Voodoos take flight with a pair of Monday trades

The Powassan Voodoos added a forward and traded one away as part of a pair of trades, the club announced on Tuesday. 

 Ben Coupal, (COOH-PAL), a 2007 birth year right-shot forward, was acquired for a development fee from the Iroquois Falls Storm.  

 Coupal, a Cameron, Ontario product, has 12 goals and 4 assists for 16 points in 24 games this season with the Iroquois Falls Storm. 

 "Ben's had a great start to his rookie season in the North," said Peter Goulet, the Voodoos head coach.  

"We're super excited to have him. I know he's going to add some toughness to our team. He's on pace for 25 goals this year, and it's going to be a great addition for our hockey team, and he's a right shot, which we needed." 

 Coupal, whose father, Gary Coupal, played for the Sudbury Wolves in the 1990s, is looking forward to a fresh start in Powassan. 

 "I'm excited to get on the ice with my new team, and I can't wait to do whatever I can to help the team win," said Ben Coupal. 

 In a separate deal, the Voodoos shipped left winger Cayden Kowal to the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners for a development fee. 

 Cayden Kowal, a North Bay native, had 28 points in 15 games, is expected to join the Gold Miners this week.  

 "Cayden was looking for a change of scenery, so we went through the process and moved him to Kirkland Lake, and we wish him the best of luck up there," said Chris Dawson, Voodoos general manager. 

 Coupal and the Voodoos are back on the ice this Friday as they travel to French River to take on the Rapids before heading home Saturday, December 13, for their final home game of the first half as they host the Soo Thunderbirds.  Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.