Northwood Life – The Mirror

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

Humans of Northwood: Leanne Aubut Laurin ’26

May 4, 2026 by Jack Kroll

“I came to Northwood two years ago to try to balance my academics with my sport. I do alpine ski racing for NYSEF and Northwood.

“I’m from Quebec, Canada, and my first language is French. Before coming to Northwood, I was already bilingual, which helped with my transition. For some classes, it was still hard, though.

“My favorite thing about Northwood, besides my friends, is the fires outside and in the living room. Also, playing cards in the living room. I love hanging out with my friends, going into town, and playing golf. Also, Spikeball in the Fall and Spring is one of my favorite things.

“We have one last race this season. It is called The Springs, and it’s gonna be pretty fun. It is in Quebec, and then it’s gonna be after spring break, and then the season’s over. Unfortunately, I’m missing the Alumni race because it’s over break.

“For next year, I just got accepted to Babson, which is right outside Boston, so I might just go there. If I do, I will be on the D1 ski team there.

“I mean, it’s Babson. It is an amazing, busy school, and that’s what I want to do.

“Many people don’t know, but I love cooking, and I’m actually really good at tennis.

“Pineapple kind of belongs on pizza. Only if it’s the right pizza does it; if it’s good, then it belongs.

“ For next year’s Seniors, enjoy every moment, because everything goes by really fast. Also, do your college essay during the summer because you will have a lot of schoolwork in the fall, and it’s hard to do your essays at the same time.”

As told to Jack Kroll ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Spring at Northwood: More Than Just Warmer Weather

May 4, 2026 by Yosef Spear

Springtime is in full swing here in Lake Placid. The weather has been fluctuating over the past few weeks, with some warm days and snowy days, but as May approaches, the weather has started to stay consistently warm. Students have been going to the beach, playing lacrosse during free periods, golfing, tanning, and enjoying their last few weeks outside in the sun. Senior splashing is in its final rounds, with two rounds already passed, and many people are getting splashed. Here are some words from people on springtime at Northwood.

“I’ve been trying to enjoy spring here to the fullest. Since most of my friends are seniors, I try to spend time with them before they graduate. We’ve been going to the beach as much as we can, getting some vitamin D and swimming. I’ve also been going into town with my friends a lot, which is more enjoyable when the weather’s nice. We usually get ice cream at Emma’s or food somewhere like China City or Soulshine Bagels. I’ve tried some new sports, like tennis and pickleball, this spring as well. I don’t think I would have tried them on my own, but my friends wanted to play, so I joined them and enjoyed it. The warm sunny weather kind of snaps me out of the winter mindset, and I feel like I can enjoy life more when I don’t need to put on 4 layers to go outside,” said Zeke Matopdzi ’27, a second-year junior here at Northwood on the U19 soccer team.

“This is my first spring at Northwood, and it has been so much more than I expected. With the soccer season slowing down, I’ve had so much more free time to be with my friends or relax. I didn’t think there would be so many things to do during the spring, and everyone would be so high-energy. I love going outside for runs, playing games on the outdoor turf, and doing other physical activities. My favorite thing about the spring here is that everyone seems to be in a happy, uplifting mood, even with finals coming up,” said Carter Jackson ’26, a first-year senior here on the U19 soccer team. He committed to play Division 2 NCAA soccer at Lander University in mid-April of 2026.

Theodore Ghanime is a second-year senior at Northwood and is part of the freestyle ski team. He’s from Quebec, Canada, and will be attending Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. “Springtime at Northwood is probably my favorite part of the year, apart from peak ski season,” said Ghanime. “I like the spring schedule because classes end at 2:50 pm, so we have the afternoons to ourselves. My cocurricular activity in the spring is gym, so I don’t need to go after dinner anymore. I feel like I have a lot more free time to relax here in the spring, so it’s nice to have that, as well as time to study for finals and final tests. I usually go home on the weekends, but when I’m not home, I like to go into town and enjoy the warm weather, trying new things like golfing and pickleball,” he added.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

More Than a Concert: A Night That Defines Northwood

May 4, 2026 by Rylie Griffiths

Kenna Gillis ’27 (left) and Lily Pratt ’26 perform at the spring concert. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

What makes Northwood special is the true family-like experience. The tight-knit community never fails to encourage and support its members. This is a constant theme embedded in our values, but always in full effect on one special night of the year: Spring Concert. Seniors soak in the final performances of their Northwood career as freshmen and sophomores begin to fall in love with them.

