School is where Eagles go
From junior to school is where they invariably land. Graduate from the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and chances are good that the next step will be playing at either of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or American Collegiate Hockey Association levels.
Since the current regime of the Eagles led by general manager Bruno Bragagnolo took operational ownership back in 2010, the model junior hockey program has sent more than 130 players to the college ranks. And that impressive list continues to grow.
Bragagnolo confirmed to Hockey News North that four graduating players from the ’24-25 edition of the Eagles have thus far committed to attend schools and play college hockey in the United States this fall.
Forward Ben Pouliot will attend Michign-based Grand Valley State University, which is a member of the Division 1 level of the ACHA.
“Ben had several college offers on the table and we are happy he was able to choose a school that best fit his goals in Grand Valley State University. We believe that a very good ACHA Division 1 hockey program just got better with Ben going to play there. Ben was one of our captains and scoring leaders, he also showed great leadership skills on and off the ice. We wish him a great college career and beyond and are looking forward to watching his career,” noted Bragagnolo.
In two NOJHL seasons with the Eagles, the 20 year old Pouliot, who hails from Howell, Mich, was over a point per game producer. During the ’24-25 season, Pouliot produced 53 points in 42 outings, including 27 goals. He had 58 points in 56 contests on 24 tallies and 34 assists during his first season with the Eagles, the ’23-24 campaign.
Pouliot noted that “playing two seasons with the Soo Eagles was an incredible experience. It helped me grow both as a player and a person. The staff and my billets were all great. I am excited for the next chapter.”
Meanwhile, forward Jack Ohlund will be off to New England College, which is a Division 3, NCAA program while defenceman Luke Russell with be attending Liberty University of the Division 1, ACHA.
Ohlund spent parts of two seasons with the Eagles, appearing in 79 games. A native of Lakeville, Minn., he scored 16 times and dished out 23 assists for 39 points. On pace to set personal bests in all offensive categories, Ohlund’s ’24-25 campaign was cut short due to a season ending injury.
“Jack is the definition of a power forward,” said Eagles head coach Jeremy Rebek. “He is a strong skater who was hard to play against and was good along the wall, while bringing strength, speed and scoring ability. Despite losing him to injury in November, he recovered nicely and was a great character individual on and off the ice.”
Ohlund, from his end, had much good to say about the Eagles under the first class management led by aforementioned GM Bruno Bragagnolo.
“I can’t say enough great things about the Soo Eagles organization,” Ohlund relayed. “GM Bruno operates a top notch program that genuinely cares about the person not just the hockey player. After my knee injury Bruno was constantly checking on how I was doing and working to get me a school throughout the journey. I am super excited to be joining New England College this fall not only for the hockey but for the great education it offers.”
As for Russell, the 20-year-old Alexandria, Minn., product was a solid stay at home type of defender for the Eagles over the course of his two seasons in the NOJHL. He also served as an assistant captain with the Eagles while skating in 100 games, regular season and playoffs included, and totalling three goals, 27 assists, 30 points.
Bragagnolo talked about the toughness and leadership that Russell showed during his time with the Eagles.
“Luke was a real solid performer for us for the last two years on and of the ice. We will miss his toughness on the walls and his great leadership qualities. The Soo Eagles wish Luke the best of luck in his future career at Liberty University. We are looking forward to following his career.”
Russell, in turn, talked up his time in the Michigan Soo with the Eagles.
“I enjoyed every day that I was with the team in the Soo,” Russell began. “The devoted staff along with the close knit group of guys made it an amazing two year experience. I look forward to the culture at Liberty University Hockey (located in Lynchburg, Virginia) while getting an amazing education there.”
Ohlund and Russell are the latest graduates from the Eagles program to commit to a school for the ’25-26 season.
Earlier this off season, as Hockey News North reported, 2004 birth year defenseman Gabe Fisher committed to the University of Southern New Hampshire, which is a Division 3, NCAA school.
A 6 foot 1, 190 pound defenseman, Fisher appeared in 86 games for the Eagles, regular season and playoffs included, over a two year span and produced superb totals of 16 goals, 48 assists, 64 points from his blue line position.