SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Espanola Paper Kings have announced that defenceman Aidan Rufa has committed to attend the University of Southern Hampshire where he’ll attend school in the fall and play for the school’s NCAA Division III program.
Hailing from Massena, N.Y., the 20-year-old Rufa appeared in 67 career NOJHL contests with the Paper Kings.
He bettered his goal and point totals in each of his two seasons in the league while notching a total of nine goals and 38 points overall.
His tallies in the 2024-25 campaign led all Espanola blueliners as did his six markers on the power play, along with his two game-winning goals.
“Aidan has worked very hard during his time in Espanola,” stated Paper Kings general manager Marc Gagnon. “He’s earned this opportunity to further his education and play NCAA D-III hockey.”
For his part, Rufa added: “I’m thankful for my time in the NOJHL and very excited for this next chapter in attending the University of Southern New Hampshire.”
Rufa becomes the second NOJHL defenceman to commit to USNH in recent days, joining Soo Eagles blueliner Gabriel Fisher who will also head to the Manchester, N.H.-based school.
The Southern New Hampshire Penmen compete out of the Northeast 10 Conference.
NOJHL 2024-25 season commitments list
| PLAYER | NAME | POS. | NOJHL TEAM | COMMITTED TO |
| Aidan | Rufa | D | Paper Kings | Southern New Hampshire – NCAA D-III |
| Gabriel | Fisher | D | Eagles | Southern New Hampshire – NCAA D-III |
| Clark | Furman | F | Beavers | Morrisville College – NCAA D-III |
| Wyatt | Gibson | F | Beavers | New England College – NCAA D-III |
| Cole | Sheffield | G | Rapids | Minnesota-Duluth – NCAA D-I |
| Jackson | Smith | D | Voodoos | Southern New Hampshire – NCAA D-III |
Photo credit: Espanola Paper Kings
