Lakers graduating eight seniors
A gang of eight is departing the Division 1 hockey program at Lake Superior State University after this season.
Goalies Kevin Murdock, Kevin Kapalka and Niels-Erik Ravn. Defencemen Andrew Perrault, Matt Bruneteau and Zach Sternberg. Forwards Dan Radke and Colin Campbell.
All will leave the Lakers at the end of this 2013-2014 season.
The Laker seniors — three goalies, three defensemen and two forwards — are a diverse group, to be sure. …[read more]
Three-way tie for fourth in NAHL North
The race for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the North Division of the North American Hockey League appears headed down to the wire.
Soo Eagles, Springfield Jr. Blues and Janesville Jets are tied for fourth place with 49 points apiece. …[read more]
Thunderbirds are no. 1
Soo Thunderbirds secured the no. 1 seed in the upcoming Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoffs with an 8-1 cuffing of the North Bay Trappers on Friday at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
For the record
Just because I believe in being open and honest I do want it to be known that I have taken a volunteer position as a media communications adviser for the proposed new Canadian International Hockey League. In a nutshell, I have volunteered to write press releases for the new CIHL, no more, no less.
Birds to watch
These Birds are made for watching.
On the cusp of clinching top spot in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League standings, Soo Thunderbirds will look to further fashion their record of 45-5-3 tonight when they play host to the North Bay Trappers.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Essar Centre.
On a team of talent and true grit, here are just five of many Birds worth watching. …[read more]
Proposition, supposition
Let’s suppose that the proposed new International Jr. Hockey League (or whatever it might be called) does get approval from the American-based, Amateur Athletic Union to play under its umbrella beginning with the 2014-2015 season.
Let’s suppose that the proposed IJHL winds up featuring a Canadian Division comprised of six teams that would defect from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
T-Birds, Eagles both home tonight
There is Junior ‘A’ hockey action on both sides of the St. Mary’s River tonight. …[read more]
Latest on the Espanola Rivermen
In the wake of the $5,000 fine and indefinite suspension that Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League commissioner Robert Mazzuca handed Espanola Rivermen owner-governor-director of operations Tim Clayden on Wednesday — over comments he made to HockeyNewsNorth.com earlier that day — Scott Ginson has been promoted to vice president of operations. …[read more]
Aberdeen to Amherst
They keep moving them on to the college ranks.
High-scoring defenceman Jake Horton has become the sixth member of the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League to get a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment this season. …[read more]
Suspicious suspension of NOJHL owner
This one reeks of vindictiveness.
If I am Espanola Rivermen owner-governor Tim Clayden, I am consulting with a lawyer on this one.
Two days after giving written notice to fellow Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League governors that his Rivermen would be looking to play in a new league come the 2014-2015 season, Clayden has been fined $5,000 and suspended indefinitely by commissioner Robert Mazzuca. …[read more]
Borderline D1-D3
The majority of players in the North American Hockey League aspire to move on to the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association level.
The fact is, though, that the majority of NAHLers do not make it to Division 1.
Which should not be seen as the end of the line for NAHLers who have made playing Division 1 hockey their ultimate goal.
To be sure, there are plenty of good Division 3, NCAA schools out there. …[read more]
Vendramin is player-of-the-month
Sault Ste. Marie native Ryan Vendramin, a 1995 birth-year forward with Sarnia Legionnaires of the Western Ontario Jr. B Hockey League, has been named player-of-the-month for February. …[read more]
Espanola Rivermen owner speaks out
As an owner, operator and general manager, Tim Clayden is known as one of the shrewdest and best Junior A hockey operators in Canada.
Now the owner of the Espanola Rivermen — who as a first-year franchise are leading the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in attendance — Clayden is exploring other avenues for his team.
Following is the transcript of a lengthy interview I conducted with Clayden. …[read more]
Fun in Flint
Flint Jr. Generals have not only secured top spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League but they have a shot at finishing first overall in the 21-team loop.
With two games to play in the 2013-2014 regular season, Flint has an almost-flawless record of 40-4-2. …[read more]
Rambles, rattles and rumours
I have more than a few things on my mind today.
My hockey mind, that is.
And if you are so inclined, I invite you to read on for a few rambles, rattles and rumours. …[read more]
46 goals for Thunderbird captain
Soo Thunderbirds captain Gavin Burbach has a shot at a 50-goal season.
Burbach, a 1993 birth-year forward who is in his fourth season in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, needs four goals in the Thunderbirds final three games of the 2013-2014 campaign to hit the 50-goal mark. …[read more]
303 watch NOJHL in Mattawa
North Bay Trappers played host to the Soo Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon in a neutral site game that was held in Mattawa.
