NOJHL to Lindenwood
Lindsay Middlebrook is an Ontario-born, former National Hockey League goalie who is the coach of an American Collegiate Hockey Association school that will take to the ice for the first time in 2014-2015.
And the 58-year old Middlebrook has been putting together a roster for the Lindenwood University-Belleville Lynx built around players from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
It is what we think it is
Opinions and views are varying and open to debate.
They are neither right or wrong, except in the eyes of the beholder.
In other words, it is what we think it is, be it everyday life or the game of hockey. …[read more]
Soo Indians moving on, up
They played 58 games this 2013-2014 season as a major midget outfit that rose from the doldrums after being dormant in 2012-2013.
And Soo Indians not only fashioned a 31-26-1 record against top competition — the season concluded with a berth at the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association state championships — but a number of their players have attracted the attention of teams from various junior leagues. …[read more]
Reports of rumours
Rinks and rumours. It’s almost as if there can’t be one without the other.
Rumours have a way of making the hockey world revolve and seldom is there a shortage of rinkside rhetoric. …[read more]
The Wright way
Two seasons removed from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, 1993 birth-year left winger Jake Wright is finishing his junior career in style.
In this, his second season out in Eastern Canada, the Sault Ste. Marie native won the Maritime Hockey League scoring championship as a member of the Woodstock Slammers. …[read more]
Metro v. Flint
Two Michigan teams separated by a mere 30 miles of Interstate 75 highway will meet starting tonight in a first-round, best-of-three, North American 3 Hockey League playoff series.
Flint Jr. Generals will play host to the Waterford-based Metro Jets in Game 1 of the series.
While the two teams may be close geographically, they were far apart in the regular-season standings. …[read more]
As playoff season approaches
A sportswiter’s smaze of smattering snippets: …[read more]
It’s official: NA3HL to Jamestown
Junior hockey is indeed returning to Jamestown, NY for the 2014-2015 season.
Jamestown Area Hockey Associates — an ownership group comprised of local businessmen and community leaders — made it official at a press conference today.
HockeyNewsNorth.com first reported back on February 16 that a Jamestown group had agreed in principle to purchase the Michigan Mountain Cats of the North American 3 Hockey League. …[read more]
How about those Metro Jets
Metro Jets are headed to the playoffs.
The comeback kids clinched the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League with a 5-0 shutout of the visiting Toledo Cherokee on Saturday. …[read more]
Sault High settles for second
For the second successive season, Sault High Blue Devils have placed second at the Division 3, state championships.
Chasing its first high school hockey state championship since 1989, Sault High ran into a hot goaltender and lost 2-1 to Farmington Falcons on Saturday afternoon at Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth. …[read more]
Sault High in title tilt
Sault High Blue Devils will play Farmington today for the Division 3 state championship.
Game time is 2 p.m. at Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth and Dave Watson will have the live radio play-by-play on 1230 WSOO. …[read more]
Still hope for Elliot Lake
There may be junior hockey in Elliot Lake next season afterall.
To be sure, Elliot Lake Bobcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed they are relocating to Cochrane after this season.
But sources are saying the City of Elliot Lake is looking at the possibility of operating a community-owned junior hockey team effective the 2014-2015 season. …[read more]
Showdown in NA3HL East
The race for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League will be decided this weekend.
Toledo Cherokee currently holds down fourth place with 46 points from a record of 20-20-6. Right behind Toledo are the Metro Jets with 42 points from a record of 20-24-2. …[read more]
Pretty sure about Ryan Burr
He is one of those later-developing players.
Born in November of 1995, he also has what hockey people refer to as a late birthday. …[read more]
Five Soo Indians prospects
From a major midget hockey team team laden with prospects for the next level, here are five players from the Soo Indians who are of considerable note: …[read more]
Brandon and the boys
Three young Sault Ste. Marie hockey players — who are also fans of the Soo Thunderbirds — got to meet one of their favourites from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team recently. …[read more]
First-place Flint has playoff focus
Putting the finishing touches to a rousing regular season with a weekend sweep of the Toledo Cherokee, Flint Jr. Generals are now focused on the upcoming North American 3 Hockey League playoffs.
First-place Flint will begin the NA3HL East Division playoffs on the March 15-16 weekend. …[read more]
Soo Indians headed to Detroit
Soo Indians have advanced to the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association major midget state championships, which begin next week in the Detroit suburb of Taylor.
Playing on the road on the weekend, coach Pat Carricato and his Soo squad overcame a one-game-to-none deficit with two straight wins to defeat the Lansing Capitals in a qualifying series for the MAHA state playdowns. …[read more]
Pay-to-play is where it’s at
Tier 2 junior hockey has become an expensive sport for owner-operators to be involved in.
