The Cobourg Cougars and Port Hope Predators made their presences felt at the OPJHL Future Stars game.

The game was held in Orangeville on Wednesday, Jan. 9, and when Team East Division squared off against Team North Division, three Cougars and two Predators (as well as Preds coach Brian Drumm) were instrumental in the East's 5-3 victory

"It was a great experience," said Port Hope's Jesse Stoughton, who notched a goal and an assist and received MVP honors. His Predators teammate, Spencer Finney, started the game in net and came up strong against shooters he had never faced before. "It was weird at the start, but I got used to it," said Finney. "I felt very comfortable."

The Cougars sent Paul Jackiw, Blake Sexton and Richard Lee, who played in the game for the second time. "It was just as fun as last year," said Lee. "It's fun to play with the guys you compete with."

With both Northumberland teams represented, Drumm made a fitting head coach given his experience with both organizations. He was returning to the game that he coached for years earlier in his Junior A coaching career.

"They always bring a lot of energy," said Drumm of the youngsters.

Drumm also had a personal stake in the game, coaching against childhood friends in Mike Webb and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk (the owner and head coach of the Orangeville Crushers), who led the North squad.

"It was neat coaching against them," he said.

As for his Port Hope players, Drumm was impressed with their performance. "Stoughton has a knack for getting goals. He made some real nice plays. Spencer was very strong and made some good stops."

And though the Cougars are again his rivals, he had some encouraging words for them.

"(Jackiw, Sexton and Lee) played very well. They're nice kids."