EL Vikings back in business
It has been a long, difficult process but the Elliot Lake Vikings are poised to return to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as active members effective the ’26-27 season. The slated comeback of the Vikings would be coincidental with the scheduled reopening of 59 year old Rogers Arena — formerly known as Centennial Arena — at some point this summer.
The Vikings had officially been on a leave of absence from the NOJHL since the 28 game mark of the ’24-25 season. Before that, they had been playing “home” games 45 miles away in the tiny town of Massey since early in the ’23-24 season when their home arena in Elliot Lake was suddenly shut down by the City due to serious structural concerns.
At the time they took the leave of absence a season and a half ago — with the arena in Elliot Lake remaining shuttered and unavailable for use — the Vikings had not practiced, or played, at home for a second consecutive season. That made it extremely difficult in terms of finances, including incurring additional travel costs, along with the inability to skate and compete on home ice.
As well, the burden placed on the players and staff had a predictable detrimental effect on the entire organization and played a pivotal role in the decision to shut down for the rest of the ’24-25 season being made by Vikings owner Jef Jarmovitch — and rubber stamped by the NOJHL. The continued structural issues at the City owned arena in Elliot Lake also prevented the Vikings from operating at all during the current ’25-26 season.
But now, according to Jarmovitch and the league, the Vikings are finally in position to return to the NOJHL for the ’26-27 season.
“We are happy for the community of Elliot Lake and very excited to play in the newly renovated Rogers Arena,” Jarmovitch relayed to Hockey News North.
“This represents more than just the return of Junior A hockey to Elliot Lake as it also marks a renewed commitment to our community, our fans, and the proud hockey tradition that has long been part of this city’s identity,” added Jarmovitch, a local resident who purchased the Elliot Lake franchise during the off season of 2023 only to have to deal with the sudden closure of the arena a mere few months later.
Jarmovitch further that “we have a quote that we mention a lot — unfinished business!”
Meanwhile, Jarmovitch as the owner of the Vikings has confirmed the appointment of Taurean White as the team’s new head coach and general manager. White has previously coached in the NOJHL in Iroquois Falls and with an earlier version of the Elliot Lake program.
Jarmovitch noted that White’s familiarity with the Elliot Lake community, combined with passion for player development and competitive excellence, makes him a good choice for what is being noted as a new chapter of Vikings hockey.
Also returning to the Vikings in a role that he held before the shut down of the team is John Buchanan as the assistant GM and director of scouting.
As Jarmovitch deals with the business side of the Vikings, he likes what he has in White and Buchanan running the hockey department.
“With Taurean and John on board I have people who I have trust in to building the program back up,” Jarmovitch relayed to Hockey News North.
NOJHL commissioner Rob Mazzuca is obviously happy with the planned return of Elliot Lake, which will restore the league to 12 teams.
“This is tremendous news for not only for the Vikings and NOJHL, but for the entire community of Elliot Lake, who have persevered over an extended span, while repairs and reconstruction to Rogers Arena have arduously taken place,” said the veteran commissioner. “With Elliot Lake having a long and storied history in the NOJHL, we look forward to welcoming the Vikings back to the ice next season.”
