All posts by Hockey News North Staff
Game 1 goes to Hearst
Soo Thunderbirds not only lost the opener of their Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League championship series with the Hearst Lumberjacks but they had a remarkable 26-game win streak halted in the process.
…[read more]Lumberjacks and Thunderbirds
The last time a champion in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League was crowned was in 2019 when the visiting Hearst Lumberjacks upset the Soo Thunderbirds in the seventh and deciding game of the finals. Three years later, it will again be the no. 1 seed Thunderbirds and the no. 2 seed Lumberjacks facing off for the NOJHL title.
…[read more]Kam River prospect camp
Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League has confirmed a prospect identification camp for June 10 to 12 at Fort William First Nation Arena in Thunder Bay. See below for complete details.
…[read more]Crunch prospect tryout
Cochrane Crunch of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has confirmed an upcoming tryout camp to be held in Alliston. See below for details.
…[read more]Lumberjacks spring camp
Patrick Vaillancourt, who is the president of the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, has confirmed a spring camp to be held in Alliston. See below for details via the Lumberjacks.
…[read more]EL Wings prospect camp
Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be holding their spring prospects camp in early May. See below for details.
…[read more]T-Birds development camp
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed a June development camp as per general manager Jamie Henderson. See below for details.
…[read more]Sudbury Cubs spring camp
It won’t be long before junior A hockey teams in northeastern and northwestern Ontario hold spring tryout and prospect camps well ahead of the 2022-2023 season. One such team is the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. See below for details.
…[read more]Words from Dryden Ice Dogs
Hockey News North has received the following message from the president of the Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Eagles v. Thunderbirds
No. 1 seed Soo Thunderbirds and no. 2 seed Soo Eagles will meet in a cross-river border battle to decide the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s West Division playoff title.
…[read more]Hearst v. Timmins
No. 1 seed Timmins Rock will face off against no. 2 seed Hearst Lumberjacks in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s East Division finals. The best of seven series will begin on Tuesday at McIntyre Arena in Timmins.
…[read more]Sudbury Cubs stay alive
The series will play on. Sudbury Cubs have extended their semi-final playoff showdown with the Soo Eagles by way of a clutch road victory.
…[read more]Eagles fly to 3-1 series lead
Soo Eagles are within one victory of advancing to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s West Division finals against the powerhouse Soo Thunderbirds. The Eagles have a 3-1 semi-final series lead on the Sudbury Cubs following a 5-0 road whitewash on Tuesday.
…[read more]Monday night playoffs
Multiple series are on the line tonight when best-of-seven playoff action continues in both the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Best of the NOJHL
They have been deemed the best of the best of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And, to be sure, this is a best list of players, coaches, general managers and executives from the 12 member NOJHL. Notably, more than one individual was recognized in two separate categories.
…[read more]Beavers and Red Wings
Arch-rivals representing nearby towns along rugged highways, Blind River Beavers and Elliot Lake Red Wings will begin their best-of-three Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League preliminary round playoff series tonight. Start time is slated for 7:00 in Blind River.
…[read more]Rangers are runners-up in Sudbury
Prouse Motors Rangers of the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League’s Under 11 Division made it to the main match of the Sudbury Renegades Tournament on the weekend.
…[read more]Pancakes for U18 Jr. Hounds
Champs of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League, Soo Jr. Greyhounds are headed to the Central Region provincial championship tournament in Toronto next month. And as a fundraiser, the Jr. Greyhounds will be hosting a pancake breakfast. Tickets are available in advance from any team member or their parents. See below for details.
…[read more]NOJHL playoff timeline
Playoff season is just around the corner in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And the NOJHL has finalized its format and timeline for the upcoming 2022 playoffs and the competition for the Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy.
…[read more]NOJHL and the Centennial Cup
Further to the announcement made by Hockey Canada, the 2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoff champion will advance directly to compete at the Centennial Cup national tournament, to be held May 20-29, in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
…[read more]Shoemaker Extravaganza
Soo Pee Wee Hockey League and its Extravaganza Tournament concluded with championship matches in all divisions on Sunday. And championship day was especially noteworthy for twin brothers Parker and Nelson Shoemaker and their younger sister Haizel.
…[read more]S & T takes U11 tournament title
Soo Pee Wee Hockey League held its annual Extravaganza Tournament on the weekend as local teams were joined by out of town entries in various divisions.
…[read more]OHL extends regular season
We have good news to report from the Ontario Hockey League. The OHL has confirmed a comprehensive update to its regular season schedule. It is one that will enable all 20 OHL teams to complete their respective 68-game schedules by an extended closing date of Sunday, April 17.
…[read more]U14 Hounds are ranked 10th
Coach Terry Chitaroni and the under 14 AAA Soo Jr. Greyhounds have an overall record of 20-4-3 as they head into the 2022 segment of the minor hockey season.
…[read more]CCHL will play a full slate
Commissioner Kevin Abrams and the Board of Governors of the Central Canada Hockey League have confirmed that the 2021-2022 regular season will resume with practice and training on January 31.
