The North Bay Battalion kicked off training camp this week, gearing up for their 11th season at Memorial Gardens.
While technically the franchise's 12th season since relocating from Brampton, the 2020-2021 campaign was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a fresh wave of talent joins the veterans, they have a decade of Battalion greats to inspire them. Last year we looked at ten memorable moments on and off the ice over their first ten years (nine seasons) in North Bay (https://www.baytoday.ca/sports/ten-memorable-moments-in-troops-first-decade-in-north-bay-7691197 ). This year, Bay Today decided to look at the top ten seasons by individual players whose numbers, skill and contributions on and off the ice have left a legacy on this franchise.
10. Anthony Romani / Owen Van Steensel / Dalyn Wakely (2023-2024)
Position: Number one line
Stats: Romani (58-53-111), Wakely (39-65-104), Van Steensel (41-45-86)
Achievements: Cheating to start this list, but no pair of linemates have ever had a season quite like the one we just witnessed last year as they combined for 303 of the team's 767 total points, a staggering 39% of the team's offensive output. To have a line where two players scored over 100 points each and two players with more than 40 goals is unprecedented. In fact, Romani finished his season as the second-highest goal scorer in a single season behind Justin Brazeau’s 61. He’s only the third player ever to score at least 50 in a single season. He led the OHL in goals and was second in points. Wakely more than doubled his point total from his first two years combined finishing third in the OHL’s scoring race, third in +/- (+54), fourth in assists and 10th in goals. Van Steensel’s quadrupled his goal total from 11 the year before to 41 in 2023-2024, finishing seventh in goals in the league. To have a season like this where NONE of them were over-age players and NONE of them were drafted is truly remarkable. (Wakely went to Edmonton and Romani went to Vancouver, both in the sixth round in the NHL entry draft following the season).
Key Moment: On February 8, 2024, all three players finished the night with two goals and two assists for a 12-point evening for the top line as they defeated the Niagara IceDogs 12-1. It wasn’t the most points combined by these three players on one night. It wasn’t the most goals or points they would rack up individually (they scored seven hat-tricks combined) but it was a night where they showcased the consistency and shared responsibility of their line.
Quote: “You want to design your lines that contain a few ingredients, and their line has all of the ingredients to perform night in and night out. You have a centreman who can really distribute the puck and drive the middle of the ice in Wakely. You have a guy who just competes and works extremely hard in straight lines, wins a lot of puck races and keeps the plays alive in Van Steensel. Then you have the guy who has the ultimate hockey IQ in Romani and he’s a guy that can put the puck in the net. You wrap it all up with the fact that they are friends and love competing for each other and that’s why we have something really special.” -Ryan Oulahen told Baytoday on March 14, 2024.
9. Jake Smith (2013-2014)
Position: Goaltender
Stats: 23 wins, 2.52 GAA, .904 save percentage in 42 games
Draft Information: Undrafted in the NHL.
Achievements: Smith’s 2013-2014 season was one of the best for a goaltender in Battalion history. His 23 wins were crucial in leading the team to the OHL Finals, and his steady play in net provided the foundation for the team’s defensive system in their inaugural season in North Bay. Smith’s clutch performances in the playoffs, including key saves in tight games, were critical to the team’s deep playoff run. His ability to remain calm under pressure made him an invaluable asset during their Eastern Conference Championship.
Key Moment: In the first game of the first three rounds of the 2014 playoffs, Smith recorded a shutout. With 28 saves against Niagara in round one, 21 saves against Barrie in round two, and 24 saves against Oshawa in round three, Smith was the backbone of their Cinderella run to the OHL finals.
Quote: “Everybody’s buying into the system, everybody’s blocking shots, everybody’s taking their man. You’ve got to make those saves at the right time – every time. It’s a matter of keeping the team in and giving (us) a chance to win.” Jake Smith told Steve Hardy of North Bay Nipissing News on Tuesday, April 22 2014 ahead of Game Three of the OHL Eastern Conference finals.
