All posts by Randy Russon
Season of progress for Soo Indians
Soo Indians major midgets are off to Lansing this week for a Michigan Amateur Hockey Association qualifying-round series.
Starting on Friday, the Indians will play the Lansing Capitals in a best-of-three series and the winner will advance to the MAHA state championships, to be held in the Detroit suburb of Taylor beginning on March 12. …[read more]
What’s wrong with Erie Otters?
Well-coached by Kris Knoblauch and Chris Hartsburg, Erie Otters have been a turnaround team this 2013-2014 Ontario Hockey League season.
After finishing 19th in the 20-team OHL in 2012-2013, Erie has been first overall for much of 2013-2014. …[read more]
Trappers setting up in Mattawa
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will move to the frozen stage of the Ottawa River town of Mattawa today in the form of the transplanted North Bay Trappers.
The Trappers will play their next three home games of this 2013-2014 NOJHL season at Mattawa’s Mike Rodden Arena and Community Centre. …[read more]
Who is leaving the NOJHL?
The clock is ticking.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will have a different look to it come the 2014-2015 season. …[read more]
Here ‘n there on a Friday
Items on the agenda include National Hockey League interest in a Soo Eagles defencemen, a gruelling road trip for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, and how the top three teams in the Ontario Hockey League are all from the same division. …[read more]
Eagles need to Pullar together
Soo Eagles face a virtual must-win situation tonight when they play host to Janesville Jets in a 7:30 start-time encounter at Pullar Stadium.
The Eagles are tied with Springfield for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the six-team North Division of the North American Hockey League with 47 points but the Jr. Blues have a game in hand. …[read more]
Questions, questions, questions
A few questions that pertain to the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the proposed International Jr. Hockey League: …[read more]
Here and there and what is fair
I seem to have stirred the masses via my “New junior league in the works” column of a couple of days ago.
However, since there are some who have chosen to read between the lines or attribute words to me that I did not write, let me clarify a few things. …[read more]
Full of Bull in North Iowa
What a bunch of Bull this is.
North Iowa Bulls continue to be a super success story in the North American 3 Hockey League.
With a league-best record of 38-2-0, the defending Silver Cup champion Bulls have already secured a second, successive first-place finish atop the NA3HL’s West Division. …[read more]
Flashback: CKCY, my first media job
It was 1975 and between beers at the Purple Lantern, I studied Journalism at Sault College.
Classmates included David Gazer and Joe Petrolo and I mention them because all three of us managed to land part-time jobs at CKCY Radio while still “studying” at Sault College.
Gazer and Petrolo, with their booming, CKLW-Windsor-style voices, worked as newscasters at CKCY while I was the weekend sportscaster.
Thus began my sports media career, which has now surpassed 38 years. …[read more]
NOJHL still not settled
They fashioned a fabulous 25-game winning streak and have an awesome overall record of 43-5-2.
But the fact of the matter is, with six games left to play in the 2014-2015 regular season, Soo Thunderbirds have not clinched first place in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
That’s because the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are having a season that is just about on par with the Soo. …[read more]
Knot in the North
A mere two points are all that stand between three teams fighting for one playoff spot in the six-member North Division of the North American Hockey League.
Springfield Jr. Blues and Soo Eagles are tied for fourth place in the NAHL North, just two points up on the Janesville Jets. …[read more]
New junior league in the works
There could be a new junior hockey league in operation for the 2014-2015 season.
HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned that the proposed, new International Jr. Hockey League would be a part of the American-based Amateur Athletic Union.
The IJHL has progessed to the stage that a logo (see above) has already been designed.
Should it get AAU approval, the IJHL would be comprised of teams and divisions on both sides of the Canada-United States border, some of which would be new franchises and others which are currently operating in junior leagues based in Ontario and Michigan. …[read more]
NA3HL to Jamestown
Junior hockey is poised to return to Jamestown, N.Y. for the 2014-2015 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned.
Multiple sources are confirming that a group of Jamestown businessmen has finalized a deal to purchase the Michigan Mountain Cats of the North American 3 Hockey League. …[read more]
Re-unite Headrick, Pucci
We know that Lake Superior State Lakers have already made a full-ride scholarship offer to Owen Headrick, a 1997 birth-year defenceman with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Headrick — a 14th-round pick of the Erie Otters at the 2013 Ontario Hockey League — has yet to make a decision as to which route he wants to take. …[read more]
OHL or NCAA?
