NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015
NOJHL team previews: Powassan Voodoos
SUDBURY – Coming off an impressive first season in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Powassan Voodoos will look to build on their solid performance in 2015-16.
TEAM: Powassan Voodoos
GM: Chris Dawson
HEAD COACH: Scott Wray
NOTABLE RETURNEES
STEVE HARLAND, FORWARD: Harland exploded onto the NOJHL scene in 2014-15 with the Voodoos where he recorded a league-leading 95 points on 42 goals and 53 assists in the regular season while winning the Carlo Cattarello Trophy as NOJHL MVP, the John Grignon Trophy as the NOJHL’s Top Rookie and the Jimmy Connors Trophy for NOJHL top scorer.
Harland was also a finalist for the CJHL rookie of the year.
Other highlights of his first season for the Scarborough native included a 31-game point streak and being named a NOJHL first team all-star.
“He accomplished so much in one season here and now he wants to come back and help us be even more successful in our second season in the NOJHL,” said Voodoos general manager and director of hockey operations Chris Dawson.
JAKE STAPLES, FORWARD: Staples, a Callander native, joined the Voodoos at the January CJHL trade deadline from the English River Miners (SIJHL) and did not disappoint.
In 20 regular season games, Staples netted 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points.
He made an even bigger impact in the playoffs by leading Powassan in playoff scoring with 11 goals and seven assists in only 12 playoff games as the Voodoos advanced all the way to the NOJHL semifinals.
“Jake played such a solid role down the stretch for us,” stated Powassan head coach Scott Wray. “He was instrumental in us beating Kirkland Lake and Mattawa while coming up with some timely goals,” added Wray.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
TYLER PETERS, FORWARD: The first-ever Powassan-born and raised player, Peters was acquired in a trade with the New York Bobcats Jr. A side.
Peters, a 2012 pick of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, played last season where he registered 15 goals along with 12 assists for 27 points in 39 games with the Eastern Hockey League team.
“He has a pro shot, has got good speed, looks like a prototypical power forward for us so we are looking forward to adding to the offence we had last year,” said Wray
Peters did get a taste of NOJHL hockey back in 2012-13, when as an affiliate he was part of the North Bay Jr. Trappers squad that won the NOJHL crown and hosted the Dudley-Hewitt Cup.
GARRETT FORREST, GOALTENDER: Joins Powassan from the U-18 HPHL loop in the U.S.
The 18-year-old Ashburn, Virginia product is coming off a strong camp with the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, who has an affiliation agreement in place with the Voodoos.
MARIO CAVALIERE, GOALTENDER: The 18-year-old netminder joins Powassan and is a graduate of the Oakville Blades AAA midget program.
QUOTABLE: “On the blue line the finding of puck moving defenceman Christian Whitcomb from the Lockport Express NA3HL, and the acquisition of Nicky Grose from the Iroquois Falls Eskis will bring some more experience and more offence from our back-end as well.” – Chris Dawson, GM
With files from Chris Dawson, Powassan Voodoos
