Soo boys make their points
First pucks have dropped on the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League regular season. And several skaters with a link to Sault Ste. Marie picked up points in their respective team’s season opening games.
…[read more]Captain of the Firebirds
Northern Ontario product Zacharie Giroux will wear the ‘C’ on his jersey this season as the new captain of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Spirit extends GM and coach
Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League has extended the contracts of general manager Dave Drinkill and head coach Chris Lazary through the 2026-2027 season.
…[read more]Notes from the OHL West
It was just a short time ago that the Soo Greyhounds were not only finishing atop the five team West Division of the Ontario Hockey League with regularity but were annual contenders among the 10 members of the Western Conference.
…[read more]Favourite Windsor Spitfires
My adopted home town has always been Windsor. I have first cousins who were born there. My uncle owned a bar there for decades. I have a son who is a criminal lawyer in Windsor. And next to the thousand or so Ontario Hockey League games that I have watched in Sault Ste. Marie over the years, I have probably taken in a couple of hundred more in Windsor.
…[read more]Fellinger signs with Flint
Talk about a quick, improbable ascent to the Ontario Hockey League. That is, 2007 birth year defenseman Rylan Fellinger has signed with the Flint Firebirds after being a distant 13th round pick at the 2023 OHL priority selections draft from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Vikings at Hounds camp
There are a good number of players who are signed to play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for this season who are attending Ontario Hockey League training camps either as draft picks or as free agent invitees.
…[read more]Hudson Martin to the Cubs
Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a second player with a 2007 birth date who was picked by the Sudbury Wolves at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]Ertel family hockey tree
The name Ertel is a familiar one within the history books of the Ontario Hockey League. Long after his playing days, Bob Ertel coached and managed the Kitchener Rangers before being the general manager of the old North Bay Centennials. His son, Tyler Ertel, who was recently hired as the new assistant coach of the Soo Greyhounds, had a lengthy playing career as a high scoring OHL forward.
…[read more]Paper Kings have a Booth
Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League have renewed their affiliation agreement for a second season. And one player who is slated to develop with the Paper Kings this season is 2007 birth year forward Grant Booth.
…[read more]Sudbury Cubs get Chitaroni
He was the first of 11 players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League to be picked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. Subsequently, 2007 birth year forward Hudson Chitaroni is slated to develop with the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this season.
…[read more]My good, old buddy Max
As you might imagine, I have met a number of memorable, noteworthy people through hockey in a media career that officially began in 1975 when I first received a pay cheque for being a sports caster and sports writer. Relative to the Ontario Hockey League alone, I have met and had an association with countless colourful individuals. And one of the most engaging and personable people I have ever met is Wayne Maxner.
…[read more]New coach in Kam River
He is well seasoned as a former player. He has earned his stripes as an assistant coach. And as a bonus, Jesse Messier is a well educated, Canadian university graduate.
…[read more]Dawson to Powassan
A championship skater from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who is also an Ontario Hockey League draft pick will suit up for the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this coming season.
…[read more]Flint inks another draft pick
Flint Firebirds have signed a fourth prospect from the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. Right hand shot defenseman Jack D’Arcy has committed to the Firebirds. D’Arcy was Flint’s sixth round pick at the ’23 draft.
…[read more]NOJHL to NHL draft picks
Teammates with the Soo Thunderbirds during the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season, Andrew Gibson and Cooper Foster have since become National Hockey League draft picks.
…[read more]Fueled up in Flint
Flint Firebirds have been a model of steadiness and stability over the past two Ontario Hockey League seasons. Flint has registered respective regular season records of 42-21-5 and 35-28-5 and won two of its four playoff series over the past two OHL campaigns. The Firebirds have playoff series wins over the Owen Sound Attack and Soo Greyhounds. And the two playoff sets that Flint has lost have both been seventh and deciding game setbacks to higher seeded teams, namely the Windsor Spitfires in 2022 and the Saginaw Spirit in 2023.
…[read more]Kam River signs OHL draft pick
Homegrown goalie Travis VanderZwaag has signed with the reigning champion Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Local lads are for the Birds
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a pair of Ontario Hockey League draft picks who played for the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in 2022-2023.
…[read more]Gagnon has defied the odds
Naysayers be damned. Sean Gagnon has confronted, withstood and overcome the odds that were stacked against him more than once.
…[read more]Memorial Cup & French River
This looks good — really good — on both the French River Rapids and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. As in, this is the second successive season that a former French River player is with a major junior team that is competing in the Memorial Cup tournament.