Life is about choices.
So too, at times, is hockey.
There are hockey players who excel on the ice and maintain good marks in the classroom who are often in position to make choices.
In Sault Ste. Marie for example, while the Ontario Hockey League is often seen as the preferred route given the way it hypes itself and is hyped by others, the National Collegiate Athletic Association can also be an option. …[read more]
Seasoned Warriors have strength
With eight 1993 birth-year skaters and 16 veterans in total, the Michigan Warriors were built for this 2013-2014 North American Hockey League season.
Just ask coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo of the Soo Eagles, who are a North Division rival of the Warriors. …[read more]
Two tough tests for Hounds
A pair of fellow Western Conference contenders are headed this way.
Soo Greyhounds will play host to the Guelph Storm and Windsor Spitfires in back-to-back weekend tilts at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
Catching up with Coach Capy
It had been a few years since Jim Capy and I had talked face-to-face.
Oh, we had exchanged a few e-mails along the way, sharing sporadic bits of hockey information.
But last night, Capy and I met up at Service Grill on Korah Rd. in Sault Ste. Marie, site of the Thunderbird Hockey Show that I host (along with Tuesday’s Hockey North Show) on ESPN 1400 Radio.
Capy is back in hockey, the game he says is in his blood.
He and I talked some hockey last night. …[read more]
Junior hockey returning to Jamestown?
Multiple sources are saying that junior hockey is poised to return to Jamestown, N.Y. for the 2014-2015 season.
Jamestown — which is located about 75 miles from Buffalo — was home to the Ironmen of the North American Hockey League for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. …[read more]
Possible Lake State prospects
It is the quintessential small-town, small-campus school.
Located in Sault Ste. Marie, a town of about 15,000 residents, Lake Superior State has a student population of just over 2,500, making it the smallest public university in the state of Michigan.
Despite its lack of size, Lake Superior State has managed to achieve and maintain status with a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association hockey program.
Not to say that the hockey Lakers don’t have issues related to available scholarship money and the school’s northern location.
Let’s face it, Lake Superior State is not the first choice of the majority of top hockey players from Michigan and Ontario who are looking to play at the Division 1, NCAA level.
And while the Lakers do have history and while they do have a respectable hockey program, the fact of the matter is that the team has had only three winning records in the past 13 years, all of which have come under current head coach Jim Roque, who is in his ninth season on the job.
But while the Lakers may not get the pick of the hockey litter, there are a number of good players from close by who I think could fit into the Lake Superior State lineup anywhere from next season to beyond.
From older to younger, here is a list of a dozen players — more than half of which wouldn’t cost Lake State anywhere near a full-ride scholarship — with Division 1 potential and good academic standing who the Lakers could commit to for the 2014-2015, 2015-2016 or 2016-2017 seasons. …[read more]
Junior hockey on the Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island — for the most part, the town of Little Current — was home to a team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League from 2003 until 2011.
Known as the Wild for two seasons and the Islanders for six, Manitoulin had little on-ice success.
Manitoulin never had a winning season of the eight years that it spent in the NOJHL, though it initially enjoyed good fan support, especially from 2003 until 2006. …[read more]
Eight straight for Michigan Warriors
All of a sudden, the Port Huron Fighting Falcons are looking behind them.
A season-high, eight-game winning streak has moved the mucking Michigan Warriors to within two points of first-place Port Huron in the North Division of the North American Hockey League. …[read more]
Soo Eagles goaltending shakeup
Losers of three straight games and four of their last five, Soo Eagles have addressed their shaky goaltending situation.
The Eagles, who are clinging to fourth place in the North Division of the North American Hockey League, one point ahead of Springfield Jr. Blues, have returned goalie Landon Trutt to Cape Cod Islanders of the Northern States Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
Hounds in a very good spot
They have already clinched an Ontario Hockey League playoff spot.
Still, when a three-game losing streak stretched into last weekend, their fans started to get a bit jittery.
Don’t worry, be happy. …[read more]
Pucci, Lussier, 1-2 for Soo Indians
1997 birth-year forwards Frankie Pucci and Cole Lussier continue to be a one-two scoring punch for the Soo Indians major midgets.
