Beavers making a splash
Blind River Beavers have moved into first place in the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, a mere point ahead of the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
With a record of 7-2-1 over its past 10 outings, Blind River takes an overall mark of 22-7-4 into play this week. The Beavers have 48 points from 33 games and have played one fewer match than the Canadians.
Rayside Balfour has produced 47 points in 34 games from a record of 22-9-3.
Clearly, both teams are going for it — and not just the West Division crown.
As for Blind River, the Beavers are well on their way to a fourth straight winning season since Kyle Brick arrived as head coach in 2016.
Brick, who is also the general manager, is well assisted by trusted sidekicks Craig MacDonald and former Ontario Hockey League defenseman Dylan King. The three all originally hail from the small town of Thessalon, which is located less than 40 miles west of Blind River along Highway 17.
On ice, once again leading this edition of the Beavers is homegrown captain Caleb Serre, who is the NOJHL’s scoring leader with 32 goals, 38 assists, 70 points in 33 games.
Others who have been making an impact for the Beavers as point producers include forwards Justin Mauro, Lucas Adams and David Campbell and defenseman Nathan Balkwill.
Campbell, who began the season in the OHL with the North Bay Battalion, has 11 goals, 13 assists, 24 points in just 15 NOJHL games with the Beavers.
Blind River also boasts a 1-2 net tandem of 20-year old goalies Jackson Hjelle and Dominic Boily. Boily is currently recovering from an ankle injury.
PHOTO: Blind River Beavers, in action in a recent win over the Elliot Lake Wildcats.
Another great job assembling and developing talent by Blind River. They will widen the gap. Much better coaching from Brick and staff than the in over his head Cuomo brothers. Rayside is unraveling with multiple losses to Espanola, soo and soo eagles lately.