Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A busy week of signings saw the Deseronto Bulldogs bolster their lineup with some major star power, adding former NHL’er Kris Newbury.
The 41-year-old suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings during his NHL career. Prior to that he was a member of the OHL’s Belleville Bulls.
Combined he played 76 NHL games, scoring four goals with six assists while racking up 139 penalty minutes.
Newbury wasn’t the only notable name to sign with the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League club, as the team also reached a deal with former American Hockey League defenceman Justin Sawyer. After graduating from the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, he went on to play for the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies in 2005-06.
Also agreeing to terms with the Bulldogs is Evan Foley, who returns to the dog pound after a pro career that saw him post 51 points in 50 games played with the Port Huron Prowlers. Foley has also suited up for the Napanee Raiders and Wellington Dukes during his junior career.
The Bulldogs also added a pair of players from the Durham Region, singing Oshawa’s Graham Lamers (26 years old) and Whitby’s Jeffrey Gauld (25 years old).
Both players suited up for the Jr. C Port Perry Mojacks, with Lamers also skating with the Jr. A Cobourg Cougars. Gauld played NCAA Div. III hockey with SUNY-Canton, as well as the Jr. A Whitby Fury.
They’ll continue to search for talent ahead of their training camp and tryouts, set for Aug. 5 and 13 at Napanee’s Strathcona Paper Centre, both dates running from 2-4 p.m.
In EOSHL news, the league has now swelled to 16 teams with the addition of Quebec’s Paugan Falls Rapids. They join the Centre Hastings Ice Miners, the Pontiac Comets and the Barry’s Bay Madawaska Valley Wolves as expansion clubs that will be joining for the 2023-24 season. The league also announced the teams will be split into two divisions, each with eight teams.