A few Labour Day laps around the NOJHL:
Not only have the Blind River Beavers been a rather-consistent team over the past four Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular seasons with respective victory totals of 27, 20, 26 and 25, the once-lowly franchise is moving players on to the next level at a pretty-good rate. 17-year old forward Micky Sartoretto, who was one of two 1991 birth year players with the Beavers in ‘07-08, has just signed with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Sartoretto was Kitchener’s seventh-round pick at the ‘07 OHL Draft and turned heads at the Rangers’ main camp last week, prompting them to sign him to a contract, complete with university education package. Sartoretto is just one of several players from the ‘07-08 Blind River squad moving up a level. Forward Bryan Cooper has been signed by the Division 1 Lake Superior State University Lakers while three others will suit up with Division 3 schools — defenceman Brett LaValley and goalies Jake Rosenthal and Mike Wuthrich.
The new Soo Eagles have had no difficulty attracting players. In what is probably an unprecedented move in the NOJHL, the Eagles have signed a whopping 33 players including 19-year old forward Jake Watchorn. Watchorn returns to the NOJHL after playing with the erstwhile Northern Michigan Black Bears as a 16-year old during the ‘05-06 season.
Here’s hoping the North Bay Skyhawks don’t become a sidebar distraction during the ‘08-09 season, which begins on Saturday when Manitoulin visits Blind River and Abitibi is home to Sudbury. The Skyhawk saga involving the new Nipissing University team (which is slated to begin play in ‘09-10) and the City of North Bay has already turned political. One of the better-supported Jr. A franchises in all of Canada, it would be truly unfortunate if dirty dealings and insufferable egos were to cause North Bay to lose its NOJHL franchise after this season. Let’s face it, the Skyhawks are the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NOJHL, right down to their blue and white colours. But while Guy Blanchard may have a bit of Harold Ballard in him, at least the Skyhawks have been winners of late.
From all pre-season reports, the Abitibi Eskimos have speed, skill and are a good mix of youth and experience. And with the great support the Eskimos get from fans who regularly click the turnstiles at The Igloo to watch a team that has been so well coached for so long by Paul Gagne, you can almost bet that Abitibi will be among the NOJHL’s top story lines again in ‘08-09.
I’m thinking that with his playoff MVP performance as a rookie goalie and that it’s now his second year in the league that Joey Delwo of the Sudbury Kal Tire Jr. Wolves will be without peer in ‘08-09. Unless of course Billy (The Kid) Stone returns to the NOJHL from Port Hope of the Ontario Provincial Jr. Hockey League.
by Randy Russon, Osprey Media
also , what happend to the Kid they had as an AP last year , Gagnon?
Motley I heard Fummerton has made a decison to come back, and room needed to be made and you are right, #20 was decent but did lack size and could not grind it out in the corners, who knows we will see but if Fummerton is back it will give us two solid forward lines for sure. and a sweet powerplay.
To Redneck,
Cody Rainaldi has signed with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League.
Regards,
RR
P.S. Seen Peachy around Espanola/Manitoulin? Word is he’s now bartending at the Anchor Inn in Little Current.
Motley,
Joel Gagnon, the AP call-up you referred to who played with Manitoulin in last spring’s playoffs against NB, has re-signed with the Nickel City Sons of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
Regards,
RR
NOJHL Fans
if you require tickets to a Temiscaming Royals Home game this season here is a number to call for tickets and its a good idea to call to reserve your tickets.
simply call 819 627 3273 ext 217 and leave a message. The tickets will be held until the start of the game.
The Soo Eagles wish to thank the Alpena Icediggers for the two exhibition games we played. The Icediggers have a very nice hockey team. Although we lost both games (10-2 and 6-1) our players learned a lesson how hard work and dedication can pay off. Both
games were fast and hard hitting and the fans got to see some good hockey. We hope this will become an annual event. Congratulations to the Alpena organization, we wish you much success with your upcoming season in the NAHL Junior A ranks. The Eagles also wish thank the 752 fans that attended the Friday night home game, this was an amazing start, it just gets better! The Eagles make their NOJHL debut this Friday, September 12 on the Manitoulin and then return to the Sault area to play the Thunderbirds at the Rhodes, Saturday, September 13, 7:30 start time.
Oops! forgot about that the rule only applies to players under the age of 19. Thanks Igloo and Dudley.
Congrats to Cory for cracking Prince George’s lineup. Never seen him play but he must be one heck of a player.
Final note, if Fummer comes back then I must say NB will be a tough team to faceoff against. Loach’s size and skill combined with Fummer’s raw talent should make for a nice 1-2 punch on PP and First Line. But NBH has been known to jump the gun on rumours so we’ll have to wait and see.
Nukker
MacCann is apparently very good as well. Comparable to Shiverdecker in size etc.., so will hopefully work well together.
I’d personally like to see Tyler Hummel, given a chance with fummer or macaan , or both .
