Solo act in Elliot Lake
Corey James Bricknell stands as a solitary soul as the coach and general manager of the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
A stark figure in the hockey operations of the Elliot Lake franchise, Bricknell is without an assistant coach or assistant general manager, a one-man show befitting someone who seems full of himself.
In his first term of a two-year contract with Elliot Lake after departing the Iroquois Falls Eskis under murky circumstances, Bricknell began the 2016-2017 season with the singular title of head coach.
But since the season started, two respected individuals with lengthy ties to junior hockey in Elliot Lake suddenly departed the Wildcats as Greg Sidock quit as Bricknell’s assistant coach and Todd Stencill resigned as general manager.
Which has made Bricknell the main man atop the hockey department and cock of the walk all rolled into one.
Not to say that Bricknell is without allies in Elliot Lake as he does have the backing of Wildcats team president Howard Hennessey and is in a relationship with board member Natalie Bray, who also works for the town as the assistant to the chief administrative officer.
At any rate, the Wildcats have become a tough team to play against under Bricknell as the season has progressed. The Wildcats are destined to finish in fifth place in the West Division but with a solid roster featuring two good goalies, are a team that no other really wants to face come playoff time.
It could be stated that Bricknell likes to do things his way.
It could also be stated that Bricknell does not like any one standing in his way.
Standing alone as a coach and GM though leads one to wonder how long the solo act will play on in Elliot Lake.
Stay tuned.
Elliot Lake are a hard team to play against I definatley agree.
It does raise a few eye brows that both Todd and Greg left .. 2 guys that are like Hockey lifers in Elliot.
The guy is a selfish, self centred prick IN MY OPINION. I just hope for Natalie’s sake that he doesn’t pull the same thing on her that he did for the poor lady in Iroquois Falls.
Corey has been fighting demons for along time and I really wouldn’t know what it would be like to walk in his shoes. I hope he finds happiness wherever he ends up.
Better coaching is needed in Elliot Lake. Where’s Trevor Helverson these days? I know he retired from the NHL in 1999 before the age of 30 and played junior for the Elliot Lake Vikings in the late 80’s, early 90’s – but that was when the Vikings were at the bottom of the NOJHL standings.
The writer has no clue what is actually happening in Elliot Lake. He really needs to do some more research before writing this article. He doesn’t have a clue. What is truly happened IN MY OPINION
I am a Wildcats Supporter thru and thru as well. I disagree that the writer has no idea what is happening in Elliot Lake. I believe the writer knows completely what is going on in Elliot Lake and what they are saying. This coach IS full of himself , and Yes as supporters of this team, we SHOULD be questioning why 2 “Elliot Lake hockey lifers” have walked away from the team, we should also be wondering if the Coach has been given any ” preferential treatment” because of his relationship with Natalie Bray. Also, why is it that John Berthaloe is now apart of the team? Is he brought in to help the team or possibly to assess the team for a ” future investment”? We should also be questioning why this coach left Iroqouis Falls under “murky” circumstances. How was He chosen for our team,? Why was He chosen? Did we have other options? These are questions that I believe we should be asking as well as the Wildcats organization should be answering. IN MY OPINION of course, however I will continue to stand behind the Wildcats for the players and the heart and passion that these young men continue to bring to the ice.
Journalism and comments bordering on Libel. Hiding behind your pen or your keyboard makes you no less subject to the laws of Ontario or Canada.
This is not a coffee shop where you are chatting with friends. This is the Internet where you have no idea who is reading your words. ….
To Be Continued……
OLS,
Columns of such are reviewed by any one of a number of lawyers who I retain from time to time, including family member Bobby Russon, Attorney At Law.
Feel free to continue as you wish.
P.S. Who’s hiding? Not me. Are you?
I guess you got him good Randy.Keep up the good work I enjoy reading your comments