Unlike the Ontario Hockey League — where huge fan support and corporate-sponsorship dollars have allowed the major junior loop to become the $200 million business that it is — mere survival is often a month-to-month, season-to-season way of life in lower-level junior. …[read more]
For the record
Just because I believe in being open and honest I do want it to be known that I have taken a volunteer position as a media communications adviser for the proposed new Canadian International Hockey League. In a nutshell, I have volunteered to write press releases for the new CIHL, no more, no less.
Proposition, supposition
Let’s suppose that the proposed new International Jr. Hockey League (or whatever it might be called) does get approval from the American-based, Amateur Athletic Union to play under its umbrella beginning with the 2014-2015 season.
Let’s suppose that the proposed IJHL winds up featuring a Canadian Division comprised of six teams that would defect from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
T-Birds, Eagles both home tonight
There is Junior ‘A’ hockey action on both sides of the St. Mary’s River tonight. …[read more]
Vendramin is player-of-the-month
Sault Ste. Marie native Ryan Vendramin, a 1995 birth-year forward with Sarnia Legionnaires of the Western Ontario Jr. B Hockey League, has been named player-of-the-month for February. …[read more]
Espanola Rivermen owner speaks out
As an owner, operator and general manager, Tim Clayden is known as one of the shrewdest and best Junior A hockey operators in Canada.
Now the owner of the Espanola Rivermen — who as a first-year franchise are leading the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in attendance — Clayden is exploring other avenues for his team.
Following is the transcript of a lengthy interview I conducted with Clayden. …[read more]
Fun in Flint
Flint Jr. Generals have not only secured top spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League but they have a shot at finishing first overall in the 21-team loop.
With two games to play in the 2013-2014 regular season, Flint has an almost-flawless record of 40-4-2. …[read more]
Rambles, rattles and rumours
I have more than a few things on my mind today.
My hockey mind, that is.
And if you are so inclined, I invite you to read on for a few rambles, rattles and rumours. …[read more]
Pucci tops Indians scoring chart
Despite missing six of his team’s games this 2013-2014 season, Frankie Pucci has emerged as the leading scorer for the Soo Indians major midgets.
Pucci, a 1997 birth-year centre and Ontario Hockey League draft pick of the Erie Otters, topped the Indians scoring chart with 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points in 46 games. …[read more]
Season of progress for Soo Indians
Soo Indians major midgets are off to Lansing this week for a Michigan Amateur Hockey Association qualifying-round series.
Starting on Friday, the Indians will play the Lansing Capitals in a best-of-three series and the winner will advance to the MAHA state championships, to be held in the Detroit suburb of Taylor beginning on March 12. …[read more]
Here ‘n there on a Friday
Items on the agenda include National Hockey League interest in a Soo Eagles defencemen, a gruelling road trip for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, and how the top three teams in the Ontario Hockey League are all from the same division. …[read more]
Questions, questions, questions
A few questions that pertain to the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the proposed International Jr. Hockey League: …[read more]
Soo midgets player meeting tonight
Players who are interested in being a part of the new Soo team for the 2014-2015 Great North Midget Hockey League season are advised of an information session to be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Essar Centre.
Both general manager Kevin Cain and head coach Jim Capy will be at the session.
For more information, e-mail Coach Capy: capyj@hotmail.com
Here and there and what is fair
I seem to have stirred the masses via my “New junior league in the works” column of a couple of days ago.
However, since there are some who have chosen to read between the lines or attribute words to me that I did not write, let me clarify a few things. …[read more]
Full of Bull in North Iowa
What a bunch of Bull this is.
North Iowa Bulls continue to be a super success story in the North American 3 Hockey League.
With a league-best record of 38-2-0, the defending Silver Cup champion Bulls have already secured a second, successive first-place finish atop the NA3HL’s West Division. …[read more]
Flashback: CKCY, my first media job
It was 1975 and between beers at the Purple Lantern, I studied Journalism at Sault College.
Classmates included David Gazer and Joe Petrolo and I mention them because all three of us managed to land part-time jobs at CKCY Radio while still “studying” at Sault College.
Gazer and Petrolo, with their booming, CKLW-Windsor-style voices, worked as newscasters at CKCY while I was the weekend sportscaster.
Thus began my sports media career, which has now surpassed 38 years. …[read more]
Soo midgets information session
Players who are interested in trying out for, and being a part of, the new Soo, Ontario major midget team for the 2014-2015 season are advised of an information session to be held this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
Silver Creek Winter Classic
The hockey setting was Silver Creek Golf Course on Garden River First Nation.
Twenty-two teams and more than 150 players took part in the first-ever Silver Creek Winter Classic, a 4-on-4 hockey tournament that was played outside on three man-made rinks.
