New to Powassan Voodoos
Here’s to the north. Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have stayed close to home in adding a pair of forwards while also making a trek down Highway 17 to Sault Ste. Marie via Blind River to sign a skilled offensive defender.
All three — Owen Head, Tyler Brunet and Dylan Rousselle — played in the Great North Under 18 Hockey League in ’24-25.
Owen Head had a solid season in ’24-25 with the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers. In 29 games, the Nipissing First Nation product netted 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points.
“I’m just working hard to get ready for my rookie season and it is going to be a good one,” stated Head.
Voodoos head coach Peter Goulet believes Head plays the game much like hard working Voodoos captain Justin Rousseau.
“Owen Head is a tremendous hockey player,” said Goulet. “He is capable of playing in all situations … he works hard every shift and competes as hard as anybody game in game out.”
The Voodoos also Tyler Brunet from the Trappers program. In 28 games, the power forward netted 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points.
“I’m going to be in the gym and at the track putting in the work,” said Brunet about preparing for the ’25-26 NOJHL season.
Goulet said Brunet plays the game tough.
“Tyler Brunet is a big physical winger with a solid skill set … we are expecting Tyler to play hard, finish checks and give us some secondary scoring,” said Goulet.
Meanwhile, the Voodoos added considerable offense to their back end by signing dandy defenceman Dylan Rousselle from the Soo U18 Jr. Greyhounds. In 32 games with the U18 Jr. Hounds in ’24-25, Rousselle netted 14 goals, 29 assists, 43 points.
“I am offensive minded but I take care of the defensive end and I feel like I bring high energy and I am a good leader,” the Blind River product stated.
Goulet is of the notion that Rousselle will bring a serious offensive element to the Voodoos blue line in ’25-26.
“Dylan Rousselle is a tremendous young Dman with a ton of talent,” said Goulet. “He reminds me of a defenceman I coached with the Nepean Raiders (of the Central Canada Hockey League), Ryan Johnston. This is big shoes to fill for a young defenseman, but the comparisons in the two are very similar.”
Photo: Dylan Rouselle signs his NOJHL papers for the Powassan Voodoos.