…[read more]NOJHL restarting on February 3
Regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will resume on Thursday, February 3, according to the NOJHL website. And there is a full slate of activity for that week.
…[read more]NOJHL poised to recommence
Given that arenas in Ontario have been cleared by the provincial government to reopen on Monday, Jan. 31, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will return to play at some point that week.
…[read more]Soo Eagles nip Wisconsin
A back-and-forth contest eventually favoured the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in an exhibition match with the visiting Wisconsin Lumberjacks of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League on Friday night in the Michigan Soo.
…[read more]Three week pause for NOJHL
Commissioner Rob Mazzuca and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed a three-week pause to its 2021-2022 regular season schedule effective today.
…[read more]U14 Hounds are top dogs
A team from Sault Ste. Marie has emerged as champions in their age division from among the 19 entries that took to the ice for the recent Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs AAA Classic Hockey Tournament.
…[read more]U10 Hounds rule Sudbury
Head coach Craig Kennedy and his under 10 Soo Jr. Greyhounds will represent northern Ontario at next month’s Silver Sticks International Hockey Tournament.
…[read more]OHL Wolves shut down
In accordance with established protocols, the Ontario Hockey League has confirmed that the Sudbury Wolves have suspended all team activities as a result of 12 players having tested positive for COVID-19.
…[read more]Silver lining for U13 girls
Soo Jr. Greyhounds under 13 BB level girls now have silver medals to show off thanks to their recent performance at an out of town tournament.
…[read more]Eagles finally make it home
At last, the Soo Eagles have landed on home ice. The lone American team in the 12 member Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, the Eagles started the 2021-2022 regular season with 15 straight road games while the International Bridge was closed to non-essential travel from Canada.
…[read more]NB Trappers strike gold
What a weekend it was for the North Bay Trappers. Venerable coach Guy Blanchard and the Trappers capped an unbeaten weekend with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Toronto Young Nationals to capture the gold medal in the under 16 AAA division at the Kitchener Blueline Hockey Tournament.
…[read more]Jr. Hounds split with Trappers
Coach Guy Blanchard and his under 16 North Bay Trappers managed a weekend split of two games against the visiting under 18 Soo Jr. Greyhounds in Great North Under 18 Hockey League action.
…[read more]Cubs, SmartCell, food, support
When the the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League take to the ice for a home game at Countryside Arena tonight it will signal the start of a partnership between SmartCell Communications and the Elgin Street Mission that will help bring good food and support to those living with hunger in the community.
…[read more]Hockey North Show ’21-22
Tonight from 5-6 p.m. marks the debut of the Hockey North Show on Eagle Radio 95.1 http://eagleradio951.com for the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]SIJHL preview for Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Bombers are slated to join the Superior International Jr. Hockey League as an expansion team for the 2022-2023 season. But ahead of that, Sioux Lookout will play host to an SIJHL regular season match on October 23 in a neutral site game between the Dryden Ice Dogs and Thunder Bay North Stars.
…[read more]Here are the U15 AA Hounds
Head coach Jerry Lortie has confirmed the roster for the under 15 AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Sault Major Hockey Association.
Players and their positions are as follows.
…[read more]Elliot Lake has a nice look
After a year away and sporting a new name, Elliot Lake is back in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Here are the U18 Greyhounds
Head coach Jamie Henderson has confirmed the roster for the 2021-2022 edition of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Bull heading to Cochrane
Cochrane Crunch of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has added a defenseman via the Quebec AAA Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Three stars to Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils have recruited three graduated stars from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the upcoming season.
…[read more]Rayside adds experience
Forward Kyler Campbell has been acquired by the Rayside Balfour Canadians from the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League cash exchange.
The 6-foot, 200 pound Campbell, who has a 2001 birth date, played in 56 career NOJHL games for Kirkland Lake and produced 15 goals, 13 assists, 28 points.
…[read more]Rayside adds to depth chart
Alexander Dillon is moving up from the Little Britain Merchants of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League to the Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Powassan via Oshawa
Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed rookie forward Elliott Haigh from the Oshawa Generals under 18 program.
…[read more]SMHA coaches for ’21-22
Hockey News North has confirmed a number of the coaches who will lead Sault Major Hockey Association teams for the 2021-2022 season. The list of coaches is as follows.
…[read more]June camp in Elliot Lake
Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are intent on getting a head start well in advance of the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]Making the best of pandemic
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was prepared for Hockey News North by Michelle Guzzo, secretary of the Sault Major Hockey Association.
…[read more]A winning story
Hockey News North has received the following press release relative to a school based fitness curriculum that includes National Hockey League star Nick Foligno.
…[read more]Statement from David Branch
Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch has issued the following statement relative to return to play discussions for the 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]We are with the Express
Hockey News North and the Espanola Express are planning to team up during what will be a temporary time away from game activity for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team in the early stages of the 2021 schedule.
With the other eight active teams of the NOJHL potentially slated to return to play later this month as part of cohort competition, Espanola will be on the sidelines as the league’s ninth entry before the Express resumes regular season game action in February.
Which is where Hockey News North will come in to play while the Express is temporarily idle.
