Truths and rumours
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? What’s the fun in that? Let’s spice the truth by sprinkling in a few rumours. …[read more]
Reunited with Flint Firebirds
Flint Firebirds — nee the Plymouth Whalers — of the Ontario Hockey League have hired a former National Hockey League journeyman defenceman as an assistant coach. …[read more]
As the NOJHL grows…
It was not that long ago — 2007 to be exact — that membership in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League stood at a mere six teams.
Eight years later, the NOJHL has doubled in size and is poised to be a 12-team league when the first pucks drop on the 2015-2016 season in less than four months. …[read more]
French River Rapids colours, logo
French River Rapids, who will begin play as a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League expansion team in 2015-2016, have unveiled their team colours and logo. …[read more]
Two divisions or three?
As the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League is poised to expand to 12 teams — the Espanola Express and Michigan Soo Eagles are awaiting governing-body approval — division alignment will become a priority item. …[read more]
Eskimos get a pair of locals
Second-year skaters Josh Dejulio and Kezmin Madden will play for the hometown Iroquois Falls Eskimos in 2015-2016 rather than join the Timmins Rock, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]
New coach in Blind River
Seeking to emerge from the depths of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, the Blind River Beavers have hired a former Ontario Hockey League first-round draft pick as their new coach and general manager. …[read more]
Just back from Hockeytown
Hi all.
In case you were wondering where I have been the past few days — I did receive a number of messages asking why no fresh material had been posted — I was on the road in Hockeytown. …[read more]
Hounds can go on another run
The 2014-2015 season has been lost when really, it should have been won.
But there is 2015-2016 to look forward to and the Soo Greyhounds do have plenty of potential in place. …[read more]
Town approves Espanola Express
The Town of Espanola has unanimously voted to accept the return of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to its community for the 2015-2016 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]
Here ‘n there
Around the rinks in early May: …[read more]
At the crossroads in Blind River
Over a five-year period, from 2006 until 2011, the Blind River Beavers were a program of consistency with five straight winning records that averaged 26 victories per campaign.
Since then, though, the Beavers have been the worst team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League with an awful record of 31-160-15 over the past four seasons. …[read more]
Northeast nook of a growing NOJHL
They are four hockey towns in a northeast nook of the region, separated by less than two hours of rugged roads.
Timmins Rock, Iroquois Falls Eskimos, Cochrane Crunch and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners figure to be fierce foes when the first pucks drop on the 2015-2016 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season in about four months. …[read more]
Clarkson University honors Joe Drago
The venerable, gentlemanly Joe Drago received an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson University’s 122nd commencement on Saturday. …[read more]
Here’s to you, Bronson Kovacs
Sault Ste. Marie native Bronson Kovacs has ended his four-year, National Collegiate Athletic Association career with the Hobart College Statesmen in splendid style. …[read more]
An interview with my inner self
The hockey writer in me spends a lot of time talking to myself.
I ask myself a lot of questions and I answer them truthfully. …[read more]
Paul Gagne development camp
Paul Gagne, the former Ontario Hockey League and National Hockey League first-rounder and five-time Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League coach-of-the-year, will once again be overseeing a summer development camp. …[read more]
Hall-of-Famer with NOJHL ties
Long-time, distinguished referee Dan McCourt is headed for the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame.
The 60-year old McCourt, who is currently the officiating manager for the National Hockey League, also works with the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as a senior supervisor of officials. …[read more]
Fighting Irish in prep mode
It may only be May and the start of the 2015-2016 season may still be four months away.
But the Detroit Fighting Irish of the newly-formed Midwest Division of the United States Premier Hockey League is in all-out prep mode for the ’15-16 campaign. …[read more]
Crunch time for Ryan Leonard
The 2014-2015 season ended for the Cochrane Crunch a little over two weeks ago with a loss to the Soo Thunderbirds in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League championship series. …[read more]
Eagles poised to return to NOJHL
Pending approval from the various governing bodies, Soo Eagles are set to return to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League effective the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]
French River makes 10
French River Rapids have been officially approved by the governing Northern Ontario Hockey Association as the 10th member of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]
May the fourth be with them
As the hockey season ends for more and more junior teams, today’s headline is for those who are still playing for a championship in May. …[read more]
221 season tickets in 13 hours
Here’s a sunny Sunday shout out to the great fans of the Iroquois Falls Eskimos. …[read more]
No joy in Houndtown
There is an Erie silence in Houndtown.
