Erie Otters sign Frankie Pucci
Multiple sources have confirmed that 1997 birth-year centre Frankie Pucci — who led the Soo Indians major midgets in scoring in 2013-2014 — has signed with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. …[read more]
Good and bad of newest Greyhound
He has a history that is both good and not-so-good.
First the good news.
Gabe Guertler, a 5-foot-9, 185 pound, 1995 birth-year centre, can put the puck in the net. …[read more]
U of Minnesota to Soo Greyhounds
Gabe Guertler is departing the University of Minnesota to play for the Soo Greyhounds.
Greyhounds general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed today that Guertler, a 1995 birth-year centre, is leaving the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks to play in the Ontario Hockey League for the Soo. …[read more]
New pups in the Hound pound
Soo Greyhounds have inked three 1998 birth-year players who they selected at the 2014 Ontario Hockey League draft.
Hounds general manager Kyle Dubas has confirmed that goalie Joseph Raaymakers and forwards Boris Katchouk and Tim Gettinger have been signed to standard OHL player contracts. …[read more]
Rating the 2014 OHL Draft
Top score for Kingston?
That’s what a recent, albeit unscientific poll of a smattering of Ontario Hockey League insiders is suggesting.
To be sure, there are varying opinions — respected ones at that — as to which of the 20 teams came out ahead at the 2014 OHL draft. …[read more]
Thunder rolls out Speers, Dorval
A mere season removed from the Soo Thunder minor midgets, 1997 birth-year centre Blake Speers has shown he can shine at the Ontario Hockey League level as a first-round pick of the Soo Greyhounds in 2013.
Next up as a high pick from the Thunder midgets is 1998 birth-year centre Zack Dorval, who was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the second round of the 2014 OHL draft.
Now to the question. …[read more]
Soo side to Kingston Frontenacs
Their prior association to Sault Ste. Marie is not a deep one.
But Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League are now strongly linked to the Soo through a high-end draft pick, not to mention their head scout and new assistant coach. …[read more]
Fit for a King
Despite not being a big points producer, 1996 birth-year centre Michael Amadio of Sault Ste. Marie still managed to become a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings at the recent National Hockey League draft. …[read more]
They said it
Multiple players with ties to Sault Ste. Marie and the Ontario Hockey League were among those who were selected at this weekend’s 2014 National Hockey League draft.
Following is some of what three of them had to say after being drafted. …[read more]
It starts tonight
The annual National Hockey League draft begins tonight in Philadelphia and several Ontario Hockey League players with ties to Sault Ste. Marie are expected to be selected over the course of the two-day event.
Brendan Perlini, who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and played some of his minor hockey in the Soo, is ranked as the eighth-best skater by NHL Central Scouting. …[read more]
Spirit rising
As HockeyNewsNorth.com was first to report earlier this month, Sault Ste. Marie product Adam McPhail has signed with Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
Well, HockeyNewsNorth.com now has a photo of McPhail showing his Spirit by sporting a Saginaw jersey. (see above.) …[read more]
Signing up with Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves have a signed commitment from their first-round pick at the 2014 Ontario Hockey League draft.
Michael Pezzetta, a 6-foot-1, 200 pound forward, skated for the Mississauga Senators of the Greater Toronto Hockey League in 2013-2014 and was their scoring leader with 26 points in 29 games. …[read more]
Saginaw offers to sign Soo boy
Hulking right winger Adam McPhail of Sault Ste. Marie has been offered a contract by the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit, sources have told HockeyNewsNorth.com. …[read more]
Patterson or Stolarz?
As host entry, London Knights will use their free ticket into the Memorial Cup playdowns, which begin on Friday.
The Knights have been watching from the sidelines for more than a month after losing in the second round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs to the eventual champion Guelph Storm. …[read more]
Storm brewing in Guelph
Guelph Storm is headed to the Memorial Cup playdowns as champions of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Storm put the finishing touches on a steamy playoff run on Friday night with a 4-3 win over North Bay Battalion in front of 5,015 frenzied fans at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. …[read more]
Good look ahead to ’14-15 Hounds
I am somewhat torn.
