All posts by Randy Russon
NOJHL and its Game Day
Commissioner Rob Mazzuca has been known to stress that one of the first and foremost goals of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is the development and promotion of its players.
…[read more]Rapids on a modest rise
They began the regular season with a 9-1 loss to the perennial powerhouse Timmins Rock. But in the three games since, the surging French River Rapids have gained points in each outing and thus have a 1-1-2 record heading into this week’s Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League Showcase Tournament.
…[read more]One for the EL Vikings
They went on the road on Saturday night and worked overtime. And they won. Elliot Lake Vikings orchestrated a comeback triumph over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners for their first victory of the ’24-25 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Capt. Carlisle of the Hounds
Overage defenseman Caeden Carlisle will wear the captain’s jersey for the Soo Greyhounds for the ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League season.
…[read more]Signoretti lights it up
Welcome to another edition of the Lucas Signoretti scoring show. The pint sized puck hound clicked for two goals and added three assists on Thursday as the Sudbury Cubs cuffed the Espanola Paper Kings by an 11-1 margin.
…[read more]Rock atop NOJHL block
Timmins Rock is the only team among the 12 of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to have a perfect record through the first couple of weeks of the ’24-25 regular season.
…[read more]Motor City to Hound Town
Keep an eye on this guy. Free agent pick up Erik Muxlow has the makings of being a noteworthy addition to the present and future of the Soo Greyhounds.
…[read more]Hounds in a rebuild house
Real time in the Ontario Hockey League — as in the ’24-25 regular season — is set for this week. In Sault Ste. Marie, first action for the Greyhounds is on Friday night when the Red and White plays host to the reigning Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit at GFL Memorial Gardens.
…[read more]Oh brother! Halletts in Kap
They more than paid their dues through the AA level under 15, under 16 and under 18 programs within the ranks of the Sault Major Hockey Association. And being cut time and time again by various AAA teams in the Sault failed to deter twin brothers Nick Hallett and Logan Hallett from reaching their goals.
…[read more]Ontario side of Soo Eagles
Under the no nonsense leadership of long time president and general manager Bruno Bragagnolo the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are a model franchise that is based in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And while Bragagnolo and the majority of the players and volunteers are American citizens, the Eagles also have a significant Canadian presence from across the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
…[read more]Watch out for Steelheads
The Ontario Hockey League is back in Brampton this season after an absence of more than 10 years. The Steelheads have relocated from Mississauga to Brampton, which is a distance of a mere six miles. And after an 84 point season in ’23-24 — which was good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just five points out of first — the Steelheads are a prime time contender for OHL glory in ’24-25.
…[read more]Beavers, Rock both 2-0
Two teams are off to tidy 2-0 starts following the first week of ’24-25 regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Take a hike, Ryder Cali
Soo Greyhounds have dealt no show forward Ryder Cali to the North Bay Battalion for a collection of future Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft picks.
…[read more]T-Birds go back 25 years
The modern version of the Soo Thunderbirds first hit the ice as initiate members of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League back in 1999.
…[read more]OHL teams of intrigue
The countdown is on. Opening face-off to the ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League regular season is set for September 25 when the reigning Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit plays host to the Windsor Spitfires.
…[read more]Captain ‘T’ in Timmins
Two years after making the Timmins Rock as an unheralded walk-on defenseman from Maple Ridge, B.C., Tenzin Nyman is now the captain of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
…[read more]NOJHL lined up for ’24-25
Now united as one division of 12 teams — there is no more East and West — regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is set for opening puck drop on September 12. What will follow is a regular season slate of 50 games for all 12 teams, the top eight of which will qualify for the playoffs.
…[read more]Erik Muxlow is a Hound
Free agent forward Erik Muxlow has signed with the Soo Greyhounds after being initially bypassed at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]Hounds add a third goalie
The Greyhounds have another goalie under team control. Reid Thomas, who was picked by the Soo in the 15th and final round of the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, has been signed to a scholarship and development package.
…[read more]Cooke in the Flint kitchen
One of the youngest players from the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft has signed with the Flint Firebirds. Forward Brendan Cooke, who has a December 22, 2007 birth date, was an eighth round pick by Flint from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League. He spent the ’23-24 season in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with the Blind River Beavers where he connected for 13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points in 55 games.
…[read more]Road hockey rascals
A time honoured tradition continues to be played out by at least some of today’s youth. A group of Sault Ste. Marie youngsters recently got together for a day of road hockey on Coulson Ave. in the city’s mid town. And they even took time to pose for a photo for Hockey News North.
…[read more]Eagles are ready to fly
Soo Eagles have prepped for the ’24-25 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season with a trio of exhibition matches.
…[read more]25 Hounds still in camp
The Greyhounds have reduced their training camp roster to 25 players ahead of the Ontario Hockey League exhibition season. Five overage players are still around. OHL teams can only dress three overage players in a given game.
…[read more]NOJHL gets ready to go
Opening face-off is drawing near. Now lined up as one division of 12 teams — there is no more East and West — regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is set to start on September 12.
