The Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) have announced the NCAA Division III commitment of forwards Nolan Nemecek and Ethan Hoff, who will further their education and continue their playing careers at Southern New Hampshire University in the fall.
Finishing up his Jr. A career in Michigan with Sault Ste. Marie, Nemecek averaged over a point-per-game with the Eagles in 2025-26, collecting 53 in 49 outings, establishing career personal single-season highs in goals (22) and assists (31) to finish tied for second in team scoring.
He also had four different consecutive game point streaks of six, or more, on the year.
In 95 total NOJHL games with the club, the Hudsonville, Mich., product registered 78 points, including 34 tallies.
“Playing with Eagles shaped me into the player and person I am today,” offered Nemecek. “The organization taught me what it takes to compete at a high level and gave me the confidence and opportunity to pursue my dream of playing NCAA Division III hockey at Southern New Hampshire University.”
For his part, Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo stated: “Nolan was a very hard working player with grit and scoring ability which will serve him well at the collegiate level. He’s a strong character individual who loves to work and has goals for success.”
As for Hoff, who turns 19 in August, he picked up 49 points in his rookie campaign in the Soo by scoring 16 times and helping set-up 11 others.
Hoff hails from Murrysville, Penn., and among his other accomplishments was being named one of the league’s Rogers 3 Stars of the Week, for the period ending February 8, where he supplied back-to-back three-point efforts in a pair of victories, including notching a deciding marker in overtime.
“Playing in the Soo really helped me develop my game and prepared me for the jump to college hockey,” said Hoff.
He went on to add: “Coach Rebek and all the staff pushed me to be my best, day in and day out,” he added.
In discussing Hoff, who will forego his final year of junior eligibility to start school and play hockey at SNHU, Bragagnolo said: “Ethan worked hard all season, both on and off the ice, to reach his goal. He was a player who kept getting better throughout the season and has a ton of potential to be a top D-III player.”
Both Nemecek and Hoff had two game-winning goals apiece on the campaign for the Eagles.
Based in Manchester, NH, the SNHU Penmen compete in the six-school NCAA D-III Northeast 10 Conference.
