Greyhounds welcome Noel Nordh
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media)
The Soo Greyhounds forward group – and by extension their offence – is about to get a facelift.
At a time when veteran winger Marco Mignosa is getting close to playing in his first game this season, the Hounds are welcoming winger Noel Nordh into the fold.
The native of Soderhamn, Sweden, the Greyhounds first-round selection (No. 44 overall) in the 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, is expected to arrive in the Sault this afternoon.
The 19-year-old (2005 birth year) was assigned to the Hounds by the Utah Hockey Club, after the Arizona Coyotes selected Nordh in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
This season, the six-foot-two, 200-pounder had appeared in two games for the Tucson Roadrunners, Utah’s American Hockey League affiliate.
“He’s a big kid who can shoot the puck,” said Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis, the man who drafted Nordh two years ago from the Brynas Jr. club in Gavle, Sweden. “He’s very smart and can play in all situations. He’ll add to our swagger offensively.”
A season ago, Nordh skated for both the Brynas juniors and Brynas IF in Sweden’s top professional league. There, he was a teammate of former Greyhounds winger Jack Kopacka.
As an 18-year-old pro, Nordh had six goals and nine assists in 50 games.
Mignosa, the Greyhounds top returning scorer after he finished with a 22-31-53 stat line a season ago, has been sidelined with a non-Covid illness.
He and Nordh should help boost a power play that is last in the OHL, converting just once in 32 man-advantage opportunities through 10 games.
However, despite the lack of power-play prowess, the Hounds have won four of their last five, improving to 5-5-0-0 heading into Wednesday’s 7:07 p.m. home game against Saginaw.
Asked about the arrival of Nordh, Soo defenceman Andrew Gibson spoke of how “he’ll be a huge addition, especially offensively. He’ll make our lineup even deeper.”
Head coach John Dean said the fact Nordh and Mignosa have yet to play this season “has been a massive blessing in disguise.”
Their absence, Dean added, has forced the Greyhounds to use a lot of younger players more than they normally would have.
“And they’ve gotten some valuable experience,” the coach said. “Now we get some much-needed offense into the lineup. I’m excited.”
TEAM-ISSUED PRESS RELEASE
Soo Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis confirmed this morning that the team’s 1st Round Selection from the 2022 CHL Import Draft will be joining the Greyhounds.
Noel Nordh was re-assigned by the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners to the Hounds and is expected to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie later today.
Nordh had appeared with Tucson in two games this season (2024-25) after previously attending the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club Training Camp.
Originally selected in the 3rd Round (72nd overall) by the Arizona Coyotes of the 2023 NHL Draft, he was the first player signed (June 17) after Utah officially became an NHL franchise.
One season ago the Soderhamn, SWE native appeared in 50 games for Brynas IF where he recorded 6 goals and 9 assists while also suiting up for the J20 club where he had 10 goals and 12 assists in just 15 games.
Nordh represented his home country at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship notching 2 points in 4 games played.
He has previous experience with Team Sweden at both the U18 World Championship (Gold Medal) in 2022-23 and the U17 tournament one season previously.
The 6.02, 198 lb forward will wear #43 for the Greyhounds.
