Eagles lead Border Battle
The tide has turned in the long running Twin Soo Border Battle between the Soo Thunderbirds and Soo Eagles. While the Ontario based Thunderbirds won the war over the past couple of years in particular it is the Eagles of Michigan who are in command thus far this season.
…[read more]Cubs & ‘Taste of Sudbury’
First place Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will look to extend their winning streak to 11 games when they play host to the French Rapids on Thursday night at 7:05 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
…[read more]Soo T-Birds in transition
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed what Hockey News North first reported on the weekend. That is, general manager Jamie Henderson will also serve as head coach for the balance of the ’24-25 season.
…[read more]T-Birds changing coaches
Cole Jarrett has reportedly handed the head coach duties of the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to his long-time sidekick, Hockey News North has been advised.
…[read more]Soo Eagles on 9-0-1 flight
Coached by Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario resident Jeremy Rebek, the Michigan Soo Eagles are flying high near the top perch of the standings in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Rock stars of the net
Not only are they two of the best goalies in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League but they are two of the younger ones. And not only that, Dryden Riley and Graham Gee both guard the net for the same team — the Timmins Rock, which is one of the top three clubs among the 12 of the NOJHL.
…[read more]Cubs help infant food bank
Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be out to try to win their ninth straight game on Thursday when they play host to the Iroquois Falls Storm in a 7:05 pm. match at Countryside Sports Complex. RBC will sponsor Thursday’s game by providing prizes to fans who bring a donation to the game in support of the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank.
…[read more]A first for Wyatt Jarratt
Well, that didn’t take very long. Suiting up in his first game as an affiliate player for the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League led to a goal by up and coming youngster Wyatt Jarratt.
…[read more]Assisting the Soo Eagles
They were born an hour apart on January 22, 1986. They have been friends since their youthful minor hockey days in Sault Ste. Marie. And Kelsey Wilson and Donnie Bruni are now together again as first year assistant coaches with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Races for NOJHL places
Sudbury Cubs are atop the standings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with a near flawless record of 20-2-2. But the Cubs have company in the contender department of the NOJHL that includes the Hearst Lumberjacks, Timmins Rock, Blind River Beavers and Soo Eagles.
…[read more]Hound picks in NOJHL
Recently assigned 2007 birth year goalie Reid Thomas and 2008 birth year forward James Elliott are two Ontario Hockey League draft picks of the Soo Greyhounds who are developing with rival teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Cubs of the goal crease
Good teams usually get good goaltending as part of the victory formula. Very good teams usually get very good goaltending as part of the victory formula.
…[read more]Lights are on up North
It may not be a perfect junior hockey league. But is there any such thing as a perfect junior hockey league? The answer to that question is rather obvious. Just as it is obvious to a seasoned writer that the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has a lot going for it in so many ways, shapes and forms.
…[read more]Newton returns to Cubs
Sudbury Cubs, already in first place among the 12 teams of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, have added another star player to their lineup.
…[read more]Vikings toughing it out
There is good news to report relative to the 14 month old Centennial Arena saga and the Elliot Lake Vikings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Paper Kings hard at work
They have moved on through trades of a number of impact veteran players from a ’23-24 season in which they posted a franchise history best record of 34-23-1. And while the small market Espanola Paper Kings have since committed to more of a youth movement for the ’24-25 campaign they nonetheless more than held their own through the first 15 games of the current Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Eagles clip Thunderbirds
Close to 1,000 fans made their way into venerable Pullar Stadium on Friday to take in the latest instalment of the Twin Soo Border Battle between the Soo Eagles and the Soo Thunderbirds.
…[read more]Black Bears of the NOJHL
Based in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and with a solid Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario base of coaches and players to them, they arrived on the junior hockey scene with plans for longevity.
…[read more]Soo Eagles in nice flight
A slow start to the season has since turned into more of a surge for the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Cubs romp over the Rock
Make that 10 straight victories for the Sudbury Cubs. The Cubs retained their spot atop the standings of the 12 team Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League on Thursday with a convincing 5-1 win over the visiting Timmins Rock.
…[read more]Fort Frances to Timmins
From the Superior International Jr. Hockey League to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. Timmins Rock of the NOJHL has obtained 2004 birth year forward Clark Scaddan from the Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Capt. Caulfield of the Eagles
Soo Eagles have rebounded from a sluggish start to the ’24-25 regular season to move up to the middle of the standings among the 12 teams of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. Leading by example, captain Lucas Caulfield is one of the offensive forces for the Eagles with seven goals, three assists, 10 points in nine games.
…[read more]Romaniuk to the QMJHL
Scoring sensation Brant Romaniuk is moving up from the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Maritimes Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]NOJHL and its Game Day
Commissioner Rob Mazzuca has been known to stress that one of the first and foremost goals of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is the development and promotion of its players.
