SUDBURY, Ont. – A number of Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League alumni will have the opportunity to show their stuff in a number of National Hockey League team rookie events.
Former NOJHL standouts Owen Robinson and Harrison Israels have earned themselves spots on the Chicago Blackhawks rookie roster that will compete in the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase, September 12-14, in St. Paul, Minn.
At the event, the Blackhawks will take on prospects from the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 13 and the Minnesota Wild on the final day of the three-team event.
As a rookie, Robinson starred for Blind River back during the 2017-18 campaign where he tied for top spot in assists among first-year players with 34.
His 56 total points, in 51 outings, including 22 tallies, placed him second overall in offensive numbers. He also garnered NOJHL 2nd Team All-Star laurels at forward.
After wrapping up his time in USPORTS with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues where he was over a point-per-game performer, Robinson finished off his 2025-26 season with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL with a pair of markers and five helpers in seven contests.
In his initial junior campaign of 2017-18, Israels paced all NOJHL rookies in both goals and points with 38 and 69 respectively. He went on to be named the league’s rookie of the year as well as a 1st Team All-Star at forward.
He also topped all first-year skaters in game-winning markers with six.
Israels went on play NCAA Division I hockey at both Alaska-Fairbanks and Nebraska-Omaha prior to seeing game action in seven games with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades where he scored once and helped set-up two others to complete his run in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, another former Voodoos’ stalwart on goaltender Owen Say is scheduled to take part when the Calgary Flames take on the Edmonton Oilers in a pair a Showcase contests.
The opener goes Sept. 12 in Edmonton, followed by the finale in Calgary on Sept. 14.
During his lone season in the NOJHL, Say led the Voodoos to a 2019-20 regular season title that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019-20, Say finished with a .941 save percentage and a 1.90 goals-against average, while sporting a stellar record of 31-2-0-0.
You also have goalkeeper Mike McIvor, who briefly played with Powassan in 2023-24. He is taking part with the Anaheim Ducks hopefuls who are playing in the Golden State Rookie Face-off versus prospects from the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, Sept. 12-14, in Irvine, Calif.
Photo credits: Robinson: Sudbury Star / Israels & Say: Chris Dawson
