Hudson Crusaders

Hudson Crusader forward Brock Raffaele (Cadillac, MI) has signed with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.  Brock was the Crusaders 2nd leading scorer this past season with 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points as a rookie.  Brock's 34 assists were also a new Crusader record.

"Brock was one of our go to guys this season." said Head Coach Ted Urschel.  "He has fantastic vision to go along with great hands.  Brock's ability to find the open man made all of the players around him better.  The fact he set a new record for assists just shows how he belongs at the tier II level.  Brock has a good career ahead of him and any college coach that gets him on their team will be very lucky."

The Soo Eagles finished 3rd in the Western division of the NOJHL and lost to the Soo Thunderbirds in the Division championship of the play offs.  The Eagles are coached by Bruno Bragagnolo who was most recently with the Chicago Young Americans AAA program.

The Hudson Crusaders leading scorer from the 2009-2010 season, Travis Payne (Gaylord, MI), has signed with Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Soo Eagles.

In 50 games Payne scored 32 goals and 30 assists for 62 points as a rookie.  Travis' 62 points were good for 8th in the league in scoring and his 32 goals were 6th most.

"Travis will be a great addition to the Eagles" said Head Coach Ted Urschel.  "He comes to the rink every day with a desire to get better.  He is a great leader not only vocally but through example.  He never took a drill off in practice or a shift off in a game.  He's a team guy and that will get him very far in his career.  You can see how much the Eagles wanted Travis by who they gave up to get him.  We wish him luck next year and I'm sure we will see him on a college roster in the near future."

The Soo Eagles acquired Travis through a trade with their rivals the Soo Thunderbirds.  Travis was signed by the Thunderbirds after their first open camp.  The Eagles traded veterans F Kevin Michelcavage, F Justin Scott and D Joe Spitzer for Payne and future considerations.  The trade will reunite Travis with his younger brother Robbie who was a stand out player for the Ojibwa Eagles AAA team.