Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2024-25 team captains across The OJ.
BY RON VALENTINE
The Eastern Conference Haliburton County Huskies have veteran co-captains with major junior experience in defenceman RAINE NADEAU and forward TY PETROU.
Raine, 20, from Oshawa ON started his junior hockey career in 2021-22 in Stouffville and in the following season he was assistant captain with the Spirit. He then graduated to the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders and the OHL’s KIngston Frontenacs before joining the Huskies last season.
Ty, 20, from Pickering ON, suited up for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds, he was their 4th round 2020 draft pick (72nd overall) and the Oshawa Generals. Last season he had 57 points in 52 appearances and his Muskies finished in fourth place in the East before falling in the first round of the playoffs to the Cobourg Cougars.
Assisting Raine and Ty are two more ex-OHLers in NATHAN POOLE, who is coming off three seasons with Kingston and a former teammate of Nadeau’s in minor hockey, along with Alex Bradshaw, whose former teams are the Powassan Voodoos of the NOJHL and Flint (a year after Petrou). All four players were born in 2004.
Ryan Ramsay has been head coach of the Huskies since the franchise moved to Minden from Whitby in 2021. He started out as Director of Operations for the Fury in 2018 before going behind the bench for their last two seasons: “We have a lot of leaders on this team but we had narrowed the search for the ‘C’ down to Raine and Ty. We went to the players who took a vote and it was so close that we made the decision to go with co-captains, home and away. Ty brings his major junior experience and sets a great example on the ice and off. Raine brings great leadership and contributes in so many ways to this team.”
Raine’s start to the season has not been what he was looking for, he got an ankle fracture but he’s now back and ready to do what he does best, play defence. “I know what I’m capable of, I’m a stay-at-home defenceman and have been that way throughout my career. I like to play physical hockey, make big hits and keep the opposing forwards honest. I enjoy having a leadership role. I was captain of the U18 Central Ontario Wolves and assistant captain in Stouffville. I’m a vocal guy too and I enjoy helping the younger players. I’ve had some experience in major junior too but when I got the call from Ryan I jumped at the opportunity to play for the Huskies. It’s a great town with the best fans; a great place to play my last season of junior.”
Ty is a booster of hard work too: “I’m honoured to be named one of the captains for the team especially with a player like Raine who would block a shot with his teeth if he had too. It’s great to have such a good mix of veterans and new faces here. The returning players like myself remember our quick and unexpected exit from the playoffs last season and as a team we will be much better prepared this time around. It makes our job as captains easier when everyone is contributing, we will all have off-nights just like when our winning streak ended at 11 this season against Pickering. There is so much depth here.”
“Personally, I try to be a 200-foot player who works hard at both ends of the ice and can get under the skin of the opposition. I’m really a set-up player, my stats show that and many people tell me I should shoot more but I know what I am comfortable with. I’ve played for many different coaches and I can say that ‘Rammer’ has been my favourite and the best. As co-captains it’s our job to support the coaches and make sure everyone is on the same page. I’ve talked to a couple of U SPORTS schools, as I want to continue to play hockey after this season.
Both Raine and Ty bring experience and leadership to the East Conference squad, totally different types of players on the ice but with a common goal.
The 18-8-0-0 Huskies visit Pickering Friday and host Aurora Saturday.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda
