Hounds draft Noah Zeppa
Soo Greyhounds used the 37th overall pick in the second round of this evening’s Ontario Hockey League under-18 draft to select goalie Noah Zeppa from the Soo Major Thunderbirds of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Zeppa, who has a December, 2002 birth date, was a standout with the lowly Major Thunderbirds, who posted a record of 12-24-0 over the course of the 2018-2019 regular season in the Great North.
Zeppa won 10 of the Soo’s 12 regular season games and had a sparkling goals against average of 3.72. Of note, when Zeppa was not in net, the Soo’s goals against average was 5.91.
He then back-stopped the Major Thunderbirds to an opening-round, playoff series triumph over the New Liskeard Cubs.
For his efforts, Zeppa was named the league’s most valuable player for the 2018-2019 season.
Despite being bypassed a year ago at the 2018 OHL priority selections draft, Zeppa had the unique experience of suiting up for two OHL teams during the 2018-2019 season.
Zeppa was called upon to dress as the emergency backup goalie for both the Greyhounds and the Hamilton Bulldogs. He also saw considerable practice time with the Greyhounds when regular goalies Matthew Villalta and Ethan Taylor were injured.
As for the youngster getting drafted by the Greyhounds, he was all about giving thanks.
“I want to thank all of my coaches and my parents and my and teammates and everyone who has supported me along the way,” Zeppa told Hockey News North.
PHOTO: Noah Zeppa, in pre-game, warmup action for the Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2018-2019 season. (Photo by Jim Egan.)