High-scoring Soo Thunderbird wins rookie of the month

NEWS RELEASE
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
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The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) announced Saturday that Mathieu Comeau (Hearst Lumberjacks); William Pâquet (Hearst Lumberjacks); Logan Vale (Espanola Paper Kings) and Drew Christian (Soo Thunderbirds) have named its Forward; Orendorff & Associates Defenceman; Skater’s Edge Source for Sports Goaltender and Journal Printing Rookie of the Month, respectively, for October.

FORWARD: Mathieu Comeau, Hearst Lumberjacks – Amassing 28 points in a dozen games played during the time frame, Comeau led all NOJHL skaters in offensive numbers.

In all, the 20-year-old Hearst product tallied nine times, including notching a pair of game-winners, and dished out a league-best 19 assists, with two of his helpers coming on deciding markers.

Entering November on a nine-game point streak, Comeau leads the league in scoring with 43 points on 16 goals and 27 assists. The Lumberjacks’ captain also currently sits fourth all-time in NOJHL history in games played at 230.

Honourable Mention: Nolan Newton, Greater Sudbury Cubs; Brant Romaniuk, Timmins Rock

Monthly recipients
September: Joseph Coates, Espanola Paper Kings
October: Mathieu Comeau, Hearst Lumberjacks

ORENDORFF & ASSOCIATES DEFENCEMAN: William Pâquet, Hearst Lumberjacks – Helping Hearst to an 8-3-0-1 record last month, Pâquet contributed at both ends of the ice for the league-leaders.

Pâquet topped all blueliners in scoring during the time frame, with three goals and 14 assists, totally 17 points. 

Six games shy of 100 in his NOJHL career, the 20-year-old D-man from Gatineau, Que., wrapped up October on a nine-game point streak and leads all league rearguards with 18 points in his first 15 matchups on the campaign.

Honourable Mention: Braeden Begley, Powassan Voodoos; Alex Valade, Greater Sudbury Cubs

Monthly recipients
September: Max DeCoff, Soo Thunderbirds
October: William Pâquet, Hearst Lumberjacks

SKATER’S EDGE SOURCE FOR SPORTS GOALTENDER: Logan Vale, Espanola Paper Kings – A stellar month for the 20-year-old netminder from Belleville, Ont., saw Vale win all five of his starts.

His only setback came in a lengthy relief stint where he made 48 stops.

For October, Vale ended up with a 2.19 goals-against average along with a solid .948 save percentage, while facing 35, or more, shots on four occasions.

Honourable Mention: Derrick Champagne, Powassan Voodoos; Nathan Maguire, Soo Thunderbirds

Monthly recipients
September: Alexandre Boivin, Hearst Lumberjacks
October: Logan Vale, Espanola Paper Kings

JOURNAL PRINTING ROOKIE: Drew Christian (F) Soo Thunderbirds – Joining Sault Ste. Marie in early October, Christian made an immediate impact to their lineup.

Hailing from Stony Plain, Alta., the 18-year-old forward averaged over a point-per-game for the Thunderbirds with 12 in 10 contests, featuring six tallies, one of which was a game-winner.

Christian’s early efforts has seen him already move into the Top 10 in NOJHL rookie scoring. The T-Birds also went 6-1 in the seven games in which he picked up at least one point during the period.

Honourable Mention: Jax Pereira, (F) Powassan Voodoos; Michael Morascyzk, (F) French River Rapids

Monthly recipients
September: Benjamin Coupal, (F) Iroquois Falls Storm
October: Drew Christian, (F) Soo Thunderbirds

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