first team all-star and league most valuable player Steve Harland, who averaged a point-per-game in total with his time with the Voodoos and Battalion in 2015-2016 — which included 40 points in 53 OHL outings.
Daniel Walker, Eric Allair and David Sherman have also been in the OHL after honing their skills in Powassan.
The North Bay connection also features members of the former local Trappers franchise that saw National Hockey League draft pick Evan Cormier now stand tall in net for the Saginaw Spirit joining defenceman Zachary Shankar, who went from the NOJHL to North Bay of the OHL.
You also had last season’s NOJHL first team all-star goalkeeper Garrett Forrest sign with the Flint Firebirds a couple of weeks back.
A stable working relationship along with icing one of the premier teams in all of the Canadian Jr. Hockey League has aided the Soo Thunderbirds as they continually send their prospects to both the NCAA and OHL.
Learning from one of the elite coaches in the NOJHL in Jordan Smith, along with previous efforts of former general manager Kevin Cain, the Thunderbirds boast a solid core of players competing in the OHL.
Another NHL draft choice, Boris Katchouk, still skates in his home games at Essar Centre, but now for the Soo Greyhounds.
You also have former T-Birds stopper Mario Culina manning the nets for the Windsor Spitfires while the high-energy twins, Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon, are preparing for their rookie campaign with the Sudbury Wolves.
There is also Nicolas Sicoly aiming to retain a roster spot with the Guelph Storm.
The OHL isn’t the only major junior loop to secure NOJHL talent as a trio of former NOJHL defenceman are making their respective mark in the QMJHL.
Ryan Mooney will enter his first full campaign with the Moncton Wildcats while Ryan O’Bonsawin and Jamey Lauzon have seen games with Gatineau and Baie-Comeau respectively.
“One of our major goals is to further enhance the development of our players, officials and team staff members as they make the move to the next level while also continuing their education,” offered NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“The ever-increasing talent level from our league that has moved up to the OHL or within the CHL is a testament to a lot of hard-working individuals who are doing the right things, both on the ice and in the class room,” added Mazzuca.
“Be it through solid education packages offered by OHL and CHL clubs, or going through the NCAA or CIS route, our players are to be commended for making thoughtful decisions through careful consideration as they look to forge their path and careers through the next level,” concluded Mazzuca.
NOJHL TO OHL
Eric Allair: Powassan Voodoos/ North Bay Battalion
Evan Cormier: North Bay Trappers/Saginaw Spirit
Mario Culina: Soo Thunderbirds/Windsor Spitfires
Garrett Forrest: Powassan Voodoos/Flint Firebirds
Steve Harland: Powassan Voodoos/North Bay Battalion
Boris Katchouk: Soo Thunderbirds/Soo Greyhounds
Darian Pilon: Soo Thunderbirds/Sudbury Wolves
Drake Pilon: Soo Thunderbirds/Sudbury Wolves
Zachary Shankar: North Bay Trappers/North Bay Battalion
David Sherman: Powassan Voodoos/North Bay Battalion
Nicolas Sicoly: Soo Thunderbirds/Guelph Storm
Daniel Walker: Powassan Voodoos/ North Bay Battalion
NOJHL TO QMJHL
Jamey Lauzon: Kirkland Lake Gold Miners & Abitibi Eskimos/Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Ryan Mooney: Rayside-Balfour Canadians & Sudbury Nickel Barons/Moncton Wildcats
Ryan O’Bonsawin: Rayside-Balfour Canadians/Gatineau Olympiques
PHOTO: Forward Boris Katchouk, formerly of the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds, now with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, is also a second-round NHL draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Also could have Darian Skeotch WHL but I know the article was based on OHL and QMJHL
great story.
Just finish watching the Timmins Rocks vs K L for the third time this year and it’s been a few years since I seen a 16 year old Player with the ability of Kirkland’s D man Lucas Dolanjski.