The Powassan Voodoos have inked puck moving defenceman Rob McCollum from the Thunder Bay Kings Major Midget AAA program, the club announced on Tuesday.
The 6’0”, 175-pound defenceman impressed the Voodoos hockey operations with his impressive play at the club’s prospects camp back in April that McCollum attended.
Voodoos GM Chris Dawson credits Associate GM Mike Mackley for recruiting the Thunder Bay defender.
“He’s an effortless skater with good speed and puck skills,” Mackley said describing McCollum, who played for former North Bay Centennials forward Rob Degagne in Thunder Bay last season.
“He can dictate the pace in possession. Rob is a player who contributes on both sides of the puck, McCullom creates from the back end, likes to jump into the rush and has a deceptive physical edge to his game on the defensive side of the puck.”
The 1999 birth year defender contributed 10 goals 18 assists for 28 points in 45 games with the Major Midget AAA Thunder Bay Kings last season, where he also spent time playing forward.
“Initially, what drew me towards the Powassan Voodoos was based on how well they competed last hockey season,” said McCollum.
“As I was participating in spring camp, I had the opportunity of watching a couple of their playoff games and I was really impressed with the coaching staff and how well they interacted with the defence core. I enjoyed meeting the hockey operations people, the fans were amazing and it must have been such an amazing atmosphere to play in and to be a part of. I cannot wait to be apart of the Powassan Voodoos organization and to get things going for the 2017-18 hockey season.”
McCollum will arrive in Powassan in late August when the Voodoos begin their main training camp.
