A new goaltending tandem, the return of a fan favourite and the acquisition of a heady defensive prospect.

The worm has turned for the Wellington Dukes organization. For the first time in a while, the primary focus is what’s on the ice as opposed to numerous distractions off the ice.

Freshly minted skipper Jacob Panetta admitted to this corner that, day-by-day, he’s learning the ropes of the management side of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Processes, forms, agreements, trade deals and that tricky Hockey Canada Registry software are all part of the learning curve facing any new coach and general manager.

There will still be some bumps along the way. But Mr. Panetta has hit the ground running.

In recent days, he’s found some success.

Shrewd Moves

Firstly, he’s lured fan favourite Sacha Trudel back into the fold. The Montreal forward led with his shoulder last season, lighting the lamp 19 times while adding 28 assists for 47 points in 55 games. He spent 74 minutes in the Wellington sin bin and there wasn’t a post whistle fracas where he didn’t provide a hockey-gloved face wash to an opposing player’s maw.

Mr. Trudel was on his way out of town for his final year of junior hockey, eschewing the chaos that seemed to envelope the organization. That was until Mr. Panetta arrived, grabbed the wheel of the good ship Wellington Duke and lured Mr. Trudel back aboard.

The Wellington GM also swung a deal to pick up Justin Doak, 17, from the Iroquois Falls Storm of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The 6’4” 187 lbs Kingstonian cut his teeth in the NOJHL last season and hopes are high he will continue his steady upward development track in the OJHL.

Starting in Goal

Finally, the GM has managed to ink a pair of netminders with tremendous upside.

Colby Booth-Housego, 19, comes to Wellington from the St. Mary’s Lincolns of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League where he turned in a 1.71 Goals Against Average in 28 Jr. B Games last season.

In adding big bodied puck stopper Royden Smith, the Dukes add an intriguing prospect while building a bridge with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs. The Fronts selected Mr. Smith, 16, in the 2025 OHL entry draft. At 6’3”, 185 lbs, the rookie will work out of Wellington and be nearby should Kingston need to call up a goaltender.

The signing is advantageous for Wellington as the club looks to rebuild its legacy as a goaltending factory.

“It’s the best of both worlds in adding Royden and Colby,” Mr. Panetta explained. “In Colby we get a veteran who was Conference goalie of the year last season in the GOJHL. In Royden, we have an opportunity to play a key role in his development and establish a positive relationship with the Frontenacs.”

Ringing Endorsement

Wellington’s bench boss said Mr. Doak was a known quantity to local scouts, having developed in the Kingston Gaels AAA system and impressed at the Dukes mini camp last month.

“We really liked his ability to move in the defensive zone and I liked his hands,” Mr Panetta noted.

In attendance at a team meet and greet last month, Mr. Doak told the Gazette he was very happy to be coming to the organization and was training in the off season under the tutelage of former Dukes scoring star Darcy Murphy.

“It’s a thrill to be here and be part of the Wellington Dukes. Darcy had nothing but positive things to say about the team, the county and the OJHL so I’m really looking forward to stepping on the ice at training camp,” Mr. Doak said.

The Fan Favourite

Finally, getting Mr. Trudel back is a massive boon for the Dukes.

“That’s really all I heard from the fan base and the people at the rink when it came to Sacha was ‘You have to get him back’. He’s going to be a big part of the leadership group this season. The fans and the community love him and the way he competes every night,” Mr. Panetta said. “We had him in for a skate last week in Belleville and that’s the first time I was able to meet him and watch him play. Even at a mid-summer skate, he was very vocal on the ice and really had a good jump to his game. You can tell he’s happy to be back in a Dukes uniform and we’re excited to welcome him back.”