Mantha returning to French River
French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will again have the services of veteran coach Moe Mantha for the 2016-2017 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed.
Jessy Landry, who will take over as the new president-general manger in French River, told HockeyNewsNorth.com that Mantha will return as head coach of the second-year NOJHL team.
The 55-year old Mantha began the 2015-2016 season as coach of the new NOJHL expansion team in French River only to depart late in the campaign to take over as interim bench boss of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
Mantha coached Saginaw for the final 13 games of the regular season and the Spirit went 4-7-2 under his command. The Mantha-coached Spirit was then swept by the top-seeded Erie Otters in the first round of the playoffs.
Before embarking on what has been a lengthy coaching career, Mantha was an all-star OHL defenseman with the erstwhile Toronto Marlies before going on to skate in 673 National Hockey League games as a journeyman defender.
PHOTO: Moe Mantha has spent a lifetime in the game of hockey, including playing at the highest level.
Good News for the NOJ as a League. As Moe is a favorite native son.
Let us hope that Moe Mantha can multiply the wins for French River by at least X 20 for next season.
I say that the Honeymoon is over for Coach Mantha and the Rapids in that Fans and Supporters are expecting much much more in the next season.
I am hoping for a big turn-out at the Try Out Camp. Powassan has been good for there 1st 2 Seasons in the League and there is no reason why the Rapids can’t be much much better in there 2nd year.