For anyone outside our community looking in, it may seem like an ordinary school concert, but that is far from the case. During Northwood concerts, the auditorium is filled with warmth, awe, and enjoyment. Surrounded by their closest friends, the audience watches their classmates and teachers in amazement. Existing friendships are strengthened, and new friendships are formed. Most students find themselves wishing performers they have never spoken to good luck or congratulating them on a job well done. Spring only emphasizes these emotions, turning it into a magical, memorable night.

Lilly Pratt ’26 and Kenna Gillis ’27 performed their final duet together after two years of performing in front of the school and more often for the West Girls’ Dorm. The growth of their musical talent has been nothing short of incredible. Neither of the girls had ever performed until given the opportunity at Northwood. They had messed around with the guitar and singing growing up, but nothing serious. They never would have imagined that they would be up on stage, under the spotlight, performing in front of their entire high school.

Lily shared, “Northwood concerts are a great way for the community to show a creative side that can get lost here. I love the opportunity to perform with Kenna and connect on a different level. I am grateful that I got to share my music with others.”

Kenna added, “To me, Northwood concerts mean the opportunity to share my work with others and hopefully encourage others to hear music the way that I do. I feel music can express emotions that are harder to express through only words, so I feel successful when others can feel the emotions of the songs we play.”

“Knowing I performed my last concert with Lily is sad, as I have a lot of fun playing with her, but more than that, I am so grateful for the memories and the opportunity.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

The (Senior) Privilege Season Has Arrived

May 4, 2026 by Kevin Betsch

As the 4^th quarter is underway at school, it means the class of 2026’s last quarter on campus as students! During seniors’ last quarter, they are granted special privileges that allow them to take in their last month at school fully. Many seniors have looked forward to these privileges all year, and especially the students who have spent multiple years here, who have been patiently waiting.

One of the privileges is that every senior is now in a self-directed study hall rather than a regular study hall. This means seniors can now study anywhere on campus they would like to be. This includes the library, dining hall, each other’s rooms, and even opposite halls now. Boys can now go to the girls’ hall, and girls can go to the boys’ hall as long as they get permission and sign out. If you fail to sign out to go to the opposite-gender hall properly, these privileges will be revoked. You must also keep the door open and cannot be under the covers.

Another new privilege is that seniors can go into town during study hall. This allows students to sign out on Orah and walk into town alone or with their friends. Students now don’t have to wait until the weekend to go into town and have some fun. These privileges can also be revoked if you fail to sign out properly. Students can now also shower during study hall hours, so there will no longer be a rush to the showers after open gym sessions.

Another privilege seniors get is that, on weekends, they do not have to be back on campus until 11 pm rather than 9:30 p.m. This allows seniors to hang out with friends longer and stay out later than underclassmen. If you return to your halls by 11 p.m., these privileges will not be revoked; failure to do so will result in the loss of these privileges.

With these new privileges comes a new sense of trust from faculty to students. Faculty encourages the seniors to make the most of their last month on campus and trusts that you will make smart decisions in doing so. Let’s have some fun and stay out of trouble!

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Senior Splashin’

April 30, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Senior Splashin’ is a game that is quickly becoming an American high school staple as a key part of the senior experience. Last year, it made its way to Northwood, and the class of 2025 had 52 participants. Many cited how it “brought our class closer together,” Sydney Kuder ’25.

For those who don’t know how the game works, seniors use a join code to join the Northwood game in the Splashin’ app. Once the game starts, every participant is assigned a target to eliminate using water. Water guns, water balloons, water buckets, and even water bottles are allowed as long as the target gets wet and the event is filmed. Many rules were added to ensure safety and prevent interruptions to class. There is a series of rounds, and at the end, the last student standing wins. The catch is that at the same time, someone is targeting you, and you don’t know who it is. It could be someone you have never met, or your best friend. This is the beauty of the game as it brings seniors close together one last time before graduation, creating stories, memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Last year, Sophia DeAnzeris ’25 said, “Senior Splashin’ has done a great job of bringing us together over the past few days. Especially because the targets are random, so it’s not always just people within your co-co. Making this a tradition would be great for seniors in the spring since it not only allows for fun competition among the class but also brings us together for the last few weeks of the year.”

