Liam Watson to Soo Eagles
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have signed a second defenseman who was a 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
Liam Watson, a small size defender who plays big, is the second 2008 birth year skater to sign up with the Eagles ahead of the ’24-25 NOJHL season. The other is big blue liner Cole Wreggitt. Both became OHL draft picks in 2024 — Wreggitt to the Sudbury Wolves in the fourth round and Watson to the North Bay Battalion in the 13th.
The more recent signing of Watson follows a strong showing at the Eagles main camp held earlier this month in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo told Hockey News North that Watson “is a very skilled player who really stood out at our camp. He may be on the small side but he is a strong kid who skates real well and is a good puck handler. We really like his skill level.”
In all, the Eagles have now signed three players from the ’23-24 edition of the U18 Jr. Greyhounds. In addition to Watson and Wreggitt the other is Coulson Bell. A 2007 birth year forward, Bell is a medium size skater known for his hustle and willingness to play in the dirty areas.
The Eagles head into the ’24-25 NOJHL season with a new coaching staff led by head coach Jeremy Rebek and assistant Joey Miller. Both were with the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL the previous few seasons.