Try as I may, I am not sold on the belief that Soo Greyhounds will be better in 2014-2015 than they were in 2013-2014.
To me, the Hounds will be hard-pressed to replace four players in particular. …[read more]
OHL final four experience
It’s been said that there is no substitute for experience.
Well, the years of experience from among the general managers who have taken their teams to the conference finals in the Ontario Hockey League this season is significant, to say the least. …[read more]
What’s next for Hounds?
Anyone call for Erie Otters to sweep Soo Greyhounds in four straight in the second round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs?
I know I didn’t.
Maybe I was being a homer — though I am not known for giving the Houndtown discount — but I did feel the Soo had the team to take Erie in a seven-game series. …[read more]
Erie Otters a formidable force
Erie Otters are in a sweet spot heading into Game 3 of their second-round, best-of-seven, Ontario Hockey League playoff series with Soo Greyhounds.
The Otters snagged successive wins on the road last week to take a 2-0 series lead over the Greyhounds with Game 3 tonight in Erie.
Playoffs included, the Otters have an OHL-best record of 32-3-1 on home ice this season.
And home is where Erie is at tonight and Tuesday. …[read more]
Coach Hartsburg
Like father, like son.
33-year old Chris Hartsburg is following in the coaching footsteps of his 54-year old dad, Craig Hartsburg.
And as the old man is in his 25th season in the coaching ranks — and second as the associate bench boss of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League — the kid is also doing alright for himself. …[read more]
Hounds top dog Anthony Salinitri
Soo Greyhounds made Anthony Salinitri of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires their first-round selection at the 2014 Ontario Hockey League draft that is being held today via the Internet. …[read more]
Ashton Calder a hidden gem?
North American Central Scouting chief Mark Seidel calls Soo Indians winger Ashton Calder a “hidden gem” going into Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League draft. …[read more]
Hounds in a pressure cooker
Just as was the case in the first round of the playoffs, Soo Greyhounds are in a must-win situation on home ice.
Having lost Game 1 of their second-round, best-of-seven, Ontario Hockey League playoff series to the visiting Erie Otters on Wednesday, the Greyhounds are in desperate need of a victory tonight at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
Soo boys up for OHL draft
The annual Ontario Hockey League draft will be staged on Saturday and several Sault Ste. Marie skaters stand to have their name called.
Topping the list of rated players is Soo Thunder forward Zack Dorval, who actually hails from the northeastern Ontario town of Hearst.
Following Dorval among rated players are forwards Zachary Senecal and Nic Sicoly. …[read more]
OHL draft is Saturday
Sarnia Sting, by virtue of having the worst record during the 2013-2014 regular season, will have the first overall pick at Saturday’s annual Ontario Hockey League draft.
The draft begins at 9 a.m. and will be conducted over the Internet.
From a local standpoint, Soo Greyhounds hold the 17th pick in the first round.
It is Erie in Houndtown
Round two of the playoffs is coming to Houndtown.
Having sidelined Owen Sound Attack in five games in their first-round, best-of-seven, Ontario Hockey League playoff series, Soo Greyhounds will face Erie Otters in the second set. …[read more]
Erie scene for Hounds
Soo Greyhounds are off to the second round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs and a date with the Erie Otters.
The Hounds eliminated the Owen Sound Attack on Friday with a 6-1 win at Essar Centre to take the best-of-seven series in five games. …[read more]
Hounds in position to advance
Home sweet home.
Soo Greyhounds are one win away from the second round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. …[read more]
Running on empty
A team that has as much veteran talent as any in the Eastern Conference is on the verge of bowing out in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.
Sudbury Wolves, who were challenging Oshawa Generals for first place but instead finished a disappointing fifth in the Eastern Conference, regular-season standings, have taken their losing ways into the playoffs. …[read more]
OHL Whalers leaving Plymouth?