The class of 2025’s hope of making Splashin’ a tradition has now become a reality as the class of 2026 brought it back for a second year. The game is scheduled to start on Monday, April 20^th. There are currently 44 players signed up, but game organizers Charles Pigeon ’26 and Jack Kroll ’26 are “optimistic that the number will grow before the games start.”

“I’m very excited for it to start. Last year, it looked like everyone had a lot of fun. I’m hoping this year people are just as competitive and take it seriously,” Anna Monette ’26 said.

This year’s field also includes some repeat players: members of the class of ’25 who returned as PGs. One of the repeat players is last year’s Co-Champion, Florence Richard ’26. “I think I might repeat but with different rules and different alternatives just to make it stand out, but it did certainly bring the class together and bring a sense of community, and everybody was just happy to do it and was all done with a good heart and people having fun, so definitely shows how just a simple game can bring everybody together.”

For updates on the game and all elimination clips, follow nwseniorsplashin on Instagram.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

The Northwood-Hong Kong Connection

April 30, 2026 by Josh Baker

Hong Kong is a lot more than just a random global city. Hong Kong is home to a surprising number of Northwood past and present students, creating a nice connection between a small school in Lake Placid and one of the most developed cities in the world. Jeremy Tsang ’23, Turner Jackson ’23, Noah Leddel ’23, Liam Doyle ’22, Leo Doyle ’25, Jett Jewett ’26, Mitchell Baker ’24, Hamish Ridell ’26, and James Martin ’26 are some of the names of people who have resided in Hong Kong before joining Northwood School.

Recently, I was lucky enough to fly back to Hong Kong and stay for a couple of days before traveling with the U20 Hong Kong National team for an overseas training camp. These few days in Hong Kong were very nostalgic for me. Having not visited Hong Kong in an exceedingly long time, this trip allowed me to see the stunning city while also reliving old memories. The breathtaking skyline, the culture, and the food all felt so personal to me and were honestly just wonderful.

Photos provided by Josh Baker ’28.

The overseas training camp was a highly professional environment with top players from all over the world. It was an honor to represent the national team, and it also reminded me how good the standard was. This explained why there are so many Northwood soccer players who grew up playing soccer in Hong Kong. Northwood Alumnus Jeremy Tsang is a fitting example of an exceptionally talented footballer from Hong Kong. He is now playing at the University of Vermont and has represented the Hong Kong National team many times. A major appearance he had was against the Manchester United Senior team, where he played against players like Bruno Fernandes and more. Similarly, Northwood’s former student, Leo Doyle, is joining UPenn next year; Hamish Ridell has committed to Bucknell University, and Mitchell Baker has been drafted to the MLS. All these stories highlight the impact these Hong Kong-raised Northwood Alumni have had.

Clockwise from top left: Jeremy Tsang ’23. Leo Doyle ’25, Hamish Riddell ’26, and Mitchell Baker ’24. Photos provided.

Besides Hong Kong’s soccer and relationship with Northwood School, Hong Kong itself is such a special place. There is world-class infrastructure, a unique culture, and incredible views. Hong Kong is a place for Northwood Students to consider visiting, as the culture and infrastructure would be unique to them, and it would allow them to witness the environment some of their classmates grew up in.

Looking back, the trip was a lot more than just a training camp. The trip acted as a reminder of how connected Hong Kong and Northwood School are. As I mentioned before, Hong Kong is a wonderful place for Northwood students to visit if they want to step out of their comfort zone and experience one of the world’s best cities.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

Prom Season

April 30, 2026 by John Spear

As we get back from spring break, we not only prepare for the end of the year but also for prom.

Prom this year will be held on May 1^st at the Whiteface Lodge. The theme for the evening will be The Great Gatsby, bringing a classic and elegant 1920s style to the event. Students can look forward to dressing up, spending time with friends, and enjoying a memorable night filled with music, dancing, and celebration.

