The Powassan Voodoos added some more offence to their lineup today with the acquisition of forward Eric Champagne, who was acquired this week in a trade with the Rayside-Balfour Canadians (formerly the Sudbury Nickel Barons).
Champagne recorded 30 goals last season splitting the year between the English River Miners of the Superior International Hockey League and the Sudbury Nickel Barons.
Chris Dawson, the Voodoos GM and VP of Hockey Operations, knows Champagne as they were both with the Jr. Trappers organization in 2013-14.
That season Champagne netted 19 goals and was named to the NOJHL All-Star team as a rookie.
Dawson says the Voodoos have been pursuing the rights to Champagne since the January 10th trade deadline.
“Eric wanted to play closer to home and as a 20-year-old we expect him to play in our top 6 and give a big boost to our offence this coming season,” stated Voodoos GM and VP of Hockey Operations Chris Dawson.
“He looked great skating with our team at the prospects camp on the weekend, he is a very good fit for our program.”
As a local product, Champagne has familiarity with a number of Voodoos players including Jake Staples, who he has played hockey with every year since Atom.
The 6’1″, 195 pound forward is excited join the talented Voodoos forward group and he hopes it translates into a winning season in 2015-16.
“I think we are putting together an older team which is going to be very good in the playoffs as we try to make it to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, and since the team will be older, I do expect to win the league as this is my final year in junior,” said Champagne.
“I think I am a bigger body who can definitely score if I am set up in the proper spots. I am good on the power play, able to move the puck but I can also shoot really well so it should be pretty good.”
Champagne and the rest of the Voodoos will re-group on August 20th for the start of their Main Training Camp which will take place at Pete Palangio arena.
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Voodoos new forward Eric Champagne along with Head Coach Scott Wray and Co-Owner Dan Rivet.
Audio file of Eric Champagne reaction to joining the Voodoos (1:16)