…[read more]U18 Wolves sign Sault boy
One door closes, another one opens. Cut by his hometown Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League, Madden Glavota has rebounded to secure a position with the rival Sudbury U18 Wolves.
…[read more]LSSU makes offer to local lad
Lake Superior State University Lakers have made a non binding, verbal offer to high scoring Soo Thunderbirds forward Jacob Smith. The Lakers are a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association program based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
…[read more]Four from the Wild West
August is leaning towards September. Up first are training camps. Then exhibition games. Followed by a schedule of names, games, checkers and chess; not to mention all of the intrigue and anxiety that goes with debatably being the best development league on the hockey planet.
…[read more]New NOJHL season looms
The junior hockey clock is ticking towards September 12. In less than three weeks, regular season play begins in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. The NOJHL is once again a 12 team league though there are some changes of note as to how they will line up.
…[read more]Thunderbirds to Walleye
Adam Kukko is headed back home to the Thunder Bay area. The 2005 birth year defenseman has been acquired by the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Firebirds wheel and deal
Trade winds have blown through Flint. The Firebirds have been busy in the player exchange game ahead of next week’s training camp opening and the subsequent ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League season.
…[read more]Sault crew for EPK, ELV
They are among the true blue hockey people who have the game in their blood — and who are getting ready for another season of duty. And these three well known, albeit low key, Sault Ste. Marie residents keep their lifelong hockey fix active by working for out of town junior teams.
…[read more]State of the Hounds ‘D’
The graduation of standout import defensemen Kirill Kudryavtsev and Arttu Karki has created space and opportunity for returnees Caeden Carlisle, Andrew Gibson, Spencer Evans and Brodie McConnell-Barker to have enhanced roles on the blue line of the Soo Greyhounds come the ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League season.
…[read more]Winds of change in SIJHL
It has been a summer breeze of significant change throughout the Superior International Jr. Hockey League ahead of the looming ’24-25 season.
…[read more]Majors to Paper Kings
Hulking defenseman Brayden Westberry has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed. Westberry skated for the Great North Under 18 Hockey League champion Timmins Majors in ’23-24.
…[read more]Hounds are high on Holub
Right hand shooting defenseman David Holub has signed with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. The Hounds took the 6 foot, 185 pound defender — he has a 2007 birth date — in the first round of this year’s Canadian Hockey League import draft.
…[read more]Greyhounds in the middle
Aside from the reigning champion London Knights — of course — there is no clear cut favourite for first place in the Western Conference ahead of the ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League regular season. Two lower seed teams from ’23-24, the last place Windsor Spitfires and eighth place Flint Firebirds, should both be top five in the Western Conference in ’24-25. Then there are the Soo Greyhounds, the no. 3 seed from ’23-24 who were upended by the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit in the second round of the playoffs.
…[read more]Gary Corbiere, gone 20 years
It was 20 years ago that my friend Gary Corbiere passed away in a tragic boating accident. To this day, it says here that, pound for pound, the toughest player to ever wear the Ontario Hockey League uniform of the Brantford Alexanders was none other than Corbiere, a medium size left winger who played minor hockey in Sault Ste. Marie and who went to become an accomplished lawyer.
…[read more]Liam Watson to Soo Eagles
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a second defenseman who was a 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Five OAs at Hounds camp
Jobs are on the line — and there to compete for — among the elders of the Red and White. No less than five 2004 birth year players will be competing for the three coveted overage spots when the Greyhounds begin training camp later this month ahead of the ’24-25 Ontario Hockey League season.
…[read more]Henderson to U14 Hounds
Jamie Henderson is the new head coach of the under 14 AAA level Soo Jr. Greyhounds, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Flugins to the Firebirds
Canadian Hockey League import draft pick Karlis Flugins has been signed by the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League ahead of the looming ’24-25 season.
…[read more]Fenlon is for the Birds
A long and winding hockey career has brought 2004 birth year defenseman Bryan Fenlon back home to Sault Ste. Marie.
…[read more]Harvard for Hounds 1st pick
Ryder Cali, chosen by the Soo Greyhounds in the first round of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, has secured a future Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment from Harvard University.
…[read more]U18 Wolves to Espanola
Three seasoned skaters who suited up for the Sudbury U18 Wolves of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in ’23-24 have signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League ahead of the ’24-25 season.
…[read more]Cubs ink Wolves draft pick
Skilled skater Mason Walker is slated to develop with the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League come the looming ’24-25 season. The 2008 birth year forward was a ninth round pick by the Sudbury Wolves at the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]Mangone’s improbable ride
He has played in more than 200 games — regular season and playoffs included — since the Saginaw Spirit took him with the second pick of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League supplemental draft. To say that Sault Ste. Marie product Calem Mangone has overachieved would be an understatement.
…[read more]RIP, Bobby Jones
If they say that only the good die young, well, in this case that is certainly true. Hailing from Haviland Bay, Ontario — he was proud to refer to it as his home — Bobby Jones has passed away at the young age of 54 after being diagnosed a few years back with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS.)
