OHL has its D-day plan
A conditional plan is in place.
That is, Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch has confirmed a return to play for all 20 teams.
Planned start date is December 1, 2020, subject to ensuring that the players, fans, staff and community are able to play and attend games safely, said Branch.
Training camps for all 20 teams are expected to begin around the middle of November.
…[read more]NOJHL playing waiting game
There is no panic coming from Robert Mazzuca.
No panic in his voice. No panic in his plans. No panic in his actions.
Instead, the 10th year commissioner of the 11-team Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is playing the waiting game relative to when the 2020-2021 season might begin.
Meanwhile, the veteran NOJHL boss remains optimistic that the junior league — which includes 10 teams from northeastern Ontario and one northern Michigan based squad — will play at some point this season.
…[read more]Imports commit to Kingston
This adds up as a commitment coup for the Kingston Frontenacs.
That is, forwards Martin Chromiak and Vitali Pinchuk have both committed to return to Kingston for the upcoming Ontario Hockey League season.
Both players were selected by Kingston during the 2019 Canadian Hockey League import draft and are coming off their rookie season with the Frontenacs.
After back-to-back losing seasons in which it won just 33 of 130 regular season games, Kingston is positioned to be an Eastern Conference contender in 2020-2021.
…[read more]Sticks to the Lumberjacks
Overachieving defenseman Keaston (Sticks) Blais has signed with the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
An ever-improving, hard-working, right-hand shooting defender with a late October, 2002 birth date, Blais has spent the past two seasons with the Timmins Majors of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
A character individual who hails from the northeastern Ontario town of Iroquois Falls, Blais greatly advanced his game over two seasons with the Timmins midgets under the watchful eye of no-nonsense Majors coach Brandon Perry.
…[read more]A good coach is a good coach
Junior hockey and the way it operates and carries on can be cyclical, trendy and copycat.
And while some may say or feel that junior hockey is a young man’s game when it comes to the art of coaching, that is simply not the case.
For example, as the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League both boast exceptional coaches who are in their 30s and 40s, so too do they feature high end bench bosses who are in their 50s and 60s.
In other words, when it comes to the NOJHL and OHL as two junior hockey leagues of illustration, a good coach is a good coach, regardless of age.
…[read more]These are the T-Birds to date
There are multiple Birds flying into the junior hockey nest.
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have commitments from more than 10 players ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
Included in the double digit list are confirmations from six local skaters — four returnees and two newcomers — that they will don the blue, orange and white jerseys of the Thunderbirds for the upcoming campaign
…[read more]Lafleur to Carleton Place
The best team in the Central Canada Hockey League from the 2019-2020 season has added a crackerjack coach to its staff.
Hockey News North has confirmed that Marc Lafleur has joined the staff of the Carleton Place Canadians as an assistant coach under owner, general manager and head coach Jason Clarke.
The 45-year old Lafleur and the Hearst Lumberjacks recently parted ways, just over a year after he led what was a second-year franchise to the 2018-2019 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League championship.
…[read more]Return to play proposals
Junior hockey leagues throughout Ontario have been working on various proposals relative to a return to play at some point in the 2020-2021 season.
Under the Canadian Jr. Hockey League umbrella there are four junior A leagues that are based in Ontario. They are the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, the Central Canada Hockey League, the Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
The province is also home to the Ontario Hockey League, which is part of the major junior level, Canadian Hockey League.
…[read more]Kerfuffle in Kingston
This one ranks as a stunner.
After 12 years with the Kingston Frontenacs — first as assistant coach, then as assistant general manager, then as director of hockey operations, and most recently as general manager — Darren Keily was unceremoniously let go by the Ontario Hockey League team earlier this week.
The surprise announcement by Kingston owner Doug Springer was shocking for a number of reasons including the fact that Keily had just guided the Frontenacs through two trying seasons of rebuild and had them poised to become an Eastern Conference threat come the 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]Soo Thunderbirds have ice!
It is an optimistic sign. Not a definitive one, perhaps.
But there is definitely a Bird sighting on the horizon, as in a planned, first flap of the wings.
To be sure, we see Birds on ice in the foreseeable future.
