The Powassan Voodoos are bringing the reigning NOJHL rookie of the year home.
The Voodoos have acquired 17-year-old North Bay forward Owen Smith from the Espanola Paper Kings for a development fee, the club announced on Monday.
“We are thrilled to add Owen Smith to our program,” said Chris Dawson, Voodoos general manager.
“He made an impressive transition from minor hockey to junior with the Paper Kings, playing the same way he was successful in minor hockey, and that was using his speed, skill and being hard on the forecheck.”
Bringing Smith home also makes sense as he was an 11th-round pick of the North Bay Battalion in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.
The former Trappers star is working towards making his hometown OHL team or becoming an affiliate and is looking forward to the new season.
“It’s super cool. Obviously staying close to home. I’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of former minor hockey teammates; it’s going to be great,” said Smith.
The 2009 birth-year forward led all NOJHL rookies in scoring with 60 points, including 24 tallies, in 51 games. He was tied for second in rookie power play goals (7); 1st in PP assists (20); 1st in PP points (27); 1st in game-winning goals by a rookie (7).
Smith was humbled to be named the NOJHL rookie of the year.
“I was really honoured for that award,” he said.
“It just took a lot of hard work, you know, in practice, trying to get better every day.”
Smith will join the Powassan Voodoos for main camp on August 20.