…[read more]Rapids on a modest rise
They began the regular season with a 9-1 loss to the perennial powerhouse Timmins Rock. But in the three games since, the surging French River Rapids have gained points in each outing and thus have a 1-1-2 record heading into this week’s Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League Showcase Tournament.
…[read more]One for the EL Vikings
They went on the road on Saturday night and worked overtime. And they won. Elliot Lake Vikings orchestrated a comeback triumph over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners for their first victory of the ’24-25 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Signoretti lights it up
Welcome to another edition of the Lucas Signoretti scoring show. The pint sized puck hound clicked for two goals and added three assists on Thursday as the Sudbury Cubs cuffed the Espanola Paper Kings by an 11-1 margin.
…[read more]Rock atop NOJHL block
Timmins Rock is the only team among the 12 of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to have a perfect record through the first couple of weeks of the ’24-25 regular season.
…[read more]Ontario side of Soo Eagles
Under the no nonsense leadership of long time president and general manager Bruno Bragagnolo the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are a model franchise that is based in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And while Bragagnolo and the majority of the players and volunteers are American citizens, the Eagles also have a significant Canadian presence from across the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
…[read more]Beavers, Rock both 2-0
Two teams are off to tidy 2-0 starts following the first week of ’24-25 regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]T-Birds go back 25 years
The modern version of the Soo Thunderbirds first hit the ice as initiate members of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League back in 1999.
…[read more]NOJHL Showcase info
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has confirmed the schedule of games for its upcoming 2004 Showcase, which is slated for October 1-2 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.
…[read more]Captain ‘T’ in Timmins
Two years after making the Timmins Rock as an unheralded walk-on defenseman from Maple Ridge, B.C., Tenzin Nyman is now the captain of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
…[read more]NOJHL lined up for ’24-25
Now united as one division of 12 teams — there is no more East and West — regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is set for opening puck drop on September 12. What will follow is a regular season slate of 50 games for all 12 teams, the top eight of which will qualify for the playoffs.
…[read more]Cooke in the Flint kitchen
One of the youngest players from the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft has signed with the Flint Firebirds. Forward Brendan Cooke, who has a December 22, 2007 birth date, was an eighth round pick by Flint from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League. He spent the ’23-24 season in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with the Blind River Beavers where he connected for 13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points in 55 games.
…[read more]Eagles are ready to fly
Soo Eagles have prepped for the ’24-25 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season with a trio of exhibition matches.
…[read more]Rock upsets CC champs
WASAGA BEACH — Henry McLellan scored the winner via the shootout to lift the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to a stunning 2-1 victory over the defending Centennial Cup champion Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League at the Cottage Cup Showcase.
…[read more]NOJHL gets ready to go
Opening face-off is drawing near. Now lined up as one division of 12 teams — there is no more East and West — regular season play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is set to start on September 12.
…[read more]LSSU makes offer to local lad
Lake Superior State University Lakers have made a non binding, verbal offer to high scoring Soo Thunderbirds forward Jacob Smith. The Lakers are a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association program based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
…[read more]New NOJHL season looms
The junior hockey clock is ticking towards September 12. In less than three weeks, regular season play begins in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. The NOJHL is once again a 12 team league though there are some changes of note as to how they will line up.
…[read more]Thunderbirds to Walleye
Adam Kukko is headed back home to the Thunder Bay area. The 2005 birth year defenseman has been acquired by the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Sault crew for EPK, ELV
They are among the true blue hockey people who have the game in their blood — and who are getting ready for another season of duty. And these three well known, albeit low key, Sault Ste. Marie residents keep their lifelong hockey fix active by working for out of town junior teams.
…[read more]Majors to Paper Kings
Hulking defenseman Brayden Westberry has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed. Westberry skated for the Great North Under 18 Hockey League champion Timmins Majors in ’23-24.
…[read more]Liam Watson to Soo Eagles
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a second defenseman who was a 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Fenlon is for the Birds
A long and winding hockey career has brought 2004 birth year defenseman Bryan Fenlon back home to Sault Ste. Marie.
…[read more]U18 Wolves to Espanola
Three seasoned skaters who suited up for the Sudbury U18 Wolves of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in ’23-24 have signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League ahead of the ’24-25 season.
…[read more]Cubs ink Wolves draft pick
Skilled skater Mason Walker is slated to develop with the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League come the looming ’24-25 season. The 2008 birth year forward was a ninth round pick by the Sudbury Wolves at the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]New to French River
Goalie Carter Vicente and forward Tucker Roberts are two of the latest additions to the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Beavers add, subtract
The doors swing in, the doors swing out. Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have acquired goalie Connor Dunham Fox via the Kenora Islanders of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League while dealing forward Brendan Cooke to the Leamington Flyers of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League in separate cash transactions.
