Another gig for a good guy
“I had told myself that I was probably done coaching at this level but then the phone rang and I couldn’t say no to being associated with these guys again.” — Dave Clancy.
A good, old grizzled coach with a winning past is returning to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2021-2022 season.
Dave Clancy has signed on with the Rayside Balfour Canadians as an associate coach alongside head coach Vagelli Sakellaris.
…[read more]It’s all about the Show
Hockey dreams have turned into one aspect of reality for a number of youngsters with northern Ontario roots and associations.
As 30 players from 18 different Ontario Hockey League teams were selected at the recent 2021 National Hockey League draft, a number of them have a connection to the Great North Under 18 Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Mauro boys on the move
From one junior hockey league to another.
Justin Mauro and his younger brother Devin Mauro are on the move from the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Coaching the Thunderbirds
A new look hockey staff has been finalized and put into place for Sault Ste. Marie’s junior A hockey team.
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed the all-local coaching staff that will assist new head coach and part owner Cole Jarrett for the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]Birds ink Hounds pick
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a prospect of the Soo Greyhounds from the 2021 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
He is 6-foot-2, 195 pound, 2005 birth year defenseman Andrew Gibson. Hailing from the Windsor area town of LaSalle, Gibson was a fourth round pick of the Greyhounds at this year’s draft.
…[read more]Voodoos cast spell on O’Dell
Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a 2020 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick of the Oshawa Generals. He is 6-foot-4, 200 pound defenseman Ryan O’Dell.
…[read more]Junior hockey up north
They are the two primary junior A hockey leagues of the expansive, sweeping northern Ontario region.
As of now, in total, there are 19 teams from northeast and northwest Ontario, northern Michigan, northern Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin that span the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Five Eagles off to school
Homegrown product Bobby Price tops a list of five graduates of the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League who are moving up to the college ranks this fall.
A 6-foot, 190 pound forward who played three seasons with the Michigan-based Eagles, Price is heading to Trine University, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 3 school.
…[read more]Captain on the Express
Josh Boucher will be returning to the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for a third season, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[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]Back in the Beaver dam
Blind River Beavers general manager and coach Kyle Brick has confirmed the signed return of nine players ahead of the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
The nine veterans include one goalie, two defensemen and six forwards. They are as follows.
…[read more]Local look of the Birds
Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League are — as they should be — the big game in town. After all, the OHL is probably the best junior hockey development league in the world and the Greyhounds have a long history of producing players for the National Hockey League.
But the Soo is also home to the Thunderbirds of the lower level Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And the Thunderbirds are all about giving local lads a place to play and develop while staying at home.
…[read more]Resch to catch the Express
Caleb Resch has ambitious plans for his final season of junior hockey. And he is willing to move far away from home to pursue his hockey goals.
Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, the 2001 birth year defensemen will be heading more than 1,000 miles from home to suit up for the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League come the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]Traffic on the Express route
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has made a flurry of player moves with the small market team making notable additions ahead of the 2021-2022 season.
The transactions involve teams in the Superior International Jr. Hockey League and Ontario Jr. Hockey League as well as the signings of three players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League and another incoming rookie from Brantford.
…[read more]Net gain for Espanola
He is staying in the north.
Rookie goalie Patrick Boivin has signed with the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Walleye on the Express
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has acquired a trio of skaters from the Kam River Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League, president and head coach Jason Rapcewicz has confirmed to Hockey News North.
…[read more]Additions to the Express
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has signed three incoming rookie skaters, president and head coach Jason Rapcewicz has confirmed to Hockey News North.
Among the new additions to the Espanola lineup are a pair of northern Ontario products from nearby Sudbury.
…[read more]Over the Hill in Cochrane
Cochrane Crunch president and head coach Tom Nickolau has confirmed a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League transaction with the Soo Thunderbirds.
…[read more]Local look in Elliot Lake
The operators of the new Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have already scored big without playing a game.
As Elliot Lake is poised to return to the NOJHL for the 2021-2022 season after being on leave of absence in 2020-2021, the rebranded Red Wings — formerly known as the Wildcats — have signed a pair of local lads.
…[read more]T-Birds bring Zeppa home
Veteran goalie Noah Zeppa has been signed by the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as a free agent, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Dumont deal is done
Hometown defenseman Teegan Dumont is officially a member of the new Elliot Lake Red Wings.
Formerly the Elliot Lake Wildcats, the rebranded Red Wings have acquired Dumont from the Blind River Beavers in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League transaction that was initially reported by Hockey News North back on May 10.
…[read more]NOJHL expects a full season
Plans are for the 12 team Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to proceed with a full 2021-2022 regular season schedule and a start date of September 16.
…[read more]Whiteduck on the move
Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a veteran skater via the trade route, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Majors go for Walker
Homegrown product Kevin Walker will serve as the head coach of the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League for the 2021-2022 season.
Majors general manager Ron Holmes confirmed the appointment of Walker.
…[read more]Delarosbil is for the Birds
It is a deal that is finally official after being in the works for more than a month.
That is, Hockey News North has confirmed that the Soo Thunderbirds have obtained homegrown product Cole Delarosbil from the Espanola Express in a cash exchange.
