A month into the 2021-22 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season, there is undoubtedly no member club more pleased to be back on the ice than the Soo Eagles.

With Canada/U.S. border closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic causing them to sit out the previous campaign, the Eagles are back, but are still waiting to return to the friendly confines of their home venue, Pullar Stadium in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., for game action.

All seven of their contests to date have been played on the road, where they have gone a more than respectable 4-2-1-0 in that span.

Even with the solid start, just the fact that they are back playing games again has been vital to the organization.

“I think it was paramount to do what ever it took to get through this season in the NOJHL,” offered Eagles’ general manager Bruno Bragagnolo.

“We knew that if we went dormant (for a second straight season) it would be very difficult to get up and running again next year for a number of reasons.”

The backing of the league and its fellow member clubs in assisting in the Eagles return is not lost on Bragagnolo: “We are very appreciative of our league members and our commissioner, Robert Mazzuca, for their support and encouragement to help us get through this year.”

“Most important though, we figured we owed it to our players, fans and sponsors, who committed and put their faith in our program this year.”

For head coach Doug Laprade, the Soo’s bench boss is delighted with his squad’s start, especially having played their first seven match-ups on the road.

“I’m very pleased with our start,” stated Laprade. “With all these away games, I think it’s helped us come together as a team being on the bus, in hotels and on the road to start the season.”

Even with the return to play, travelling across the Canadian border to compete brings its own set of complications.
“It has not been easy playing all away games so far this year,” said Bragagnolo.

“One of our obstacles has been to make sure everyone gets COVID-tested on time to get across the border.”

Receiving some assistance this side of the border has also benefitted the Eagles, provided the GM.

“The travel has been a little difficult, but we are getting used to it. We are lucky to have had some help from our Canadian friends for our home games at the Rankin Arena (in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.).

All in all, we won’t complain as we are just happy to be playing league games again.”

While getting his team back on the ice competing at a strong level was a key factor for Bragagnolo, doing so safely was equally as vital a component to it all and was another area of concentration for the organization.

“Besides trying to put a good team on the ice, obviously first and foremost is the safety of our players and staff to avoid getting COVID in our return to play. Secondly it has been a challenge on managing our budget for the year.”

As for his players, Laprade has been more than satisfied with their contributions to date.

Up front, forwards Chase Tallaire and Jack Morston sit one-two respectively in club offensive numbers heading into a Friday evening contest vs. the Elliot Lake Red Wings, which will be held at Rankin Arena, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

“Chase and Jack have been outstanding for us so far this season,” states Laprade. “They’re both captains of our team and lead on and off the ice. They work very hard in practice and bring the level of competition up for our entire team.

Being consistent has played a role in each skater’s success with Tallaire sporting a six-game point streak for the Soo, while Mortson has scored a goal in each of his past five outings.

A pair of newcomers on the back-end, in Nicholas Castillo and Dylan Bachalo, has also paid dividends for the Eagles, and is something that the coach is very aware of.

“Nic has become a very physical force for us. He skates well, moves the puck and can play very
effectively at both ends of the ice,” provided the coach.

The Eagles skipper, who is an alumnus of Lake Superior State University and a NCAA Division-I championship winner with the Lakers is also pleased with what Bacholo has provided: “Dylan is one of the smarter players I’ve coached in sometime. He skates very well, moves the puck well, and definitely is an asset for us on the blue line.”
A pair of veteran goaltenders has also offered the Eagles the ability to win on most nights.

Laprade knows the importance of getting good goalkeeping so far this season from netminders Gabe Rosek and Ryan
Gilmore.

“Our goaltending has been great so far. It’s very important for any team to get a good goaltending, especially on the road. You can have all the offense in the world, but if your goaltender isn’t there for you it’s pretty hard to win games.
These guys have been there for us.”

With the just announced plan for the border to re-open for Canadians to begin travelling by land into the U.S., in November, optimism for the Eagles to resume playing at Pullar Stadium is being looked upon with hopeful positivity.
“It will be really nice to get back to playing home games again at the Pullar again for a number of reasons,” detailed
Bragagnolo.

“Fans, sponsors and our players will all be excited to get back to playing in one of the greatest arenas in the country
and obviously it will help balance our budget for the year.”

The Eagles head coach echoes those sentiments: “We are really looking forward to hosting home games at the Pullar
Stadium and seeing what we can do on our home turf. We’re hoping to be able to build on the start we’ve had and
hopefully add to it.”

While they wait for that opportunity, Laprade looks to make the most of the contests away from home ice.

“Again, I think the road games have really helped with our team chemistry. When you’re on the road, you’re just with the team. There’s no family or distractions of any kind around, just team-building and teamwork.”

“So far we’ve played everyone in our division and I’m very happy with how we stack up against each team. Each of our opponents have various strengths and have been great competition.”

Buoyed by the potential to head back to Pullar Stadium for home contests, Bragagolo remains appreciative and optimistic: “Thanks again to our league members and commissioner Robert Mazucca for all their support and help to get through this challenging endeavor. Can’t wait to see our fans back at the Pullar.”

Source: NOJHL/Sudbury Light Event Photography