NOJHL & the all star challenge
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has confirmed the playing rosters and coaching staffs for the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, which is slated to be held November 13 to 15 in Trenton, Ont.
Competing against select squads among the five eastern-based loops in the Canadian Jr. Hockey League, two NOJHL teams will take on all-star squads from the Central Canada Hockey League, Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Quebec AAA Jr. Hockey League and the Maritime Hockey League.
Heading up the two NOJHL clubs, that will consist of players from both the league’s East and West Divisions, is Espanola Paper Kings general manager Marc Gagnon, who will serve as director of operations.
The following is the NOJHL contingent that will take part in the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge:
| NOJHL EAST | NOJHL WEST |
| LEFT WING | LEFT WING |
| Tyler Patterson, Hearst Lumberjacks | Oliver Smith, Greater Sudbury Cubs |
| Ryan Patrick, Powassan Voodoos | Owen Fergusson, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Reyth Smith, Powassan Voodoos | Noah Aboflan, Elliot Lake Vikings |
| Andrew Scott, Iroquois Falls Storm | Marshall McCharles, Greater Sudbury Cubs |
| CENTRE | CENTRE |
| Mathieu Comeau, Hearst Lumberjacks | Lucas Signoretti, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Tucker Shields, Powassan Voodoos | Jakob Kovacs, Blind River Beavers |
| Chase Thompson, Powassan Voodoos | Jack Paweski, Soo Eagles |
| Dominic Bzdyl, French River Rapids | Jacob Smith, Soo Thunderbirds |
| RIGHT WING | RIGHT WING |
| Liam Boswell, Hearst Lumberjacks | Benjamin Pouliot, Soo Eagles |
| Harry Clark, Timmins Rock | Jackson Truchan, Soo Thunderbirds |
| Mathieu MacMillan, Powassan Voodoos | Jesse Dupuis, Blind River Beavers |
| Noah Woodard, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners | Cameron Shanks, Greater Sudbury Cubs |
| LEFT DEFENCE | LEFT DEFENCE |
| Alex Little, Powassan Voodoos | Andrey Manov, Blind River Beavers |
| Noah Janicki, Hearst Lumberjacks | Mason Chitaroni, Greater Sudbury Cubs |
| Elijah Pool, Timmins Rock | Candon O’Neill, Soo Thunderbirds |
| RIGHT DEFENCE | RIGHT DEFENCE |
| Alex Case, Powassan Voodoos | Spencer Horgan, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Adam Shillinglaw, Hearst Lumberjacks | Braydon Bruce, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Tenzin Nyman, Timmins Rock | Tyler Vorstadt, Blind River Beavers |
| GOALTENDERS | GOALTENDERS |
| Patrick Boivin, Timmins Rock | Andrew Gaulton, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Daniel Dirracolo, Powassan Voodoos | Kolton Bourret, Soo Thunderbirds |
| HEAD COACH | HEAD COACH |
| Peter Goulet, Powassan Voodoos | Kyle Brick, Blind River Beavers |
| ASSISTANT COACHES | ASSISTANT COACHES |
| Josh Hardiman, Powassan Voodoos | Jason Rapcewicz, Espanola Paper Kings |
| Kevin Walker | Cole Jarrett, Soo Thunderbirds |
| TRAINER/EQUIPMENT MANAGER | TRAINER/EQUIPMENT MANAGER |
| Derek Beleutz, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners | Derrick Bates, Blind River Beavers |
| NOJHL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | |
| Marc Gagnon, Espanola Paper Kings | |
| TEAM NOJHL SCOUTING STAFF | |
| Mark Seidel | |
| Rusty Joncas | |
| Zoltan Kovacs |
A total of 23 games will be played during the three-day event, using a modified two-period format in round-robin, quarter-final, semi-final and championship matches.
Results will see three points awarded for a win in regulation time, two points for an overtime victory and one point for an overtime, or shootout, loss.
Consisting of a pair of five-team divisions, the top two in each group will advance to the semifinal round, with the winners there vying for the title on the evening of Nov. 15.