Wood, Amadio, Santos, Smith reflect on three years in North Bay

The season came to an end for the North Bay Battalion yesterday (Thursday) and the players spent today (Friday) packing up their lockers and getting ready to start the off-season. One player who will not be back is over age goaltender Jake Smith.

(Jake Smith of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.)

“Smitty” as he was known to fans says the three years in North Bay have been an amazing experience. Smith says he couldn’t have asked for better billets than the Fung family.

(Mathew Santos of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

Mathew Santos is graduating as an over age player and he says North Bay has really become his second home.

He says the city took him in from day one and he will have to make frequent trips up to the bay in the coming years.

Santos says he feels he’s passing the torch onto a good group of players and they should continue the good culture they have built up in the past three years.

Meantime, he was the King when it came to scoring goals this season, and Battalion Captain Mike Amadio could soon be wearing a Kings jersey in Los Angeles.

(Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.)

The Troops forward signed his pro-contract earlier this year, and with the Troops season now over there are still many bright days ahead for Amadio.

He says playing for three years in North Bay has meant a lot and he has appreciated all the fan support.

Amadio says it was an awesome feeling to be named captain and he hopes he led the team well and taught the younger guys what it takes to win.

As well, Defenseman Kyle Wood is not expected to return for next year’s training camp as he has signed his pro-contract with the Arizona Coyotes and is expected to suit up for their American Hockey League Affiliate team this week.

(Kyle Wood of the North Bay Battalion(Photo by Greg Kolz)

Wood says he had a great time in the Gateway city and had a lot of personal highlights including some deep playoff runs and playing with life-long friends Amadio, Santos and Smith.

Wood says he loved being involved in the community through different events and says he hopes that continues because it shows the fans they care about them and enjoy having them in the stands.