OHL player, CIHL coach
Sudbury Royals of the new Canadian International Hockey League have tapped local product Trevor Blanchard to be their head coach.
KB Beals, director of hockey operations for the Royals, has confirmed the hiring of Blanchard, who was born and raised in Sudbury.
The 31-year old Blanchard played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League as a hard-nosed left winger who suited up with Owen Sound and Mississauga before playing 98 games over two terms with his hometown Sudbury Wolves for legendary coach Bert Templeton.
In addition to his on-ice efforts that produced 43 goals and 101 points over parts of four seasons, Blanchard was twice named OHL scholastic-player-of-the-year.
Blanchard later played three seasons at Concordia University and played profesionally in the Scottish Premier League where he was team captain for the Dundalk Bulls.
Academically, Blanchard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia.
As a coach, Blanchard has experience that includes stops with the Sudbury Nickel Barons of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as well as the Sudbury Wolves AAA bantams and Nickel City Sons AAA bantams.
He has also coached at Ontario Hockey Federation and Northern Ontario Hockey Association program of excellence camps.
In becoming head coach of the Sudbury entry into the new CIHL, which is an Ontario-based junior league, Blanchard will lead the Royals into what is an eight-team loop effective the upcoming 2014-2015 season.
Joining Sudbury as members of the CIHL for its inaugural 2014-2015 campaign are the Batchewana Attack, Espanola Rivermen, St. Charles Spirit, Central Ontario HTI Stars, Colborne Cramahe Hawks, Milton Battle Arts Cobras and Collingwood Ice.
PHOTO: Trevor Blanchard, now of the Sudbury Royals of the Canadian International Hockey League, has previous coaching experience, including being bench boss of the Sudbury Nickel Barons of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Trevor is a good man with a good hockey back ground as a Volunteer & we wish him the best with his new Coaching position. Trevor is man enough to admit to past error’s in judgement in his personal life and as a friends and supporters of Trevor we are happy for him. best wishes to you Trevor.
Keep up the great work covering hockey Randy.
We are very happy with this decision !!
Good solid hire by the new Sudbury Junior Team! The League certannly has some impressive Coaches with Lamabert, MCarthy, Marruk and now Blanchard.
All of you so called BIG SHOTS from the NOJHL who said that the CIHL would never get off the ground must be enjoying all the CROW that they are eating now BIG SHOTS with BIG MOUTHS who call themselves Leaders when really they are nothing but LOSERS.
Funny that Jason Young was originally supposed to be the coach of the Royals. But then Young replaced Blanchard as coach of the Barons and now Blanchard is the coach of the Royals.
Welcome back to the Hockey World Coach! Its nice to see that a good guy is getting a 2nd Chance to coach juniors. Barons loss is Royals gain.!!!
Blanchard is liked and respected in Sudbury hockey circles and I think he will do a good job for new Royales. He is honest and has never been a part of what I call the “Sudbury Hockey Mafia”. Best wishes Trev.
Hawks96 – that is ironic for sure. Both are good coaches .
I like Trev because I know him personaly and he is honest upfront guy who has a good educational and hockey back ground. Trev won academic awards in the “O” and at Conordia and he stresses the valu of an Education.
NBT1975, agree with your comments, but I understand more is coming from the GMHL, imagine that. GMHL really has its nerve running this league down with all that they have been thru in the past few years. Yes very impressive coaching and management for sure, I understand that Colborne will be announcing another OHL and NHLer soon.
A loss for the Nojhl is a gain for the Cihl.
Too many leagues…..too few players.
Hey Randy ,
Any truth to the rumours that the OHL is implementing the following :
1. No OHL Member Team representative nor any representatives of the OHL Central Scouting Bureau are permitted to scout players who are playing for teams who are Members of Leagues outside of the auspices of Hockey Canada, USA Hockey or the IIHF (“Outlaw Leagues”).
2. Players currently playing in “Outlaw Leagues” (eg. Greater Metro Junior Hockey League, Canadian International Hockey League) are ineligible for selection in the OHL Priority Selection Process.
3. Undrafted players currently playing in “Outlaw Leagues” (eg., Greater Metro Junior Hockey League, Canadian International Hockey League) who make application and who are otherwise eligible to play in the Ontario Hockey League for the 2014-15 playing season would be placed on waivers by the Ontario Hockey League and subject to claim based on current OHL Waiver Policies and Procedures.
Have not heard that, no. But will follow up.
To define, however, the CIHL is not “outlaw.” It is sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union, which has been around a lot longer than both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey.
While your statement about the AAU is true , it has been around longer and it provides an opportunity for a large number of athletes( close to half a million ) in many sports (34)it is not the recognized governing body in either Canada or the US . Therefore ,while the CIHL is indeed sanctioned by the AAU it is considered an outlaw league by Hockey Canada , USA Hockey and the IIHF because it chooses not to follow the operating procedures agreed to by them . This doesn’t make the CIHL a bad league or a good league , just an option for players to choose .