Hill of a road trip
George Hill just wants to play — even if it means packing up and driving more than 700 miles from his southeastern Michigan home for an opportunity to be the starting goaltender for the Smooth Rock Falls Thunder of the Thunder Bay Jr. B Hockey League.
The 6-foot-2, 160-pound puck-stopper who hails from the village of Brooklyn — which is home to the famed Michigan International Speedway — has committed to play his final season of junior in Smooth Rock Falls, a new entry in the Thunder Bay league.
Hill spent the 2014-2015 season with the Detroit Fighting Irish of the Midwest Jr. Hockey League (now the U.S. Premier Hockey League) and was part of a rather-bizarre, four-man goaltender rotation. He posted a record of 6-5-1 with a 3.66 goals against average and .902 save percentage with the Fighting Irish.
The slender netminder had hoped to play in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League this 2015-2016 season but was unable to land a spot with either the French River Rapids or the Soo Eagles.
A phone call on Hill’s behalf was subsequently placed to Ryan Leonard, who not only owns the Smooth Rock Falls team but is the owner, coach and general manager of the Cochrane Crunch of the NOJHL.
Leonard talked to Hill and put him in touch with his Smooth Rock Falls people, coach Richard Solomon and general manager Cory Hofferd.
Hill will head to Cochrane next week for a two-day tryout camp that Smooth Rock Falls is holding in the nearby town.
“I just want to go to a team and play my last season of junior and be happy,” Hill told HockeyNewsNorth.com. “I have heard all good things about the people up there.”
As Smooth Rock Falls will serve as an affiliate team to Cochrane, Hill may also get the opportunity to practice with the NOJHL Crunch, according to Leonard.
“We have our two goalies signed for Cochrane (veteran Brett Young and rookie Kurtis David) and so George gives us some insurance at the position. The plan is for him to come up here and play for Smooth Rock Falls and I know that Richard and Cory are happy to have him. We have good reports on George as a goalie and as a young man,” said Leonard.
PHOTO: Goalie George Hill, formerly of the Detroit Fighting Irish, is headed north to play for the Smooth Rock Falls Thunder.
Best of Luck to you George … dont forget to pak your warm clothes … and bring your Snow shovel with you!
It is good that George Hill will get to play for a good owner like Ryan Leonard as there are a few douche bag owners in junior hockey but then again the bad owners no longer own teams as they were either kicked out or suspended.
Playing 2 years along side of the beaches of Ft Meyers, Fl. to Tim Horton’s back yard.
All he wants to do is play. Does anyone have a Block heater? I have to get his car prepped. Good Luck George.
Ryan runs a good program up hear in Cochrane so I expect him todo the same in SRF. Richard and Corey are good people who know hockey and who teach respect.
Irish are loosing a good goalie who is a also a good kid and a good teammate. as well.
Good luck to you George I am sure that we will be reading about you having a good season up there in Canada AY!
PS: Bring your snow-boots with you George!