OHL North Bay Battalion

Revamped Battalion Invades Michigan

January 8, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - A Northern Ontario product and a player who'd been in the Gateway City only once before joining the North Bay Battalion this week are with the club on a two-game road trip to Michigan.

The Battalion faces the Plymouth Whalers in Ontario Hockey League action at 7:05 p.m. Friday before battling the Saginaw Spirit at 7:11 p.m. Saturday.

Ryan Kujawinski of Iroquois Falls and Nick Moutrey from Shelburne, Ont., starred in their Battalion debuts, a 6-3 victory Tuesday night over the host Ottawa 67's. Moutrey scored one goal, his 16th of the season, and added two assists, while Kujawinski provided his 14th goal and one assist.

Moutrey was acquired from Saginaw in a trade Sunday night. Fellow 19-year-old Kujawinski became one of the Troops in a Monday deal with the Kingston Frontenacs.

At Ottawa, Mike Amadio centred Kujawinski on left wing and Moutrey on the right. The trio promptly combined on a goal at 17:32 of the first period to give the Battalion a 2-0 lead.

"Playing with Amadio and Moutrey, two big guys, definitely helps," Kujawinski said Thursday before stepping onto the ice for the newcomers' second practice with the Battalion. "I just drove the net, and Mouts found me backdoor. It was pretty easy."

Said Moutrey, who completed the scoring on an unassisted effort in the third period: "Our line did well, and our team did well."

With centre Nick Paul about to return from his gold medal performance at the World Junior Championship, forward combinations are in flux.

"We'll see what happens this weekend, especially with Paul coming back," said Kujawinski.

"I'm going to skate hard, finish my checks and just play hard."

Moutrey, who allowed that his only visit to North Bay before arriving Monday night came when he took part in a 5-1 Spirit loss last Jan. 23, said he looks forward to playing at Memorial Gardens.

"I can't wait to play my first home game," said Moutrey. "I've heard a lot, that they're really great hockey fans."

Kujawinski noted that Ben Thomson, a fellow National Hockey League draft pick of the New Jersey Devils who joined the Battalion as an overager during last season, had extolled the virtues of North Bay.

"It's a great place to play hockey. The fans are great. The coaching staff is too. I'd heard so many things from Ben, a New Jersey draft pick too."

Neither newcomer felt that his being traded was a surprise.

"I had a bit of an idea," said Kujawinski. "It's been a bit of a tough season in Kingston with the injuries and all that. It was a bit of a no-brainer that I might be traded."

Said Moutrey: "Saginaw's just selling. They're going younger."

The former Spirit captain acknowledged that it will be somewhat strange lining up with the visitors Saturday night.

"It'll be weird, getting dressed in the other room down there, but I'll get to see some old fans and my billets there, so I'm looking forward to it."

A onetime teammate of sidelined Battalion left winger Zach Bratina with the Spirit, Moutrey said he's previously worked out with Paul, Kujawinski and North Bay's Brenden Miller and Marcus McIvor.

"Finally it's good to be on a great team. I'm looking forward to it."

The games in Michigan can be heard live in North Bay on Country 600 CKAT.

Check out the North Bay Battalion Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central