The Powassan Voodoos were busy in the off-season moving some key players out but in the process also brought in two players with local ties.
Joe Whittet, who scored his first junior ‘A’ as an affiliate with the Voodoos back in 2014-2015, returned home in a three-way trade that saw Voodoos NOJHL rookie of the year Harrison Israels shipped to Oakville for a development fee and the rights to Whittet who has acquired by Oakville from the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners as part of the deal.
“I am really excited about coming back to my old stomping grounds and I am excited to come back and play in front of friends and family and all that,” said Whittet who netted a goal in his exhibition debut with the Voodoos in Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Pembroke Lumber Kings.
Dakotah Woods was only 16 when he tried out for the Voodoos in the inaugural season of the franchise back in 2014-15.
Since then the 6’4” defenceman has played for three other NOJHL teams and played 31 games for the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts in 2015-16.
Last season he helped lead the Dryden IceDogs to the Dudley Hewitt Cup final where they fell to the Wellington Dukes.
The Voodoos acquired Woods from Dryden for a development fee prior to the start of main camp.
“I think it will be special this year, I have been away from home my whole junior hockey career, never got to play at home but this year I get to play in front of my friends and family,” said Woods.
“I think it will be a good year and rejoin some friends I have played with in the past and get to bond together.”
The Voodoos added Woods’ Dryden teammate Carson Lux in a trade with the LaRonge Ice Wolves of the SJHL for a development fee.
Lux, who played last season in Dryden, was impressed with what his new head coach Max Gavin had to say about the Voodoos program.
“The team resume says it all, it is a winning club and you cannot really ask for more than that along with a supportive coaching group and the fact that coach Max can promote players and that his plan it is just exactly what I want to do so it fit right in,” noted 6’3 defenceman, who also scored in his debut with the Voodoos on Sunday night.
The trio will be back on the ice Wednesday night when the Voodoos travel to Noelville to face the French River Rapids in their final pre-season tune-up.
The Voodoos open the season on Friday, September 7th when they host the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