…[read more]Nice NOJHL action shots
We have some good photos to share from the first session of play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Hockey News North has taken the liberty of choosing a few quality photos from a smattering of the games that have been played in the NOJHL thus far in this 2020-2021 regular season.
…[read more]Pee Wee Penguins on ice
Minor hockey may not be the same as it plays and practices in modified form relative to COVID-19.
But there are still many happy faces to be found.
…[read more]RBC Christmas Camp
Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be holding a ‘Christmas Camp for Kids’ for youngsters 12 years of age and under.
The camp will feature Rayside Balfour coaches and players assisting youngsters with their hockey skills including skating, stick-handling and passing.
There are two age categories for the morning sessions that will be held on December 28, 29, 30 at the Garson Arena.
…[read more]Indians blank Little Caesars
What a weekend!
Soo Indians of the under 18 AAA Michigan Amateur Hockey Association fashioned a perfect 2020-2021 regular season set on the weekend with a pair of home ice triumphs.
The Indians blanked Detroit Little Caesars by 2-0 and 4-0 scores.
…[read more]Birds, Beavers off for now
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has announced that this weekend’s slated home and home games between the Soo Thunderbirds and Blind River Beavers will be rescheduled to a later date.
…[read more]Regular season set to start
Eight teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are slated to begin regular season play this week.
In all, seven games are on the schedule from Friday through Sunday.
See below for the list of seven matches that are set to go, according to the NOJHL.
…[read more]NOJHL exhibition exercise
The mini pre-season schedule in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League featured four more exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday. Regular season play in the NOJHL is slated to begin this coming weekend.
…[read more]Hockey North Show start date
Coincident with the looming start of the 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season, the Hockey North Show will begin its annual gig on Wednesday, November 18 from 5-6 p.m. on radio station Eagle 95.1 and its on-line site www.eagleradio951.com.
The one-hour, weekly radio show will again be hosted by Hockey News North editor Randy Russon and Soo Today sports editor Brad Coccimiglio and will be broadcast live from Reggie’s Place Tavern in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]NOJHL player safety study
Here is one for the books.
And one for team work.
As head trainer and equipment manager of the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, J.J. Johnson is also actively continuing his education, with a project focused on player safety.
All new Hockey North Show
There will be significant changes to the Hockey North Show when the well established program returns to the airwaves in mid November for its annual 25 week gig.
For one, the Hockey North Show with Randy Russon and Brad Coccimiglio is moving to a new radio home, Eagle 95.1 — on line via www.eagleradio951.com — from its former ESPN 1400 spot.
As well, the Hockey North Show will be broadcast live on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. (as opposed to Tuesdays) and as a bonus, all editions will be recorded and archived on www.eagleradio951.com as well as the Eagle 95.1 Facebook page for replay on demand.
…[read more]Hockey North Show on 95.1
A seasonal mainstay of the airwaves since 2013, the Hockey North Show is planning its return for the upcoming season via Eagle Radio 95.1.
The plan is for the Hockey North Show to be on air a week in advance of when, for example, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League begins play for the 2020-2021 campaign.
The NOJHL, along with minor hockey in the Twin Sault and northeastern Ontario areas, will be focal points of the Hockey North Show.
…[read more]SPWHL return to play guide
Minor hockey has made a return in Sault Ste. Marie with teams selected for skill and practice sessions in the various age categories. Following is a return to play guideline as issued by the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League.
…[read more]Confidence a key for Calisti
Robert Calisti has made gigantic strides since his rookie season of 2017-2018 with the Soo Greyhounds when he dressed for only six games in the Ontario Hockey League and did not pick up a point.
After being picked by the Greyhounds in the third round, 44th overall, of the 2017 OHL priority selections draft, Calisti would spend the majority of the 2017-2018 campaign with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Regular season and playoffs included that 2017-2018 term, Calisti played in 46 games with the Thunderbirds and produced eight goals, 22 assists, 30 points from his defense position.
…[read more]We have this from the NOJHL
We can only hope this works out at some point this season. Having said that, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has confirmed its initial ‘return to play’ outline for the 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]Rhodes Centre arenas open
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has implemented a number of modifications for the two arenas that are housed within John Rhodes Community Centre. The Rhodes Centre is located in the Sault’s east end on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth Park.
…[read more]Rhodes to re-open next week
The City of Sault Ste. Marie continues to re-open facilities by employing a phased approach as it tries to ensure appropriate safety measures for the community and limiting public health risks.
…[read more]Top 12 OHL rookies are …
Ontario Hockey League has confirmed its first and second team all-rookie selections from the 2019-2020 season. General managers from the 20 OHL teams conducted the voting process.
…[read more]Hearst to Plattsburgh
Forward Spencer Silver of the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is headed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks.
…[read more]Flashback: RB Sabrecats
To be sure, from 1995-1996 through 2001-2002, there was no better team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League than the erstwhile Rayside Balfour Sabrecats.
…[read more]Numbers on the NOJHL
The 2019-2020 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season ended unexpectedly due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the NOJHL’s communications department, along with esteemed league historian David Harrison, have compiled a by-the-numbers look at the season.
…[read more]