Cobourg Cougars acquire new right winger; record 4-3 win over Stouffville

Cobourg Cougars’ Cayden Smith (21) is chased from behind by Stouffville Spirit’s Griffen Boyle (19) while attempting to retrieve a loose puck at the CCC on Oct. 12. Smith sniped a pair of goals to lead the Cougars past the Spirit 4-3. /Alan Rivett photos

By sports correspondent Alan Rivett

Brant Romaniuk has been “all over the place” in his young junior hockey career, but he now hopes he can settle in with the Cobourg Cougars for the remainder of this season.

The right winger started the 2026-27 season with the Collingwood Blues, making the decision to return to Ontario (he’s a Timmins native) after spending last season with the Alberta-based Sherwood Park Crusaders, of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

He was settled in with the Blues when he was dealt midway through last week’s annual Governor’s Showcase in Niagara Falls to the Cougars for PDF (Player Development Fee.)

Romaniuk noted the trade from Collingwood was wholly unexpected.

“Yeah, I mean … I didn’t know, so I was pretty shocked, but I’m happy to be here and happy we got the win today. So yeah, it’s going well now,” he said, of the trade that brought him into the Cougars’ fold.

While the trade from Collingwood may have been a shock, Romaniuk said he’s excited to resume his junior career with the Cougars.

“I really like it. You know, the guys are good. We have a great coaching staff and great facilities here, too, so, yeah, it’s all right,” said Romaniuk.

Romaniuk made his presence felt in only his third game with the Cougars in their 4-3 victory over the Stouffville Spirit in Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Cobourg Community Centre on Thanksgiving Monday (Oct. 12.)

He earned an assist and was named the second star of the game.

Right winger Brant Romaniuk joined the Cobourg Cougars after a trade with the Collingwood Blues last week. Thus far, he’s made his presence known, earning an assist against the Stouffville Spirit on Oct. 12 while also being recognized as second star of the game. It was only his third game with the Cougars.

Coupled with his output as a member of the Collingwood Blues, Romaniuk has three goals and eight assists for 11 points, which puts him tied for third among Cougars’ points leaders.

Cougars’ head coach Derek Smith noted he’s happy to have Romaniuk aboard and he expects to see the 19-year-old forward improve throughout the season.

“He adds some more speed and some skill to our lineup, and you know he’s the kind of guy that loves to shoot the puck, and he’s got some good, small-area skill, and we expect him to keep getting better every game,” said Smith.

“We’re happy he’s here, and we’re happy he contributed a really nice pass on the power play to (Cayden) Smith (in the win over Stouffville), and we’re gonna expect more of him as well,” he added.

The victory over Stouffville ended a two-game losing streak for the Cougars, as well as to put them even thus far in October with a record of three wins and three losses for the month.

After two sub-par efforts in their previous two matches, the Cougars put together a full 60-minute effort against the visiting Spirit. It was an effort coach Smith has attempted to pull out of his players since the start of the regular season.

Cobourg Cougars’ Isaac Tracze (81) and Stouffville Spirit’s Shane Roche (3) battled for a loose puck during Monday’s game at the CCC.

“You know, I’m proud of the guys,” said Smith following the victory. “Obviously, we’ve had a couple tough days here. We’ve had some games where we haven’t been consistent for 60 minutes, and I thought today, we took a step in the right direction.

“We defended a lot better. We were more efficient with our puck retrievals.

“And our guys, they showed some more heart today, and it was good. It’s always a tough game against divisional rival like Stouffville,” Smith continued. “Our guys competed right to the end.”

Cayden led the way with a two-goal effort against Stouffville. Liam Oravsky, with the game winner, and Jonny Brooks were the other goal scorers. Adding assists were Joseph Cadorin and Briir Long each with two, Colton Bain, Romaniuk, Alexis Boily and Graydon Jones with one apiece.

The Cougars earned a split in their two games at the annual Governor’s Showcase that was hosted this year in Niagara Falls. The showcase event gives scouts from such organizations as the National Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and U.S. and Canadian colleges the opportunity to see OJHL talent at one venue.

The Cougars opened with a 6-1 victory over the Buffalo Junior Sabres on Oct. 6 before closing out the event with an 8-1 loss to the Toronto Patriots in a penalty-filled affair. The Patriots were able to score on five of their 10 power play opportunities in the contest.

Smith is fully cognizant that power plays over the previous four contests – including a 4-0 loss to Collingwood on home ice on Oct. 3 – has been the Cougars’ undoing. That was the case against the Patriots after Cobourg got off to a strong start.

Stouffville Spirit’s Logan Bennett (20) attempted to gain control of the puck as Cobourg Cougars’ captain Isaac Larmand (17) tried to knock it away during OJHL action Monday.

“Their power play killed us. We need to be better on the PK (penalty kill) and it’s something we’ve really stressed on lately, but it’s hard when you’re constantly killing penalties all game. And you know, if you look back at our last three losses and Collingwood, Leamington and the Patriots, we’ve taken too many penalties.”

Prior to the victory over Stouffville, the Cougars were dumped by the visiting Leamington Flyers 5-2 at the CCC on Oct. 9. Cadorin and Tracze were the Cobourg goal scorers.

The Cougars travel to the Aurora Community Centre for a game against the Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 17 before returning home to Cobourg to face the Wellington Dukes at the CCC on Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.