Around the Rinks — Your Weekly NOHA Hockey Updates!
NOHA Around the Rinks
Nov 4th, 2026
Around the Rinks: The Latest News from Across Northern Ontario!
Welcome to another edition of Around the Rinks! From exciting moments on the ice to the people who make it all happen behind the scenes, there is always something happening across our hockey community.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Nov 15th, House League Player Registrations must be submitted to the NOHA Office
Dec 4th, NOHA Tournament of Champions Team Applications and Fees Due
EARLY BIRD BONUS! WIN A FREE CAMP!
The countdown to Christmas is on, and so is the countdown to NOHA Christmas Camp registration closing! Don't wait until the last minute — the registration deadline will be here before you know it!
GIVE THE GIFT OF MORE ICE TIME THIS CHRISTMAS!
Register anytime from opening day until November 15th and your name will automatically be entered into a draw for a chance to WIN CAMP FOR FREE!
That's right! We will have lucky winners whose camp registration fees will be fully refunded!
And that's not all! Every camper will receive:
A NOHA Christmas Camp jersey
Their very own camp water bottle
Most importantly, more time on the ice, building skills, gaining confidence and having fun!
Looking for a way to make your child's Christmas holidays a little more exciting? Give them something they'll love — the gift of more ice time!
Don't miss your chance to get in on the early bird draw. REGISTER BEFORE NOVEMBER 15TH!
Let's make this Christmas one to remember, Around the Rinks!
Team NOHA Takes on the Alliance Face Off – Weekend Recap!
What a weekend for Team NOHA! Our U16 players headed south for the Alliance Face Off, taking on some tough competition and representing Northern Ontario with pride.
From Friday's opening games through Sunday's final matchups, both Team Red and Team Black showed determination, teamwork and plenty of hard work on the ice.
Team Red finished the weekend with an impressive three wins after Friday's opening loss to the London Jr. Knights. The team bounced back Saturday with a 7-3 victory over the Cambridge Jr. RedHawks and a 6-1 win over the Sarnia-Lambton Jr. Sting. They carried that momentum into Sunday, defeating the Windsor Jr. Spitfires 4-2!
Team Black battled through a challenging start, opening with losses to the Waterloo Wolves and Huron-Perth Lakers. The team responded with back-to-back wins and strong team performances, earning a 4-0 win over the Kitchener Jr. Rangers before closing out Sunday with a 3-1 victory over the Brantford 99ers!
Across the weekend, Team NOHA combined for 27 goals and 40 assists! That's plenty of offence, teamwork and players getting involved in the action.
A huge congratulations to all our players, coaches and coaching staff for their hard work and commitment throughout the tournament.
We are incredibly proud to see our Northern Ontario talent competing and representing the NOHA!
And to everyone cheering from back home — thank you for supporting our teams!
A few weekend highlights!
• Top goal scorer: Jayden Fisher-Ruck – 5 goals.
• Top assist leader: Blake Bubalo – 7 assists.
• Top point producer: Blake Bubalo – 10 points.
• Team Red: 17 goals scored.
• Team Black: 10 goals scored.
TOTAL TEAM STATS
• Goals: 27
• Assists: 40
• Total Points: 67
NOHA APPOINTS
MITCHELL RUSSELL AS HEAD COACH OF
U14 TEAM NOHA
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mitchell Russell as Head Coach of U14 Team NOHA.
Russell brings an impressive hockey background, with experience as both a player and development coach at the professional level. A former first-round OHL draft pick of the Owen Sound Attack, Mitchell went on to sign a three-year NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks. Throughout his playing career, he competed with the San Jose Barracuda and Wichita Thunder, while also serving as an Assistant Captain with the North Bay Battalion.
His experience across the OHL, AHL and professional hockey environments has given him a strong understanding of the game, player development, leadership and what it takes to build a successful team. He brings valuable insight into team culture, accountability, communication and the importance of creating a positive, high-performance environment.
As Head Coach, Russell is committed to building a culture that extends beyond the game itself. His philosophy centres on developing good teammates and good people first, while helping players grow both on and off the ice.
“Developing players is about more than what they can accomplish on the ice. It's about teaching them how to be good teammates, demonstrate accountability, communicate and represent themselves and their communities with pride.”
The NOHA is excited to welcome Mitchell Russell to the U14 Team NOHA coaching staff and looks forward to the leadership, experience and vision he will bring to the program.
Please join us in welcoming Mitchell Russell as Head Coach of U14 Team NOHA!
Additional coaching staff appointments will be announced shortly.
TOC Team Applications are due by midnight December 4th.
Fill in the Application below to register to attend the NOHA Tournament of Champions. Applications are due by midnight December 4th. Any applications submitted after December 4th will be charged a late fee.
Please send e-transfers to etransfer@noha-hockey.ca Please Put TEAM NAME TOC FEE in Notes/Memo of Transfer
Please note: all teams that register for the NOHA Tournament of Champions will participate.
Any Team withdrawing from the Tournament of Champions after December 4th shall forfeit their monies to the NOHA
Questions or concerns please email: Playoff Committee Chair: Sue Shepherdson at toc@noha-hockey.ca Staff Personal: Caitlin Hill at chill@noha-hockey.ca
NOHA
HISTORY :
In the 1937 Memorial Cup final, the Copper Cliff Redmen found themselves down 3–0 late in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Monarchs.
Then came one of the wildest comebacks in Northern hockey history.
The Redmen scored three times late in the third period to tie the game.
Then they won it in overtime.
Copper Cliff had gone from 3–0 down to a 4–3 overtime victory.
A Northern Ontario mining community had just shocked one of Canada’s best junior teams on the national stage.
Score Big with a Sweet Fundraising Opportunity!
The NOHA is excited to continue offering Purdys Chocolatier fundraising to all NOHA Minor Hockey Associations!
With Purdys’ simple online fundraising program, teams can raise money while offering friends and family delicious, quality gifts. It’s fundraising made easy — so you can spend more time cheering your players on at the rink!
We’re working to bring our NOHA member associations helpful articles, seasonal tips, best practices, and proven strategies to make fundraising a little easier and more successful!
Here is an article in Todays Parent Magazine that has some great information.How To Run A Successful Fundraiser—Without The Stress And Burnout - Today's Parent
That’s a Wrap for This Week!
What's happening at your rink? Do you have a team achievement to celebrate, an event coming up, a volunteer who deserves recognition or a story that should be shared? Send it our way! Help us shine a spotlight on the people, teams and communities that make hockey in Northern Ontario so special.
Your rink has a story. Make sure we get to tell it!
YOUR RINK. YOUR STORIES. OUR HOCKEY COMMUNITY!
📸 Send your stories, photos, and updates to:
mjames@noha-hockey.ca
We’ll see you next week… Around the Rinks!
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