As in a tryout camp for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Two more for Espanola
Score a couple more commitments for the Espanola Express ahead of the 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]Rhodes Centre arenas open
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has implemented a number of modifications for the two arenas that are housed within John Rhodes Community Centre. The Rhodes Centre is located in the Sault’s east end on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth Park.
…[read more]Super scouts hop the Express
Sault Ste. Marie residents Brad Boyer and Chad Vresk have joined the scouting staff of the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
…[read more]All aboard the Express train
One by one, from here and there, passengers are boarding the Express.
The number of players — returning and incoming — who have committed to the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the upcoming season is now in double digits.
Rather impressively, Espanola president and general manager Jason Rapcewicz currently has commitments from 10 players to be on the Express train to the Spanish River town once the 2020-2021 season begins.
Rapcewicz and the Express are out to build on a 2019-2020 season in which Espanola made the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 term.
…[read more]Coach Lafleur a free agent
One of the very best Junior A hockey coaches in Ontario is on the market.
Marc Lafleur and the Hearst Lumberjacks have parted ways, just over a year after he led what was a second-year franchise to the 2018-2019 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League championship.
The soon-to-be 45-year old Lafleur, who is a Hearst product, also had prior championship success as an NOJHL coach and general manager with the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
…[read more]Cross border hockey issues
Let us hope and pray that junior hockey will be played at some point during the 2020-2021 season. However, for example, what happens if the junior hockey season gets the go ahead to begin play but the Canada-United States border remains indefinitely closed?
…[read more]Eng on the Express
It was a straight up one for one trade that delivered the Espanola Express a new passenger ahead of the 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
And Express president and general manager Jason Rapcewicz has an idea of what 2001 birth year center James Eng will bring to Espanola for the coming season.
Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, the 5-foot-11, 170 pound Eng netted six goals, 15 assists, 21 points in 56 games for the French River Rapids as an NOJHL rookie in 2019-2020.
…[read more]Oldham is for the Birds
There is a new occupant in the Bird house.
That is, Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have added a productive forward to their lineup ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
Russell Oldham, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound front line skater, has landed in the Bird nest via the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Of note, Oldham is also a 2018 Ontario Hockey League under-18 draft pick of the Flint Firebirds.
…[read more]Eagles tryout camp is soon
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be holding their main tryout camp in less than a month.
Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo has confirmed the mid August main camp dates and details.
The Eagles are one of 11 teams in the NOJHL and its lone American entry.
…[read more]Heading down the highway
Sault Ste. Marie product Cole Ambeault is changing Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League teams.
The 2001 birth year forward is heading down Highway 17 from the Blind River Beavers to the Rayside Balfour Canadians in a cash exchange between the NOJHL rivals.
Ambeault is making the move for school reasons, being that he is planning on going to school at Cambrian College in Sudbury in the fall.
…[read more]Return of the Rock stars
Rock and roll with a band of four.
Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has a firm, formidable foundation to build on ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
Hockey News North has confirmed that four Rock stars — goalie Ty Masternak and forwards Derek Seguin, Josh Dickson and Gabby Kioki — have committed to return to Timmins for another season.
Seguin, of note, is a local product and team captain.
…[read more]Planning the Express route
It is a good thing that Jason Rapcewicz prides himself in being an organized planner of time management. As the owner and general manager of the Espanola Express, Rapcewicz has been spending his days off during the summer months formulating — and carrying out — the game plan for his team ahead of the next Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
…[read more]St. Thomas to Espanola
We have tracked an Express delivery to Espanola from St. Thomas.
Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has signed big winger Colton Wiacek away from the St. Thomas Stars of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
In 63 games with St. Thomas over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound Wiacek produced 10 goals, eight assists, 18 points.
…[read more]Rhodes to re-open next week
The City of Sault Ste. Marie continues to re-open facilities by employing a phased approach as it tries to ensure appropriate safety measures for the community and limiting public health risks.
…[read more]Express, Rapids make a deal
A pair of 2001 birth year forwards have changed teams in a classic one for one Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League trade.
…[read more]Six locals in the Bird house
Shop local. Stay local. Play local.
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have been playing the local theme thus far this off season.