…[read more]Birds deal O’Neill et al
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have sold off four players in cash transactions. Among the performers traded away by the Thunderbirds is prize defenseman — and local product — Candon O’Neill.
…[read more]Development is NOJHL focus
Big on development with a good track record of sending players to the Ontario Hockey League and various colleges and universities, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League recently held its 2024 Annual General Meeting. And a major takeaway from the AGM is further emphasis on player development.
…[read more]Vikings stay in the north
Another northern lad has signed up to play for the Elliot Lake Vikings. Martin Brassard, a 2008 birth year forward from Sudbury, has become the sixth player from the north region to commit to Elliot Lake ahead of the 2024-2025 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Espanola to Powassan
Hulking forward Caden Kowal is headed close to home. Powassan Voodoos have obtained the North Bay product from the Espanola Paper Kings in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League cash exchange.
…[read more]Majors to the Rock
Travis Poan is staying home. The homegrown hombre has signed with the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League after starring for the Great North Under 18 Hockey League champion Timmins Majors in 2023-2024.
…[read more]Birds land Gage Evans
Towering defenseman Gage Evans has been acquired by his hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League after spending the 2023-2024 season with the Windsor LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Paper Kings ink local lad
Lucas Dubois will be staying home to play hockey come the 2024-2025 season. Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed the local lad.
…[read more]Hounds of the NHL Draft
Goalie Landon Miller and forward Owen Allard of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League have become 2024 National Hockey League draft picks.
…[read more]Pitawanakwat to Paper Kings
Barrie Colts draft pick Ashton Pitawanakwat has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Bell rings for Soo Eagles
A high level hockey exodus from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to the Michigan Sault continues. Hard working, hard edged 2007 birth year forward Coulson Bell has signed with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Soo Eagles sign OHL pick
Sault Ste. Marie product Cole Wreggitt, a 2008 birth year defenseman who was a fourth round pick by the Sudbury Wolves from the U18 AAA Soo Jr. Greyhounds at the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, has signed with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Cubs to the Birds nest
Sudbury Cubs have confirmed that they have dealt championship goalie Noah Metivier to his hometown Soo Thunderbirds in a cash exchange.
…[read more]NOJHL changes the way to go
Simply put, this makes sense. One division instead of two means the best eight teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will make the playoffs effective the 2024-2025 season. The NOJHL’s playoff format of the previous two years was seriously flawed in a one-sided way.
…[read more]Vikings of Northern Ontario
Make that four highly regarded northern lads among the veteran players who have thus far made approved commitments to return to the Elliot Lake Vikings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2024-2025 season.
…[read more]OHL draft pick to Espanola
High scoring forward Kaden Wicklander has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]One division for the NOJHL
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League has finalized its regular season schedule and playoff format for the 2024-2025 campaign.
…[read more]Owen Sound via Powassan
He was the first head coach for the Powassan Voodoos and led the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team to the 2017 championship in just its third season of existence. Now, after a six year apprenticeship as an assistant coach with the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, Scott Wray has his first OHL head coaching gig as the new bench boss of the Owen Sound Attack.
…[read more]T-Birds sign four locals
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have stayed in their own backyard to sign four local forwards ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
…[read more]Eagles goalie to Oswego State
Anthony Zolezzi is moving on from the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with nothing but glowing words for general manager Bruno Bragagnolo and the program.
…[read more]Player to coach in Blind River
Tyson MacLeod’s association with his hometown Blind River Beavers is coming full circle. A former productive forward with the Beavers, the 29-year old MacLeod has been hired as a new assistant coach for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
…[read more]Beavers, Birds and baptism
It has been up and down and all around since I really got into close up coverage and insight on the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. I had covered the NOJHL here and there over time but began year round coverage of it in earnest back in 2004 when well known coach Jim Capy parted ways with the Soo Thunderbirds after taking them to the league championship series in four successive seasons.
…[read more]NOJHL transactions …
As the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has officially opened for business ahead of the actual 2024-2025 playing season, there are a number of early bird trades to report.
…[read more]New gig for an old scout
Charly Murray is getting back into the game he loves. Now in his mid 70s and with his commitment to the sport not lacking in energy or enthusiasm, Murray has joined the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as their Sault Ste. Marie-based scout.
…[read more]Vikings assemble for battle
Jef Jarmovitch has had time on his side as he prepares for his second season as the owner and president of the Elliot Lake Vikings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]EL Vikings prospect camp
Elliot Lake Vikings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are holding an upcoming prospects camp in Ajax. See below for details.
…[read more]