SUDBURY, Ont. – After falling short of qualifying for the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade, the Blind River Beavers will be on a quest to return to the postseason once again in the 2026-27 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) campaign.
Under the guidance of Kyle Brick, the longest current serving head coach in the league, Blind River has won 300 games over the course of his last 10 years behind the bench, where the league has played full seasons.
Here’s a glance at three key returnees the club is looking at for elite performances from as well as a trio of newcomers, who the Beavers will be looking at to make an impact in their respective debuts with the squad:
Head coach/GM: Kyle Brick
Home opener: Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Elliot Lake Vikings
7 p.m. – Blind River Community Centre
KEY RETURNEES
PLAYER: Camden Cowan, F
DOB: 02/21/2006
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “Cam simply provides it all. He’s effective on both sides of the puck and leads the team both on and off ice. He is the engine and when he goes, the team follows.”
PLAYER: Caleb Walker, F
DOB: 06/01/2007
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “Caleb is a power forward with the ability to put the puck in the net. He can be dominant. We’re looking for him to have an exciting second year with the team.”
PLAYER: Danny MacDonald, F
DOB: 01/18/2008
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “After only what he would call a tough first season, Danny returns with high standards and expectations. He has the potential to be a high scoring forward. Has a great shot and will lead the right side of the offence for the Beavers.”
NEW TO THE SQUAD
PLAYER: Sam Carreiras-Pata, G
DOB: 07/23/2006
HOMETOWN: Laval, Que.
Coaches’ comments: “Recently acquired in a deal from the Maritime Hockey League where he played for both the Chaleur Lightning and Miramichi Timberwolves. The 20-year-old has junior experience in both the CJHL and CHL. Sam will be very important as we look to start strong in September.”
PLAYER: Colten Wilkenson, D
DOB: 08/17/2010
HOMETOWN: Newmarket, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “The six-foot-four defenceman, who is a North Bay Battalion draft pick brings a very big upside. A long defender with a great stick who will make it very tough on opposing players entering our zone. Colton comes to us from the Toronto Nationals U16 AAA ranks.”
PLAYER: Jake Bond, F
DOB: 06/01/2009
HOMETOWN: Mississauga, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “With family ties to Blind River, Jake had a great U18 AAA season last year with the Hamilton Steel, where he averaged well over a point-per-game with 43 in 31 contests. This included 15 goals. We will look to him to provide offence in his first year in the NOJHL.”
Photo credit: Hélène Rancourt
