Items to peruse as the restless hands of time tick towards another Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season:
…The Abitibi Eskimos have thus far signed 10 veteran players for the ‘08-09 campaign but two who haven’t re-upped are defenceman Francois Falardeau and forward Skyler Winsor. Eskimos’ president Scott Marshall tells me that both Falardeau and Winsor have “decided to hang ‘em up.”
…Abitibi will play host to the Blind River Beavers for three games (Fri. Aug. 22 in Cochrane, Sat. Aug. 23 in Iroquois Falls and Sun. Aug. 24 in Timmins) as part of the first-ever Internet Teaching Challenge Cup between the two NOJHL rivals.
…This season marks the 10th anniversary of Jr. A hockey in Iroquois Falls and to celebrate, an Abitibi Eskimos’ Alumni team will play a Toronto Maple Leafs’ Alumni squad on Oct. 4 at The Igloo.
…A major electrical fire at McClelland Arena in Copper Cliff will force the Sudbury Kal Tire Jr. Wolves to move their home games for the ‘08-09 season to Garson Arena, The Sudbury Star is reporting.
…Ritchie Donaghue, marketing director for the Soo Eagles, tells me that the new NOJHL team has obtained a permit to sell beer at all of its Pullar Stadium home games.
…At least two NOJHL teams are trying to trade for former Manitoulin Islanders’ goalie Billy (The Kid) Stone, who is the property of the Port Hope Predators of the Ontario Provincial Jr. Hockey League. Predators’ director of hockey operations Tim Clayden is reportedly asking for two front-line players or maximum cash exchange for the 20-year old Stone.
…The Hockey North Show will return to SportsZeus.com for the ‘08-09 NOJHL season. First show is slated for Wed. Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Anyone wishing to advertise on The Hockey North Show can call me at 705-759-1599 or send me an e-mail at randyrusson@shaw.ca The Hockey North Show will include interviews with players and coaches as well as inside information about the NOJHL.
…Launie Pheasant has asked the Manitoulin Islanders to trade him and at least one other NOJHL team is interested in the services of the second-year forward, multiple sources have confirmed to me.
by Randy Russon, Osprey Media
Motley any word on who this guy is that “GUY” is trying to bring in, I know guy has always loved keeping differnt line types, and with two big power forwards mabey we will see the Glory days on 02-03 and 03-04 season. lol oh well we will soon see. Not to MKention Burnett may come intop his opwn this year and scrap quite a bit.
Also surprised to see a New Liskeard product come to our neck of the woods in Iroquois Falls rather than go to North Bay…For a change we’re taking players from NB rather than them taking ours (Norkum, Kono, Piquette, Moon, Desbiens are examples).
I know many of these kids approached the Skyhawks rather than Guy approaching them as I assume they attended school in the Bay while playing.
N Bay Hockey, Vail is a D , the one that is being considered would be a forward. All i will say is he is American, and there could be visa problems, so no use going any further , unless he comes. If he does , you will know who he is , it will be obvious.
blurb taken from the eskis home page
Fans will be pleased to learn that many veterans from last season’s team have already been signed to contracts including rearguards Benoit Gauthier (19), Jason Robin (19), Eric Carrier (18) and Scott Colosimo (20). Up front returnees include Josh Clancy (18), Felix Boutin (18), Felix Dorval (18), Dustin Roy (17) and Joel Roy (18). Francis Albert (20) will return in goal and is pencilled in as the number one starter. Matt St. Jacques (19) is also in camp but leaves next week for a tryout with the London Knights (OHL).
Many new faces have been inked including 19 year old forward Ryan Loach who suited up with Lindenwood University (NCAA DIV 1) last season. Loach is the son of former NHL’er Lonnie Loach. Also signed are forwards Michael Robert (19) , a Rouyn-Noranda hockey product, acquired from St. Felicien Jr AAA , Rouyn Citadelle graduate Maxime St. Pierre (18) and Justin Krupa (17) who captained last year’s South Porcupine Gold Kings. The defence corps only confirmed addition to date is Oliver Girard (18), a former Apollos de Val D’or midget.
nukker i guess your source was correct about Loach
Guys, not really in the NOJHL loop right now but how many D-men has North Bay signed so far? Are they going to take younger kids? I know Mitchell Davis has signed as a 16 year-old but will Guy sign another one?
Man we’re getting old lol ! I remember Lonnie breaking into the NHL as a 24 year old in ‘92 like it was yesterday…Now I’m gonna be watching his 19 year old son play Jr.A.
lol Als_fan you can only have 1 16 year old…and if he did sign Davis sweet.
