Casey Morrissey

Alums Zonnon and Trudeau Sign NHL Contracts

May 5, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Northwood School’s hockey program continues to establish itself as a strong pipeline for high-level talent, with alumni like Bill Zonnon and Felix Trudeau advancing through competitive junior hockey and positioning themselves for future professional opportunities.

Zonnon on draft day in 2025. Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zonnon has developed into one of the top prospects to come out of Northwood in recent years. After moving on to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), he became known for his combination of size, playmaking ability, and physical play. His performance at the junior level led to his being selected in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is currently continuing his development in junior hockey, where he is expected to refine his skating and overall offensive consistency before making the transition to professional hockey, likely beginning in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Trudeau signed an NHL contract after a senior season in which he was a Hobey Baker nominee. Photo: Sacred Heart Athletics.

Trudeau has taken a steady development path through junior hockey. After Northwood, he joined the Rimouski Océanic, where he became a reliable and consistent forward. His game is built around strong hockey IQ, controlled playmaking, and responsible positioning in all three zones. He started his college career at the University of Maine, but transferred to Sacred Heart University, where he found impressive success. In 2025-26, he delivered one of the most decorated seasons in Atlantic Hockey America history, emerging as a dominant offensive force for the Sacred Heart Pioneers men’s ice hockey. He was named a CCM/AHCA Division I Second Team All-American and finished as a Hobey Baker Award Top-10 Finalist, while also earning AHA Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and Scoring Champion honors. Trudeau secured First Team All-AHA recognition and was selected as a 2025–26 New England Division I All-Star, highlighting his impact across the region. Over the course of the season, he led the nation with 11 power-play goals and ranked among the top players nationally in several categories, including goals per game (0.69), hat tricks (2), and game-winning goals (5). He set new career highs with 24 goals and 43 points, placing second on Sacred Heart’s single-season goals list and tied for fifth in points. His consistency and explosiveness were evident in five multi-goal performances, 13 multi-point games, and five three-point outings, including standout hat tricks against Canisius and LIU.

Undrafted by an NHL team at the end of his college career, Trudeau signed an entry-level NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues and completed the 2025-26 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, playing in 8 games and scoring a goal and an assist for 2 points.

Truedeau at Northwood. Photo: Northwood School.

Zonnon at Northwood. Photo: Northwood School.

Northwood’s location in Lake Placid contributes to its ability to develop players at a high level. With access to elite training facilities, competitive scheduling, and exposure to scouts, the program consistently prepares athletes for advancement into leagues such as the QMJHL and eventually the National Hockey League.

As players like Zonnon and Trudeau continue their development, they reinforce Northwood’s reputation as a program capable of producing athletes who can compete at the highest levels of hockey.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Sports

Why Getting Your Real Estate License Can Be Beneficial

April 30, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

This article is part of Northwood School’s Peak Pathways Program—a year-long, student-driven independent study that empowers students to explore topics they are passionate about in depth. Through research, creativity, and real-world application, students take ownership of their learning and produce meaningful work that extends beyond the classroom.

Many Peak Pathways projects culminate during Publication Week, when students share their work with authentic audiences. By publishing in The Mirror, these students contribute to a broader conversation, offering original perspectives, insights, and creative expression to the Northwood community and beyond.

Illustration: pngtree.com

This year, I’ve been working on getting my real estate license as part of my independent study project. Through this experience, I’ve been able to see what the process is really like and what it takes to succeed in the industry. What started as just an interest has turned into something more serious, and it’s helped me understand that real estate is more than just buying and selling houses.

For many students, figuring out a future career can be stressful. While some people go the typical route, others are starting to look at options that offer more independence and real-world experience. One of those options is getting a real estate license. It might not be the first thing people think of, but it comes with many benefits beyond just selling houses.

One big advantage of getting a real estate license is the skills you gain. Real estate agents learn how to communicate with different people, negotiate deals, and solve problems. They also learn about contracts, money, and how the housing market works. These are skills that can help in everyday life, not just in a real estate career. When it comes time to rent your first apartment or buy your first house, you will be leaps ahead of others.

