Express return of old coach
Tommy McCarthy will be returning to the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2017-2018 season.
The 56-year old bench boss is slated to make a full-time return to Espanola after coaching professionally in Europe in 2016-2017. He previously coached in Espanola for four seasons and has extensive coaching experience at the Jr. A level.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Coach Tom back home as his 20 years coaching experience is matched by no other in the league,” noted Espanola president and general manager Chad Clarke.
“Coach Tom will play a very important roll in the success of our organization in the upcoming season, as we owe it to our fans, sponsors and players to build a competitive team. We have a new approach to building our team and this is only one of the significant changes as we revamp our image and culture from the ground up,” the affable Clarke continued.
As a player, McCarthy had a storied career as a first overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League (Oshawa Generals) who went on to play in more than 500 National Hockey League games as a productive forward.
OPEN TRYOUT
The Express will be holding only one open tryout camp this off-season. The camp will be open to players born in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Players can register at www.espanolaexpress.com or email Randy Blake at randy_blake@hotmail.com.
We have a new approach to building our team and this is only one of the significant changes as we revamp our image and culture from the ground up,” the affable Clarke continued.
I’m thrilled Tom is back in as coach, but this here bugged me. The management team told us this before the start of last season in which they brought in guys like Nate Viberg and Dom Lavergne, dealt for Tristan Salesse, had decent overragers in Patrick Smith and Aaron Rochinsky, Captain Cam, dealt for hometown kid Connor Tessier..and had a stud of a goalie in Logan Sawka who kept them in a lot of games….
But at the end of the day…most were dealt for either money or future considerations…and most of the fan base stayed away..this guy included.
The team was dreadful and on most nights, were icing 6-8 forwards and 5 D instead of the usual 12 forwards and 6 D.
They have a lot of convincing and a lot of mending to plenty of hockey fans in the Espanola area. All I can say is..Chad, put your money where your mouth is. If Blind River can turn it around…surely you guys can put together a decent hockey team.