NOJHL openers
We are in the middle of summer but hockey season is not that far off — less than two months from start up, as a matter of fact.
For starters, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has finalized its 2016-2017 regular-season schedule.
The 324-game slate will have all 12 NOJHL teams skating in 54 contests apiece — 27 at home and another 27 on the road.
The ’16-17 regular season will get underway on Friday, Sept. 9 on five fronts with the Soo Eagles, Espanola Express, Elliot Lake Wildcats, Cochrane Crunch and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners all skating in their home openers.
One night later, the defending NOJHL champion Soo Thunderbirds will play their initial home contest of the campaign.
Blind River Beavers, Powassan Voodoos, Iroquois Falls Eskis and Timmins Rock will all play their home openers on Saturday, Sept. 10.
And the French River Rapids will take to the ice in their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 18 while the Rayside-Balfour Canadians won’t see their first home action until Saturday, Sept. 24.