Soo Eagles sign Soo boys
A foursome of skaters from the Ontario side of the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie have signed with the Michigan Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
They are returnees Liam Watson and Coulson Bell and rookies Carter Huckson and Colton Huckson.
Watson, a 2008 birth year defenseman and 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick of the North Bay Battalion, won’t likely be available to the Eagles until mid season as he continues to recover from surgery. The small size defender was impressive for the Eagles as an NOJHL rookie in ’24-25 with two goals, 18 assists, 20 points in 33 games from his blue line post.
Bell, a 5 foot 11, 165 pound forward with a 2007 birth date, appeared in 41 regular season games for the Eagles as an NOJHL rookie in ’24-25 and produced five goals, eight assists, 13 points. He then scored a goal in three playoff outings.
Meanwhile, Carter Huckson joins the Eagles as a rookie forward ahead of the ’25-26 season after playing for the AAA Under 18 Soo Indians in ’24-25. The 5 foot 10, 160 pound Huckson, who was born in 2007, netted 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points in 59 games for the Indians in ’24-25. He also skated in three NOJHL games for the Eagles as an affiliate player.
And Colton Huckson — who is Carter’s younger brother — moves up to the Eagles and the NOJHL as a 6 foot 2, 170 pound defenseman with a late December, 2008 birth date. He also played for the AAA U18 Soo Indians in ’24-25 and had five goals, 22 assists, 27 points in 59 games. Huckson also played in four NOJHL games with the Eagles as an AP and had an assist. He has attracted the curiosity of at least one team in the OHL in the process.
Bruno Bragagnolo, who is the long time president and general manager of the NOJHL Eagles, commented to Hockey News North on the return of Bell and of the hustling Hucksons as incoming players.
“Bell had a decent season for us as a rookie last season and we expect him to improve overall and put up more points for us this coming season. He needs be more consistent for us game in and game out but we like what he brings to the team,” Bragagnolo relayed. “As for the Huckson boys, they both work hard and have good attitudes. We are hoping that their compete level rubs off on some of our other new players.”
The Eagles will head into the ’25-26 season with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario product Jeremy Rebek returning for a second year as head coach. Under Rebek as a high performance bench boss, the Eagles finished a strong fifth among the 11 teams of the NOJHL in ’24-25 with a record of 32-17-3 for 67 points. The Eagles then lost to the Timmins Rock four games to two in a hard fought first round playoff series.
Great signings for these young skaters. With Bruno and Jeremy behind you for developing, your futures are set to succeed.