8. Cam Dineen (2015-2016)
Position: Defenseman
Stats: 13 goals, 46 assists, 59 points in 68 games
Draft Information: Drafted 68th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Achievements: Dineen’s 2015-16 season was remarkable for a rookie defenseman. The Toms River, New Jersey native finished just one point back of the league lead for points by a defenseman (behind 19-year-old Swedish import Rasmus Andersson), while leading all first-year defensmen in points and assists, finishing second in overall rookie scoring in those categories as well. Dineen exemplified what it meant to excel as a playmaking defenseman in just his first year in the OHL, and he was also trusted to quarterback the power play (earning 24 of his 46 assists with the man advantage) while being relied upon to make key defensive plays all at just 17 years old.
Key Moment: A four-point night on New Years eve showcased Dineen as the total package. He scored the opening goal of the game, assisted on a power play goal and a five-on-five goal, then helped get the empty net goal for good measure at the end of the game, all while playing solid defense as the Troops beat the Steelheads 6-3 to close out 2015. He would only record one other four-point night in his OHL career.
Quote: “If you told me I would be anywhere close to leading the OHL for D-man scoring, I definitely wouldn’t believe you. I thought I came in strong and played with confidence, but I think I have developed a ton since arriving.” -Cam Dineen told the OHL’s Brock Otten during an interview on March 17, 2016.
7. Nick Paul (2014-2015)
Position: Left Wing/Center
Stats: 37 goals, 29 assists, 66 points in 58 games
Draft Information: Drafted 101st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Achievements: Paul’s 2014-2015 season saw him become one of the top power forwards in the OHL. His ability to score key goals and contribute in all areas of the game made him a vital part of the Battalion’s lineup. Paul’s physical play and leadership were also key components of his game. Off the ice he made an impact as well with his “Points for Paul” campaign resulting in significant awareness and support with over $7,000 being raised for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHU) at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. This campaign led to Paul winning the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year. He also brought national attention to the Battalion when he suited up for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Toronto. The team won the gold medal with Nick Paul scoring three minutes into the game, a 5-4 win for Canada over Russia.
Key Moment: On January 15, 2015, Nick Paul stood at centre ice before the Battalion game against the Barrie Colts, with 3,871 fans thunderously applauding his efforts and accolades with Team Canada. Paul was presented with a Team Canada / North Bay Battalion plaque by Captain Marcus McIvor to commemorate being the first member of the North Bay Battalion to win at the national level.
Quote: “What's really rewarding is making a difference and raising awareness because the topic of mental health is becoming more and more prominent in today's society. I am passionate about the cause because of past experiences involving people close to me, and seeing the results and feedback from people has really made it all worth it. I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported me in making all of this possible.” -Paul told Baytoday on March 28 2015.
6. Matvey Petrov (2021-2022)
Position: Right Wing
Stats: 40 goals, 50 assists, 90 points in 63 games
Draft information: 6th round, 180th overall, 2021 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers
Achievements: In his first season with North Bay, Petrov emerged as one of the league’s top offensive talents. His ability to score and create plays made him a constant threat. Petrov’s 90 points were instrumental in establishing North Bay as a top team in the OHL’s Eastern Conference coming out of the pandemic. Nobody really knew what to expect as the Russian import was already drafted by the Edmonton Oilers before he had ever played a game in the OHL. But once he laced them up for the Troops the fans in North Bay knew they were watching a special player. His exceptional shot and ability to find the back of the net made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the OHL finishing second on the team in goals, assists and points on route to becoming the most prolific import player the Battalion have drafted since moving to North Bay. His goals, assists and points are also the most ever scored by a Battalion player in their first year in the OHL in all three categories.
Key Moment: In his first career game, Petrov scored a hat-trick and finished the night with four points, immediately putting the league on notice.
Quote: “Good for Matvey. One thing we know about him is he likes to score goals. He can really shoot the puck, and he doesn’t need a lot of space to get that shot off. Probably a really good confidence booster for his first game to have a showing like that.” -Ryan Oulahen told Baytoday on October 7 2021.
