T-Birds increase Provenzano Cup lead
Rookie forward Nic Sicoly scored once and added two assists to lead the Soo Thunderbirds past the Blind River Beavers 6-1 in Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League action at John Rhodes Community Centre on Tuesday.
The win for the Soo improved its record to 3-2 on the season while Blind River fell to 0-8 with the setback. …[read more]
Owen Headrick to have shoulder surgery
Bluechip blueliner Owen Headrick is slated to have shoulder surgery on Wednesday of this week, the youngster’s mother has confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com. …[read more]
T-Birds tumble to 2-2
The expansion Elliot Lake Wildcats won their fifth consecutive game on Sunday as they defeated the Soo Thunderbirds 5-2 in Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League action at John Rhodes Community Centre.
With the win, Elliot Lake improves its record to 5-1 while the Soo falls to 2-2. …[read more]
Joey Miller re-joins Soo T-Birds
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have re-acquired veteran forward Joey Miller.
The Sault Ste. Marie native was dealt to the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Jr. Hockey League by the Thunderbirds during the off-season after requesting a trade. …[read more]
NOJHL highs and lows
To be sure, there has been much to cheer about through the early going of the 2014-2015 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season.
For example, in Sudbury, the new-look Nickel Barons have the best record in the nine-team NOJHL at 6-1-0 while in Elliot Lake, the expansion Wildcats are off to a 3-1-0 start and have averaged 578 fans at their three home games.
But on the flip side, the Mattawa Blackhawks and Blind River Beavers are both off to disastrous starts. …[read more]
Birds edged by Barons
Kevin Labelle made 48 saves and Jimmy Roy scored the game winner just past the 10-minute mark of the third period as the visiting Sudbury Nickel Barons edged the Soo Thunderbirds 3-2 in Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League action from Saturday. …[read more]
T-Birds upend Voodoos
Soo Thunderbirds improved their Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League record to 2-0 on Friday with a 4-2 win over the visiting Powassan Voodoos at John Rhodes Community Centre. …[read more]
It’s not Miller time
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League figure to be without high-scoring forward Anthony Miller for about two more weeks, according to general manager Kevin Cain. …[read more]
Birds put a dozen past the Beavers
Veteran Nic Tassone and rookie Nic Sicoly both posted three-goal, two-assist outings and Jaren Bellini set up three markers as the Soo Thunderbirds overwhelmed the visiting Blind River Beavers 12-1 on Sunday in the regular-season opener for the two Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League teams. …[read more]
Thunderbirds hit the Rhodes tonight
Soo Thunderbirds begin defence of their Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular-season title tonight when they play host to the Blind River Beavers.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. at John Rhodes Community Centre. …[read more]
Owen Headrick and two LSSU coaches
As HockeyNewsNorth.com was first to report on Wednesday, Soo Thunderbirds defenceman Owen Headrick has committed to play for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association effective the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]
Owen Headrick commits to LSSU Lakers
Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association have secured a commitment from a plum prospect in their own backyard.
HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed that Owen Headrick, a 1997 birth-year defenceman who hails from Garden River First Nation, has committed to LSSU and will begin his collegiate career with the Lakers effective the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]
Brody Brunet to LSSU
Sudbury area product Brody Brunet has committed to the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association effective the 2016-2017 season.
…[read more]
Soo Thunderbirds v. Soo Eagles
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League will resume the Rollie King Cup series after a two-year hiatus with games slated for this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Soo. …[read more]
Is it Miller time?
He has put up back-to-back seasons of point productivity for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Still, the best may be yet to come for Anthony Miller, a 6-foot, 175 pound, 1994 birth-year forward for who the 2014-2015 season will be his final one at the junior level. …[read more]
Multiple signings for Blind River
Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed nine players from their weekend tryout camp, head coach Don Gagnon confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com.
Among those who have signed with the Beavers are three returnees and six newcomers.
…[read more]
NOJHL drops the first puck
It’s only the third week of August but there was a junior hockey game on Thursday night in Cochrane.
Mind you, it was an exhibition game, not a regular-season match but still, it was hockey.
