With files from Chris Dawson
Photo credits: Gibson/Chitaroni: Bob Davies – Say: Chris Dawson
SUDBURY, Ont. – With the 2025 National Hockey League Draft having been completed and free agency underway, NHL clubs are now turning their attention to their annual development camps, which will feature some prospects who have ties to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
There are currently seven players who have seen time in the NOJHL that will take part in camps across the NHL.
Andrew Gibson, the league’s Top Defenceman and a first team all-star back in 2021-22 while with the Soo Thunderbirds, is currently at the Nashville Predators, that runs through Saturday.
Gibson was previously selected by the Detroit Red Wings, in the second round, 42nd overall, in 2023 before being dealt to Nashville back in June of 2024.
Another Thunderbirds alumnus camping is goaltender Landon Miller.
He spent the 2022-23 campaign in the Soo going 14-5-2-3 with a 2.29 goals-against average, a solid .923 save percentage and posted two shutouts.
Miller was a fourth-round selection of the Red Wings last year and is at their camp this week in Detroit.
Back in March, former Powassan Voodoos standout goalkeeper Owen Say signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Calgary Flames.
In 2019-20, Say finished with a .941 save percentage and a 1.90 goals-against average, while sporting a record of 31-2-0-0 in an impressive year with the Voodoos while garnering first team all-star laurels between the pipes.
He’s one of four netminders taking part in the Flames development camp, which gets underway today in Alberta.
The Toronto Maple Leafs meanwhile have a trio of former NOJHLers who are among those competing at their camp that also begins Wednesday.
They include forward Sam McCue who spent time with the Blind River Beavers in 2021-22 and was drafted by the Leafs in the seventh-round last year.
In last week’s draft, Toronto tabbed blueliner Rylan Fellinger in the sixth round.
The Wawa, Ont., product played a game in the NOJHL as an affiliate with the Soo Thunderbirds.
Earning a free agent invite to skate with the Maple Leafs’ prospects is former Greater Sudbury Cubs standout forward Hudson Chitaroni, who led all NOJHL rookies in scoring back in 2023-24.
His 77 points in 55 games played also placed him sixth overall in league offensive production and Chitaroni tied for the playoff scoring lead in helping the Cubs win the NOJHL championship.
Another being invited to a NHL development camp is goalkeeper Michael McIvor.
He saw limited action with the Voodoos in 2023-24 as part of his play with the North Bay Battalion of the OHL.
McIvor is currently showcasing his skills at the Anaheim Ducks camp this week in Irvine, California, which wraps up later today.
