WHO’S HOT: The Abitibi Eskimos, obviously. Sooner or later the Eskimos are going to lose in regulation time but the fact of the matter is Abitibi is a fast, skilled, experienced, well-coached team. Benchmaster Paul Gagne is as good a coach as the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has seen and this is probably the best team he’s ever had. Hard to spot a weakness in the Abitibi lineup and goalie Eddie Davey is the best in the league right now.
WHO’S NOT: The North Bay Trappers, at least in terms of comparing fan support to previous years. The Trappers are no longer the top hockey draw in North Bay with the arrival of the Nipissing University Lakers. But it irks me when I hear that the drop-off in fan support has something to do with the coverage in the North Bay Nugget. To be sure, the Nugget has had to allow for the arrival of the Nipissing U. hockey team but I can’t see where coverage of the Trappers and the NOJHL has suffered. If anything, the Nugget appears to have expanded its local sports coverage to accomodate the Nipissing U. team. The Nugget covers local sports as well as any Sun Media daily and basically does so with a two-man staff. Don’t blame the Nugget for a decrease in attendance at Trappers games. It’s the job of the hockey team to put fans in the seats.
WHO’S HOT: The Soo Eagles. Not a flash and dash team that can wow its fans or the opposition, the Eagles have nonetheless remained in contention for the West Division lead. The Eagles have defeated the first-place, crossriver Soo Thunderbirds three times and they also have the distinction of sweeping a three-game road trip to the East Division earlier this season when they clipped Temiscaming, Abitibi and North Bay on successive nights.
WHO’S NOT: The Blind River Beavers. Yes, the Beavers are a young team. Yes, the Beavers are a hardworking team. Yes, the Beavers have a fair amount of talent. But they’ve also fallen below .500 and have the second-worst road record in the NOJHL. While other teams are getting better and moving forward, the Beavers aren’t.
WHO’S HOT: Blind River rookie forward Brett Findlay. The rookie from the AA midget ranks in Sault Ste. Marie is averaging better than two points per game and leading the Beavers in scoring.
WHO’S NOT: The Soo Thunderbird goalies. The Thunderbirds are in first place in the West and will host the Dudley Hewitt Cup playdowns next spring. But they need to upgrade their goaltending, either internally or otherwise.
WHO’S HOT: Mary Lajeunesse. The new NOJHL webmaster gets content posted faster than ever.
WHO’S NOT: The Manitoulin Islanders. Say no more.
2 kids from the NOJHL in the same week going up to the Q Begin -Zawacki congrats boys
The pullar does have great ‘refreshments’ (Blue light was a treat) was able to watch last weekends 2 wins, the team played well. By now veryone knows what players were released, some are gone because of performance, others because of financial situations.Rumor has it “from some of the players that were released that previous management told them they did not have to pay the team fee” if true, this is a good life lesson, get things in writing in the future) Heard from eagle management that they had a team meeting today and confirmed to the remaining players that all is well, the team is solvent and replacement players are on the way. The remaining players need to bond together and not think about bailing on this team, they need to pull together, perhaps those that did not perform well in the past have an opportunity to step up and prove they belong. The next 3 weeks will be very interesting. I wish the players that are gone good luck.
Any word where they’re going, canada1?
They are a fine team with some good young men, things will work out. The Lady on Portage will see them through.
iIagree, they are are fine team and things will work out, welocme to jr. a hockey
I am hearing some are looking to the Detroit Metro Jr. B Jets.
Birdwatch, what are you doing up at this time of night?
Keep me in mind……
ok i might be a bit off on this take ,Patch gone to Miramishi for Graham Dycks
http://www.mjahl.com/stats_player_profile.php?PlayerID=3304
Just posted on OspreyBlogs.com:
WINDS OF CHANGE HIT BLIND RIVER AND SOO
Regards,
RR
Whats the lineup for the western allstar team???
Swalucynski ! You are becoming a second Blanchard ,you show flagrant arrogance,by picking as many if not one more players as the eskimos,whaaaa !And it is evident that Shane Golden merrits a place on this team before Aubertin,look at the stats,and he plays on a slightly weaker team ,by the standings. Do you seriously expect not to be booed by the very knowledgeable hockey fans in Temiscaming, Wake up and smell the coffee.You need to appolagise to some fine hockey players. From a temanger,who didn’t think there could be 2 Blanchards.
No ones ever happy theirs always someone bitching and complaining