Despite having missed six games this season, Pucci leads the Indians in scoring. …[read more]
Sherry Bassin headed to the Soo
Erie Otters general manager Sherry Bassin is slated to be in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend to watch two of his team’s selections from the 2013 Ontario Hockey League draft in action.
The smooth-talking, 74-year old Bassin, whose Otters are one of the top teams in the OHL this season, will be in the Soo to take a close-up look at centre Frankie Pucci of the Soo Indians major midgets and defenceman Owen Headrick of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds. …[read more]
Midwest Chill
There’s a Chill that is heating up the Midwest.
Over its past 21 games dating back to December 6, the Coulee Chill has won 16 times and now, with an overall record of 28-17-0, has moved into a tie for second place in the hotly-contested Midwest Division of the North American Hockey League. …[read more]
How about the Soo Rapids?
When Sault Ste. Marie returns to the Great North Midget Hockey League for the 2014-2015 season after a one-year absence, the team will no longer be known as Soo North Stars.
As Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have been awarded operation of the local major midget team by the Sault Major Hockey Association, the North Stars name will fade into history.
In granting operation of the major midget team to the Thunderbird organization, Sault Major indicated a preference to move forward with a new moniker. …[read more]
Those streaking Windsor Spitfires
Don’t look now but the Windsor Spitfires have ignited their Motor City engines.
As recent as a few weeks ago, the Spitfires were being written as a rebuilding team rather than a major threat for the remainder of the 2013-2014 season.
As part of a strong 10-team Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, the Spitfires were not seen as being in the same class as the Erie Otters, Guelph Storm, Soo Greyhounds and London Knights. …[read more]
Anzalone an ‘A’ student of the game
He’s making his own way as a coach, far away from his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie.
Francis Anzalone in his first season as associate coach and director of player personnel with the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League — and he’s making a name for himself. …[read more]
Make or break time in the NAHL
Eight weekends remain on the 2013-2014 regular-season schedule in the North American Hockey League.
Eight weekends to determine which four teams in each of the four divisions will make it to the playoffs in pursuit of the Robertson Cup.
With precious playoff positions at stake, there is much to gain and much to lose. …[read more]
New coaching gig for Jim Capy
He has often said that hockey — and coaching — is in his blood.
Of that, there is little doubt.
Jim Capy, who has coached with success at the high school level with Korah Colts and Sir James Dunn Eagles, at the major midget level in the Michigan Soo and in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with Soo Thunderbirds, Soo Indians and Blind River Beavers, will return to the bench in 2014-2015. …[read more]
Espanola Rivermen will help with the chores
Espanola Rivermen of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are taking the term “community involvement” to an innovative level.
The first-year NOJHL entry has introduced its Captain’s Community Chores Program to fans and supporters from the North Shore area.
“There is no chore too small or too big. The Rivermen have a posse of one, two or 20 players who are willing to jump in where needed to do odd jobs for area community members or North Shore junior hockey fans that may be in need of help in any way,” said Rivermen general manager Randy Blake. …[read more]
Brandon is getting better
He says he is getting better.
He says he is close to returning to the lineup of the Soo Thunderbirds.
Rookie defenceman Brandon Grandinetti has been on the sidelines since suffering a concussion in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game on January 5. …[read more]
Soo’s Sabatini cranks up the power
His coach thinks he can develop into a dominant power forward.
To be sure, Bruno Bragagnolo, who coaches and manages the Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League, feels as though Mike Sabatini has the tools to become the consummate power forward. …[read more]
Role players
Most good teams have one or two good role players.
While star players are the ones who make the obvious impact, role players fill a necessary and often-overlooked part in the scheme of success.
Following is a look at five good role-playing forwards from five good teams within the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and North American Hockey League. …[read more]
Jr. Generals, Jets and a Mountain Cat
Flint Jr. Generals and the Waterford-based Metro Jets are only 30 miles apart on Interstate 75 but 38 points separate the two teams in the East Division standings of the North American 3 Hockey League.
With a record of 36-3-2 and 74 points, coach Steve Howard’s Jr. Generals have already clinched a playoff spot.
The younger Jets, meanwhile, are in fifth place with 36 points from a record of 17-21-2 and in a desperate chase for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the NA3HL East. …[read more]
NAHL: North Division knot
There is little room for error in the North Division of the North American Hockey League.
With eight weekends to play in the 2013-2014 regular season, there is a frantic race for the four playoff positions in the six-team North Division.