…[read more]New to French River
Goalie Carter Vicente and forward Tucker Roberts are two of the latest additions to the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Beavers add, subtract
The doors swing in, the doors swing out. Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have acquired goalie Connor Dunham Fox via the Kenora Islanders of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League while dealing forward Brendan Cooke to the Leamington Flyers of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League in separate cash transactions.
…[read more]OHL sidebars & snippets
It was just a tad under two months ago that the host Saginaw Spirit scored a razor thin win over the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights in what was an all OHL showdown for the 2024 Memorial Cup crown. But the restless hands of time are already ticking towards a new season and the projections and prognosis that go with it.
…[read more]Seven ’07s to watch
Our Hockey News North choice list of seven select 2007 birth year skaters from the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League includes two Greyhound forwards. In all, the skilled seven are projected to be impact players in ’24-25 after showing particular potential and promise as OHL rookies in ’23-24.
…[read more]Birds deal O’Neill et al
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have sold off four players in cash transactions. Among the performers traded away by the Thunderbirds is prize defenseman — and local product — Candon O’Neill.
…[read more]Development is NOJHL focus
Big on development with a good track record of sending players to the Ontario Hockey League and various colleges and universities, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League recently held its 2024 Annual General Meeting. And a major takeaway from the AGM is further emphasis on player development.
…[read more]SMHA coaching program
There is more game changing and ground breaking news emanating from the ranks of the Sault Major Hockey Association. Hockey News North has confirmed that world class former coach and player Craig Hartsburg is instituting a coaching program guide that all Sault Major coaches at the AAA and AA levels will be expected to follow.
…[read more]TC North wins it all
Team Canada Black — with all 17 of its 2011 birth year hockey players from various towns in northern Ontario — returned home from Vaughan, Ont. as champions of the recent Sports Illustrated Prospects Challenge.
…[read more]Here comes the OHL
Hot fun in the summertime will soon turn to ice. For example, It doesn’t matter if you are up north in Sault Ste. Marie, in the mid to lower Michigan regions of Flint and Saginaw, or in the southwestern Ontario areas of London and Windsor, first pucks will drop on Ontario Hockey League training camps in late August.
…[read more]Vikings stay in the north
Another northern lad has signed up to play for the Elliot Lake Vikings. Martin Brassard, a 2008 birth year forward from Sudbury, has become the sixth player from the north region to commit to Elliot Lake ahead of the 2024-2025 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Espanola to Powassan
Hulking forward Caden Kowal is headed close to home. Powassan Voodoos have obtained the North Bay product from the Espanola Paper Kings in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League cash exchange.
…[read more]Connor Toms to Carleton
Former Soo Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires defenseman Connor Toms is utilizing his Ontario Hockey League education package to begin his university schooling and playing career this fall.
…[read more]Majors to the Rock
Travis Poan is staying home. The homegrown hombre has signed with the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League after starring for the Great North Under 18 Hockey League champion Timmins Majors in 2023-2024.
…[read more]New coach in Kam River
Perennial Superior International Jr. Hockey League powerhouse Kam River Fighting Walleye has confirmed the hiring of Dwight Lee as its new head coach.
…[read more]Birds land Gage Evans
Towering defenseman Gage Evans has been acquired by his hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League after spending the 2023-2024 season with the Windsor LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Paper Kings ink local lad
Lucas Dubois will be staying home to play hockey come the 2024-2025 season. Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed the local lad.
…[read more]Timmins to Chatham
Forward Ian Lachance, who led the Timmins Majors and the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in scoring in 2023-2024, has signed with the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Flint of the NHL Draft
Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League have continued their franchise streak of having at least one player drafted at the annual National Hockey League selections process.
…[read more]Hounds of the NHL Draft
Goalie Landon Miller and forward Owen Allard of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League have become 2024 National Hockey League draft picks.
…[read more]Pitawanakwat to Paper Kings
Barrie Colts draft pick Ashton Pitawanakwat has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Paul Maurice and Stanley
I have been rooting for Paul Maurice ever since the 1984 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft when the Windsor Spitfires took the lanky defenseman in the third round from the Sault Ste. Marie Legion midgets.
…[read more]Bell rings for Soo Eagles
A high level hockey exodus from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to the Michigan Sault continues. Hard working, hard edged 2007 birth year forward Coulson Bell has signed with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Hartsburg joins Sault Major
This is really good news — as good as it gets — for minor hockey in Sault Ste. Marie. That is, Craig Hartsburg — world class as both a player and a coach — has been appointed to the position of AAA league director by the Sault Major Hockey Association.
…[read more]Soo Eagles sign OHL pick
Sault Ste. Marie product Cole Wreggitt, a 2008 birth year defenseman who was a fourth round pick by the Sudbury Wolves from the U18 AAA Soo Jr. Greyhounds at the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, has signed with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Cubs to the Birds nest
Sudbury Cubs have confirmed that they have dealt championship goalie Noah Metivier to his hometown Soo Thunderbirds in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Mix of Rossetto, Garden
Every year seems to yield a steal as far as Ontario Hockey League draft picks go. Two from the 2024 OHL priority selections draft who just might end up being swindles are smaller size forwards Nik Rossetto of the Brantford Bulldogs and Ethan Garden of the Windsor Spitfires.
…[read more]