And the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game drew a crowd of 303 to Mike Rodden Arena and Community Centre in Mattawa. …[read more]
Pucci tops Indians scoring chart
Despite missing six of his team’s games this 2013-2014 season, Frankie Pucci has emerged as the leading scorer for the Soo Indians major midgets.
Pucci, a 1997 birth-year centre and Ontario Hockey League draft pick of the Erie Otters, topped the Indians scoring chart with 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points in 46 games. …[read more]
Season of progress for Soo Indians
Soo Indians major midgets are off to Lansing this week for a Michigan Amateur Hockey Association qualifying-round series.
Starting on Friday, the Indians will play the Lansing Capitals in a best-of-three series and the winner will advance to the MAHA state championships, to be held in the Detroit suburb of Taylor beginning on March 12. …[read more]
What’s wrong with Erie Otters?
Well-coached by Kris Knoblauch and Chris Hartsburg, Erie Otters have been a turnaround team this 2013-2014 Ontario Hockey League season.
After finishing 19th in the 20-team OHL in 2012-2013, Erie has been first overall for much of 2013-2014. …[read more]
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. …[read more]
Who is leaving the NOJHL?
The clock is ticking.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will have a different look to it come the 2014-2015 season. …[read more]
Here ‘n there on a Friday
Items on the agenda include National Hockey League interest in a Soo Eagles defencemen, a gruelling road trip for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, and how the top three teams in the Ontario Hockey League are all from the same division. …[read more]
Eagles need to Pullar together
Soo Eagles face a virtual must-win situation tonight when they play host to Janesville Jets in a 7:30 start-time encounter at Pullar Stadium.
The Eagles are tied with Springfield for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the six-team North Division of the North American Hockey League with 47 points but the Jr. Blues have a game in hand. …[read more]
Questions, questions, questions
A few questions that pertain to the Ontario Hockey League, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the proposed International Jr. Hockey League: …[read more]
Soo midgets player meeting tonight
Players who are interested in being a part of the new Soo team for the 2014-2015 Great North Midget Hockey League season are advised of an information session to be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Essar Centre.
Both general manager Kevin Cain and head coach Jim Capy will be at the session.
For more information, e-mail Coach Capy: capyj@hotmail.com
Minot d-man makes D1 commit
Minot Minotauros defenseman Scott Dornbrock has committed to play Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association hockey for the Miami of Ohio RedHawks effective the 2014-2015 season.
Dornbrock was acquired via North American Hockey League trade with the Topeka Roadrunners during the 2012-2013 season.
He has since played in 80 games for Minot. …[read more]
Here and there and what is fair
I seem to have stirred the masses via my “New junior league in the works” column of a couple of days ago.
However, since there are some who have chosen to read between the lines or attribute words to me that I did not write, let me clarify a few things. …[read more]
NOJHL moves into Mattawa
North Bay Trappers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have scheduled their next three home games for the Mike Rodden Arena and Community Centre in nearby Mattawa. …[read more]
Full of Bull in North Iowa
What a bunch of Bull this is.
North Iowa Bulls continue to be a super success story in the North American 3 Hockey League.
With a league-best record of 38-2-0, the defending Silver Cup champion Bulls have already secured a second, successive first-place finish atop the NA3HL’s West Division. …[read more]
Flashback: CKCY, my first media job
It was 1975 and between beers at the Purple Lantern, I studied Journalism at Sault College.
Classmates included David Gazer and Joe Petrolo and I mention them because all three of us managed to land part-time jobs at CKCY Radio while still “studying” at Sault College.
Gazer and Petrolo, with their booming, CKLW-Windsor-style voices, worked as newscasters at CKCY while I was the weekend sportscaster.
Thus began my sports media career, which has now surpassed 38 years. …[read more]
NOJHL still not settled
They fashioned a fabulous 25-game winning streak and have an awesome overall record of 43-5-2.
But the fact of the matter is, with six games left to play in the 2014-2015 regular season, Soo Thunderbirds have not clinched first place in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
That’s because the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are having a season that is just about on par with the Soo. …[read more]
Soo midgets information session
Players who are interested in trying out for, and being a part of, the new Soo, Ontario major midget team for the 2014-2015 season are advised of an information session to be held this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
Knot in the North
A mere two points are all that stand between three teams fighting for one playoff spot in the six-member North Division of the North American Hockey League.
Springfield Jr. Blues and Soo Eagles are tied for fourth place in the NAHL North, just two points up on the Janesville Jets. …[read more]
Silver Creek Winter Classic
The hockey setting was Silver Creek Golf Course on Garden River First Nation.
Twenty-two teams and more than 150 players took part in the first-ever Silver Creek Winter Classic, a 4-on-4 hockey tournament that was played outside on three man-made rinks.
