All posts by Randy Russon
Young Tallaire is on a tear
Medium size forward Chase Tallaire has been a huge presence for the Michigan Soo Eagles through seven games of the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]NOJHL to Fort Frances
Looking to overcome a win-less start through four games of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League season, the Fort Frances Lakers have added another forward from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League via trade.
…[read more]Carleton Place to Kam River
From the Central Canada Hockey League to the Superior International Jr. Hockey League goes a seasoned defenseman.
Kam River Fighting Walleye of the SIJHL has obtained 2002 birth year defender Kyle Lamoureux from the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Thunder Bay leads the way
Riding the crest of a splashy seven game winning wave, the Thunder Bay North Stars have a shiny record of 7-1-0 atop the standings of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
Trailing Thunder Bay as the slate of the 2021-2022 regular season schedule approaches mid October are the Red Lake Miners (4-2-1), Dryden Ice Dogs (3-2-1), Wisconsin Lumberjacks (2-3-1), Thief River Falls Norskies (2-2-0), Kam River Fighting Walleye (1-1-1) and Fort Frances Lakers (0-4-0).
…[read more]High flight of the NOJHL
It is without peer in terms of being an exceptionally well run junior hockey league from longstanding commissioner Robert Mazzuca through to outstanding website content and management that could well be a model for others to follow.
And on the ice, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is off to a fluid start to the 2021-2022 season with several serious contenders inching towards potential gain and glory.
…[read more]Porco can be Barrie good
As the Barrie Colts are being pegged as top contenders in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2021-2022 season, their new general manager and coach is hoping for a breakout campaign from 20-year old left winger Nick Porco.
…[read more]Marc Lafleur is a winner
Junior A hockey coaches just don’t come any better than the peerless Marc Lafleur. To be sure, there is one thing that the 46-year old Lafleur has displayed throughout his Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League coaching career — how to win.
…[read more]Cubs best in close NOJHL West
A mere six points are all that separate the six teams of the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League heading into play this week.
And it is the Sudbury Cubs who lead the pack in a hotly-contested west side where all six teams have won at least two games thus far.
…[read more]Truth, reconciliation, hockey
It was a history making junior hockey event at Dryden Memorial Arena in northwestern Ontario. To be sure, it was no ordinary regular season contest as the Dryden Ice Dogs faced off against the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars in Superior International Jr. Hockey League action — and at the same time hosted a landmark Truth and Reconciliation game.
…[read more]EL coach has NOJHL history
To be sure, Tanner Bowditch has come full circle as the head coach of the new Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Not new to town, Bowditch played for the erstwhile Elliot Lake Wildcats several years back, during the 2014-2015 NOJHL season.
…[read more]Rookie goalie on the Express
Looking good between the pipes, kid.
Patrick Boivin has more than stepped up as the starting goalie for the rebuilt Espanola Express in the early going of the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
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Garden River to North Bay
Local lad Landon Jones has landed in North Bay and made the lineup of the under 16 Trappers of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
Hailing from Garden River First Nation just outside Sault Ste. Marie, Jones, who is a speedy forward with a 2006 birth date, earned a spot on the U16 Trappers that are coached by the legendary Guy Blanchard.
…[read more]U18 Hounds home to TB
Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League will play host to the Thunder Bay Kings of Hockey Northwestern Ontario in a three game exhibition series this weekend.
…[read more]Return of the Soo Eagles
It had been a long time between Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League victories for the Michigan Soo Eagles.
In fact, the last time the Eagles won an NOJHL game was on Friday, March 6, 2020 when they scored a 2-1 road decision over the Espanola Express to sweep a best of three preliminary round playoff series.
…[read more]All even in Thief River Falls
A home and home series spanning four games with the Wisconsin Lumberjacks has the Thief River Falls Norskies off to a 2-2-0 start to begin the 2021-2022 Superior International Jr. Hockey League regular season.
…[read more]The inimitable Paul Leonard
Another legendary broadcaster has ascended to the ‘Sky Studio’ of the local radio-television industry.
In his 84th year, Paul Leonard Sr. passed away on September 23, 2021.
It was he who gave me my first media job back in October of 1975.
…[read more]I am in Malala land
Hi folks, I will be away from the desk until the weekend. I am in southwestern Ontario, visiting my first grand child, a precious baby girl, Malala. I will be back writing again on Saturday of this week, God willing. Meantime, I am in Malala land.
…[read more]Thunder Bay via Sault College
This has the makings of being a feel good hockey story.
That is, goalie Trennis Riley has latched on with the Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League thanks to the efforts of scout Charly Murray and manager Mark Hebert of the Sault College Cougars varsity men’s team.
…[read more]Express lane to Sudbury
Cameron Walker is now playing hockey at home in Sudbury after two seasons with the nearby Espanola Express.
Walker had his trade request granted by Espanola when Express general manager and coach Jason Rapcewicz dealt the third-year Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League skater to the Sudbury Cubs in a cash exchange.
…[read more]We see a coach in Elliot Lake
Elliot Lake Red Wings have finally settled on a head coach one game into the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]‘Good bet Doucette’
Soo Thunderbirds forward Tyson Doucette more than lived up to his off season hype in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League 2021-2022 opening weekend match.
Pegged by Hockey News North as a rising NOJHL star in a series of summer stories, Doucette fired three goals and goalie Noah Zeppa pitched a shutout with 17 saves in his Thunderbirds debut as the Soo scored a resounding 7-0 road victory over the Blind River Beavers.
