Photo: Mitch Wilkie celebrates a goal. Photo by Matthew Penasse
The Powassan Voodoos continue to help move players to the next level.
Mitch Wilkie, an NOJHL 2nd Team All-Star has committed to play for the Salem State Vikings of the MASCAC conference in NCAA Division III hockey, the Voodoos announced Wednesday.
The Calgary product, chipped in with nine goals and 33 assists in 52 appearances with the Voodoos in 2022-23.
“I am super excited,” said Wilkie, who also won the Eric Nagy Award as top overage player on the Voodoos.
“It is a program that has been around for a while and coach O’Neill has been around for a long time and understands the hockey world. The location is great as it is tough to beat Boston for hockey so it is a very appealing school with a lot of hockey history along with the school programs.”
The 20-year-old came over in trade from the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, was impressed by his experience with the Voodoos in the NOJHL.
“I didn’t expect the league to be this strong and how good of coaches I got in Peter and Josh Hardiman,” said Wilkie.
“Not just from on-ice perspective but off ice, making sure schools are contacted, helping find a job, everything was figured out. They really made sure that they were not just a coach for me, they were there for anything for me. It was incredible coming from out west and I have never seen a pair of coaches work that hard to make sure their kids were moving on and their players are in the best position for them to succeed in their goals. It was very positive and I would recommend it to anybody that Powassan Voodoos is a great organization run by really top notch people.”
Peter Goulet, Voodoos head coach, is happy to see Wilkie become the sixth Voodoos player to move on to NCAA or USports Hockey this off-season.
“I am very excited for Mitch Wilkie and thrilled about his personal achievements this season,” said Goulet.
“The best thing regarding Mitch is he was such a great person and teammate, when we final acquired Mitch he instantly solidified our D-Core and made our team better. Mitch could have went to any team in Canada, when he chose to come play for our team the Powassan Voodoos.”
Wilkie joins former Voodoos forward Raf Praysner on the Salem State Vikings this fall.
The Voodoos are back on the ice in July for summer training camp. For more information you can go to www.voodooshockey.com.
