Train tracks of the north
To say that the Espanola Express has a liking for players from northeastern Ontario would rank as an understatement.
That is because of the 22 players who are currently on the roster of the small market Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team, no less than nine of them are lads from the north — six reside in the Greater Sudbury Area, two are from Sault Ste. Marie, and one calls Iroquois Falls home.
Express skaters hailing from Sudbury are forwards Josh Boucher, Bradley Brunet, Devon Savignac and Cameron Walker and defensemen Joshua Kavanagh and A.J. Favot.
Soo boys who are aboard the Express train are forward Cole Delarosbil and defenseman Jordan Ritchie.
And goalie Carson Boutin is from Iroquois Falls.
Of note, Brunet (Niagara Ice Dogs), Savignac (North Bay Battalion), Walker (Kingston Frontenacs), Kavanagh (Peterborough Petes) and Favot (Niagara) are all Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft picks.
Meanwhile, all nine northern boys have additional NOJHL eligibility remaining after this season.
Jason Rapcewicz, who is the president and general manager of the Espanola franchise, told Hockey News North that having players from the north on the Express “will always be a priority for us.
“If a kid from the north is capable of playing in our league, if he wants to play for us, and if we can accommodate him, it is a win-win situation for all parties,” Rapcewicz added.