Summer in the hockey towns
Officially, in a given year, the average hockey season runs from September to May. Unofficially, it never really ends. Following is a choice selection of notable junior, college and under 18 hockey happenings — as they relate to the north region — thus far this off season.
…[read more]Boys of Team Canada North
It has been said. It has been written. That is, hockey season never really ends. And it is true. As an example, for several players from Northern Ontario in the 2011 birth year category, they are spending mid July in Vaughan, Ontario as part of the Sports Illustrated Hockey Prospects All Star Challenge.
…[read more]Jr. Greyhounds v. Soo Indians
A cross-border under-18 hockey rivalry is in position to be rekindled for the 2023-2024 season. Personnel from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League and the Soo Indians of the USA Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League are upbeat and eager to face off in a series of exhibition matches over the course of the ’23-24 campaign.
…[read more]U18 AAA Hounds, Indians
They are similar Under 18 AAA hockey programs that are separated by a mere two miles of International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie. One team plays in the Great North Under 18 Hockey League under the umbrella of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The other is a participant in the USA Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League as members of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.
…[read more]Nest of Eagles off to school
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed the ascension of several graduated players to the American college hockey ranks ahead of the upcoming school season.
…[read more]Lined up at Sault College
This has the makings of being a good season. Potentially, at the very least. That is, the Sault College Cougars continue to add on to what is being set up as a lusty lineup ahead of the looming 2023-2024 varsity men’s hockey season.
…[read more]Net gain for Sault College
Following a strong showing at their spring skate tryout camp in June, the Sault College Cougars of the Division 2 American Collegiate Hockey Association have since confirmed the commitment of goalie Kaylan Campbell ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Cole Crowder to Sault College
Sault College Cougars have added a huge presence to their lineup ahead of the looming 2023-2024 varsity men’s hockey season. Cole Crowder, a hulking 6-foot-5, 220 pound forward, is headed to Sault College from the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Brothers of Sault College
There will be a brother act among the brotherhood of players on the 2023-2024 edition of the Sault College Cougars varsity men’s hockey team. Following the earlier commitment of 21-year old defenseman Jackson Jacques, 19-year old forward Jeremiah Jacques will line up with his older brother at Sault College this coming season.
…[read more]Paper Kings add goalie coach
Sault Ste. Marie resident Bill Vanderleest is taking his goalie instructor skills a few hours down the highway. The affable, ageless Vanderleest has been hired as the goalie coach for the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Registered at Sault College
Smooth skating, free wheeling, right-hand shooting defenseman Jackson Jacques is another player with high level junior hockey seasoning to recently commit to the Sault College Cougars of the American Collegiate Hockey Association for the 2023-2024 school year.
…[read more]Spring roar of the Cougars
This speaks volumes to the status of the program and the recruiting efforts of the staff. That is, more than 50 players showed up for the recent spring skate of the Sault College Cougars varsity men’s hockey team.
…[read more]Top U18 goalies in the area
There is a net worth of goalies from northern Ontario born in either 2006 or 2007 who have the tools to be top performers at the Under 18 AAA level come the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]U15 Majors get their man
The newly-formed U15 AAA Timmins Majors of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association have hired their first-ever head coach. The U15 AAA Majors — who will be an affiliate team for the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League — have stayed local in hiring Steve Surcon as their bench boss.
…[read more]T-Birds to Sault College
A pair of fine forwards are moving on from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to the Sault College Cougars of the Division 2, American Collegiate Hockey Association effective the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]U13 AA Jr. Hounds roster
Head coach Ryan Corcoran has confirmed the roster for the Under 13 AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds ahead of the 2023-2024 hockey season.
…[read more]Hanmer … NHL … NTAAA
Over the years, venerable Centennial Arena in Hanmer has been the home of hockey development for many young hopefuls. And there have been a number of players from the Hanmer/Valley East area who have gone on to play professional hockey.
…[read more]No U16 AAA team for Sault
Sault Ste. Marie will not ice an Under 16 AAA hockey team for the 2023-2024 season after all. The executive of the Sault Major Hockey Association released the following statement.
…[read more]Sault boys in key NHL roles
Six Sault Ste. Marie products hold prominent positions on five of the eight National Hockey League teams that are still active in this year’s National Hockey League playoffs.
…[read more]Hounds exit to Soo Indians
The reasons are not exactly clear. And really, why would anyone want to say anything publicly for fear of possible reprisal? But the fact is that no less than four local lads who suited up for the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in 2022-2023 have opted to exit the program to sign with the Soo Indians of the Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Four Jr. Hounds to Soo Indians
Make that four local lads who suited up for the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in 2022-2023 that have opted to sign with the Soo Indians of the Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Indians sign Jr. Hounds trio
Three local lads who suited up for the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in 2022-2023 have opted to sign with the Soo Indians of the Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]U16 AAA approved for Sault
Sault Ste. Marie is now in position to have an Under 16 AAA program along with a U18 AAA team for the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Silver for U15 AAA Hounds
Soo Jr. Greyhounds were upended by the Vaughan Kings by a 4-0 margin in the gold medal game of the AAA Under 15 Ontario Hockey Federation championship tournament on Sunday.
…[read more]Signing up at Sault College
Five tried and tested junior hockey skaters — defensemen Chase Muswagon, Jackson Jacques and Ethan Mercer and forwards Ethan Novello and Mason Wesley — are among the notables who have signed up for the Sault College Cougars ‘Spring Skate’ that is slated for June 3-4.
