Espanola Paper Kings defenceman Spencer Horgan has signed with the Sudbury Wolves. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED
Defenceman enjoying historic season with Espanola of NOJHL
A defenceman who has enjoyed a historic start this NOJHL regular season has also earned an opportunity to make an impact at the OHL level.
Sudbury Wolves general manager Rob Papineau announced on Tuesday that 18-year-old blueliner Spencer Horgan had committed to the local major-junior club after posting totals of 14 goals and 31 assists in only 21 games with the Espanola Paper Kings, the Pack’s affiliates in the Northern junior A loop.
He’s expected to join the Wolves this week for a road swing to Niagara on Thursday, Erie on Friday and Brantford on Saturday.
News of Horgan’s signing came just one day after the six-foot, 175-pound native of Bowmanville, Ont. was named to NOJHL West for the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, to be held in Trenton, Ont. next Monday to Wednesday. He’s still expected to take part in that event and then re-join the Paper Kings next week.
“We are very happy to sign Spencer to an OHL scholarship and development agreement,” said Papineau, Sudbury’s vice-president of hockey operations, in a media release from the team. “He has been having an outstanding season in Espanola and adds needed depth to our hockey team this season and into the future. Spencer is a shining example to all young players who don’t hear their names called on draft to stay focused and continue to work hard to reach their goals. Espanola has done an outstanding job of developing him and creating a great environment where he has been able to become a significantly improved player.”
A graduate of the Quinte Red Devils AAA system, Horgan joined the Paper Kings in 2022-23 and posted very respectable totals of 16 goals and 30 assists in 56 contests, but has ascended this season to a place among the most prolific point-getters in NOJHL history.
Only five defencemen have produced at a higher or equal clip over a full season than Horgan’s current 2.14 points per game, according to statistics available at Elite Prospects, led by Robert Veccia of the Onaping Falls Huskies with 2.84 as an overager in 1985-86. Horgan is the first to top two points per game since Nevin Patterson of the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, another 20-year-old, in 2000-01.
The Wolves return to home ice on Nov. 17 take on the defending-champion Peterborough Petes. Start time is 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at www.greatersudbury.ca/tickets and at the Sudbury Community Arena box office.
