All posts by Randy Russon
It’s Miller time for this lad
Being bypassed — for whatever reason — to play for an AAA team does not mean that there is no high level hockey available in a given town. Take Preston Miller of Sault Ste. Marie, for example.
…[read more]Season of alteration in OHL
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.
…[read more]Soo to Windsor connection
Hence 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.
…[read more]How sweep it is!
Kam River Fighting Walleye and Wisconsin Lumberjacks both had two wins on the weekend as 2022-2023 regular season play got underway in the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Disano has dizzy numbers
Gavin Disano stands in at a mere 5-foot-9. But the 2003 birth year goalie has stood tall for the Blind River Beavers through his first three starts of the 2022-2023 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season.
…[read more]Puck drops on the SIJHL
Hockey games — and in due course, championships — are won on the ice. And while hockey writers do not determine victory, some of us see ourselves as soothsayers who forecast and foresee based on a combination of analysis and fact finding. Which brings this singular wordsmith to infer, suppose and have a hunch relative to the balance of power in the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Plaudits for the Dryden staff
Who knows the inner workings of the Dryden Ice Dogs better than the long-time president of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League’s flagship franchise?
…[read more]Early in the NOJHL season
Here and there through two weekends of play on the 2022-2023 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season schedule:
…[read more]Soo, Timmins make a trade
A pair of 2003 birth year skaters have been exchanged in a one-for-one transaction between the Soo Thunderbirds and Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Captain of the Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League have named 20-year old forward Brady Frattinger as their team captain for the 2022-2023 season.
…[read more]Soo boy in the Windsor Zone
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]Cougars cuffed by Red Hawks
Sault College Cougars began their Division 2, American Collegiate Hockey Association season on the weekend with a pair of losses to the Miami of Ohio Red Hawks.
…[read more]Nickel Capitals ink Soo boys
Speedy, skilled forward Coulson Bell and goalie Nick Marson have both signed with the under 16 Sudbury Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
…[read more]High tide on the Kam River
Kam River Fighting Walleye had a prize catch of a first full season as members of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League in 2021-2022.
…[read more]Paper Kings roll past Sudbury
Game 1 of the remade Espanola Paper Kings/Sudbury Cubs rivalry has gone to the underdogs. Working overtime, Espanola left Sudbury on Thursday with a 4-3 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League triumph.
…[read more]Rekindling a rivalry
It is a junior A hockey contention that dates back to the 1962-1963 season when the Espanola Eagles and Sudbury Cub Wolves faced off in a six member league that also included the Soo Greyhounds, Soo Realtors, North Bay Trappers and Garson Falconbridge Native Sons. Sixty years later, the rivalry between towns 45 miles apart is a remake featuring the Espanola Paper Kings and Sudbury Cubs.
…[read more]Rock star Harroun in tune
Prize acquisition Brady Harroun continues to be an early season sensation for the Timmins Rock. Harroun scored twice on Tuesday as Timmins trimmed the Hearst Lumberjacks 5-1 to remain unbeaten in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League standings.
…[read more]One for the Red Wings
All six teams in the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are now in the win column. Elliot Lake Red Wings put their first ‘W’ of the season on the board on Tuesday with an 8-4 drubbing of the defending champion Soo Thunderbirds.
…[read more]Soo boy signs with Sarnia
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]Crunch time, at last
It was on October 15 of 2021 when the Cochrane Crunch upended the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners by a 2-1 score. It would be the last time that Cochrane would win a game in the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Back home in Dryden
Ben Hackl is in good position to cap his junior hockey career in his hometown. The 20-year old forward has been obtained by the Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League from the reigning champion Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Two Wolves in Espanola
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]NOJHL face-off forecast
Who will win the showdown in the wild West? Who will be the beast and who will be the least of the East? The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has come on the scene for the 2022-2023 term.
…[read more]Another Miner in Timmins
Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has added a fourth key member from the reigning Superior International Jr. Hockey League champion Red Lake Miners via trade, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]The return of Oliver Smith
Who says you can’t go home again? Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a 19-year old left winger who has already proven himself at the Ontario Hockey League level.
…[read more]Reappearing in Dryden
A goalie, three defensemen and five forwards comprise a checklist of seasoned performers who are in position to lead the way for the Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League come the 2022-2023 campaign.
…[read more]Walleye lands local lad Leduc
Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League has added to its pool of local Thunder Bay products with the signing of a plum 2006 birth year forward.
…[read more]A win for the Walleye
Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League shook off a pair of narrow losses to the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to take the third match of a three game inter league exhibition set today at NorWest Arena in Thunder Bay.