And if they can get Senacal to stay , then the Bay should have a very competative team.
With a lot of locals
More than likely, the hawks line up will change quite a bit in the next 3-6 weeks, like every year, they bring new players in and release some. Shouldn’t be any different this time around.
igloo they don’t release them, they hold them for ransom. I definately agree with you, the team will look very different in a month.
All kids that are released from any team, whether it is from novice up to major junior should no longer be property of the team that released them. I still say if Fummerton shows up at all it won’t be for long.
I am not just referring to the Bay, but all teams where releases are concerned.
i actually agree with you wolvy. about releasing.
If fummer plays , he’ll stay
He’s doing a Sundin, weighing staying at home , vs the Bay, to see where he can commit to.
Although I do see why there may a be a protected list. You bring in a player, normally a younger one, alla Frawley, the rest of the league see him. He wants to move on, does so, then wants to play for another team, the original team then gets first dibs at re-insserting him into their line up, or if not working out a deal.
This worked out in the case of Loach, he and his family seem to be ok with being here, its closer to home etc..,, also a bit better off ice (going out, ladies etc) then say the No Falls where your selections for things off ice are somewhat limitted.
Frawley although obviously peed off someone on the Moon , more than Hope peed off Guy, because as you seen. No frawley in suds , or with any team in this league that would want him.
You would think a set amount of $$$ would be set , so the team knows what to pay , and the other knows what will be recieved , if the original team can’t come to terms with the player, within a certain time frame. It should be black and white and definate. So there is no , One Up Manship BS , that is going on , and could go on between Teams and GM’s etc..,
motleyrulez I am only referring to a kid that is released by a certain team, not a kid that decides he wants to go elsewhere. If a kid commits to a team and then decides he wants to play somewhere else then he sits until the team that owns his rights works out a deal.
eaglepr:
Alpena was mentioned a few times over the summer as a possible expansion candidate for the NOJHL. In your exhibition series with them, I just wondered if that topic ever came up.
The rumour that never dies – Globe & Mail reporting that Brampton Battalion may move to NB after this season – read the report at baytoday.
Motz: Closer to home compared to I.F.? Maybe like 10 minute difference.
No Falls being limited? Come on Motley…We know how to party with the best of ‘em…You’ve been to the Blues Festival LOL! I agree with you that Loach will definitely be more entertained in North Bay but he’s gonna miss out on the small town atmosphere at the Igloo. There aren’t many things better than 800 DEDICATED Fans watching you play on a Saturday Night.
NB Fans…Keyword: Dedicated!
The Frawley case was different in that he wanted to play in the Bay but his rights belonged to Cornwall . His regional rights belonged to Sudbury so there would have been a double payment involved . His Cornwall rights would have had to been acquired and then his Sudbury rights would have had to be addressed . That meant a player or cash to Cornwall and a player or cash to Sudbury . Frawley was a nice guy but he was not worth that much to Guy so the deal fell through.
l
As for Piquette the Bay was going to get nothing for him if they didn’t trade him.
He was going home to Timmins to start working on a career and if there was no trade he was set to quit . So $5000 a year later is better than nothing. He played what he could the rest of the year then retired from junior hockey to get on with the rest of his life . Just as he said he would if he wasn’t happy . End of story let it go it’s over.
Heidi, I did not hear of that, they would certainly be a nice addition, they run a quality organization and this is a big fast team with lots of experience. They added a new coach this year to finish things off. I think it’s not too far to get there, especially with the two new divisions.
RR
No peachy sightings, although he just might blend in there and fly under the radar! May have to stop in for a nightcap after the game Friday and make my acquaintance, lol.
Nukker
I grew up in Mattawa, I was first in line in the underdog vs the big bully. (and in many cases the bay still shafts every little town around, when it comes to minor hockey).
It was always great the beat the Bay , we were AA playing with all players in town of all levels of ability on the team. 7 or 8 of us tried out for Hals Marine, we all made it , one stayed with Hals, the rest of us went home and kicked their butts on a regular basis. (at the time AAA teams played in the AA league).
So I agree with everything, except , if I’m 20 again, I might want want the last go at the (seemingly) bigger party. ( just trying to think like a typical 19 / 20 year old Male for a second)
lets forget the stupid OHL rumors , before we go down that worn out road again.
How about Denis Bonvie, hired today by the Leafs as a scout
RR when is the next article i need something to read at work today lol.
Bored at work?
Hockeyfights dot com check out the multimedia section, videos added , including Simons latest tilt in the Russian hockey league KHL, that is going strong right now , as is the Q fighting league LNAH. Enjoy the knuckleheads
The North American players are just wiping the Ice with the Russians.
Seems thats a league that appreciates the North American game and is going in that direction, unlike all of our leagues , that for some reason have to cater to Euro perimeter , soccer style, boring trap play.
NBH et al,
Next Blog will be posted Thursday a.m.
FYI,
Fummerton is back with Skyhawks according a press release from the team.