“After attending 2 proms, I realized that the theme or setting does not change anything at all. It is all about everyone bringing out the party. Everyone needs to get out of their comfort zone, and as prom communities, we are trying a lot to find ways to make everyone feel comfortable and confident”. Said Charles Pigeon, a member of the prom committee. Everyone in the school agrees with this and believes a simple prom and a good DJ will make the night great.

The food prom committee also plans to keep it simple and go with a buffet style. There will be options such as salad, soup, a hot selection, and dessert.

We hope everyone takes advantage of this night and has a great time, as it is not just a night or a prom but a celebration of the end of the year. It is a time to make memories that will last past the night and past the school year.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Training Smarter: What WHOOP Taught Me About Performance and Recovery

April 30, 2026 by Anna Monette

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.

The WHOOP band and phone interface. Photo: whoop.com.

I am a third-year senior here at Northwood, and I have been in the Peak Pathway for two years now. It has taught me many real-world lessons and given me a chance to earn credit for learning about topics and developing skills I truly care about. Last year, I helped the Lake Placid community by volunteering in a learn-to-skate program with little kids. This year, I took my focus in a different direction, focusing on the wearable technology WHOOP and how it can help me improve as an athlete.

At the start of this project, I was most interested in how data could be used to improve training and if the WHOOP was accurate. I did not realize at the time how detailed and impactful WHOOP’s data could be. Throughout the project, I collected and analyzed my WHOOP data, focusing on key metrics such as heart rate, variability, resting heart rate, sleep quality, and daily strain. One of the most important things I’ve learned is how closely these variables are connected. For example, when I slept poorly, my recovery score dropped, directly affecting how I performed the next day.

This graph shows the positive effect water had on my WHOOP recovery score.

Another thing I did throughout this project was to conduct many experiments, such as comparing working hard and overworking, how hydration affects you, the effects of Screen Time, the effects of morning light, the effects of naps during the day, and many more. I learned a lot about these topics and about myself through doing them. My favorite experiment was hydration; I did a week of drinking lots of water, and my WHOOP recovery showed how powerful the impact was for me.

Another experiment that taught me a lot was the difference between hard work and overwork. I looked at my data for a few days. I would work hard, not recover, and continue to over-push for the next few days, which ended up setting me back instead of improving, as shown by my WHOOP data and how I would wake up feeling. I also listened to many podcasts about this, which taught me it is OK to take days to recover.

Overall, this project changed the way I think about training and recovery. I now understand that performance is not just about working harder, but about finding the right balance between effort and recovery. This experience helped me build self-awareness around topics I am passionate about and gave me tools and knowledge that I can continue to use in the future.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

The Tiny Airport That Connects Northwood to the World

April 29, 2026 by Josh Baker

Photo from inside a Cape Air flight from Saranac Lake to Boston by Josh Baker ’28.

Northwood has a large number of international students who take flights back and forth between the school and their homes. For these students, their journey starts or ends at one of the smallest airports they have experienced. Adirondack Regional Airport, near Saranac Lake, is small but important, as it offers flights to New York and Boston.

Cape Air operates the airport, which offers daily flights to Boston Logan International Airport and New York City’s JFK Airport. This allows students to travel conveniently during breaks, long weekends, or random trips. The Boston route runs twice a day, while the flight to New York happens once a day.

What makes the airport so unique is how different it is from the airports most students at Northwood have experienced. Most Northwood students fly from major airports with long security lines and crowded terminals. However, Adirondack Regional Airport makes travel quick and efficient. Students can arrive less than an hour before their flight and still comfortably make their flight.

The airport also has a nice cafe which serves delicious food. This cafe makes the airport feel like a community. This relates to Northwood as a community, being something special about it.

Recently, I took one of the flights from Saranac Lake to Boston. The experience was quite different from what I expected. There was only one pilot on board; the staff weighed all the bags, and we sat in specific spots to balance the aircraft.

I sat right behind the copilot’s seat, giving me a clear view of the cockpit. Throughout the plane ride, I could watch everything the pilot was doing. The whole flight was turbulent, and it felt like the plane was constantly shifting because of the wind. We landed safely as expected, but this was the scariest flight I’ve taken. The upside was that I got to see a beautiful view of the Adirondack Mountains and Boston.