…[read more]Big d-man to the Crunch
Cochrane Crunch of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has added a young defenseman from the reputable Brantford 99ers program.
…[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]EL Red Wings go local
Alexandre Antoine is staying home to play junior hockey for the 2021-2022 season, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Crunch time for Ingram
Junior C to Junior A.
Moving up from the Dundas Blues of the Provincial Jr. Hockey League to the Cochrane Crunch of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2021-2022 season is Ethan Ingram.
…[read more]Kam River to Elliot Lake
The process of putting together a new team ahead of the 2021-2022 season has landed the Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League a player from the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Thunderbirds to Voodoos
Proven puck-stopper Alex Bugeja is on the move.
The 2001 birth year goalie has been traded from the Soo Thunderbirds to the Powassan Voodoos in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League transaction, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Ex-OHL star in Espanola
Joey Talbot, a former high scoring right winger with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League and part of their 1999 Memorial Cup championship team, has joined the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as an assistant coach/skills development coach.
The 41-year old Talbot later had a productive pro career, including four standout seasons with the legendary Sheffield Steelers of the British Elite Ice Hockey League.
…[read more]Riley is back on the Rock
Hustle bustle crowd favourite Riley Brousseau has signed up to return to the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2021-2022 season, Hockey News North has confirmed.
A local Timmins lad, the 2001 birth year forward opted to sit out the 2019-2020 NOJHL season.
…[read more]New coach in Espanola
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is keeping it in house. That is, the Express has filled its vacant head coach position with a familiar name.
…[read more]Toms signs with Hounds
It is the next step in development.
Local lad Connor Toms is moving up from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Victoria to Elliot Lake
Dayton Clarke will head from west to east to continue his junior hockey journey.
The Victoria, British Columbia product has signed with the new Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Espanola to Vermilion County
Vermilion County Bobcats of the Southern Professional Hockey League have officially confirmed the former bench boss of the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as the first head coach in franchise history.
Brent Hughes leaves Espanola and the NOJHL after coaching the Express to a 5-4-3 record in 12 games during the abbreviated 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]Ritchie opts for Sault College
Sault Ste. Marie product Jordan Ritchie is planning to forgo his final season of Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League eligibility. The 2001 birth year defenseman will stay in the game but also go to school.
…[read more]Rock adds homegrown lad
Brandon Perry has made a good first move as the new coach and general manager of the Timmins Rock. Perry has confirmed to Hockey News North that the Rock has obtained homegrown defenseman Cameron Dutkiewicz in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League trade with the Soo Thunderbirds.
…[read more]Smyl is Alberta bound
“It’s a pleasure just to be Alberta bound … I long to see my next of kin … Alberta bound … it’s good to be Alberta bound …” — from the song Alberta Bound by legendary Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot.
High performance forward Cooper Smyl is moving on from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Birds commit to rookie flock
Soo Thunderbirds general manager Jamie Henderson has confirmed the commitments of several rookie players ahead of the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
Included in the flock are top performers from both the Soo Jr. Greyhounds and Kapuskasing Flyers of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]RBC banks three locals
Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have stayed local by committing to three forwards from the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League ahead of the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]New recruit to Sault College
He played two full seasons as a steady defender with the Timmins Majors of the Great North Midget Hockey League. And he suited up for 16 games as a rookie for the Cochrane Crunch during the abbreviated 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
With that behind him, 2002 birth year defenseman Keaston (Sticks) Blais now has his sights set on attending Sault College in the fall and playing for the hockey Cougars.
…[read more]Fuel for the NOJHL rivalries
Combat. Competition. Conflict. Confrontation. Contention.
Five words that are synonyms for rivalry.
And it is rivalry that fuels the healthy warfare between the nearby teams that comprise the 12-member Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Standing tall in Cochrane
He is a big one. And a good one.
Michael Nickolau was a huge presence in the net for the Cochrane Crunch during the abbreviated 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Bosses on the job in Hearst
Given that both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons did not end in completion relative to COVID-19, the Hearst Lumberjacks remain as the reigning champions heading into the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
Hearst won the 2018-2019 NOJHL title when the visiting Lumberjacks upset the heavily favoured Soo Thunderbirds in the seventh and deciding game of the league championship series.
…[read more]Reopening in Elliot Lake
Junior hockey has had a presence in Elliot Lake since 1965, beginning with the old Jr. B Vikings.
And since 1997 there have been the Elliot Lake Ice, Elliot Lake Bobcats and Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. (The Bobcats were also part of the Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League.)
Now, after the Wildcats took a leave of absence from the NOJHL in 2020-2021, the franchise was recently rebranded as the Elliot Lake Red Wings with new operator, new general manager and new coaching staff in place ahead of the 2021-2022 season.
…[read more]Coaching vacancy in Espanola
Brent Hughes is moving on from the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as its head coach after one season on the job, Hockey News North has learned.
…[read more]Chairman Mazzuca, take a bow
Score one for the north.
The Canadian Jr. Hockey League has confirmed its executive committee for the 2021-2022 season and Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League commissioner Rob Mazzuca will have a commanding role.
Mazzuca has been appointed the CJHL’s chairman of the board for the upcoming campaign.