5. Dom DiVincentiis (2022-2023)
Position: Goaltender
Stats: 36 wins, 2.33 GAA, .919 save percentage in 48 games played
Draft Information: Drafted 207th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Stats & Achievements: DiVincentiis established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the OHL in his first season as the number one netminder for the Battalion. He won the Jim Rutherford Trophy, awarded annually to the OHL's Goaltender of the Year (the first member of the Battalion to win the award), while putting together the best statistical season by a goaltender in North Bay Battalion franchise history, leading the OHL with 36 wins, a 2.33 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. His five shutouts were tied for the league-lead (and tied for most in a single season in North Bay), and he did not lose consecutive games throughout the entire season. His ability to consistently make key saves in crucial moments was a significant factor in the Battalion’s success in getting a second straight Central Division championship and their fourth trip overall to the Eastern Conference finals.
Key Moment: DiVincentiis was named the OHL Goaltender of the Week on March 7, 2023 after he picked up two wins including a shutout, and compiled a goals-against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .972 in wins over Sudbury and Mississauga.
Quote: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be receiving the Jim Rutherford Trophy as the top goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League. To share this recognition with some of the best goaltenders in our league's history is extremely exciting. This award, in my opinion, is a recognition and acknowledgment to the incredible support and encouragement I have received from my teammates, coaches, support staff, and fans with the North Bay Battalion.” -Dom DiVincentiis said in a release on May 1, 2023.
4. Ty Nelson (2022-2023)
Position: Defenseman
Stats: 24 goals, 52 assists, 76 points in 67 games
Draft Information: Drafted 68th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Stats & Achievements: Known for his powerful shot and solid defensive play, Nelson quickly established himself as a key player in his first season in North Bay in 2021-22, after being the first ever first overall draft pick for the North Bay Battalion in the OHL priority selection. But the following season was one of the most productive for a defenseman in Battalion history. His ability to generate offense from the blue line was a major asset for the Troops, as he was in the top three in scoring among OHL defensemen. His 52 assists were a testament to his playmaking abilities while his 24 goals boasted his powerful shot from the point. All three of his offensive numbers are franchise records for a defenceman in a single season and Nelson's ability to quarterback the power play and contribute offensively made him one of the most exciting defensemen to watch in the entire league.
Key Moment: Nelson played a pivotal role in North Bay’s playoff run, with 25 points in 20 games, including scoring seven points in their seven-game series against the Petes in the Eastern Conference finals.
Quote: “It’s incredible to see the support in our community. That’s the type of thing when you’re playing OHL hockey, it can really swing momentum. For myself, it gives you goosebumps and chills. I can speak on behalf of the team and say we’re beyond grateful of the support the community has given us this year.” - Ty Nelson told Baytoday on May 9th 2023.
3. Mike Amadio (2015-2016)
Position: Center
Stats: 50 goals, 48 assists, 98 points in 68 games
Draft Information: Drafted 90th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Achievements: Amadio’s 50-goal season in 2015-2016 stands out as a milestone for the franchise. He became the first Battalion player to reach the 50-goal mark in a season, showcasing his consistency and clutch scoring ability. His strong two-way play also made him a key contributor on both ends of the ice. Amadio’s scoring prowess helped the Battalion remain competitive throughout the season, and his leadership on the ice was pivotal during the team’s playoff push. He was awarded the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Key Moment: Mike Amadio made Battalion history on March 18 at Sudbury, becoming the first player in franchise history to score 50 goals in a single season. This goal also gave Amadio the Battalion record for most shorthanded goals in a single season with eight. (https://staging.chl.ca/ohl-battalion/video/amadio-50th-goal-sby-march-18/ )
Quote: “It was a great pass by [Matt] Santos there, I got there breakaway and, fortunately for me, it went in,” he explained. “[Santos] has been able to do that all year, which I think is a big part of my success - I’ve got to give a lot of credit to him. It’s pretty surreal - It’s obviously an unbelievable feeling, I don’t really know how to explain it - it's just a great feeling.” - Mike Amadio told Baytoday on March 18th 2016.