…[read more]U15 AAA Sons tap ex-OHLer
Trevor Blanchard, who skated in 246 games in the Ontario Hockey League as a hard-working left winger, has a new coaching gig in his hometown of Sudbury.
…[read more]Under 10 A level champs
An overachieving crew of both boys and girls, the Northside Volkswagen Hurricanes recently skated away with the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League’s under 10 A level championship.
…[read more]U15 AAA All Ontario in Soo
Northern Community Centre is the host venue and Soo Jr. Greyhounds are the host team for the Under 15 AAA All Ontario hockey tournament that begins on Wednesday with the championship game slated for Sunday.
…[read more]Korah girls are number 1
The first-ever championship tournament for girls high school hockey in Sault Ste. Marie was recently held in front of a huge crowd at the new Northern Community Centre.
…[read more]Tanner Burton takes the helm
This comes as no surprise. This is the right hire. The varsity men’s hockey team at Sault College has a new head coach. He is Tanner Burton, who moves up from assistant coach to the bench boss of the hockey Cougars.
…[read more]Recruiting for Sault College
The ageless, relentless Charly Murray is on an ongoing recruiting mission as the head scout for the varsity men’s hockey team at Sault College.
…[read more]NOHA U15 AA champs!
Under 15 AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds are Northern Ontario Hockey Association champs. Coached by Frank Porco, the U15 AA Hounds skated to NOHA championship glory in North Bay today.
…[read more]Lady Cougars are champs!
Sault College Cougars put the exclamation point on an undefeated women’s hockey season today with a 6-1 triumph over Northeastern University.
…[read more]Soo Indians hire Jerry Lortie
Simply stated, this is a really good addition. Soo Indians of the Michigan based, Under 18 Tier 1 Hockey Federation League have brought aboard Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario product Jerry Lortie as an assistant coach.
…[read more]Timmins adds U15 AAA team
This is really positive news for minor hockey in the Timmins area. Hockey News North has confirmed that the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League are expanding their program with the formation of a U15 AAA team effective the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Under 16 AA champs
Soo Under 16 AA Jr. Greyhounds capped a dual championship season today. The U16 AA Hounds added the playoff championship to the regular season title with a 3-2 win over the Nickel City Sons. See below for team photo.
…[read more]All in at Sault College
There are two good sides to varsity hockey at Sault College. As there is men’s hockey, so too are there women who play the game they love.
…[read more]Mike Hall calls it quits
The men’s hockey program at Sault College is looking for a new head coach ahead of the 2023-2024 season. Hockey News North has confirmed that Mike Hall has retired as the Cougars bench boss.
…[read more]Sault hosting OHF event
This is the big time of hockey events for this level and age group. Sault Major Hockey Association and the Soo Under 15 AAA Jr. Greyhounds will play host to an elite event from April 12 to 16 of this year.
…[read more]U12 AA Hounds on the road
Fresh from winning a tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the long weekend, the Soo Under 12 AA Jr. Greyhounds head out on the road again this weekend.
…[read more]Muzzin at the crossroads
The long and winding — not to mention improbable — hockey career of former Soo Greyhounds first rounder Jake Muzzin is at a standstill.
…[read more]Gold for U12 AA Jr. Hounds
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — They were the only Canadian team in the Under 12 AA Division at the Ursa Minor Big Bear Hockey Tournament that was held here on this long weekend. And the Soo U12 AA Jr. Greyhounds skated home with gold medal glitter following a frantic 3-2 triumph over the Saginaw U12 Jr. Spirit in today’s title tilt.
…[read more]Pee Wee Extravaganza champs
More than 90 teams in 18 divisions from towns all over the north region took part in the recent Soo Pee Wee Hockey League’s annual Extravaganza Tournament.
…[read more]U12 AA Hounds assist SOYA
For the Soo Under 12 AA Jr. Greyhounds, hockey has certainly proven to be about so much more than wins and losses and simply playing the game. To be sure, as team manager Kenny Deplonty noted, “putting on that red and white Soo Jr. Greyhounds jersey brings a responsibility to our community.
…[read more]Roar of the Cougars
Playing with a shortened lineup due to injuries did not deter the Sault College Cougars from earning a weekend split of American Collegiate Hockey Association games with the big campus Michigan State Spartans.
…[read more]Once a scout always a scout
He has scouted for multiple teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for renumeration that was no more than a hat, a jacket and a cold beer or two after a given game. He has old school values and roots that have grown to embrace today’s game. Now in his early 70s, the fire for the game stills burns deep within Charly Murray as the tireless head scout and recruiter for the Sault College Cougars men’s hockey team.
…[read more]Wood is good at Sault College
He is an academic standout at Sault College as a Business Administration major with a 3.50 grade point average. He is also the captain and scoring leader on the Cougars men’s hockey team. And Caleb Wood is also a former Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League star who has good memories from his three seasons with first the Soo Eagles and then the Soo Thunderbirds.
…[read more]Sault College Winter Classic
Rankin Arena will be the site for what the Sault College Cougars hockey program refers to as its Winter Classic. It is slated for this Saturday when the men’s and women’s teams are both in action with respective 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. games.
…[read more]U16 AA Jr. Hounds are hot
Four straight wins on the weekend have solidified the Soo U16 AA Jr. Greyhounds lead atop the standings of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s eight-team U18 AA program. The U16 AA Greyhounds now have a record of 17-4-3 within NOHA regular season play.
…[read more]