EL Wildcats, community recognition
In their second season of existence, the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League continue to be a success on the ice and within the community.
Under the leadership of general manager Todd Stencill and head coach Nathan Hewitt, the Wildcats made it all the way to the West Division finals in their inaugural 2014-2015 season before losing to the eventual league champion Soo Thunderbirds.
At the gate, the Wildcats were among the NOJHL attendance leaders in 2014-2015 as the tucked-away town of about 11,000 residents strongly supported the community-run franchise.
Thus far this season, the Wildcats are a solid second behind the West Division-leading Thunderbirds with a record of 9-3-3 heading into play this week while averaging more than 460 fans per home game at creaky Centennial Arena.
And just recently, as the Elliot Lake and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated its business excellence awards, the Wildcats were recognized with the Red Briffett Award for outstanding community involvement.
The annual recipient of the Red Briffett Award for community involvement in the Elliot Lake district is a business or organization which provides sponsorship to, and actively participates in, various community activities.
Wildcats president Howie Hennessey told HockeyNewsNorth.com that being recognized with the Red Briffett Award “is a great honour for the team and truly signifies our commitment to the community. It is only through the hard work and dedication of our committed volunteers, sponsors and fans that this recognition is possible.”
PHOTO: Elliot Lake mayor Dan Marchisella, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing member of parliament Carol Hughes, Elliot Lake Wildcats president Howie Hennessey and Doris Briffett, wife of the late Red Briffett.
This is a class organization, top to bottom, side to side. My son was very impressed and happy to contribute to the community while he played there last year. The support of the fan base is palpable at every game, to say the least! Congrats on a well-earned award.