Vikings toughing it out
There is good news to report relative to the 14 month old Centennial Arena saga and the Elliot Lake Vikings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
That is, Vikings president Jef Jarmovitch has confirmed to Hockey News North that the ice could be in at Centennial Arena by the end of November or shortly after.
“The building was deemed structurally sound (in mid October),” Jarmovitch relayed to Hockey News North, “and the roof is being worked on the outside which I am told will be finished by (mid November.) They are currently installing a new sprinkler system as the old system needed work before it was passed by the fire department inspection. This should be complete by (mid November.)
“There is occupancy permitted for city workers to go in and prep the building for ice making,” Jarmovitch continued. “They are starting to reinforce the footings of the building which I have been told will be completed before snowfall. We are hoping to at least have access to our dressing room in a couple of weeks. The goal is to start putting ice in by end of this month.”
The Vikings are now into their second season of practising and playing “home” games in the nearby town of Massey, which is about a 90 mile round trip to and from Elliot Lake.
Jarmovitch, who is in his second season as the operator of the NOJHL franchise in Elliot Lake, has certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty as an owner as the Vikings have been without use of the 55 year old Centennial Arena since September 9, 2023.
Still, Jarmovitch has been the epitome of positivity and resilience. There has rarely been a complaint coming from him and he has earned the admiration of fellow operators of the 12 team NOJHL as well as commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
The ’23-24 campaign was, predictably, a trying one for the Vikings in Jarmovitch’s first season as an operator. Recruiting became increasingly difficult as the season went on and the Vikings finished with a record of 5-48-5 and went through two head coaches, neither of whom is still with the organization.
This season has been a bit better. The Vikings only have a record of 4-10-0 but have been in most games as evidenced by their goal differential of minus 14, which is the best among the bottom four teams of the league. They are 3-2-0 in five games at “home” in Massey but have struggled with a road record of 1-8-0.
“We are starting to click,” said the generally optimistic Jarmovitch. “We have a lot of talent on paper. Give us stability and a home rink and we are right in the mix.”
Great news. I’m glad that in some way the whole league’s fan base and teams played a part.
Great story of resilience by the entire organization and community. Jeff deserves a great amount of credit as do the players and fans for keeping on support for this franchise. A better future is a must for them.
Outstanding determination to see this through despite the travel and financial pressures faced by a junior team operator. JJ has done a remarkable job considering the challenges that franchise has had to face head-on over the past two years. The Vikings are fortunate to have someone with the passion that Jeff has for their community hockey team.