…[read more]Chase at Sault College
Chase Muswagon has ventured approximately 1,200 miles from home to enrol in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Technician program at Sault College and play for the varsity Cougars men’s hockey team. Hailing from The Pas, Manitoba, the 21-year old Muswagon is settling into his first year of student life at Sault College.
…[read more]Wolves sign Soo boy
Devin Mauro has overcome the odds as a former 11th round draft pick. The 18-year old Sault Ste. Marie product has signed an Ontario Hockey League contract with the Sudbury Wolves.
…[read more]Leading the way in EL
Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have established a leadership group of six players.
…[read more]NOJHL opinion, outlook
For puck sakes. The 2022-2023 version of regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is scheduled to get underway next week. And here we are with a point of view perspective on the 12 teams of the NOJHL.
…[read more]Six Cubs at OHL camps
A half dozen projected members of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s Sudbury Cubs are at training camp sites of a number of Ontario Hockey League teams this week.
…[read more]Good friends and coaches
Brent Hughes and John Dean have been best buddies for many years. And now the two long-time friends are working together as coaches with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Birds are Reddy in net
Soo Thunderbirds have obtained 2003 birth year goalie Zach Reddy from the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League cash exchange.
…[read more]Red Wings of 1965-1966
They were within two victories of winning the 1966 Stanley Cup only to come up short in what would have been a stunning championship triumph. Still, the Detroit Red Wings of the 1965-1966 season remain unflinchingly and unshakeably rooted in my National Hockey League, Original Six memory bank.
…[read more]New Liskeard to Timmins
It is hard to keep a good man down. And experience, vision and values are just some of what prompted the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League to tap 58-year old Steve Polyblank as their new head coach for the looming 2022-2023 season.
…[read more]Paper Kings and Wolves
A small market Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team has managed to secure an affiliation alliance with a nearby member of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Dual role for Dave Clancy
Good guy Dave Clancy now has more responsibility connected to his association with the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Soo Eagles bolster blue line
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added some experienced depth to their defence position with the acquisition of Joey Woldt.
…[read more]Original Six recollections
To me, what will always stand out from being born in the early 1950s and being a National Hockey League fan from as early as I can remember are the indelible memories of so many players from the various teams of the Original Six.
…[read more]Hounds install new AC
Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League have filled the coaching vacancy on their staff that was created by the recent departure of Jordan Smith to the pro ranks.
…[read more]Red Lake to Elliot Lake
Yet another 20-year old member of the reigning Superior International Jr. Hockey League champion Red Lake Miners is ticketed for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Bourret is for the Birds
Reigning Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League champion Soo Thunderbirds have signed a rookie goalie from Thunder Bay via North Bay.
…[read more]Hustle, bustle of the NOJHL
It will take a lot for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to measure up to the drama and production of the 2021-2022 season. Having said that, there is estimation and computation that could have the NOJHL on track for similar adventure and elation in 2022-2023.
…[read more]Majors to Miners
Walker is taking over from Walker. Red Lake Miners of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League have a new head coach and general manager via the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Paper Kings roll in a goalie
Espanola Paper Kings — formerly the Espanola Express — have stayed in the neighbourhood to acquire an experienced goalie ahead of the 2022-2023 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Net of the Eagles nest
The graduation to the college ranks of 20-year old goalies Gabe Rosek and Ryan Gilmore has left the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with a combination of fledgling puck stoppers.
…[read more]Soo Eagles v. Kam River
It looms as an inter league prelude to the 2022-2023 regular season. As in, Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League are slated to face off in a three game set on Labour Day weekend.
…[read more]Smith moves up a rung
Sault Ste. Marie product Jordan Smith will carry on with his ascent up the hockey coaching ladder at the next par of the game. The 36-year old Smith, who has advanced from head coach in the Superior International Jr. Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to associate coach in the Ontario Hockey League, is inching one step closer to the National Hockey League.
…[read more]Rock lands another Miner
Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has traded for yet another high performance skater from the reigning Superior International Jr. Hockey League champion Red Lake Miners, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]New GM in Espanola
As the Espanola Express has become the Espanola Paper Kings, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team also has a new general manager.
…[read more]New moniker in Espanola
Out with the Express. In with the Paper Kings. Espanola’s Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team has a new name.
…[read more]Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury
Two players from the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Hockey Association Under 16 AA champion Soo Jr. Greyhounds have signed with the Sudbury Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League for the 2022-2023 season.
…[read more]To the fore of a looming season
Symmetry was somewhat suggestive among the top four teams in the Superior International Jr. Hockey League over the course of the 2021-2022 regular season. Kam River Fighting Walleye, Red Lake Miners, Dryden Ice Dogs and Thunder Bay North Stars all finished above the .500 mark with respective winning percentages of .818, .797, .622 and .561. Projections for the looming 2022-2023 season are not as clearly expressed.
…[read more]