To be sure, the Thunderbirds now have commitments from six local skaters — four returnees and two newcomers — ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]Business as unusual
These are unusual times. And in the hockey world, the so-called ‘new normal’ means the phrase ‘business as usual’ may no longer be applicable.
…[read more]Two more for the Birds
Another day. Another pair of returning commitments.
Soo Thunderbirds general manager Trev Zachary has confirmed to Hockey News North that veteran forwards Avery Rebek and Kurtis Rogers will be returning to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team for another season.
The return of Rebek and Rogers follows the day earlier confirmation of two other veteran forwards for the 2020-2021 NOJHL season.
…[read more]D-man Daca to Soo Eagles
Soo Eagles have committed to free agent defenseman Hayden Daca, Hockey News North has confirmed.
The December, 2001 birth year skater spent the 2019-2020 season with the Elliot Lake Wildcats, who finished in last place in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
The Wildcats have since ceased operations ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
…[read more]Back in the Bird house
A pair of local products have confirmed their planned return to the Soo Thunderbirds for the upcoming season.
They are forwards Cooper Smyl and Brock Santa Maria.
Both were rookies on a Thunderbirds team that finished in third place in the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League last season.
…[read more]Spitfires swoop a defender
Windsor Spitfires have added another defenseman to their blue line brigade.
The Spitfires have acquired 2002 birth year defender Michael Renwick from the Hamilton Bulldogs for a second round pick at the 2022 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Of note, Renwick is a grandson of former Spitfires assistant coach Dave Prpich.
…[read more]Three to be for RBC
Rayside Balfour Canadians general manager Jeff Forsyth has confirmed the signing of three rookie players ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
The Canadians are coming off of a 2019-2020 regular season in which they finished atop the West Division standings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with a record of 40-11-5.
It was a season of firsts for RBC in 2019-2020 under the new ownership of Mark Burgess, managing director Blaine Smith, Forsyth as the GM and Dan Cuomo as head coach.
…[read more]Frontenacs take a pass
Kingston Frontenacs general manager Darren Keily is more than happy with the two import forwards that the Ontario Hockey League team has on its roster.
Thus, the Frontenacs — who are poised to become a very competitive OHL team after two seasons of major rebuild — have opted to pass on taking part in today’s Canadian Hockey League import draft.
Instead, the Frontenacs will retain their two players from the 2019 CHL import draft — forwards Martin Chromiak and Vitali Pinchuk.
…[read more]Chris Thorburn: What a story
Chris Thorburn had what might be called an improbable National Hockey League career.
Thorburn was nearing the end of his four-year Ontario Hockey League run in 2003 and had yet to be signed by the Buffalo Sabres, who had taken him two years earlier, in the second round of the 2001 NHL draft.
But the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario product would finish his OHL career with a flourish after being dealt by the Saginaw Spirit to the Plymouth Whalers at the 2003 trade deadline.
…[read more]Return ticket to Espanola
All aboard the Express! Destination: Espanola.
Espanola Express president and general manager Jason Rapcewicz has confirmed the commitment of four more returning players for the 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
The planned returned of the four skaters — three defensemen and a forward — brings to eight the number of players that Rapcewicz already has commitments from for the upcoming NOJHL season.
…[read more]Northern lights in Espanola
Jason Rapcewicz, who is the president and general manager of the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, says he has and will — along with his scouts — search far and wide for players.
But as the owner and operator of the small market Espanola franchise, Rapcewicz noted that he takes particular pride in having as many capable northern Ontario players on the Express as he can.
And among those who have now committed to board the Express for the 2020-2021 NOJHL season are three returning players with northern roots — forwards Cole Delarosbil and Brennen Martel and goalie Carson Boutin.
…[read more]Back in the Express net
Carson Boutin is slated to return to the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2020-2021 season.
The 2002 birth year goalie joined the Express from the Komoka Kings of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League via the Cochrane Crunch of the NOJHL during the 2019-2020 season.
Boutin, who stands in at 6 foot, 185 pounds, hails from the northeastern Ontario town of Iroquois Falls.
…[read more]RBC makes net exchange
Rayside Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have an opening for a goalie.