Another benefit is flexibility. Real estate allows people to have more control over their schedules than a typical 9–5 job. This can be helpful for students or anyone who wants to balance work with other things. It can also be a full-time career or something you do on the side, which gives you more options. If you want to start purchasing houses and renting them out on the side of your main job, having market knowledge from getting your license will be very beneficial.

There’s also the chance to make good money. Real estate agents usually get paid based on the work they do, so the more effort you put in, the more you can earn. This can be motivating, especially for people interested in business or in working for themselves.

Before even starting the licensing process, one important step is choosing the right real estate course. There are different options, such as online self-paced programs or live classes, and each one suits different learning styles. Some courses are cheaper but require more self-discipline, while others cost more but offer more support and structure. Picking the right course is important because it can affect how well someone understands the material and how prepared they feel for the state exam.

Quick Facts: Why It’s Worth It

You can start with just a license and training — no college degree required
Many agents work flexible schedules or part-time
You learn real-world skills like negotiation and finance
It can turn into a side hustle or a full-time career
Helps you understand how to buy, sell, or invest in property
Your income can grow based on your effort and consistency (not as many corporate limitations)

Overall, getting a real estate license isn’t just about choosing a job — it’s about learning useful skills, gaining independence, and understanding how real estate works. For students who want something different and more hands-on, it’s worth considering.

Filed Under: Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

Dorm Room Tour: Hunter Cadbourne ’27 and Miles Van Mullen ’27

April 25, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Welcome to Hunter ’27 and Miles ’27’s room. The two juniors on the Prep Hockey team have put together a really solid setup that’s both clean and comfortable. Their room on the 2^nd floor of Berg isn’t over-the-top, but it’s clear they’ve made the most of the space and kept it well put together.

Hunter and Miles’ room. Photo provided.

One of the first things you notice is how organized everything is. Their closet is dialed—hoodies, shirts, and jackets are all hung up neatly, with shoes lined up underneath, and belts hung on the door. It’s especially impressive during hockey season when things can get busy.

The lofted bed. Photo provided.

The lofted bed is probably the best feature in the room. Underneath, they’ve set up a desk and TV area that works as a place to get work done and relax. It’s a good spot to unwind after practice or to watch something at the end of the day, and the lighting gives it a nice, relaxed feel.

A dresser in Hunter and Miles’ room. Photo provided.

On the dresser, they keep all their everyday essentials—water bottles, toiletries, and other things they use regularly—so everything is easy to grab. There’s also a jersey hanging above it, which adds a simple but personal touch to the room.

Overall, Hunter and Miles have a really well-balanced setup. It’s clean, functional, and has just enough personality, making it a great space for balancing school, hockey, and downtime.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

The 2026 Masters: Results, Standings, and Key Facts from Augusta

April 22, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

The grounds at Augusta. Photo: ESPN News.

The 2026 edition of The Masters took place April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament featured a full field of 90+ players competing over 72 holes, with a cut made after 36 holes for the top 50 players and ties.

Rory McIlroy, winner of the 2025 and 2026 Masters. Photo: Getty Images.

Winner and Final Score

Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters, finishing at 12-under par (276 total strokes). He finished 1 stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler to claim the green jacket.

This marked McIlroy’s second consecutive Masters victory and added to his total of six major championship wins.

Runner-Up and Final Leaderboard

The Leaderboard at Augusta. Photo: David J. Phillip/AP.

2nd place: Scottie Scheffler at 11-under
Tied 3rd: Justin Rose and Cameron Young at 10-under
Several players finished within 3–5 strokes of the lead, making it a tightly packed leaderboard on Sunday.

Personal Note

From a fan perspective, it would have been great to see Jordan Spieth come back to win this year; he is my favorite golfer, given his past success at Augusta and his close association with the course. Still, McIlroy’s victory added another major moment to Masters history.

Summary

A close final leaderboard and a one-stroke margin of victory defined the 2026 Masters. McIlroy’s win added another major championship to his career total and continued a recent stretch of dominance at Augusta National.

