Nate McDonald is coming home.
The 1999 birth year netminder moved away to Toronto in his OHL draft year and was selected in the 13th round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes.
The Powassan Voodoos have committed to the 6’2”, 190 pound goaltender attended the Voodoos camp in Barrie on July 9th and 10th.
He played the 2014-15 season with the Mississauga Senators Minor Midget AAA team in the GTHL and then joined the Toronto Marlies Major Midget AAA’s in the fall of 2015.
“It’s always fun to be able to play in front of your hometown, like I grew up in North Bay so for me North Bay is home and playing in front of old friends, people I used to go to school with, I am really excited for it,” said McDonald.
McDonald joins the team a few weeks after the Voodoos shipped 1997 birth year goaltender Mario Cavaliere to the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL for a development fee.
“We liked what Nate brought to our July Camp, he’s big, he moves well and perhaps the best thing of all is he is truly excited to come home and play for the Voodoos,” stated GM Chris Dawson.
McDonald describes himself as an explosive goaltender.
“I take advantage of my size and I usually take care of the bottom of the net first and then rely on my hands in a more reactive type of style,” he said.
McDonald will be attending the Gatorade GCAMP next week at the MasterCard Centre and will join the Voodoos for the start of training camp on August 26th in Powassan.
Voodoos Vets returning
The Voodoos also have re-signed forward Tyler Gervais-Rolfe and defenceman Eric Nagy for the upcoming season.
Nagy, was a member of the NOJHL All-Star team that competed in Cornwall last fall. The Queensville, Ontario product recorded three goals along with 15 assists in his rookie season with the Voodoos.
Gervais-Rolfe, returns for his third season with the Voodoos. The feisty forward recorded 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 47 games last year with the Voodoos.
Both Gervais-Rolfe and Nagy are invites to the Barrie Colts Main Camp this fall.
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Audio file – interview with Nate McDonald after Voodoos camp in Barrie
Photo: Nate McDonald in action at Voodoos camp in Barrie on July 10th. Photo by Chris Dawson.