“This was pretty cool and a ton of fun getting to play with our buddies outside — just as we did when we were kids learning to play the game,” said Micky Sartoretto, who played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers and Saginaw Spirit before finishing his junior career at home as championship captain of the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
New junior league in the works
There could be a new junior hockey league in operation for the 2014-2015 season.
HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned that the proposed, new International Jr. Hockey League would be a part of the American-based Amateur Athletic Union.
The IJHL has progessed to the stage that a logo (see above) has already been designed.
Should it get AAU approval, the IJHL would be comprised of teams and divisions on both sides of the Canada-United States border, some of which would be new franchises and others which are currently operating in junior leagues based in Ontario and Michigan. …[read more]
NA3HL to Jamestown
Junior hockey is poised to return to Jamestown, N.Y. for the 2014-2015 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned.
Multiple sources are confirming that a group of Jamestown businessmen has finalized a deal to purchase the Michigan Mountain Cats of the North American 3 Hockey League. …[read more]
Re-unite Headrick, Pucci
We know that Lake Superior State Lakers have already made a full-ride scholarship offer to Owen Headrick, a 1997 birth-year defenceman with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Headrick — a 14th-round pick of the Erie Otters at the 2013 Ontario Hockey League — has yet to make a decision as to which route he wants to take. …[read more]
Metro Jets edge closer to Toledo
Metro Jets still have a shot at a playoff spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League.
Metro edged Toledo 2-1 on Friday night to move to within four points of the Cherokee for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the NA3HL East.
The two teams play again tonight at 7:50 at Lakeland Arena in Waterford. …[read more]
OHL or NCAA?
Life is about choices.
So too, at times, is hockey.
There are hockey players who excel on the ice and maintain good marks in the classroom who are often in position to make choices.
In Sault Ste. Marie for example, while the Ontario Hockey League is often seen as the preferred route given the way it hypes itself and is hyped by others, the National Collegiate Athletic Association can also be an option. …[read more]
Soo boys named to Team NOHA
Two Sault Ste. Marie youngsters who left home for Sudbury to play in the Great North Midget Hockey League this 2013-2014 season have been named to the Team NOHA entry that will compete at the OHA Cup, to be held in Cambridge from March 7-10.
They are Caleb Boman, a 6-foot-1, 195 pound defenceman with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves and Jacob Palmerio, a 5-foot-8, 150 pound forward with the Nickel City Sons. …[read more]
Catching up with Coach Capy
It had been a few years since Jim Capy and I had talked face-to-face.
Oh, we had exchanged a few e-mails along the way, sharing sporadic bits of hockey information.
But last night, Capy and I met up at Service Grill on Korah Rd. in Sault Ste. Marie, site of the Thunderbird Hockey Show that I host (along with Tuesday’s Hockey North Show) on ESPN 1400 Radio.
Capy is back in hockey, the game he says is in his blood.
He and I talked some hockey last night. …[read more]
Junior hockey returning to Jamestown?
Multiple sources are saying that junior hockey is poised to return to Jamestown, N.Y. for the 2014-2015 season.
Jamestown — which is located about 75 miles from Buffalo — was home to the Ironmen of the North American Hockey League for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. …[read more]
Junior hockey on the Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island — for the most part, the town of Little Current — was home to a team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League from 2003 until 2011.
Known as the Wild for two seasons and the Islanders for six, Manitoulin had little on-ice success.
Manitoulin never had a winning season of the eight years that it spent in the NOJHL, though it initially enjoyed good fan support, especially from 2003 until 2006. …[read more]
Two Flint Generals sign NAHL tenders
A pair of skaters from the East Division-leading Flint Jr. Generals of the North American 3 Hockey League have signed tenders with North American Hockey League teams for the 2014-2015 season. …[read more]
Pucci, Lussier, 1-2 for Soo Indians
1997 birth-year forwards Frankie Pucci and Cole Lussier continue to be a one-two scoring punch for the Soo Indians major midgets.
Despite having missed six games this season, Pucci leads the Indians in scoring. …[read more]
Sherry Bassin headed to the Soo
Erie Otters general manager Sherry Bassin is slated to be in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend to watch two of his team’s selections from the 2013 Ontario Hockey League draft in action.
The smooth-talking, 74-year old Bassin, whose Otters are one of the top teams in the OHL this season, will be in the Soo to take a close-up look at centre Frankie Pucci of the Soo Indians major midgets and defenceman Owen Headrick of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds. …[read more]
Soo Atom Wildcats take title
Soo Great Lakes Wildcats won the championship today at the 24th annual London Devilettes atom girls hockey tournament. …[read more]