20 wins for the BR Beavers
When he took the job as the new head coach of the Blind River Beavers prior to the start of the 2016-2017 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season, Kyle Brick told HockeyNewsNorth.com that his first priority would be “to change the culture within the team.”
Brick spoke of an undisciplined, disorganized, losing past in Blind River and vowed to make the Beavers respectable and competitive again.
I would say he has already done so.
Heading into the Christmas break, the Beavers are a very solid third-place team in the West Division and well above the .500 mark with a record of 20-14-1.
The 20 wins through 35 games thus far this season ties the number of victories that Blind River had in the three previous seasons combined.
That’s right, in the three seasons before this one the Beavers had an overall regular-season record of 20-133-9.
That’s right, 133 losses in 162 regular-season games prior to this one.
I would say that qualifies as “changing the culture.”
Not that Brick has done what has been done all by himself.
He put together a highly-qualified hockey department that also includes head scout/senior advisor Charly Murray, director of player personnel Craig MacDonald and assistant coach Dylan King, who is a former Ontario Hockey League (Soo Greyhounds) and NOJHL (Soo Thunderbirds) defenseman.
So far, so good in Blind River.
Now if only they can do that in Espanola….that’s another team that’s in dire need of a culture change.
Now if the good people would start going to the games, the team would have a chance to do well off the ice, as well.
People in BRiver should be very proud of this group, and what they have accomplished in such a short time. No one has worked harder than Kyle , so it’s no surprise to me how they have turned it around. It’s time to get back to filling the rink to support the team. Good luck the rest of the way.
Wow Congrats to the Beavers on a great first half of hockey ! I’m sure you have made fans around the league take notice of your team this season. I had the pleasure of seeing one of your games back in Oct at the NOJHL showcase I was impressed with your teams play that night ! good luck the rest of the way dudes !
I would like to see the Beavers do the slap and boogie on there power play.. its works 65% of the time all the time.