The GMHL will be profiling one team per month for the duration of the season to highlight a team that has combined on ice success with strong fan support, community involvement, a winning culture, and player development. The first team featured this season is the Northumberland Stars

The Stars joined the GMHL in 2015-2016 as the Colborne Chiefs but in their sophomore year rebranded as the Northumberland Stars which has become a respected franchise for the last 9 years after the rebrand. Although they have historically been a team that has finished closer to the middle of the league in the South Division they have taken a big step forward this year not only looking to establish itself amongst the South divisions elite but also look to compete for a Russell Cup this season. In addition the Stars established a partnership with the Binghamton Black Bears to help foster an environment of advancement within the organization.

2024-2025 Record (As Of December 30^th, 2024): 20-6-2 (1^st in South Division)

All Time Record: 145-194-22 (.402 Winning Percentage)

Leading scorer this season: F Thomas Johnston, 70 Points (3^rd in League)

All Time Leading Scorer: D Bo Stevenson, 144 Points (119^th All-time in League History)

Russell Cup Finals Appearances: 0

Russell Cup Championships: 0

League Award Winners: 2 (2x Most Sportsmanlike)

General Manager: Alex McConnell

Head Coach: Alex McConnell (4^th Season)

Staff: President and Owner Glen Campbell, Owner and Director of Operations Cindy Campbell, Team Dentist Dr. Peter Riordan, Assistant Coach Owen Walsh, Assistant Coach Zach Hall, Team Doctor Dr. Frank Fung, Trainer/Equipment Manager Steve Haurney

Captain: Owen Brady

Alternate Captains: Jaden Smith, Ross Maycock, Matthew Shulist, Thomas Johnston

Top Performers: The Stars are working towards not only their best season yet but a real shot at representing the South division and competing for the Russell Cup Championship come playoff time. With a forward group including OHL veteran Thomas Johnston, proven goal scorer in the league Jaden Smith and leaders like Maycock and Shulist they can score with the best of them. On the back end their captain Owen Brady leads a young but hungry unit eager to make an impact every game. In net Brady Dyer has not only taken over the top spot on the team but is one of the top goaltenders in the entire league, every night Dyer is in net you can bet the Stars have a chance to emerge victorious.

Fan Support and Community Involvement: The Stars have an extremely dedicated fan base and offer many different themed nights for the community to not only enjoy but participate in and be acknowledged by. Some of these nights include Hockey Fights Cancer night and month, Childhood Cancer Awareness night, First Responders nights and more. They are also extremely involved at community events throughout Colborne.

Arena and Facilities: The Stars play at the Keeler Centre a community facility that offers ice rental services for various events and activities. This arena can fill hundreds and is equipped with a private dressing room facility and office for use of the Stars

With its versatile space and amenities, Keeler Centre Arena provides a welcoming environment for sports teams, recreational skaters, and other groups looking to utilize the ice for their needs.

Notable Active Alumni:

Dawson Baker: Even though his time with the Stars was short, it was evident that Dawson Baker was one of the most talented players to suit up in the history of the organization. Following a 4 year OHL career spent with the Sudbury Wolves and Kingston Frontenacs, Baker elected to play with the Northumberland Stars in an effort to develop before pursuing professional hockey and it didn’t take long. After putting up an otherworldly 15 points in 4 games for the Stars, he was signed to play professionally where he has played in the SPHL and FPHL for the last four seasons. Most notably he has been an all-star winger for the Carolina Thunderbirds in the FPHL recently surpassing 150 points scored (164) in 131 games played.

Thomas Murphy: The longest tenured of these three Stars alumni, Thomas Murphy spent the majority of his junior hockey career in Northumberland finishing just shy of 100 games in the Stars green when it was all said and done. The 2001 born forward scored more than a point per game in the GMHL, with 52 goals and 55 assists for 107 points. Following his time with the Stars Murphy has seen two different stints playing professionally in the FPHL, first with the Watertown Wolves, and most recently with the Dashers Hockey Club where he scored 4 points in 17 games.

Alexandre Vigor: Another short time big impact former Star is Alexandre Vigor who came to the GMHL from France and suited up for the Stars, the Lynx and the Hurricanes. He played 10 games for the Stars during the 2017-2018 season and put up 5 points. Since his time in the GMHL Vigor has carved out a lengthy professional career playing in France and Sweden for the better part of the last 7 seasons scoring 50 points in that time frame mainly for the Montpellier Vipers.