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The Napanee Raiders are pleased to announce the acquisition of forward Cameron Krupa from the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League for a player development fee.

The London, Ont. native, born in 2002, had 10 goals and 12 assists in 45 games during his rookie season with the powerhouse Nationals last year. Prior to that, he captained the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs to an Alliance Major Midget AAA championship and a berth at the 2019 Telus Cup regional qualifier.

“Cameron has a developed a reputation as high-character individual and a key contributor to winning teams,” said Raiders general manager Adam Bramburger.  “We’re excited that his educational path is bringing him in our direction.  We expect he’ll be a vital cog on our roster for several years.”

Krupa describes himself as a “hard two-way player” who loves creating chances offensively and battling in the corners as part of a fast-paced physical game. He has decided to attend Queen’s University to major in computer science this fall.  Surveying teams in the Kingston area, Krupa found himself attracted to the Raiders’ record.

“They’ve carried a good reputation over the past couple years,” he said. “I’m very competitive and I wanted to play for a team that’s a Schmalz Cup contender while getting a degree.  I felt it would be the best fit for me as I can excel athletically and help bring a championship home.”

Krupa says he hopes to show his teammates his leadership skills and willingness immediately and to be a threat in all aspects of the game once Napanee is permitted to return to regular action. Over the long term, he’s hopeful he can contribute to sustained success.

“My goals for my career here are to help the team be as successful as we can be. I want to have lots of fun and make a big impact on the organization.”

Coach Ben Hagerman is looking forward to slotting Krupa into his lineup.

“The acquisition of Cam gives us another offensive player  that is very reliable defensively,” Hagerman said. “We look forward to working with Cam in his development during the next stage of his life as a Queen’s University student and will be committed to working with him in all facets of his game.”

The Raiders are continuing to recruit players to build a roster that can compete for a fourth consecutive PJHL Tod Division regular season crown and continued playoff success. More player announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Interested players can contact Hagerman at benhagerman21@gmail.com or Bramburger at napaneeraiders@gmail.com.

The Napanee Raiders believe they found a big centre with big potential when they pounced on former Embrun Panther Maverick Labrie as a late-summer acquisition.

A Russell, Ont. native, Labrie has come to Queen’s University in Kingston to study kinesiology. In his first year with the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Panthers last year, the 6’3, 185-lb forward managed seven goals and 13 assists while playing primarily in a checking role.  While Labrie uses his big frame well in traffic, he’s eager to show off his creativity and finesse on the Strathcona Paper Centre ice.

“I see myself as a smart player who is a threat offensively, but who also works hard to get back and be a responsible presence defensively,” he said. “My speed and hands are my two best assets and I like to play in a physical, fast paced game.”

Labrie said he found a really comfortable fit with the Raiders.

“Since the first contact I had with Napanee, they have been very accommodating and have proved to be a great organization. The staff and players are good people and ones I want to surround myself with. Also, the team’s involvement in the community is something that I admire. I can’t wait to start getting involved and get the season going.”

Ultimately, he said he is fueled by his competitive nature and the chance to be a leader and significant contributor on a championship team. When the PJHL season starts, Labrie said he’ll be ready.

“My goals for this season are to hopefully come out of the gates flying in December once the season is able to start and to continue all-gas, no-brakes. Since it’s a shorter season, every game matters that much more and I am going to focus on consistently making a positive impact.”

Coach Ben Hagerman believes Labrie will be a good addition to the nucleus the Raiders are building.

“We are fortunate to have acquired a player with so many assets,” he said. “His size and strength will give him opportunities to win puck battles in all three zones, his speed will increase our team speed and his skill will make his line mates better. We look forward to working with Mav over the next number of years.”

Stay tuned for more announcements about commitments for new and returning players.

The Napanee Raiders have hired Brandon Nadeau as an assistant coach prior to the 2020-2021 season, the Provincial Junior Hockey League club announced today.

Nadeau, 22, joins head coach Ben Hagerman and assistant coach Chris Brown, as a third alumnus behind the Raiders bench. The Inverary native skated for the Raiders between 2013 and 2015 and played with the Junior A Kingston Voyageurs for four seasons.

Following his playing career, Nadeau served as an assistant coach for the Voyageurs and the Gananoque Islanders respectively. Off the ice, Nadeau is completing teacher’s college at Queen’s Universityand he has a strong track record of volunteerism and youth leadership.

Hagerman said the Raiders will benefit greatly from adding Nadeau.

“The Napanee Raiders are a program built on character and that is why bringing Brandon into our program was a no-brainer,” he said. “Brandon will be counted on to work with all players in a variety of situations that involve special teams, practices, and off-ice communication and team building. Any time you can add another hockey mind into the fold, everyone gets even more of an opportunity to learn.”