As a prelude to the start of the 2014-2015 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season, the Cochrane Crunch defeated the visiting Mattawa Blackhawks 5-3. …[read more]
Blind River Beavers tryout camp
Under the direction of veteran head coach Don Gagnon, Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be holding their main tryout camp this weekend. …[read more]
Rights to Ryan Vendramin
Soo Thunderbirds have secured the Junior A rights to right winger Ryan Vendramin from the Sarnia Legionnaires, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed.
Vendramin, a 6-foot-3, 180 pound, 1995 birth year forward from Sault Ste. Marie, split the 2013-2014 season between the Legionnaires of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]
Birds play Rhodes hockey
It’s Bird season.
Soo Thunderbirds hit the ice of John Rhodes Community Centre in full force over the weekend preparatory to the 2014-2015 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season that begins during the second week of September.
…[read more]
T-Bird camp begins today
The defending regular-season champs from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will hold a weekend camp beginning today at 5 p.m. at John Rhodes Community Centre.
…[read more]
Powassan Voodoos add two
The new Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have completed their first trade in franchise history.
…[read more]
Fresh start in Mattawa
David Beauchamp is young — very young — as far as being an owner of a junior A hockey team goes.
Not yet 30-years old, Beauchamp is about to begin his second season as an owner in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
To be sure, Beauchamp is hoping for better days in 2014-2015 as owner and general manager of the Mattawa Blackhawks, formerly the North Bay Trappers.
…[read more]
Soo Thunderbirds add hometown forward
Matt Pinder is returning home to Sault Ste. Marie to continue his junior hockey career, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed.
…[read more]
Where is the Mattawa schedule?
Perhaps this is much ado about nothing.
But is it just me or has the Mattawa Blackhawks schedule been removed from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League website?
…[read more]
Mattawa coach packs it in
In a surprise move — and with the start of the 2014-2015 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season less than five weeks away — Zane Neily has stepped down as head coach of the Mattawa Blackhawks.
Mattawa owner-general manager David Beauchamp confirmed Neily’s abrupt departure to HockeyNewsNorth.com.
…[read more]
Soo Thunderbirds sign a speedster
Soo Thunderbirds have added a small-but-speedy centre to their roster.
Thunderbirds general manager Kevin Cain has confirmed that the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team has signed 1997 birth-year pivot Matt Caruso.
…[read more]
Blind River to Northland College
Tim Perks, a 1993 birth-year forward who finished the 2013-2014 season with a flourish for Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, is off to the National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks. …[read more]
Birds deal seasoned skater
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have finalized a trade that sends 1995 birth-year forward Joey Miller to the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
Brandon Gassi to Blind River
Blind River Beavers coach and director of hockey operations Don Gagnon has confirmed the addition of Brandon Gassi to an assistant coach position with the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team. …[read more]
A first for the Powassan Voodoos
Powassan Voodoos have inked an area defenceman as the first signing in the history of the new Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team. …[read more]
Leaving the Bird house
Two more high-end players who skated for Soo Thunderbirds during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons have asked to be traded from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
Thunderbirds general manager Kevin Cain has confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com that 1994 birth-year defenceman David Radke and 1995 birth-year forward Joey Miller have requested trades. …[read more]
Here come the NOJHL Voodoos
The newest team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League held its first press conference on Monday as the ownership group of Marc Rivet, Sylvain Rivet, Dan Rivet, Ray Seguin, Graeme Bruce and Jim Bruce unveiled the Powassan Voodoos. …[read more]
NOJHL aftermath
On the surface, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League appears to be in good shape in the aftermath of its annual general meeting in which it ended the 2013-2014 season and began the 2014-2015 campaign on one weekend.
Despite the departure of the attendance-leading Espanola Rivermen to the new Canadian International Hockey League, the NOJHL is now a nine-team league with seven franchises returning from 2013-2014 and new ones in Elliot Lake and Powassan added for 2014-2015. …[read more]
Back in the Bird nest
He has a passion for hockey and a good reputation as a community volunteer.
Jamie Henderson, who has been part of multiple championships as an assistant coach with the St. Mary’s Knights high schoolers and Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, is back in the game after two years on the sidelines. …[read more]
Wainman et al to ACHA
Three players who skated in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in 2013-2014 are off to the American Collegiate Hockey Association ranks.
