SUDBURY, Ont. – One of the top players in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League this season has been recruited to attend school and compete for the Nipissing Lakers (OUA) in North Bay when games resume.
Parker Bowman, the leading scorer for the Powassan Voodoos has committed to Nipissing for the fall of 2020, the North Bay, Ont., based school has announced.
The Bracebridge, Ont., product was instrumental in leading the Voodoos to top spot overall the 12-team NOJHL standings while leading his club in offensive production with 88 points on 38 tallies and 50 assists.
Those numbers placed him second overall in league scoring while his 29 power play points helped his squad pace the NOJHL in man advantage proficiency, clicking at a league-best 24.5% success rate.
Lakers’ head coach Mike McParland said he was impressed with what he saw from Bowman.
“When I watched him play in Powassan, his work ethic never varied,” McParland stated about the Voodoos captain.
“He is a gamer. I have heard nothing but good things about his positive attitude and his determination. He had a great year offensively with the Voodoos and combine that with two years of major junior I think he is someone who can combine those two traits over the last couple of years and combine them hopefully as well at the university level.”
Chris Dawson, the Voodoos general manager, is glad to see another Voodoos player moving on to play U SPORTS.
“I have to give Mike McParland credit. He did a great job giving our older players an orientation in the Lakers room earlier this year. Parker had interest from universities in three different provinces and I am glad to see he is joining the Lakers program,” stated Dawson.
Bowman will join former Voodoos’ teammate Cameron Moore on the Lakers roster next season.
Other former Voodoos who dressed in the OUA this season include Garrett Forrest, Steve Harland, Mario Cavaliere, and Michael Silveri.
With files from Chris Dawson, Powassan Voodoos
ADAMS TO MARYVILLE
Meanwhile, the Blind River Beavers will see one of their top forwards in 2019-20 head to the U.S. to play college hockey.
Lucas Adams will be joining Beavers’ teammate Dominic Boily at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri where the Saints men’s program are members of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
Suiting up in 52 match-ups for Blind River on the year, the now 21-year-old Keswick, Ont., native notched 17 markers and chipped in with 29 helpers for 46 points.
His goal, assist and point totals were all personal single-season highs for Adams.
In 103 NOJHL outings, he scored 25 times and helped set-up 48 more along the way.
NOJHL commitment tracker (As of April 18/20)
BLIND RIVER BEAVERS
Jackson Hjelle, (G) Gustavus Adolphus (MIAC)
Kyle Quinn, (F) UNLV (ACHA)
Dominic Boily, (G) Maryville (ACHA)
David Campbell, (F) North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Lucas Adams, (F) Maryville (ACHA)
COCHRANE CRUNCH
T.B.A.
ELLIOT LAKE WILDCATS
Connor Taylor, (F) Northland College (WIAC)
ESPANOLA EXPRESS
Mattais Salem, (D) Laurentian (OUA)
FRENCH RIVER RAPIDS
T.B.A.
HEARST LUMBERJACKS
Spencer Silver, (F) Plattsburgh (SUNYAC)
KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD MINERS
T.B.A.
POWASSAN VOODOOS
Parker Bowman, (F) Nipissing (OUA)
RAYSIDE-BALFOUR CANADIANS
Zacharie Giroux, (F) Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Brett Jacklin, (F) Laurentian University (OUA)
Mitchell Martin, (F) Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Cameron Lamour, (G) North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Giordano Biondi, (F) Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
David Bowen, (G) Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Cameron Lamour, (G) North Bay Battalion (OHL)
SOO EAGLES
Jake Lamberty, (F) Northland College (WIAC)
Shane Brancato, (G) Trine (NCHA)
Joel Brandinger, (F) Tufts (NESCAC)
SOO THUNDERBIRDS
T.B.A.
TIMMINS ROCK
T.B.A.