Nadeau said his previous experience in Napanee and knowledge of the organization piqued his interest when he learned about the potential opportunity.

“It’s an honour to be joining the Raiders coaching staff and I am excited to be back in Napanee as a Raider again. They are a first-class organization that treats their players like professionals and runs like a Junior A club,” he said.

Even as uncertainty surrounds the 2020-2021 season in the face of COVID-19, the new assistant coach is eager to start his new role and help the organization prepare for a return to hockey.

“I’m hoping that through some of my connections in the hockey realm that I will be able to help Ben with recruiting and I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys on the team,” he said. “I hope to lead by example, assisting with players’ transitions to school and junior hockey and drawing on my experiences with the Voyageurs to help our players develop and get to the next level.”

While the Raiders await direction from Hockey Canada and its member partners about returning to the ice, the or- ganization is not releasing training camp dates at this time. Interested players are asked to contact Hagerman at 613-922-8763, general manager Adam Bramburger at 613-876-1734, or email napaneeraiders@gmail.com.

The difficult decision to suspend play in the midst of the Schmalz Cup playoffs brought an end to at least four sensational junior hockey careers with Raiders overage players Evan Foley, Austin Labelle, Brodie Maracle and Justynn Steven aging out.  Each played several years both in the Provincial Junior Hockey League and also skated in Ontario Junior Hockey League, plus played a key role in Napanee's 2019 run to the Schmalz Cup.  

• Alternate captain Evan Foley, of Belleville, played four seasons in the PJHL. Playing two seasons each in Port Hope and Napanee, he finished with 103 goals and 156 assists for 259 points in 159 games. In divisional playoffs, he had 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points in 44 games. Evan was part of three division championship teams and played in the Schmalz Cup final three times, winning once.  He was the Empire B rookie of the year in 2015-2016.  He was the PJHL top scorer this season and won the Tod Division overager of the year award.  Evan also played a season with the Wellington Dukes. 
• Alternate captain Austin Labelle, of Belleville, played four seasons in the PJHL, three with Napanee and one with Picton. He finished his career with 71 goals and 134 assists for 205 points in 136 games.  In divisional playoffs, Labelle had eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 38 games. The winger was the Empire B rookie of the year in 2014-2015 as an underage player. Returning to the league with Napanee after two years with the Wellington Dukes, Austin helped the Raiders to two league regular season  championships, a Tod Division title and a Schmalz Cup.
• Alternate captain Brodie Maracle, of Deseronto, played five seasons in the PJHL and is the last active player who skated for the Deseronto Storm franchise. He also played one season with the Wellington Dukes. In his time in the league, he amassed 64 goals and 133 assists for 197 points in 174 games, while playing as both a forward and a defenceman. In 34 playoff games, he scored seven goals and added 18 assists for 25 points. Maracle was twice a finalist for the division's top defenceman. Brodie finishes with two divisional regular season titles, one Tod Division championship, and a Schmalz Cup.
• Captain Justynn Steven, of Kingston, played 170 games over five regular seasons with the Raiders. He finished with 101 goals and 93 assists for 194 points.  In six divisional playoffs, he added 23 goals and 22 assist for 45 points in 52 games.  The forward is a past recipient of the President's Award.  Justynn also played part of a season with the Wellington Dukes. Justynn led the Raiders to two Budarick Trophies as regular season champions, a Tod Division championship and a Schmalz Cup.

Words can't measure what all of these young men have meant to our organization and we simply thank them for all they have given. They will be remembered forever as champions.

Particularly with an older team built to contend for a second consecutive Schmalz Cup in 2020, several additional Raiders may have completed their tenure with the organization this year.  The organization would like to congratulate all those players moving on to other opportunities in hockey and in life.  Graduating players will be more suitably recognized once the COVID-19 situation passes, both at a recognition banquet and possibly at future home games.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Hockey Canada made a decision to suspend the 2019-2020 season as of Friday, March 13.  As word spread of the announcement the previous evening, the Raiders extended their post-season record to 6-0 with a 3-1 win in Picton.  Napanee was two wins from its 11th division championship and advancing into the Schmalz Cup rounds.  While disappointed in not being able to defend its PJHL championship, the Raiders organization respects Hockey Canada's decision.

The Napanee Raiders Junior Hockey Club would like to thank its business partners, sponsors, fans, competitors and on-ice and off-ice officials for their support and work throughout the season.  Also, a special thank you to our players, staff, volunteers and executive members for all your efforts. We are looking forward to working with you all next year.

(Photo: Raiders forwards Justynn Steven, Aidan McFarland, and Brodie Maracle celebrate a goal against Gananoque.  Credit: Heather Johns)