The Powassan Voodoos and the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners have completed their second off-season transaction as the two teams swapped 20-year-old forwards, the Voodoos announced Tuesday.
The Voodoos send American Max Newnam, who was acquired from the Gold Miners last December, back to Kirkland Lake in exchange for all-star forward Sam Ellwood.
The Oshawa product, who was a member of Team NOJHL East all-star team last fall, had 13 goals along with 20 assists for 33 points in 40 games with the Gold Miners.
Ellwood added two goals and three assists for five points in six playoff games against the Voodoos last spring. He also scored the triple OT winner for the Gold Miners in the longest game in Voodoos history.
Ellwood is glad to now be wearing Voodoos green.
“I’m very excited to join the Powassan Voodoos, ever since I’ve been around the nojhl powassan has always been a very strong team and this year is already looking promising,” said Ellwood noting the Voodoos acquired his linemate Gregory Trudeau-Paquet earlier this month.
“I feel we have the right coaching staff and group of players to contend this year and I believe this is a great opportunity for my career to progress further. I am looking forward to starting the season and playing the role the team expects me to.”
Voodoos head coach Max Gavin believes Ellwood is the type of player you win with.
“He plays a solid 200 foot game and can be counted on in all situations,” said Gavin.
“We are excited to have Sam join our family here, in speaking to him on the phone after the trade, it is clear he is motivated to win a championship and wants to play at the next level. We are looking forward to seeing Sam wearing the Voodoos jersey next season.”
Voodoos GM Chris Dawson says Ellwood had other options outside the north but made Powassan his priority.
“It’s great when we hear stories like that about players like Sam,” said Dawson about Ellwood reporting to Powassan.
“We want players who are excited to be here and Sam brings experience and a great work ethic into our locker room. On top of that, he’s had some great chemistry with Trudeau-Paquet last season."
Newnam finished with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 43 games split between the Gold Miners and Voodoos last season, but only registered three goals and 10 points with the Voodoos after the December trade.
“We also want to thank Max Newnam for his time and his professionalism in his short time with the Voodoos family. We wish him the best back in Kirkland Lake,” added Dawson.
Trevor Ritchie, the New Gold Miners general manager and head coach, hopes Newnam can re-capture the scoring touch that saw him score 12 times for the Gold Miners last fall.
“Newnam is a goal scorer," said Ritchie in a release.
"That is something every team needs and we are glad to be able to bring him back, we expect him to be one of our offensive leaders and a big part of our power play.”
Ellwood will join the Voodoos on August 23 for the start of main camp at the Powassan Sportsplex.