Simply out, two pretty-good teams are going to be on the outside looking in once the playoffs begin in the NAHL North during the first week of April.
Let’s take a quick, top to bottom glance at the NAHL North. Team records are indicated in brackets. …[read more]
NOJHL: 22 straight for Soo T-Birds
The last time Soo Thunderbirds lost a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game was back on November 10.
Since then, the Thunderbirds have reeled off 22 straight victories.
Not that the 22 successive wins has been a glide around the rink for the Thunderbirds. …[read more]
Scouting the Soo Indians
They are being closely watched by scouts from teams in credible junior leagues on both sides of the Canada-United States hockey border.
On any given night, be it at home or on the road, representatives from teams in the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, North American Hockey League or North American 3 Hockey League are there, taking notes and collecting data.
Soo Indians have played 46 games thus far this season as an independent hockey team playing against top major midget competition from Ontario, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. …[read more]
NOJHL leaders have talent, heart
So much skill.
So much heart.
It’s a tough combination to beat.
Talented and tireless, no team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League works harder than the Soo Thunderbirds.
Winners of 20 straight games, the Thunderbirds are atop the NOJHL standings with 78 points in 44 games from a record of 38-4-2 going into action this weekend. …[read more]
Here ‘n there on January 31
From both sides of the Soo to Coulee Region to Flint we go…
…Soo Thunderbirds have the best record in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and have all but clinched first place in the eight-team loop. Barring a late-season collapse, the Thunderbirds will finish first under 28-year old head coach Jordan Smith, who does not look or act like a rookie bench boss. Wise and mature beyond his years, Smith’s stay in the NOJHL doesn’t figure to be an extended one. This is an up-and-coming coach who is destined to be behind an Ontario Hockey League bench sooner than later.
…As the NOJHL Thunderbirds have assumed control of the Soo entry that will return to the Great North Midget Hockey League in 2014-2015 after sitting out this season, one of the first orders of business will be finding a suitable coach. One man that bears strong consideration is veteran bench boss Jim Capy. Capy, who stepped away from the game in 2012 after coaching for years in the NOJHL with the Thunderbirds, Soo Indians and Blind River Beavers, is known as an attention-to-detail coach. Whether Capy has any interest in returning to coaching and whether the Soo midgets might provide a good fit is a scenario worth following.
…The numbers don’t lie. With veteran goaltenders Colin Brennan and Paige Skoog handling the goaltending through the first 28 games of this 2013-2014 North American Hockey League season, Soo Eagles were in last place in the six-team North Division with a record of 9-14-5. …[read more]
Flashback: ’06-07 NOJHL champion Soo Indians
They were a rag-tag crew of American-born players from six different states, a collection of hockey gypsies who represented the only foreign entry in what was a seven-team Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
They were a one-hit wonder of a franchise that was assembled just before the 2006-2007 NOJHL campaign started and folded soon after the season ended.
They were owned by an out-of-town, out-of-state rapscallion who rarely visited to watch them play or support them. …[read more]
Eyes on Blake Speers, Owen Headrick
Blake Speers just turned 17-years old but the eyes of the pro scouts are already on him.
The hometown centre, who the Soo Greyhounds snagged with the 11th pick of the 2013 Ontario Hockey League draft, seems to have it all, except maybe size. …[read more]
NOJHL Notes: Haines on fire, Trecroce on air
…To say that Darcy Haines has been lighting it up for the Soo Thunderbirds since the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team acquired the skilled centre in a trade with the Pembroke Lumberkings of the Central Canada Hockey League earlier this season would rank as a major understatement.
Haines, who is in his final season of junior eligibility, is averaging two points a game through 20 outings with the Thunderbirds. …[read more]
NOJHL at the crossroads
As rumours of relocation and franchises in financial difficulty swirl, the small-to-medium market Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League soldiers on.
An eight-team league that this season features a two-team battle for first place and a three-team saw-off for third, the NOJHL is again faced with adversity and questions of its stability. …[read more]
Lakers looking in their backyard
Based in Sault Ste. Marie, on the Michigan side of the International Bridge that links the United States and Canada, Lake Superior State Lakers are in a good recruiting position.
A Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association program, the Lakers have the advantage of being within a few miles of the Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League and the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, not to mention the Soo Indians major midgets. …[read more]