The North Bay & District Trappers AAA Association will be announcing that the #71 will be retired by the six local AAA hockey teams along with all the teams in the North Bay Minor Hockey Association in honour of former player Noah Dugas.
The 13-year-old passed away last November due to a stroke.
Last fall, the community and the hockey world embraced Noah Dugas and his challenges prior to his passing. Noah was even featured on an intermission on Hockey Night In Canada during game one of the 2020 Stanley Cup finals and even received "Get Well" wishes from dozens of NHL stars - many of who sent him autographed jerseys in the mail.
Noah's tragedy came with some inspiration as Noah's family was able to help out seven others in need through organ donations. More information relating to a new Noah Strong Foundation is expected to be announced later this month.
His former coach Marc Long got a "7N1D" tattoo symbolic of Noah's name and number, while goaltender and longtime teammate Jackson Curran has a picture of Noah painted on the side of his new goalie helmet to show Dugas is still always by his side.
"He was fun, energetic, and always positive," Jackson Curran said about Noah Dugas.
See related: 'He was just a really nice kid'
See related: Noah Dugas helping others through organ donations
See related: Young local goalie pays tribute to Noah Dugas
The jersey retirement ceremony will take place after his former team, the North Bay Dave's Heating and Cooling U15 AAA Trappers, hosts the U15 AAA Sudbury Nickel Capitals on Saturday, October 23 at 1 p.m. at North Bay's Memorial Gardens.
Fans in attendance are encouraged to wear the 7N1D apparel in his honour or are just simply asked to wear a hockey jersey.