“This was pretty cool and a ton of fun getting to play with our buddies outside — just as we did when we were kids learning to play the game,” said Micky Sartoretto, who played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers and Saginaw Spirit before finishing his junior career at home as championship captain of the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
New junior league in the works
There could be a new junior hockey league in operation for the 2014-2015 season.
HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned that the proposed, new International Jr. Hockey League would be a part of the American-based Amateur Athletic Union.
The IJHL has progessed to the stage that a logo (see above) has already been designed.
Should it get AAU approval, the IJHL would be comprised of teams and divisions on both sides of the Canada-United States border, some of which would be new franchises and others which are currently operating in junior leagues based in Ontario and Michigan. …[read more]
NA3HL to Jamestown
Junior hockey is poised to return to Jamestown, N.Y. for the 2014-2015 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned.
Multiple sources are confirming that a group of Jamestown businessmen has finalized a deal to purchase the Michigan Mountain Cats of the North American 3 Hockey League. …[read more]
Re-unite Headrick, Pucci
We know that Lake Superior State Lakers have already made a full-ride scholarship offer to Owen Headrick, a 1997 birth-year defenceman with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Headrick — a 14th-round pick of the Erie Otters at the 2013 Ontario Hockey League — has yet to make a decision as to which route he wants to take. …[read more]
Eight Lakers are athletic scholars
The Division 1 men’s hockey team at Lake Superior State University has been duly recognized for its academic prowess.
No less than eight Lake Superior State Lakers have been named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association scholar-athlete team for this 2013-2014 season. …[read more]
First look at newest Greyhound
It isn’t often that an Ontario Hockey League team adds a new player this late in the season.
But that’s what Soo Greyhounds did earlier this week when they inked free-agent centre Charley Graaskamp, pictured above. …[read more]
Metro Jets edge closer to Toledo
Metro Jets still have a shot at a playoff spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League.
Metro edged Toledo 2-1 on Friday night to move to within four points of the Cherokee for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the NA3HL East.
The two teams play again tonight at 7:50 at Lakeland Arena in Waterford. …[read more]
25 straight for T-Birds
The beat goes on.
Soo Thunderbirds won their 25th successive game on Friday, a 3-1 road decision over the Espanola Rivermen. …[read more]
OHL or NCAA?
Life is about choices.
So too, at times, is hockey.
There are hockey players who excel on the ice and maintain good marks in the classroom who are often in position to make choices.
In Sault Ste. Marie for example, while the Ontario Hockey League is often seen as the preferred route given the way it hypes itself and is hyped by others, the National Collegiate Athletic Association can also be an option. …[read more]
Soo boys named to Team NOHA
Two Sault Ste. Marie youngsters who left home for Sudbury to play in the Great North Midget Hockey League this 2013-2014 season have been named to the Team NOHA entry that will compete at the OHA Cup, to be held in Cambridge from March 7-10.
They are Caleb Boman, a 6-foot-1, 195 pound defenceman with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves and Jacob Palmerio, a 5-foot-8, 150 pound forward with the Nickel City Sons. …[read more]
Miners chasing Birds
Having won 24 straight games, one might think that Soo Thunderbirds would have first place in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League clinched by now.
But they don’t. …[read more]
Seasoned Warriors have strength
With eight 1993 birth-year skaters and 16 veterans in total, the Michigan Warriors were built for this 2013-2014 North American Hockey League season.
Just ask coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo of the Soo Eagles, who are a North Division rival of the Warriors. …[read more]
Two tough tests for Hounds
A pair of fellow Western Conference contenders are headed this way.
Soo Greyhounds will play host to the Guelph Storm and Windsor Spitfires in back-to-back weekend tilts at the Essar Centre. …[read more]
MS has a Chill side to it
This is one special fundraiser.
Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League and one of its sponsors are teaming up to promote awareness and raise funds for multiple sclerosis research.
MS is close to the heart for both the Chill and a particular sponsor.
Chill coach-general manager A.J. Degenhardt was diagnosed with the disease a few years ago and is working to raise awareness and education about the disease in the Coulee Region. …[read more]
Catching up with Coach Capy
It had been a few years since Jim Capy and I had talked face-to-face.
Oh, we had exchanged a few e-mails along the way, sharing sporadic bits of hockey information.
But last night, Capy and I met up at Service Grill on Korah Rd. in Sault Ste. Marie, site of the Thunderbird Hockey Show that I host (along with Tuesday’s Hockey North Show) on ESPN 1400 Radio.
Capy is back in hockey, the game he says is in his blood.
He and I talked some hockey last night. …[read more]