Voodoos sign Great North U18 MVP

Justin Rousseau in action with the U18 Trappers in October 2022. Photo courtesy Voodooshockey.com

The Powassan Voodoos have inked another key player from the Great North U18 champion North Bay U18 Trappers squad as the NOJHL club has signed 2005 birth year forward Justin Rousseau, the club announced Monday.

The North Bay U18 AAA Trappers captain Justin Rousseau received multiple awards during his club’s championship run in 2022-23, including League MVP, Top Defensive Forward and First Team All-Star.

Rousseau, who played in 3 regular season games with the Voodoos as an affiliate, finished the year with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in the 23 Great North U18 regular season games.

Peter Goulet, Voodoos head coach liked Rousseau the first time the Verner product attended Voodoos main camp in the fall of 2022.

“He would have definitely made our team last year but I think he made the right decision going back to the U18 Trappers as it was a great year for him, obviously he was named league MVP and he is just a great kid. He is a power forward who plays hard and he is a kid who is captain or alternate captain material for us down the road,” said Goulet.

Rousseau believes he’s ready to take that next step.

“It feels great, I have been looking forward to this for a while and just thankful for the opportunity,” said Rousseau who turned 18 in May.

He believes his experience as a captain of a championship team will be a benefit.

“I think the teammates were really close together in North Bay, they have been playing together for a while,” said Rousseau about the U18 Trappers group.

“I was just happy to join that team and I think I can bring that chemistry to the Voodoos as well. “

The 5’11”, 175 pound forward is confident he can make an impact despite not expecting to play top line minutes as a rookie with the Voodoos.

“I still think I can produce and be a good teammate off the ice,” he said.

Rousseau and his teammates will assemble in Powassan for the start of main training camp on August 24.

Justin Rousseau and Voodoos GM Chris Dawson hold up a Voodoos jersey in front of the Voodoo CF 101 at the entrance to CFB North Bay. Photo courtesy Voodooshockey.com