…[read more]Soo boys catch the Spirit
Defenseman Candon O’Neill and forward Callum McAuley from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were among the 20 prospects who attended the recent development camp of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[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]Hamilton to Brantford for good?
It is being termed as a temporary three-year relocation for the Hamilton Bulldogs when they move 25 or so miles along Highway 403 to Brantford effective the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season. But could the Bulldogs remain in Brantford for good?
…[read more]Jr. Hounds picked in U18 draft
A pair of 2006 birth year players from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were picked at today’s Ontario Hockey League supplemental draft for players who were bypassed a year ago.
…[read more]Maguire and Marson
Only one 2007 birth year goalie from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League was picked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft as Nathan Maguire went from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds to the Flint Firebirds in the seventh round. And while he was not drafted, it says here that goalie Nick Marson of the Sudbury U16 Nickel Capitals also deserved to be selected.
…[read more]Great North to the OHL
A pool of players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League were plucked at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]Ellis to Kingston
Defenseman Cole Ellis of the Timmins Majors of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Fellinger to Flint
Defenseman Rylan Fellinger of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]O’Neill to Saginaw
Smart, steady defenseman Candon O’Neill of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Campbell to Erie
Pint sized forward Max Campbell of the Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Jones McDonald to Oshawa
Forward Deven Jones McDonald of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Cooke to Flint
High scoring forward Brendan Cooke of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Gallivan to North Bay
Defenseman Declan Gallivan of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Dubowsky to Barrie
Hard working winger Cole Dubowsky of the Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Maguire to Flint
Goalie Nathan Maguire of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Valade to Mississauga
Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals defenseman Alexandre Valade has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.
…[read more]Chitaroni to Wolves
Like father, like son. Forward Hudson Chitaroni of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League has been picked by the Sudbury Wolves in the third round of the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]Our best of the North
This is our final list. There are 15 players with 2007 birth dates from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who Hockey News North feels have the best chance to be selected at this weekend’s 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[read more]OHL thoughts and dots
A plethora of points to ponder relative to personnel and performance in the Ontario Hockey League:
…[read more]EL Wings & Barrie Colts
Elliot Lake Red Wings recently completed their second season as members of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And as an aim of the franchise is to try to develop and advance players for the Major Junior, American Collegiate Hockey Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks, Elliot Lake owner Paul Noad has established a new non-exclusive arrangement to collaborate with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]The book on Nick Marson
He looms as a long shot to be picked at this month’s Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. But in doing due diligence on Nick Marson, it shows that the 15-year old goalie had more than a high-end season for the lowly Sudbury Under 16 Nickel Capitals of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
…[read more]Memorial Cup Spirit
As a Sault Ste. Marie resident, I was hoping that the Soo would be chosen as host city for the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament over fellow Ontario Hockey League bids from Kingston and Saginaw. But I can see clearly as to why Saginaw was chosen over both the Soo and Kingston.
…[read more]Rock star is a Flint mint
Standout goalie Jacob Brown is developing in a big way with the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as a signed plum prospect of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Top 15 from Great North
We have 15 players with 2007 birth dates from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League who Hockey News North feels have the best chance to be selected at next month’s 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
…[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]Hounds v. Alexanders X 3
(EDITOR’S NOTE: With the Ontario Hockey League poised to return to Brantford for the 2023-2024 season by way of relocation of the Hamilton Bulldogs, we revert to a timeless flashback from 40 or so years ago.)
To be sure, this did not fall into the one hit wonder category. Rather, these were classic hits that kept on playing. Dressed in the vintage, full-length Cooperall uniforms of the early 1980s, the Brantford Alexanders and Soo Greyhounds faced off in three successive OHL playoff seasons.
…[read more]OHL Greyhounds sign a pair
Soo Greyhounds have inked a pair of prospects from the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, general manager Kyle Raftis has confirmed.
…[read more]OHL is returning to Brantford
The city of Brantford has been without an Ontario Hockey League team since the Alexanders left in 1984 after a six year existence. But the OHL has confirmed that, due to impending renovations and the long-term closure of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, the Bulldogs will at least temporarily relocate to Brantford effective the 2023-2024 season.
…[read more]Respect for the Great North
There are about 200 scouts who work under the 20 general managers of teams in the Ontario Hockey League. And it is rather discernible to someone who pays close attention that players from the Great North Under 18 Hockey League do not receive the same overall monitoring as those from programs of the Greater Toronto, Southwestern Ontario and Ottawa areas of the province.
