Beavers, Brick and an old goat
They may not be the best team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. But the Blind River Beavers went from 11th place overall in 2015-2016 to the NOJHL championship series in 2016-2017.
Which makes Blind River the second-best team in the 12-member NOJHL and considering where they emerged from, that is quite the accomplishment.
Two years ago, the Beavers did not win a single game. Not one. 0 wins, 55 losses, 1 tie was their record.
And last year, the Beavers won only 10 games and missed the playoffs.
But they turned it around in Blind River this year. My oh my did they turn it around.
During the regular season, the Beavers finished in second place in the West Division behind the Soo Thunderbirds. Along the way, the Beavers put up a franchise-record 32 wins.
Come playoff time, the two-time reigning champion Thunderbirds lost their opening-round series, swept by the cross-river Soo Eagles in four straight games. As for the Beavers, they were just getting warmed up when the playoffs began.
Blind River ousted the Rayside-Balfour Canadians in seven games in Round 1 of the playoffs and took the measure of the aforementioned Eagles of the Michigan Soo in five games in Round 2 before their season finally ended in the championship series against the Powassan Voodoos.
It’s a feel-good story what happened this season in Blind River. Oh, you bet it is.
After years of losing, the Beavers got it together under rookie head coach Kyle Brick, rookie assistants Dylan King and Craig MacDonald and my old buddy of multiple years of junior hockey wars — senior advisor Charly Murray.
It was quite an assembly for a first-year hockey staff, with three young bucks in Brick, King and MacDonald and a venerable old goat in Murray.
The fans returned in big numbers to support the Beavers. All the fans of Blind River have ever asked for is a competitive team and they got that — and more — this season.
Take a bow, Beavers.
Take a bow, Blind River.
PHOTO: Beavers head coach Kyle Brick (left) and senior advisor Charly Murray. (Photo by Cara Russon.)
Charley this fellow knows you pretty well. Congrats on a job well done.
Congrats to the team and my old buddy the old goat
Good going , great season to players and staff of the beavers . Now charly (old goat), can go out to pasture for the summer break. Lol
Randy,
As usual you have said it all, what else can we say.
Hope we have ALL staff back for another season.
Beaver players we are so proud of you guys, see you at tryouts in a couple of weeks.
A job well done indeed.
Old goat, indeed. Uh, the one on the right. Congrats to all!
This Beaver fan couldn’t be more proud of these boys. It has been a fantastic season. Looking forward to many more. Congratulations Beavers!
That “Old Goat” is my Pa!!! Proud of you❤️
Congrats old goat!!!
The old old Goat, great job boys.
Great job everyone. Looking forward to next season.
he is an Old Goat
It is a feel -good story !!! Way to go Beavers .
Thumbs up to all in Blind River who were dragged in mud for yrs , to the loyal fans , to the optimists , all for the love of hockey.
The dam is getting alot higher in the beaver pond !!!
Cheers for yrs to come .
bricker and his group should have an even better team next year. It going to be easier to recruit now that they can boast a winning record and a trip to the nojhl championship to potential imports. Looks like the future of hockey in blind river is in good hands. Congrats on a job well done.
Blind River had 3 very impressive teams
1- the players
2-the coaching staff
3- executive staff/ volunteers
It was exciting hockey and the player involment with our community hats off to the 3 teams
Kevin,
It was an exciting year.
Glad to see you taking part this winter.
AGM is on May 9th at 7 pm in the upstairs hall of the
Community Centre.
ALL positions are open.
Still have to fill in the form plus $5 for voting rights.
Hope to see all you people there.
Heather Murray
Your Father is a man to be proud of him.
His hockey knowledge is superior and scary.
We old Beaver fans from back in the day
love him too.
One of my favourites. Only spent one season with him but I can’t say enough good things about him. Great guy Charly who had a lot to do with the americans the t birds brought in the year they won the first championship in franchise history. This guy has left his mark all over the nojhl.