…[read more]SIJHL opening weekend
So far, so good. First pucks dropped on the Superior International Jr. Hockey League’s 20th anniversary regular season on the weekend with five games and all seven member teams taking to the ice.
…[read more]Kraken calls on MacKay
Soo Greyhounds overage right winger Cole MacKay is off to the National Hockey League training camp of the expansion Seattle Kraken, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Hendo has three hockey hats
Suffice to say that Jamie Henderson will be spending a lot of time in the various rinks of the north over the course of the 2021-2022 hockey season.
A Sault Ste. Marie native known for his thoroughness and relentless attachment and devotion to the game, Henderson has three diverse roles with three different teams in three separate hockey leagues.
…[read more]Cubs pitch shutout in debut
Captain Owen Perala started the show with a goal, Joel Rainville completed the shutout and the rebranded Sudbury Cubs blanked the visiting Espanola Express 4-0 as the 2021-2022 regular season got underway on Thursday in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]For puck sakes
Regular season play is getting underway in both the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
And as my heart has been sweetly stolen with the birth of my first grand child, Malala, we nonetheless have story lines to peruse relative to junior A hockey in northeastern and northwestern Ontario.
…[read more]Hockey north watch tower
We have teams, players and coaches to keep collective eyes on as junior hockey in the north puts its sticks on the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]They call him Captain Cam
Sault Ste. Marie product Camaryn Baber has been named captain of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
The 2021-2022 campaign will be an overage season for Baber, who has a 2001 birth date.
…[read more]Kam River takes Teleco Cup
Junior hockey returned to northwestern Ontario in game form on the weekend for the first time in nine months.
…[read more]Between the pipes
Goalies. They represent the last line of defense at the most scrutinized and evaluated position in hockey.
In the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, there are no shortage of top flight goalies. And following is a look at several who figure to be difference makers this season.
…[read more]Here come the Sudbury Cubs
It is a new chapter for junior hockey in Sudbury under the watch of a philanthropic owner and his right hand man — fellow locals who represent a time honoured history in the game.
Formerly the Rayside Balfour Canadians, now the Greater Sudbury Cubs, this is a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team that is experienced in community leadership, management and coaching — and with sights set on a championship.
…[read more]Sudbury’s new junior team
Rayside Balfour Canadians are no more.
Owner Mark Burgess and his right hand man, managing director Blaine Smith, have opted to rebrand the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
…[read more]Fishing the Walleye net
Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League has opted to keep its net intact with two returning goalies.
At the same time, the Fighting Walleye has created an opportunity for a rookie net minding prospect.
…[read more]Cougars have a north look
Skaters with recent experience in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Superior International Jr. Hockey League are among those who have signed up to play for the 2021-2022 edition of the Sault College Cougars.
The only Canadian men’s team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Division 2 ranks, Sault College has lined up a regular season schedule that is slated to begin on October 23.
…[read more]Coaching change in EL
Brian Noad has stepped down as head coach of the new Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League without having coached a game, Hockey News North has learned.
…[read more]Dual role in Thief River
It will be double duty for the new guy.
That is, incoming head coach Elliot Bates will add the duties of general manager for the Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Junior hockey outlook
It was a season like no other relative to junior hockey in the province and coalitions such as the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
And hopefully there will never be another season like the 2020-2021 campaign that was so adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
…[read more]Kartye gets Kraken in Seattle
Soo Greyhounds overage candidate Tye Kartye is getting a pro opportunity, Hockey News North has confirmed.
A 6-foot, 200 pound left winger with a 2001 birth date, Kartye has been invited to the National Hockey League training camp of the expansion Seattle Kraken.
…[read more]Barnes in Blind River
An Ontario Hockey League prospect of the Owen Sound Attack is slated to develop with the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the upcoming season.
He is Jackson Barnes, a 6-foot-2 defenseman with a 2004 birth date.
…[read more]Signed up in Kam River
Having signed 18 players to date, the lineup for the Kam River Fighting Walleye is just about set for the upcoming Superior International Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]SIJHL rivals make a deal
Thunder Bay North Stars and Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League have finalized a trade, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]New boss in Thief River Falls
A new head coach with prior bench experience in the North American 3 Hockey League will be at the helm of the Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League once the 2021-2022 season begins.
…[read more]NOJHL expands vaccine policy
Commissioner Rob Mazzuca and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed that, with the looming start of the 2021-2022 exhibition and regular season schedule, it will be adding to its current vaccination policy.
…[read more]D-man has Sudbury roots
Cole Quevillon is headed from the Brockville Braves of the Central Canada Hockey League to the Greater Sudbury-based Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in a cash deal.
A 6-foot-1, 185 pound defenseman with a 2003 birth date, Quevillon has family in Greater Sudbury, which makes the move somewhat of a homecoming for the Oro-Medonite product.
…[read more]Here are the EL Red Wings
The new kids on the block have signed 23 players ahead of the looming 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
Elliot Lake Red Wings have inked 14 forwards, six defensemen and three goalies.
…[read more]Lambert to scout for Wolves
Fresh from a stint as head coach of the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Denny Lambert has joined the scouting staff of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]RIP, Donny Gagnon
Sault Ste. Marie’s hockey circle has lost an exemplary member. Don Gagnon passed away recently following health complications.
…[read more]Hat trick for Lafleur?
I am not saying that Marc Lafleur is the best coach in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. But I doubt there is anyone who is better than the 46-year old bench boss of the Powassan Voodoos.
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