SUDBURY, Ont. – A perennial competitor among the elite clubs in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), the Powassan Voodoos annually aim to boast a well-run program, from top to bottom.
Much will be expected to be the same with the club, built by long-time general manager Chris Dawson, a Day 1 member of the organization.
A new look behind the bench sees the head coaching reigns turned over to Ty Pracek, who takes over from 2025-26 Coach of the Year Peter Goulet, who has moved to the Brantford Bulldogs staff in the Ontario Hockey League.
No stranger to the NOJHL, with previous other coaching stints, Pracek takes over a team that has won 161 games over the course of the past five seasons.
With a penalty kill group that led the league in 2025-26 and a power play contingent that was second overall, special teams will once again be looked upon to make a difference.
Sporting several key veterans, along with some quality newcomers acquired by Dawson, Powassan will attempt to vie for another solid campaign in the NOJHL.
Head coach: Ty Pracek
Home opener: Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Blind River Beavers
7 p.m. – Powassan Sportsplex
KEY RETURNEES
PLAYER: Caleb Dawson, F
DOB: 04/15/2006
HOMETOWN: North Bay, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “Caleb is entering his fourth full season with the Voodoos,” offered Pracek. “A proven offensive threat with a well-rounded game, Caleb has the ability to have a breakout year. He a veteran of the league and is proving that early on with his high work ethic, hockey IQ, overall presence and leadership qualities.”
PLAYER: Braeden Begley, D
DOB: 02/07/2007
HOMETOWN: Barrie, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “Begley just returned from Barrie Colts training camp,” said Dawson. “He’s a solid two-way defender who brings physicality in the defensive zone but also has the skill to play on our top power play.”
PLAYER: Owen Head, F
DOB: 08/08/2007
HOMETOWN: Nipissing First Nation, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “Owen is entering his second season with the Voodoos,” Pracek stated. After having a strong rookie year and developing an overall game, Owen has the tools to have a breakout year offensively. He has high potential to be a dominant player this season, and we know he has only scratched the surface of his capabilities.”
NEW TO THE SQUAD
PLAYER: Owen Smith, F
DOB: 09/17/2009
HOMETOWN: North Bay, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “We acquired the reigning NOJHL Rookie of the Year this off-season from Espanola,” says Pracek. “We are thrilled to have him join the Voodoos. For a young player, Owen’s level of detail and IQ of the game is very high. He absolutely has the talent to be one of the top offensive players in the league this season. Owen has also showed a lot of maturity early on, supporting many first-year players and helping develop a great culture with the team.”
PLAYER: Aidan Duchesne, F
DOB: 02/18/2010
HOMETOWN: North Bay, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “Aidan joins the team from the North Bay U16 AAA Trappers,” provided Dawson. “The forward was a 14th round pick by his hometown Battalion in the 2026 OHL Draft. Duchesne is a very crafty forward who reminds me of former Voodoos and Battalion star Steve Harland. He sees the ice very well and has excelled playing against older competition as an underage for many of his minor hockey years.”
PLAYER: Scott Szczygiel, F
DOB: 07/17/2007
HOMETOWN: Powassan, Ont.
POWASSAN POINTS: “He captained the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers to a Great North League championship in 2025-26,” supplied the Voodoos GM. “Szczygiel was an exceptional two-way forward for Josh Dale’s U18 Trappers last season. He brings offence, great work ethic and has the ability to score timely goals.”
VOODOOS’ WEBSITE
Photo credit: Tanner Wallace / Tan Tan Photography
