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Over the March 21st to 23rd in a weekend packed with heart-stopping moments and unforgettable performances, the U16 AA Soo Jr Greyhounds delivered a storybook finish – beating the Copper Cliff reds and capturing the Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s (NOHA) Tournament of Champions title on home ice.
The Reds entered the tournament as heavy favourites – finishing first in regular season play and ranked fourth in Ontario. But the Jr Hounds had been quietly building toward this moment all year. With each matchup, they narrowed the gap. And upon entering the tournament, they made their mission crystal clear: beat the Reds, and do it when it mattered most.
That moment came in game one of round robin play, when the Jr Hounds entered the third period down by two. They dug deep and stunned the Reds with a 3-2 victory. That win ignited a fire in this team – and they never looked back.
The Jr Hounds went undefeated in the round robin with wins over the Nickel City Cubs (5-2), Sudbury Jr Wolves (4-1) and the North Bay Trappers (3-2), earning first place and a spot in the semifinals where they beat the Jr Wolves 6-2. The other semifinal game featured the Reds and the Trappers, where the Reds came out on top winning 4-1. This set the stage for a dramatic championship re-match.
With the arena buzzing, the championship game lived up to every bit of the hype. The Reds struck first, and held a 1-0 lead after the first period. Both teams scored twice in the 2nd, but once again the Jr Hounds found themselves trailing the Reds entering the third (this time 3-2). But this team doesn’t quit. With just 1:42 left in the game, they tied it up – forcing OT and electrifying the crowd.
Then came the magic. Part way through the first OT period, Liam Clark battled down the wing, protected the puck under pressure, cut in front of the net and slid it past the goaltender – giving the Jr. Hounds the title of NOHA Champions and capping off an unforgettable run.
The coaching staff – Mike Fera, Jason Borrelli, Rob Cranston and Alan Jones – could not be prouder.
“A team with a largely new roster at the start of the season grew into a tight-knit group that thrived under pressure. These players faced many challenges along the way, but I believe they only made them stronger and closer” said head coach Mike Fera. “What this team accomplished wasn’t just about skill – it was about heart, resilience and belief. They trusted each other, bought into the process and faced every challenge head-on. That’s what makes this championship so special. To do this at home, in front of family and friends, was the cherry on top.”
2025 U16 AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds – NOHA Champions: Trent Borrelli, Will Franic, Kaidyn Beaird, Kyle Crack, Adam Stevens, Sebastian Fera, Liam Clark, Jayden Cranston, Tye Turco, Ashton Edwards, Jayden Lumsden, Tucker Witty, Ty Cond, Logan Nakani, Devon Clarida, Logan Herrington and Connor Dunn. Affiliate Player: Jakson Carroll (U15 AA).
Source: Soo U16AA Greyhounds
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