Trappers setting up in Mattawa
The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will move to the frozen stage of the Ottawa River town of Mattawa today in the form of the transplanted North Bay Trappers.
The Trappers will play their next three home games of this 2013-2014 NOJHL season at Mattawa’s Mike Rodden Arena and Community Centre.
With a population of just over 2,000, the historic northeastern Ontario town of Mattawa is about 40 miles east of North Bay along Highway 17.
The City of North Bay recently advised the Trappers that their facility agreement will not be renewed for the 2014-2015 season, thus forcing the long-time NOJHL franchise to seek relocation.
Trappers president David Beauchamp is of the notion that Mattawa looks to be a good fit beyond the three games that have been scheduled.
In fact, so confident is Beauchamp of the move that plans are to officially rename the North Bay Trappers the Mattawa Blackhawks as the franchise looks ahead to the 2014-2015 campaign.
As for the three Trapper home games that have been moved to Mattawa, the first is today at 4:10 p.m. against the visiting Soo Thunderbirds.
The Trappers will then play host to the Elliot Lake Bobcats on Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Rodden Arena in Mattawa.
The third Trappers game in Mattawa will be on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. against the Espanola Rivermen.
I have been to a few games at the Old Barn in Mattawa and while it is cold inside it is no different than Blind River or Elliott Lake and definatley a big improvement over that dump in West Ferris where the Traps were playing before.
Mattawa is a small town that will support Junior Hockey so long as they have people running the Team who care about the fans – this could be a Win-Win for Beauchamp, Dawson or whoever the hell it is that is running this Team now. It all starts with the Ownership!
Well NBT the Mattawa barn is an upgrade over Ferris altho I do think Reeden Arena could use some improvments to the seating area spend a few bucks & this will be a nice Junior ‘A’ facility.
Say YES to Mattawa!!!
Go “Black hawks” GO!
North Bays loss is Mattawas gain!
3 cheers for Mattawa & “BOO” to those who kicked the Trappers outta North Bay.
Really like the Logo, looks sharp!
Awesome Logo – Classic!
If it can work in Espanola it can work in Matawa too! Good Job Tim Clayton for all that you do for Junior Hockey in da North!!!
Thank You for this Randy ! !
Here we go Mattawa. In hockey we trust!
My opinion is this: One minute Clayton is trying to destory the leauge and the next minute he is a saviour. Come on wake up.
I think it is great for the Town of Mattawa to proof that it can support a Team such as this. Sudbury should think of doing the same – don’t call the team the Sudbury Nickel Barons re-name them for where they play so call them the Copper Cliff Nickel Barons.