NOJHL Commitment Tracker

SUDBURY, Ont. – Players in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League from the 2017-18 season continue to make commitments to move on to the next level as well as further their education for the upcoming campaign.

The following is an updated list of those in the league this season who have recently or previously committed or signed with schools or teams for 2018-19:

ELLIOT LAKE WILDCATS

Nick Long, (F) Wilkes University (NCAA D-III)

The 20-year-old Cowansville, Penn., product will be returning to his home state to attend school and play for the Wilkes University Colonels who will be entering their initial season of NCAA D-III play this fall.

Long had a solid campaign for Elliot Lake in 2017 setting personal single-season highs in goals, assists and points with 26, 24 and 50 respectively.

His offensive numbers put him third overall on the Wildcats in scoring while his nine power play tallies ranked him second on the squad and ninth highest in the NOJHL.

In two seasons in Elliot Lake, Long skated in 110 contests where he scored 34 times and helped set-up 37 others for 71 points.

Wilkes University is based in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.

ESPANOLA EXPRESS

Previous commitments

Jackson Heacock, (F) – Anna Maria College (NCAA)

FRENCH RIVER RAPIDS

Previous commitments

Levi Siau, (F) – Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD MINERS

Tyler Fyfe, (F) Adrian College, (ACHA)

Set to join the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I champion Adrian College Bulldogs in Michigan is Gold Miners standout forward Tyler Fyfe.

In two seasons in Kirkland Lake, the 20-year-old from Cloverdale, B.C., was an offensive force averaging well over a point-per-game with his club.

Fyfe suited up in 112 league match-ups and amassed 137 points as he notched 64 markers and chipped in with 73 assists.

His 16 power play goals in 2017-18 tied for the NOJHL lead in that department and he topped all league skaters in man advantage points with 29.

Marshal Nikitin, (F) Northland College (NCHA)

Heading to Northland College in Ashland, Wis., will be Kirkland Lake’s third-leading scorer this season in Marshal Nikitin.

Skating for his hometown team, Nikitin recorded 50 points for the Gold Miners in 2017-18 by scoring 21 times and setting up 29 others in 47 outings.

In all he dressed for 93 games in his NOJHL career and picked up 83 points, including 32 goals.

The Northland Lumberjacks are a NCAA D-III school and are members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.

Connor Evans, (D) Northland College (NCHA)

Joining Nikitin at Northland College will by Gold Miners’ defenceman Connor Evans.

He hails from Uxbridge, Ont., and joined Kirkland Lake back in December and helped stabilize his club’s defensive corps.

The 20-year-old blueliner also chipped in with four goals and 14 assists in 24 games.

Max Cavallini, (F) Lake Forest College (NCHA)

A third member of the Gold Miners that will compete in the NCHA will be forward Max Cavallini.

He will be attending Lake Forest College in Illinois and compete with the Foresters men’s program.

From nearby Barrington, Ill., the 20-year-old Cavallini departs Kirkland Lake after playing two seasons for the squad.

In 68 career NOJHL contests he notched a dozen markers and added 14 helpers for the Gold Miners.

RAYSIDE-BALFOUR CANADIANS

Brayden Lachance, (G) — Laurentian University (OUA)

After a solid campaign helping lead the Canadians to the NOJHL final, Lachance will take the next step in his hockey career as his heads to Laurentian University in Sudbury to join the Voyageurs of the OUA.

Lachance, who turned 21 earlier this month, went 14-6-3-0 in 24 appearances with a 2.65 goals-against average.

Meanwhile his .934 save percentage led all league netminders.

Playoff action saw the Sudbury product start 18 times and produce 10 wins in Rayside-Balfour’s run to the NOJHL final where they fell to the eventual champion Cochrane Crunch.

Postseason play saw him have a 2.55 average along with a .941 save mark.

Scott Bagby, (D) – Ohio Bobcats (ACHA)

After starting the campaign playing in the Maritime Hockey League, Bagby joined the Canadians for the stretch run and into the playoffs.

The 20-year-old from Chicago dressed for 12 games and produced seven assists.

He will now move on to Ohio University where he will attend school and skate with the Bobcats, who are members of the ACHA.

Previous commitments

Jacob Partridge, (F) – Peterborough Petes (OHL)

MacKenzie Savard, (G) – Laurentian University (OUA)

Giordano Finoro, (F) – Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

SOO EAGLES

Gianni Vialli, (F) – Trine University (NCHA)

Eagles’ assistant captain Gianni Vitali has committed to Trine University where he will join teammate Owen Kipke, who also announced earlier that he will be heading to the school in Indiana as they prepare for their inaugural campaign in the NCHA.

Viewed as a strong player with great speed, puck skills and a high compete level, Vitali is also considered a character kid on and off the ice.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, Mich., saw action in 33 NOJHL contests at forward where the 20-year-old scored 12 times and added 18 assists in his time with the Eagles.

Previous commitments

Owen Kipke, (D) – Trine University (NCHA)

SOO THUNDERBIRDS

Previous commitments

Alex Acosta, (F) – Northland College (NCHA)

Camaryn Baber, (F) – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)