Also Motley is there somethihng your not telling us? former player mabey? who knows anyway i hope we get a big front runner we already have Lizzie Comming back and I liked him before he got hurt.
NBay Hockey no former player , just a player they heard of and would like to have.
If thats true about Davis, thats 9 D signed. Keep in mind , being signed doesn’t mean you are kept , can always be traded or released. Which will obviously have to start to happen at some point , perhaps for a tender.
Are you not allowed 2, 16 year olds? I recall Pontes and Bastien both being rather young a few years ago.
Maybe they’ll throw Vail up front, or even Norkum, since he was playing that way in last weeks camp, all over the place.
speaking on Loach, i heard he was offered the job in Ville Marie, not sure if he has any interest but, take that for what you will.
I’m pretty sure you can have 2 and motley, Davis is a forward, not a defenseman.
Anyone know where Jarrett Burton ended up. Did the Beavers receive a player in a trade or cash ????
thanks als
The rare thing Motly is back when potes and Bastian played they where both going to be drafted that year and what makes it more weird is that it was there 15 year old season, after that year Hockey Canada made the rule that and Junior D to A team can only carry on 16 year old other then that 15 and 16 year old kids Belonged in Midget systems from A to AAA.
When is the article RR
any one attending the weekend games, post up please, as well, the ex games vs. Pembroke, and Aurora , as they are on fridays, so i can’t attend, but if someone, would give a brief out line, would be appreciated
Also, you folks up in Eski land, if you are able to make any of the games, could please post any comments/ observations. Greatly appreciated.
Little off topic but just read on TSN’s website that Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect Stefan Legein (Niagara Ice Dogs) has decided to hang up his skates and retire at the age of 19. Another blow to the Blue Jackets farm system. Interesting comment though by a gentlemen who posted this on TSN’s blog:
”My friend played with him last year and told me he was a mess. he didn’t wanna play he just wanted to be with his g/f and made it very clear he didn’t like hockey didn’t go to practice. He smoked and said out loud in the room he wished for a serious injury so he didn’t have to play.”
Those are some harsh words by the poster but they appear to be from a trusted source.
Looks like a case of “My Parents forced me to eat, sleep and breathe hockey” and now Stefan has had enough. We’ll see though Training camp is still a month away for the NHL.
Dudley/Polecat,
Any word on whether the Eskis will have an assistant coach this?
Year
TSN story on Legein is pretty vague. Either there’s more to the story or a hoax. But like you say Nukker, camp isn’t open for a while and lots can change.
Fifty young talented hockey players will be coming to the Sault this weekend as the new Soo Eagles will hold their final training/tryout camps from August 24-26, 2008 at the Big Bear Arena in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Tryout times are August 24, 8:45 am-10:05 am, 1:15pm-2:35pm, August 25. 9:15am-10:35am, 3:15pm-4:35pm, August 26, 9:15am-10:35am, 3:15pm-4:35pm. The Soo Eagles currently have 19 players committed to the new organization, so camp tryouts should be very intense as players compete for limited team positions.
The Soo Eagles will begin their exhibition games with a back to back series against the Alpena Icediggers of the NAHA Junior A League. They will host the Icediggers at The Pullar Stadium, Friday September 5, 2008, 7 p.m. start time. They will then play the Icediggers in Alpena, Saturday, September 6,7 p.m.
Blueliner,
re assistant coach for eskis, rumour that the door is open, but as usual challenge is finding someone with both credentials and ability to make the commitment.
Gagne has always liked doing it himself anyway. But I am sure a Assistant would be a huge help.
Just posted on OspreyBlogs.com:
ON TO THE OHL FROM THE NOJHL
Regards,
RR
The first Soo Eagles jersey will be presented Tuesday, August 26 following the 9:15 am morning skate. Number 94 will be filled by Adam Phillips from Farmington Hills Mi, Adam will be a center for the new Soo Eagles. Adam had a very unfortunate incident Sunday afternoon during the afternoon skate and broke his ankle. The Soo Eagles like Adam so much that he will be the first player to be formally signed. Phillips is 6′6″ 180 lbs with incredible hands and possesses an incredible feel for the game. Phillips was born 08/11/90
and last played for the Farmington Flyers. His father Bill has been in attendance at camp and also acts as a scout for the Soo Eagles. Final roster for the 2008-2009 season will be released Thursday, August 28 via http://www.sooeagles.com. Good luck to the Thunderbirds with camp.