Photo: Ryan Saginaw and Logan Coates chat at the bench during their first practice with the Voodoos at the Powassan Sportsplex on Wednesday morning.
The Powassan Voodoos continue to shuffle their roster early this season with the addition of returning all-star forward Ryan Saginaw.
The 2006 birth-year forward started the season with the St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League, but returned to the Voodoos this week and is expected to make his 26-27 debut with the Voodoos on Friday night in French River.
The Pittsburgh area product netted 35 goals and 39 assists for 74 points last season with the Voodoos, where he was named a third-team NOJHL All-Star and the NOJHL’s Dave Harrison Award winner for the league’s most gentlemanly player.
“I think it’s the people that make the place, definitely everyone involved in the organization from management to coaches, and everyone that surrounds the organization, it is a home feeling for sure,” said Saginaw, who joined the team originally in January of 2025.
Ty Pracek, Voodoos new head coach, is seeing Saginaw on the ice for practice for the first time this week, and he’s excited to bring more scoring into his lineup.
“He played a huge role in the Voodoos offence last season, and we know it will carry into this season. Ryan is another key piece of the puzzle that will help us reach our final goal this year. Welcome back, Ryan!”
Marc Gagnon, Voodoos associate general manager, echoed the coach’s sentiment.
“We are just incredibly happy to have Ryan Saginaw back in our lineup,” noted Gagnon.
“He was a massive part of the identity last season, and having him back makes our team instantly better.”
To make room for the star forward, the Voodoos let go of defenceman Chase McAndrew, who will be joining the Blind River Beavers.
In another move on the weekend, the Voodoos acquired North Bay area goaltender Logan Coates from the Timmins Rock for a development fee. As part of that move, the Voodoos released 20-year-old import netminder Matthew Lyon.
Coates brings with him winning pedigree from the strong North Bay U18 AAA Trappers program, where he captured a Great North U18 title in 2025-26.
“It’s great; everyone wants to play for their hometown team,” said the 2008 birth-year netminder.
“It is a great environment and a lot of good opportunities here.”
Coates got off to a great start with the Voodoos as he was named the game’s second star as Powassan dumped the Espanola Paper Kings 6-3 in Espanola on Sunday.