2. Barclay Goodrow (2013-2014)
Position: Left Wing
Stats: 33 goals, 34 assists, 67 points in 63 games
Draft Information: Undrafted in the NHL, signed by the San Jose Sharks as a free agent in 2014.
Achievements: Goodrow was the Captain during the Battalion's inaugural season in North Bay and led the team to an Eastern Conference Championship. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the Battalion to their first, and to this point, only, Bobby Orr trophy in North Bay, clinching the title over Oshawa in four games, before falling to the Guelph Storm in the OHL Finals. Goodrow was a pivotal figure in establishing the team’s identity in that first season.
Key Moment: At 2:30 of overtime in Game Two of the OHL finals, Goodrow scored his 12th goal of the playoffs to give the Battalion their first and only win of the series. (https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/goodrow-north-bay-evens-up-ohl-final-in-ot/ )
Quote: “I’m excited to be going to North Bay. I expect big things. I don’t know if we’ve had a team as strong as this in my years with the Battalion. Hopefully, playing in front of sold-out crowds at home will make us better. It should be an exciting season and, if we play to our capabilities, we should be one of the best teams in our conference.” Barclay Goodrow told Battalionhockey.com on September 18, 2013.
1. Justin Brazeau (2018-2019)
Position: Right Wing
Stats: 61 goals, 52 assists, 113 points in 68 games
Draft Information: Undrafted in the NHL, later signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2019.
Achievements: Brazeau’s 2018-2019 season is arguably the greatest in Battalion history. His 61 goals not only led the OHL but also shattered team records. . He won the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s top-scoring right winger and the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the top overage player. The New Liskeard, Ontario native became the face of the franchise for the better part of three seasons, embracing his northern roots and electrifying the hometown crowd with his uncanny ability to score big goals in big moments. He also scored five hat tricks during the season which is the most by a Battalion player in a single season and his six career hat tricks are also a franchise record.
Key Moment: His seven-point game against Kingston on October 21st, 2018, tied a franchise record and not only highlighted his ability to take over games single-handedly but set the tone for an impressive upcoming season.
Quote: “It’s remarkable, for a guy to score 60 goals, and I don’t care what league you are playing in, but he is playing in the top junior league in the world, and he has scored 60. It’s quite the accomplishment and it couldn’t happen to a better guy.” Former Battalion Assistant Coach Scott Wray told Baytoday on March 15, 2019 (https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/a-cents-sational-night-as-brazeau-nets-his-60th-1322773 ).
Honourable Mentions
Brandon Coe (2021-2022) only the second North Bay Battalion to eclipse the 100-point mark in a season at that point. A first round, third overall draft pick, Coe developed into a true leader on the ice in his final OHL season, complementing a “new core” of Troops and helped set the stage for this new era of success.
Sandis Vilmanis (2023-2024) After being acquired at the trade deadline Vilmanis became an offensive juggernaut. 28 goals and 39 points in 30 games and ended up as the fifth highest scorer on the team in less than half the games played.
Mitchell Russell (2021-2022) 41-47-88 more than doubling his point production from two years previously, accounting for the COVID pandemic in between, “The Hustle” developed into a dynamic two-way player that always seemed to sneak into the open areas and score big goals when the opponent least expected it.
Marcus McIvor (2014-2015) One of the steadiest, stay at home defenseman the Battalion has ever had, McIvor wore the “C” with tremendous pride. He piled up five goals and 38 points in his final season and was instrumental in helping the Battalion return to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season in their second year in North Bay.
Ryan Kujawinski (2014-2015) Another trade deadline acquisition that paid off big time for North Bay, Iroquois Falls native Kujawinski brought some much-needed offensive punch to the team scoring 21 goals and tallying 36 points in 34 games, including scoring a huge overtime winning goal in the Battalion’s second round playoff series against Barrie.