For the second successive spring, the Erie Otters have sidelined the Soo Greyhounds from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Conference playoffs. …[read more]
Thunderbirds win another DHC
For the second time in the past four seasons, Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have won the Dudley-Hewitt Cup as Central Canada champions. …[read more]
Rookie goalie saves Soo Eagles
The kid came through in the clutch.
Rookie goalie Jack Berry helped save the season for the Soo Eagles on Friday night. …[read more]
T-Birds in DHC final tonight
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will face off against the host Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League tonight for the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Central Canada Championship. …[read more]
Iroquois Falls Eskimos season tickets
Want tickets?
2015-2016 season tickets for the all-new Iroquois Falls Eskimos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League go on sale today. …[read more]
Hustling Hounds hang on
There is joy in Houndtown.
Temporary relief, too. …[read more]
Ex-NHLer to coach new NOJHL team
French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have landed a highly-respected, well-known name to be their first-ever coach and general manager, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]
Wandering and wondering
Thoughts to peruse on just another hockey day: …[read more]
12 teams for NOJHL?
Pending approval from various factions and governing bodies, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will expand to 12 teams for the 2015-2016 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned. …[read more]
Thunderbirds represent Soo well
It was a nice sendoff for a junior A hockey team that has represented Sault Ste. Marie well over the years. …[read more]
KL is 2016 DHC host
As the Superior International Jr. Hockey League is playing host to the 2015 Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Central Canada Championships — they begin on Tuesday in Fort Frances — the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will be home to the event in 2016. …[read more]
All eyes on Connor McDavid
Wayne Gretzky says Connor McDavid is the best 18-year old hockey player he has seen since Mario Lemieux was that age. …[read more]
T-Birds fundraiser banquet tonight
Before they head out to Fort Frances to represent the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League at next week’s Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Central Canada playdowns, the Soo Thunderbirds will celebrate their championship with an awards banquet and fundraiser. …[read more]
Assistance for the Timmins Rock
Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will get assistance from three new assistants for the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]
A message from Tim Clayden
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following release was sent to HockeyNewsNorth.com from Tim Clayden, founder and president of the fledgling Canadian International Hockey League. …[read more]
Hounds 6, McDavid 3
The best junior hockey team in Canada met up with the best junior hockey player on the planet.
And if you happen to be an Ontario Hockey League fan of the Soo Greyhounds and an admirer of Erie Otters superstar Connor McDavid, it was a win-win night. …[read more]
Good and bad, we define these terms
Robert Mazzuca and I have had our differences over the years.
He’s a commissioner. I’m a writer. …[read more]
Iroquois Falls Eskimos approved
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association has given formal approval for the Mattawa Blackhawks to relocate and become the Iroquois Falls Eskimos, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]
Beavers elect female president
In the words of legendary singer Tom Jones: She’s a lady.
Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have elected a new president. …[read more]
Up in the OHL north country
Of the 20 teams that comprise the Ontario Hockey League, only three — Soo Greyhounds, North Bay Battalion and Sudbury Wolves — are based in the northern part of the province. …[read more]
Troops and Generals
Quite clear, no doubt, the Oshawa Generals are formidable favourites to fend off the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League, Eastern Conference finals. …[read more]
Soo Indians to LSSU Lakers
Homegrown forward Ashton Calder, who played the past two seasons with the major midget Soo Indians, has made a future commitment to skate for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association. …[read more]
Here’s to Headrick and the T-Birds
For the second time in the past four seasons, Soo Thunderbirds are champions of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]
Powassan preps for next season
As the eventual champion Soo Thunderbirds and the runner-up Cochrane Crunch were playing for the 2014-2015 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League title, the Powassan Voodoos were prepping for the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]
Troops join Hounds in final four
Four teams remain in the quest for the 2014-2015 Ontario Hockey League championship — and two are from northern Ontario. …[read more]