Espanola via Thief River Falls
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has signed 2003 birth year goalie Matthew Loney. A free agent, Loney had been playing with the Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
Thief River Falls recently shut down operations for the balance of the season due to a player shortage that left the Norskies unable to ice a full lineup.
As for Loney, he made his Espanola and NOJHL debut on Friday and stopped 41 shots in a losing effort as the Express was upended 5-2 by the Blind River Beavers.
The arrival of Loney gives Espanola three goalies — Vaughn LeDrew and former SIJHL’er Dylan Kosik are the others.