The first place team in the West Division of the NOJHL from the 2019-2020 season has dealt 2002 birth year goalie Nicholas Heinzle to the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Jr. Hockey League in a cash exchange.
With Heinzle headed to the prairies, veteran David Bowen is now the only goalie on the Rayside roster.
…[read more]Soo Eagles nab Nick Jameus
Free agent forward Nick Jameus has a new Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League home.
Hockey News North has confirmed that the Soo Eagles have committed to Jameus ahead of the 2020-2021 NOJHL season.
A Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native, Jameus spent the 2019-2020 season with the lowly Elliot Lake Wildcats.
…[read more]Eagles confirm tryout camp
Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have received the go ahead to hold their main tryout camp later this summer.
Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo has confirmed the main camp dates and details.
The Eagles are one of 11 teams in the NOJHL and its lone American entry.
…[read more]Junior hockey’s new normal
In one way at least, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has a potential advantage over the Ontario Hockey League.
That is, should attendance restrictions be mandated once junior hockey is cleared for game activity, the NOJHL would be in a more enviable position than the OHL.
Attendance is the major source of revenue for the OHL. And while NOJHL teams do rely on attendance as a means of survival, they are also enhanced financially as a ‘pay to play’ league.
As well, NOJHL teams are in a favourable geographical region relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.
…[read more]OHL trade reprise
Trade season in the Ontario Hockey League opened on June 1.
And while there has not been a flurry of activity, several seasoned skaters have been swapped from one OHL team to another.
North Bay Battalion has been involved in two significant transactions while frequent trade partners, Flint Firebirds and Guelph Storm, made yet another exchange with each other. In the space of 12 months — from last off season to this one — Flint and Guelph have made no less than five trades with each other.
Meanwhile, Saginaw Spirit pulled off what could be a helluva heist in getting a former first round pick from North Bay for a bargain price.
…[read more]Mauro makes his points
At 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, Justin Mauro isn’t big.
But he has certainly made big contributions as a productive junior hockey forward.
To be sure, Mauro has put up pretty good point totals over two full seasons with the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Jr. Hockey League.
And with a 2002 birth date, the Sault Ste. Marie native still has three years of junior eligibility remaining.
…[read more]Eagles have eyes on Zeppa
Soo Eagles have received permission from the Hearst Lumberjacks to talk to goalie Noah Zeppa relative to a potential transaction between the two Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League teams.
Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo confirmed to Hockey News North that he has received the go-ahead from Lumberjacks coach-GM Marc Lafleur to speak with Zeppa.
Zeppa, who has a December, 2002 birth date, is coming off of a 2019-2020 season in which he played in only nine games because of concussion-related issues.
…[read more]Blind River brother act
Oh, brother. There is double trouble ahead.
Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will have a brother act in place for the 2020-2021 season.
Hockey News North has confirmed that Devin Mauro will join his older brother Justin Mauro in Blind River for the upcoming NOJHL season.
…[read more]Flint, Guelph make a deal
Flint Firebirds have bolstered their blue line brigade via Ontario Hockey League trade with the Guelph Storm.
Highly-touted defenseman Zack Terry is on the move from Guelph to Flint for a pair of 2023 draft picks.
In confirming the trade, Firebirds general manager Barclay Branch referred to Terry as “both an impressive player and person.”
…[read more]News from the North reprise
It is mid June, which is still early in the junior hockey off season.
In fact, the start of the 2020-2021 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season is at least three months away — and maybe longer.
Still, some teams in the NOJHL have re-opened for the business of signing players — returning and incoming — ahead of the 2020-2021 campaign.
Following is a reprise of signings and commitments from three NOJHL teams as first reported by Hockey News North.
…[read more]The tree to the Bird house
It is another branch on the hockey tree.
The climb from major midget to junior A hockey is one that some opt to make sooner than others.
But in this case, a pair of more than capable forwards in Michael Chaffay and Ty Zachary took their time in moving up from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Midget Hockey League to the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
…[read more]Beavers make a nice splash
Blind River Beavers have confirmed a foursome signing of incoming players with northern roots ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
The Beavers are coming off four straight winning seasons in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League including a 37-15-4 mark from the 2019-2020 campaign.
…[read more]