Multiple sources, including one close to the team, have indicated that Plymouth Whalers are looking to relocate their money-losing, Ontario Hockey League franchise.
The Michigan-based Whalers have been playing out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth since 1997. …[read more]
Stating the obvious
Soo Greyhounds need to rebound.
As with a victory tonight in Game 2 of their first-round, best-of-seven, Ontario Hockey League playoff series with Owen Sound Attack. …[read more]
Hounds await Attack
Houndtown will be home to a pair of Ontario Hockey League playoff games, tonight and Saturday.
Soo Greyhounds, seeded second in the Western Conference, will face the seventh-seeded Owen Sound Attack in the first-round, best-of-seven series. …[read more]
Attack has Hope against Hounds
To be sure, Soo Greyhounds loom as the favourites in their first-round, best-of-seven, Ontario Hockey League playoff series with Owen Sound Attack.
The second-seeded Hounds finished 25 points ahead of the seventh-seeded Attack in the Western Conference standings and the Soo took both regular-season matches from Owen Sound.
But there is Hope in Owen Sound.
As in goalie Brandon Hope. …[read more]
Saluting the Hounds
Soo Greyhounds played their final home game of the Ontario Hockey League regular season on Sunday afternoon, managing to cuff the despised London Knights 7-5. …[read more]
Hounds goalie gets national nod
Soo Greyhounds backup goalie Brandon Halverson has received some national recognition.
The 1996 birth-year rookie has been named Canadian Hockey League goaltender-of-the-week. …[read more]
Hounds are best in West
With five games to play in the Ontario Hockey League regular season and 86 points from a record of 40-17-6, Soo Greyhounds have clinched first place in the West Division.
The Greyhounds are thus awarded the Bumbacco Trophy as West Division, regular-season champions. …[read more]
What’s wrong with Erie Otters?
Well-coached by Kris Knoblauch and Chris Hartsburg, Erie Otters have been a turnaround team this 2013-2014 Ontario Hockey League season.
After finishing 19th in the 20-team OHL in 2012-2013, Erie has been first overall for much of 2013-2014. …[read more]
First look at newest Greyhound
It isn’t often that an Ontario Hockey League team adds a new player this late in the season.
But that’s what Soo Greyhounds did earlier this week when they inked free-agent centre Charley Graaskamp, pictured above. …[read more]
Two tough tests for Hounds
A pair of fellow Western Conference contenders are headed this way.
Soo Greyhounds will play host to the Guelph Storm and Windsor Spitfires in back-to-back weekend tilts at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
Hounds in a very good spot
They have already clinched an Ontario Hockey League playoff spot.
Still, when a three-game losing streak stretched into last weekend, their fans started to get a bit jittery.
Don’t worry, be happy. …[read more]
Hounds snag NHL draft prospect
Soo Greyhounds have themselves a new player, an undrafted Ontario Hockey Leaguer from Wisconsin who nonetheless is rated by National Hockey League Central Scouting for the 2014 draft. …[read more]
Those streaking Windsor Spitfires
Don’t look now but the Windsor Spitfires have ignited their Motor City engines.
As recent as a few weeks ago, the Spitfires were being written as a rebuilding team rather than a major threat for the remainder of the 2013-2014 season.
As part of a strong 10-team Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, the Spitfires were not seen as being in the same class as the Erie Otters, Guelph Storm, Soo Greyhounds and London Knights. …[read more]
OHL: Who will join Knights at Mem Cup?
The Canadian Hockey League is holding its annual Memorial Cup dance in London this year.
It’s the Ontario Hockey League’s turn to play host to the four-team tournament and the restless hands of time are clicking towards the May 16-25 event.
As hosts, the Knights of London have automatic entry into the 2014 Memorial Cup tourney and will be joined by a second OHL team as well as the champions from the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.
But while London’s ticket is already punched, which will be the second OHL team to gain entry into the Mem Cup as either league champion or finalist?
From the Western Conference, which London is a part of, the prime-time contenders are …[read more]