The three are forward Duane Wainman via the Espanola Rivermen and North Bay Trappers, forward and NOJHL scoring leader Gavin Burbach of the Soo Thunderbirds and defenceman Vinny Barra of the Blind River Beavers. …[read more]
NOJHL adds on
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is back in Elliot Lake without having really left it.
In a 5-1 vote on Monday, Elliot Lake City Council approved the creation of a non-profit NOJHL franchise effective the upcoming 2014-2015 season. …[read more]
NOJHL to Powassan?
A source close to the scene is saying that the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League could — could — have a team in Powassan for the 2014-2015 season.
Powassan — which is located a mere 18 miles from North Bay — has been home to a team in the Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League since 2008. …[read more]
Beavers land all-state star
Chris Zajac, a 5-foot-11, 180 pound, 1996 birth-year forward from Naperville Central high school in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, has committed to the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2014-2015 campaign. …[read more]
Bird nest is full
The recent addition of a pair of 1995 birth-year forwards via trade has just about shut the door on any rookie skater who has aspirations of securing a roster spot with the Soo Thunderbirds for the 2014-2015 campaign.
By acquiring out-of-towners Ryan Erickson and Jake Staples from Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League in exchange for goalie Joel Horodziejzcyk, the number of veteran forwards who can play for the Soo’s Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team in 2014-2015 now stands at 12. …[read more]
T-Birds trade top goalie
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have dealt 1995 birth-year goalie Joel Horodziejczyk to Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League. …[read more]
Reggie Leach is a Blind River Beaver
Blind River Beavers have added a retired National Hockey League superstar to their scouting staff.
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team has confirmed that legendary goal-scorer Reggie Leach will scout for the Beavers as he travels across Canada conducting hockey schools and on guest-speaking tours in which he encourages Aboriginal youth to make good life choices. …[read more]
Busy in Blind River
Don Gagnon has started the process of rebuilding the Jr. A hockey program in Blind River.
The 60-year old Gagnon, a retired steelworker from Sault Ste. Marie, is busy preparing for the 2014-2015 campaign — which will be his first full term as coach and director of hockey operations for the Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
Smoke and mirrors
Intention and commitment are not synonyms.
Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League commissioner Rob Mazzuca may want his trusted followers to believe that intention carries the same meaning as commitment but surely even he knows that can’t be true. …[read more]
NB captain to Buffalo State
Another player from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is moving up to the Division 3, National Collegiate Athletic Association level.
North Bay Trappers captain Ryan Demyen confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com on Tuesday that he has accepted a commitment from the Buffalo State Bengals, who are members of the SUNYAC. …[read more]
NOJHL footprint
Its upcoming annual general meeting should tell the tale of how many teams will comprise the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in 2014-2015.
With the departure of the attendance-leading Espanola Rivermen to the new Canadian International Hockey League, the NOJHL is currently made up of seven teams from east to west: Cochrane Crunch (formerly Elliot Lake Bobcats), Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, Abitibi Eskimos, Mattawa Blackhawks (formerly North Bay Trappers), Sudbury Nickel Barons, Blind River Beavers and Soo Thunderbirds. …[read more]
NOJHLer off to Adrian College
Forward Austin Rust has parlayed a high-scoring season with Kirkland Gold Miners of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League into a commitment to play at the Division 3, National Collegiate Athletic Association level with Adrian College Bulldogs. …[read more]
Blind River goalie goes D3
A late starter has made a fast climb.
20-year old goalie Dylan Knox, who did not start playing ice hockey until he was 16, is off to play at the National Collegiate Athletic Association level. …[read more]
North Bay has served NOJHL well
As of now, North Bay no longer has a team within the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
The NOJHL recently approved relocation of the Trappers from North Bay to nearby Mattawa and the team will be called the Blackhawks.
I suspect that not many in North Bay will miss the Trappers, with the Ontario Hockey League having taken control of the town with the North Bay Battalion.
And that’s fine.
But let’s not forget that North Bay has served the NOJHL well since 2003 with first the Skyhawks, then the Trappers. …[read more]