The Powassan Voodoos open defence of their NOJHL title tonight (Friday).

They entertain Kirkland Lake at 7 o’clock at the Powassan Sportsplex.

New Head Coach Beau Moyer says he knew they had a good core of players returning, and is impressed with the quality of the individuals, on and off the ice.

“Everybody has come in ready to work, with respect for everybody in the program. Hopefully we can just get better day in and day out,” he says.

Moyer says they want teams to have to adjust to their style of play and it all has to do with puck possession.

“There’s going to be a lot of creativity with all four forward lines, but we’re also going to have that fourth man on the rush from our defensive core as well,” he says.

Powassan dispatched Kirkland Lake in four straight games in the playoffs, en route to the clubs first NOJHL title last spring.

Meantime, the Voodoos have signed Tomas Yachmenev.

The 17 year old forward will be playing his first season of hockey in Canada this fall with Powassan, after spending all his minor hockey years playing in Chelyabinsk, Russia where his dad Vitali is now a coach with the local KHL team.

“My dad had two very successful seasons with the North Bay Centennials, winning rookie of the year after his first season, before playing in the NHL,” said the Widdifield Secondary student.

“I am very proud of him and thankful for helping me improve as a player on and off the ice,” he said about his dads NHL career where he appeared in 487 games, tallying 83 goals and 133 assists.

 

(Photo submitted)