Good coaches of the NOJHL
What defines a good junior hockey coach? There are numerous factors, such as time tested experience, success, development of players, and integrity. To be sure, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has its share of head coaches who click off all of the above attributes.
In alphabetical order, following is a selection of current NOJHL head coaches who are tried, tested and true.
Kyle Brick, Blind River Beavers. Since taking over as the head coach in Blind River back in 2016, Brick has built the Beavers into a first rate outfit that is a perennial contender in the NOJHL. With a knack of securing and getting the most out of the top end talent that he recruits — while sporting a nifty .660 winning percentage as the long time head master of the Beavers — Blind River had an overall record of 273-132-35 with Brick at the helm heading into this ’25-26 season. Having yet to finish under the .500 mark in his each of his eight full seasons in Blind River, Brick headed into the current season just 27 victories shy of 300 wins as the undisputed bench boss of the Beavers. And among the players he has advanced to the Ontario Hockey League are two current roster members of the Soo Greyhounds, namely defenseman Isaiah Allen and goalie Noah Tegelaar.
Paul Frustaglio, French River Rapids. If not for Greater Toronto Area resident Paul “Capo” Frustaglio, there might not be junior hockey in French River. But the ageless Frustaglio, who regularly commutes from the GTA to French River during a given season — he has been president, head coach and general manager of the Rapids since 2017 — has given a lot to the community and the NOJHL. Low key and just a true, blue kind of person, Frustaglio has not produced many winning teams since his arrival in French River eight years ago. Instead, his focus is on developing young hockey players. And of the many youngsters who have progressed in the NOJHL with French River, there are forwards Philippe Daoust and Chase Lefebvre. Still young at age 23, Daoust is a signed National Hockey League prospect of the Ottawa Senators. Meanwhile, the 21 year Lefebvre made a good name for himself with the Peterborough Petes and was part of their OHL championship team of three years ago. Lefebvre has since moved on to the Toronto Metropolitan University hockey program.
Peter Goulet, Powassan Voodoos. A nomad of sorts, Goulet has been a full time hockey coach for more than 20 years and has won championships with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League and the Kingston Voyageurs of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And before heading to the NOJHL with Powassan a few years back, Goulet was with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the OJHL where he recorded a regular-season record of 76-26-6 from 2019 to 2022. Goulet has also coached six players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League. Goulet has also helped to place dozens of players at Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association schools.
Darryl Moxam, Sudbury Cubs. He has coached the Cubs to back to back NOJHL championships. He develops young players and makes seasoned veterans even better. He has been an an assistant coach and an associate coach in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves and has also assisted at the Canadian university level with the Laurentian Voyageurs. And one would be hard pressed to hear a negative word about Moxam, who, above all else, puts a strong emphasis on player development and advancement.
Brandon Perry, Timmins Rock. Timmins is an annual contender for championship status in the NOJHL under the leadership and head coach and general manager Perry. Now into his fifth year behind the bench as hockey boss of the Rock, Perry — who is a local Timmins product — had an overall record in the NOJHL of 152-47-17 and an ultra impressive winning percentage of .743 heading into this season. Perry’s resume also consists of guiding Timmins to the NOJHL championship in ’22-23. He also has international experience having served on the Team Canada East coaching staff at the Junior A World Challenge event. He is all into player development to the point of being tirelessly obsessive in a teaching way.
Jason Rapcewicz, Espanola Paper Kings. Ań unassuming individual, Rapcewicz has maintained a vital role in keeping the NOJHL in small market Espanola since 2015 when the franchise was in danger of folding. Rapcewicz has ascended from assistant coach, head coach, part owner and then solo owner of the Espanola Express, which he re-named the Espanola Paper Kings in 2022. Involved in all aspects of the Espanola operation, Rapcewicz still coaches the Paper Kings as a well respected individual. Several of his players have progressed to the OHL, including current third year defenseman Conor Walton of the Windsor Spitfires.
Jeremy Rebek, Soo Eagles. Now in his second season with the Eagles, the 50 year old Rebek spent the previous three seasons as a valuable assistant coach with the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL. He also had a previous relationship with the Thunderbirds as a highly successful assistant several years ago. All in all, Rebek was part of three NOJHL championship teams with the Thunderbirds over the years. More importantly, he is widely respected as a teacher of the game who relates very well to his players, many of whom have moved up to the OHL and NCAA ranks. A player’s coach through and through, Rebek lives and breathes the game and passes on all that he knows — which is a lot — to his players.