…[read more]BR goalie signs OHL deal
Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League have signed goalie Charlie Burns of the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to a standard player contract.
…[read more]Devin Mauro to Espanola
Sault Ste. Marie product Devin Mauro has joined the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League via the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Hope for the small goalie
There is little doubt that when it comes to goalies — especially as they get older and the level gets higher — that coaches and scouts prefer and favour those net minders who have size. But according to one reputable scout, there is once again hope for the small goalie.
…[read more]Sault boys in the OHL
Several skaters who played minor hockey in Sault Ste. Marie are on rosters of teams in the Ontario Hockey League. And with the OHL now returning from the holiday break we check in on some statistical numbers of the local lads.
…[read more]Great North to Team Canada
If this doesn’t speak volumes about the under-rated Great North Under 18 Hockey League then nothing will. Team Canada has unveiled its roster for this month’s World Junior Championships and two of the players are from northern Ontario.
…[read more]The old Centennial train
North Bay Centennials. The moniker is etched in the memory bank. They boasted a legendary coach and played to rowdy crowds at venerable Memorial Gardens with a who’s who of players, many of whom were homegrown or from the fellow northern towns of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and White River.
…[read more]Wolves have a new coach
Derek MacKenzie is the new head coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. He replaces Craig Duncanson, who was fired 11 games into the season following a 3-7-1 start.
…[read more]Assinewai assists Cubs
Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a skilled forward with 46 games of Ontario Hockey League experience to their lineup. 18-year old Samuel Assinewai made his debut with the Cubs on Thursday and had an assist as league leading Sudbury improved its record to 13-2-2 with a 3-2 overtime win over the Timmins Rock.
…[read more]Bonar, Peer and the dog house
This is a flashback story of how two high end forwards with the Soo Greyhounds were able to get out of the dog house when the team was rebuilding after a spectacular five year run.
…[read more]’06 goalies of the NOJHL
No less than four goalies who were picked at the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft are developing and playing well for teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League thus far this season.
…[read more]Paper Kings via the OHL
Two Ontario Hockey League draft picks have just joined the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Hounds have solid NOJHL seam
A pair of plum prospects who were high picks by the Soo Greyhounds at the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft will develop with the reigning champion Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this season.
…[read more]A first for Tyson Doucette
It didn’t take Sault Ste. Marie product Tyson Doucette long to make his mark in an Ontario Hockey League regular season game. The 18-year old un-drafted forward netted a goal in his OHL debut to help the Sarnia Sting to a season opening road victory over the Kitchener Rangers.
…[read more]Evan Roach with Soo Indians
Having just recently recovered from a nagging injury, Soo Greyhounds draft pick Evan Roach is set to restart his development with the Soo Indians of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association’s Under 18 Tier 1 AAA League.
…[read more]Season of alteration in OHL
Changes to coaching staffs, the hiring of a legendary National Hockey League head coach as a senior advisor, milestone team anniversaries, and updates to the rule book are part of what is contemporary in the Ontario Hockey League for the 2022-2023 season.
…[read more]Soo to Windsor connection
Since its entry into the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1975 a slew of personnel from Sault Ste. Marie either played for or coached the Windsor Spitfires.
…[read more]Soo boy in the Windsor Zone
Sault Ste. Marie product Gage Evans has signed with the Windsor Zone of the Under 18 Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]Soo boy signs with Sarnia
Tyson Doucette, a late developing forward who has grown seven inches in height over the past three years, has signed with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League as an undrafted free agent.
…[read more]Two Wolves in Espanola
Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League have formally certified their affiliation agreement with the assignment of a pair of 2006 birth year prospects.
…[read more]The return of Oliver Smith
Who says you can’t go home again? Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a 19-year old left winger who has already proven himself at the Ontario Hockey League level.
…[read more]Wolves sign Soo boy
Devin Mauro has overcome the odds as a former 11th round draft pick. The 18-year old Sault Ste. Marie product has signed an Ontario Hockey League contract with the Sudbury Wolves.
…[read more]Good friends and coaches
Brent Hughes and John Dean have been best buddies for many years. And now the two long-time friends are working together as coaches with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]Paper Kings and Wolves
A small market Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team has managed to secure an affiliation alliance with a nearby member of the Ontario Hockey League.
…[read more]