Hall, Kovacs and Shunock Inducted into Hockey North Hall of Fame

Sault College is proud to celebrate three of its own as Mike Hall, Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs, and Brianne Shunock have been inducted into the inaugural class of the Hockey North Hall of Fame.

All coaches have played instrumental roles in shaping the success of Sault College's varsity hockey programs, leading their teams to national championships and elevating the Cougars to national recognition within collegiate hockey.

Mike Hall – Men's Hockey Architect and Champion

Mike Hall's impact on the Cougars men's hockey program is nothing short of historic. Taking over in the program's early stages, Hall laid the foundation that turned Sault College into a national powerhouse. In just the team's second season competing in the ACHA Division III, Hall guided the Cougars to a national championship - a feat that set the tone for the years that followed. Over five seasons behind the bench, he compiled an impressive 87–30 record, developing a culture built on compete, consistency, and pride in the program.

Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs – Guiding Generations Through the Game

Kovacs, affectionately known as "Toots," has been a respected presence behind the bench for decades. His involvement in junior hockey dates back to 1975, when he began his long-standing connection with the Soo Greyhounds, serving as both a player and later as an assistant coach in the Ontario Hockey League. He has also held coaching roles, both head and assistant, with the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL. Today, he continues to lend his experience to the Sault College Cougars men's hockey program as an assistant coach.

Brianne Shunock – Building a Women's Hockey Dynasty

Joining the Cougars shortly after the women's program launched, Brianne Shunock wasted no time establishing dominance at the national level. Under her leadership, Sault College women's hockey quickly became a force, going 95–8–4 and winning three consecutive national championships in four years. Shunock is not only the youngest member of the Hall of Fame's inaugural class, but one of its most decorated. During her tenure, the team received recognition on both a community and national level - being named Village Media's Sports & Recreation Team of the Year, ACHA's Community Team of the Year, and in 2025, the team was awarded a Key to the City by Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. Her commitment to excellence on the ice and throughout the community has helped define what it means to be a Cougar.

The Hockey North Hall of Fame was created in 2025 to recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on hockey across Northern Ontario and the surrounding regions. The induction ceremony will take place in Spring 2026 in Sault Ste. Marie.