Beyond the winner, the tournament stood out for its tight scoring at the top and strong performances across multiple major champions and past winners.

Sources

The Masters Tournament – official leaderboard and scoring data
PGA Tour – player statistics and results
ESPN – tournament coverage and round summaries
BBC Sport – Masters recap and analysis
Reuters – post-event reporting and results

Filed Under: Sports

ECAC Women’s Hockey Championship Brings Excitement to Lake Placid

April 21, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

This year’s ECAC Women’s Hockey Championship brought an exciting weekend of college hockey to the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. Four of the conference’s top teams—Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s ice hockey, Yale Bulldogs women’s ice hockey, Princeton Tigers women’s ice hockey, and Cornell Big Red women’s ice hockey—competed for the ECAC title and a spot in the national tournament. With passionate fans and a historic arena, the championship weekend was a great showcase for women’s college hockey.

The semifinals featured two exciting matchups. Yale defeated Cornell with a strong offensive performance, scoring seven goals to advance to the championship game. In the other semifinal, Quinnipiac defeated Princeton in a competitive game to advance to the final. Both games showed the speed and skill that have made ECAC women’s hockey one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

The championship game between Quinnipiac and Yale was the highlight of the weekend. Quinnipiac came out strong and played with confidence on both offense and defense. The team controlled the pace of the game and made the most of its scoring chances. In the end, Quinnipiac defeated Yale to win the ECAC championship, earning the conference trophy and an automatic bid to the national tournament.

The tournament was also special because it took place in the same arena where the Miracle on Ice happened during the 1980 Winter Olympics. Playing in such a historic location added even more excitement for players and fans.

Overall, the ECAC Championship was a great weekend for women’s college hockey. With talented teams, competitive games, and a historic setting, the tournament showed how much the sport continues to grow and gain attention. Fans in Lake Placid witnessed high-level hockey and a memorable Quinnipiac championship victory.

Filed Under: Sports

Team USA Challenges Canada’s Dominance in Men’s Ice Hockey

March 16, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Team USA poses for after winning the men’s gold-medal hockey match between Canada and the United States on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.(Monika Majer / Getty Images)

For generations, Canada has been known as the best hockey country in the world. With more championships, more NHL players, and a stronger hockey culture, Canada has traditionally dominated international competition. However, recent results and trends show that the United States is quickly catching up and becoming an equal rival.

One of the biggest signs of this shift came at the 2026 Winter Olympics, when Team USA defeated Canada 2–1 in overtime to win the gold medal. This historic victory showed that the United States can compete with and beat Canada on the biggest stage. Canada still leads the overall Olympic head-to-head record, but wins like this prove the gap between the two countries is narrowing.

Another major reason for the United States’ improvement is the growth of youth hockey. For the first time, the U.S. has more registered youth hockey players than Canada, with nearly 388,000 players compared to Canada’s 360,000. This increase, especially among younger players and girls, shows that hockey is growing faster in the United States than in Canada.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Europe

The United States is also producing more NHL players than ever before. While Canada still has the most NHL players, the U.S. ranks second and continues to grow each year. This rise shows that American development programs are producing elite talent capable of competing at the highest level.

Canada is still one of the strongest hockey nations, but the United States is no longer far behind. With more young players, stronger development systems, and major international wins, Team USA is proving that it belongs among the best. The rivalry between the two countries is closer than ever, and the future of American hockey looks very bright.

Filed Under: Opinion, Sports

Humans of Northwood: Lily Pratt ’26

March 12, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

“I grew up in Chazy, New York, and hockey has always been a huge part of my life. Coming to Northwood was a big decision, but I knew I wanted to push myself. I wanted more exposure for college hockey and stronger academic opportunities, and Northwood offered both. When I toured campus and talked to people who had gone here, something just felt right. I could picture myself growing here.

“One of the most meaningful parts of my time here has been winning the Northwood tournament two years in a row. It was so fun to win with my friends. The feeling in the rink, seeing teammates, classmates, and teachers all supporting each other. It made me realize how special this community is and how much it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

“Since coming here, I’ve changed a lot as a person. I used to be quieter, but Northwood helped me come out of my shell. People here are welcoming, and it makes it easy to connect and be yourself. I’ve become more confident, more social, and more open to new experiences.

