Young NOJHL talent
There is a plethora of rookie talent in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League among younger players with 2002, 2001 and 2000 birth dates.
Following is a Hockey News North sampling of 13 young rookies who have been particularly impressive thus far this 2018-2019 NOJHL season.
David Campbell, Powassan Voodoos. A 2018 Ontario Hockey League draft pick of the North Bay Battalion, the 6-foot-1, 170 pound forward with a 2002 birth date who hails from St. Joseph Island, has 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points in 24 games with Powassan.
Joe Vrbetic, Powassan Voodoos. The 6-foot-4, 175 pound goalie with a 2002 birth date has stood tall in the Powassan net with a 6-3-0 record, 2.84 goals against average and .935 save percentage. He was drafted by North Bay in the second round of the 2018 OHL priority selections draft.
Ryan Mills, Powassan Voodoos. A 2017 OHL draft pick of — you guessed it — North Bay, the 5-foot-9, 160 pound forward with a 2001 birth date has 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points in 25 games with the Voodoos.
Hunter Brazier, French River Rapids. A 2018 OHL draft pick of the Oshawa Generals, the 5-foot-11, 175 pound forward with the 2002 birth date has 11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points in 27 games for French River.
Ryan Smith, French River Rapids. Yet another 2018 OHL draft pick with a 2002 birth date, the 5-foot-10, 155 pound Sudbury Wolves prospect has 9 goals, 5 assists, 14 points in 27 games from his forward position for French River.
Philippe Daoust, French River Rapids. The 5-foot-10, 150 pound forward with a 2001 birth date has 11 goals, 17 assists, 28 points in 27 games for the Rapids.
Justin Mauro, Blind River Beavers. A 2018 OHL draft pick of the Erie Otters who hails from Sault Ste. Marie, the 5-foot-8, 150 pound forward with a 2002 birth date has 4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points in only 15 games for Blind River.
Dante Cavaliere, Blind River Beavers. The 5-foot-10, 175 pounder with a 2001 birth date leads all rookie defensemen in scoring with 2 goals, 13 assists, 15 points in 24 games for the Beavers.
Tyler Nott, Blind River Beavers. A 2000 birth year forward, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Sault Ste. Marie product has 7 goals, 7 assists, 14 points in 24 games for Blind River.
Caleb Wood, Soo Eagles. A 2017 OHL supplemental draft pick of the Soo Greyhounds, the 6-foot-1, 180 pound forward with a 2000 birth date leads the Michigan-based Eagles in scoring with 13 goals, 7 assists, 20 points in 24 games.
Raf Praysner, Soo Eagles. The 5-foot-10, 175 pound forward with a 2000 birth date has 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 23 games for the Eagles.
Riley Brousseau, Timmins Rock. The 6-foot-1, 155 pound forward with a 2001 birth date has 5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points in 23 games for Timmins.
Joel Rainville, Espanola Express. A 6-foot-1, 180 pound goalie with a 2001 birth date, the Sturgeon Falls product has faced a barrage of shots, to the tune of about 45 per outing for the last-place Express and has a 4-13-0 record with a 4.66 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
PHOTO: Goalie Joel Rainville, in action for the Espanola Express.
Just adding a few from my hometown team..
Chase Lammi- Espanola Express, 2002 birth-date has 13 points in 23 games for an Espanola team that doesn’t score with any regularity. Recently played with NOJHL West. Lammi is one of the best skaters in the NOJHL.
Mitchell Lee- Espanola Express, 2002 birth-date with 11 points in 24 games. Reminds me a little of Doug Gilmour/Nazem Kadri in his ability to play both ends of the ice and play with some grit.
RBC net minder 2001 6’ 175lbs Sebastien Plamondon with a GAA 1.85 and save % of .947 with 2 shutout and 7-2 record. Quite impressive start for a rookie.