Leaving Sault to play hockey

OK, so we are a week into August and another month of the summer season. But regardless of the month, hockey is the year round sport of all sports with summer ice sessions and off season tournaments now being more of the rule than the exception.

Meantime, I am not sure why some folks just can’t handle the truth. Like, it’s not my fault that so many hockey players — some as young as 14 and 15 — are leaving, in this case Sault Ste. Marie, to play hockey elsewhere come the ’25-’26 season.

I am only reporting the facts when I write about the many players who are leaving Sault Ste. Marie to chase their hockey dreams in places such as Barrie, Sarnia, Hamilton and Windsor. And what is so wrong with a youngster wanting to leave home to play hockey — and with the blessing of his or her parents and other family members no less?

There are many reasons why some players are leaving.

Some see better opportunities with a better calibre of play and competition elsewhere. Then there are those who are sick and tired of the corrupt ways of certain Sault Ste. Marie coaches, managers and their entourage of self serving individuals who pick teams based on personal friendships and vendettas. Those of us who know, know that it happens.

Like, imagine being a pampered kid who has never had to try out for a hockey team because his dad or mom is either the head coach, assistant coach, trainer/stick boy or manager — or major financial donor — thus guaranteeing the player of privilege a spot on a team. And what makes it worse is when the kids of the head coach, assistant coach, trainer/stick boy or manager don’t even deserve to make a team — but do so at the expense of more deserving others.

Yep, those who lie, are two faced, and downright corrupt can ignore the truth all they want. Meantime, what goes around usually comes around.

And by the way, I don’t think anyone has an issue with a parent coaching his kid — as long as the kid is clearly good enough to be on the team.

LOVE THE NOJHL!

First up come the ’25-’26 hockey season will be one of my favourite leagues.

The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is a well-run outfit that develops players for the Ontario Hockey League and the college and university ranks. And personally, I am a big fan of the NOJHL and many of its teams and how they operate, particularly the Soo Eagles, Blind River Beavers, Espanola Paper Kings, Sudbury Cubs, French River Rapids and Timmins Rock.

First pucks drop on the ’25-’26 season in the second week of September.