Regards,
RR
ok, motley, i dont want to get into the ‘oh please god, bring back the ohl!!”…lol, BUT
if a team did want to come here, say next year…would the lakers, or more specifically, their financial backers…be able to sell the new team their lease with the city? it would make for a nice profit for very little actual work, wouldn’t it? and then, of course, there’s been no coach or other staff hired yet…all that’s happened is they’ve gotten the rights to the rink. just my overactive devious mind working overtime…
if according to the skyhawks lease, and the Nip lease is still NOT complete, there is , and will be an escape clause , for a higher brand of hockey. Nip would get DICK and whoever else is hanging out
let us never speak of this again.
Eskis up3-1 in first. Begin seems to be on fire with his second goal of the season. There is a #99 in the line up, name unknown but is listed as “Bench” and he has assisted on one of the goals.
Come back with the 2 points boys!
final eskis 4 sud 2
Looks like the Eskimos are for real, 5-2 road win against last years champs is a real moral boster. Bench 99 must be the new guy #25 Gagnon. Way to go Eskis
Looks like Fummerton is back. I wonder if the Hawks, should they not be in a position to do well in the playoffs, deal him back to Schreiber so he can finish his career off at home?
Congrats and good job, Eskis!
Woofies spoiled the Eskis’ home opener last Saturday, and the black-n’gold returned the favour, in spades, tonight!
Ya, not sure who #99 “Johnny” Bench, is….not new kid Gagnon cause he’s listed and is #25. Could it be stand-in coach Ducsharm??
Lots of penalties….beginning of 2nd looks like Eskis were short 2 men for awhile. Things seem to have gone bad to worst as period progressed, Carrier getting dbl minor, cheechoo getting a triple! Looks like the ref may have talked to both coaches and instructed the two teams to settle down…which it seems they did in the 3rd.
Looking fwd to seeing the Eskis play Temiskaming on Saturday!
does anyone know if the eskis practice (at the igloo) tomorrow or friday?
Looks like a very solid game from the Eskis.
I see quite a few ex-GMHLers on the Islanders roster. Anybody out there know much about them? Statsman Dave, I would imagine you saw the ex-Kings?
Gongshow he has one more year after this where he can still play junior, and my guess is if the hawks are done he will be delt to Aurora or the Disels.
WOOO hawks just got much better. wonder who is on the way out? my guess is Laporte but who knows “Forward that is”
I saw the ex Kings last Saturday – Dustin Grant impressed and scored a couple of goals, others not as impressive. Glad to see that the players who were involved in the GMHL last year are being allowed to play.
no one needs to be on the way out , only 11 forwards on the roster, and extras are always carried, they all ready sent #20 packing
well eskies seem like they could be the team to beat , i did say suds and the bay on top, but , i just noticed one 20 year old in suds, so may have to change that, to eskies and the bay
Well if that is the team that Sudbury is going with it’s going to be a long year. They looked relly bad last night. Not much of an offence and not much size or toughness overall.
Abitibi looked very good for only 2 games in and St. Jauques scored a couple of nice goals. If Gagnon is the 6′4″ 220 pounder I wouldn’t get too excited. He is probably bottom half on the team talent wise and they must have weighed him with his equipment on.
If Sudbury doesn’t have any changes in store I would say probably fifth or sixth place finish in the standings.
Wow that’s a pretty low seat in the standings you’re predicting Wolves, i thought the Wolves looked pretty good on Saturday night. it was a sloppy game but sudbury played alright. with there top line alone i think it will be hard for sudbury to finish any lower than 3rd. Gagnon was the last cut in Chicoutimi, give him time, he has only practiced with the team once. I think Begin is going to be a beauty and is my early prediction for rookie of the year award. 4 points in his first exhibition game, and 3 pts in two regular season games. he sniped last year and sees the ice so well he’ll have no problem pulling in the points here either. I guess Colisimo and McGillis got along a lil better last night. Polecate i think the eskis practice tuesdays, wednesdays and thursdays
SATURDAY NIGHTS ALRIGHT!
The new Soo Eagles will make their NOJHL debut, this Friday in Little Current at 7 pm against the Islanders. The Eagles return to the twin Soo’s to face the Thunderbirds on Saturday night, 7:30 start at the Rhodes. Come out twin Soo hockey fans and lets get it started again, should be fun!
The Soo Eagles wish to update a story from the Sault This Week, September 10, 2008 edition. Julio Francella is helping the Soo Eagles as a volunteer and a scout. Jerry Lortie was helping the team but has decided he has too many personal commitments to continue as a coaching assistant. The Soo Eagles are proud to announce that Dennis Bolton has joined the team as a coaching assistant. The Soo Eagles thank Jerry Lortie for all the help he gave us at tryout camp and with the team in general. We are proud to have a new member on our team that is the quality of Dennis Bolton
Just posted on OspreyBlogs.com:
STICKHANDLING THROUGH THE NOJHL
Regards,
RR