“A fun fact about me is that I love bus trips, the conversations, and the time spent with my teammates. Those moments remind me that this experience is about more than hockey. It’s about growing up, building relationships, and becoming the person I want to be.”

As told to Casey Morrissey ’27 Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Real World on Film: Sicario: Day of the Soldado

February 26, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Over the February mini-break, my teammates and I had some free time and watched a movie called Sicario. Watching the film led me to investigate how accurately movies portray real-world topics. The story focuses on law enforcement efforts and border activity, which are also connected to real government agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I also watched the sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which includes scenes involving border crossings from Mexico into the United States. This made me think of modern-day topics such as ICE and border control controversies.

As I watched the films, I noticed how the cartel system and law enforcement operations were portrayed. The movies showed how different groups interact and how organized these operations appear to be. Because the films are presented in a realistic style, they raise questions about how closely movie portrayals match real-world situations.

A scene from “Sicario: Day of the Soldado.” Black Label Media and Thunder Road Pictures.

Movies often include real locations, agencies, and scenarios, which can make them seem accurate. At the same time, films are produced to tell a story, and certain elements may be simplified or emphasized for storytelling purposes. Comparing movie portrayals with real information can help provide a clearer understanding of the topic.

Watching Sicario made me realize that movies can help people become interested in real-world issues, but they should not be the only source of information. While films can reflect parts of reality, it is important to do research and learn from reliable sources to fully understand what is happening in the world. It is definitely eye-opening to see how bad things can get.

Filed Under: Opinion, Real World

Northwood Students Love Stewart’s

February 10, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

The Stewart’s Shop near the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. Photo provided.

For a lot of Northwood students and faculty, Stewart’s Shops is a familiar stop, especially on weekends and after practice. It’s not something everyone does all the time, but it’s a popular option when students want a quick snack or cheap ice cream.

On weekends, Stewart’s is a common place for students to stop. After a nice walk through town, it is the cherry on top of the night to get some ice cream. Emma’s and Ben and Jerry’s are also great places to stop, but the lines can be long, especially on the weekends. They are also much more expensive. Ryan Demers ’27 says, “I go to Stewart’s more than the other ice cream spots; they are just too expensive.”

The Stewart’s chocolate milk is a favorite among students. Photo provided.

After hockey practice, some players will hurry to Stewart’s before the bus leaves, especially after a long or late practice. Grabbing chocolate milk, pizza, or a quick snack can be a nice treat, especially during the winter. Parker Thompson ’26 said, “I love some Stews chocolate milk after practice.”

One of the biggest reasons students keep going back is Stewart’s ice cream. It’s affordable, there are many options, and it’s something almost everyone agrees on. The store is also easy to get to, which makes it a convenient stop.

Overall, Stewart’s is a staple for the Adirondacks and is loved by many. They have everything you need at affordable prices. Next time you drive by Stewart’s, take a stop in and grab a quick bite. It may be your new favorite spot.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Emma’s Ice Cream Review

February 4, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

If you have ever walked down Main Street in Lake Placid, you have probably noticed Emma’s. Lake Placid’s staple Ice Cream/ Sweet treat store. Many members of our Northwood community go there frequently, and it is an essential stop on weekends.

Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery. Photo: Google Reviews.

In my opinion, the Maple soft serve is easily one of the best things on the menu. It’s super smooth and creamy, and the maple flavor isn’t too strong or fake-tasting. It actually tastes like real maple syrup, which makes sense since maple is such a big part of the Adirondacks. It’s sweet but not overwhelming, and it doesn’t make you feel sick after a few bites.

A few of the ways locals and visitors enjoy it:

Simple cone: Just the soft serve on its own, letting the maple flavor shine.
Maple waffle sandwich: Maple creme soft serve between warm Belgian waffles — an indulgent favorite.
Maple walnut sundae: Topped with local maple syrup and walnuts for extra flavor and texture.