Two more board the Express
The expansion Espanola Express has added a pair of veterans to its Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League roster, general manager Chad Clarke has confirmed.
1997 birth-year goalie Kevin Labelle joins the Express from the Rayside-Balfour Canadians of the NOJHL.
No stranger to the NOJHL — this is his third season in the league — the 6-foot-5 Labelle is familiar to Express fans as a local product who tended twine for the erstwhile Espanola Rivermen juniors during the 2013-2014 campaign.
“We know who Kevin is, we know Kevin’s capabilities and we know Kevin will give us an opportunity to win every night with his work ethic and determination”, said Clarke, the Express GM.
Also joining the Express via trade with the St. Stephen County Aces of the Maritime Jr. Hockey League is 1995 birth-year right winger Keenan Kennedy.
“Keenan is a gritty, fast forward who has an incredible work ethic and a whatever-it-takes attitude and that will help us win those tight games”, opined Clarke.
Espanola takes a record of 2-14-1 into play this week.
Nice to see Kevin back in Espanola. He can steal them a few games for sure. This team should be even more competitive. They have been close in a few games hopefully this gives them the extra push. The friday night game against Timmins was won by the refs for sure as the game was a lot closer than the score showed.
Word on the street is Espanola loss out to a young talented star from last year Isaak Picken who has signed with the Rapids.
Not sure what street you are on fan but wow your reality is way out of touch. Don’t get me wrong,Picken is a good kid but they have enough young talent with kids like Aiken and Nadeau etc… This team required some veterans and looks like what they have picked up. The name Northshore hockey fan sounds really familiar,hmmmm where have I heard that before.
Oh fan by the way the “street” I was on last night was saying that Picken wanted to try Espanola but his advisor basically said no. Not that great of advice wouldn’t you say. Oh well we all make mistakes,right.
Good Luck Kevin the Express are getting a good goalie !