…I have no doubt about the calibre of play when Team East meets Team West in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League All-Star Game on Sat. Jan. 2 in Temiscaming. I have no doubt that the Town of Temiscaming and the NOJHL Royals will put on a good show as hosts of the All-Star Game. But I do have some doubts about whether the players and the league will be properly showcased. How many scouts — whether they are from Canadian or American schools, the major junior ranks or even the National Hockey League — are going to actually make their way to Temiscaming on the day after New Year’s? I can’t answer that question because I don’t know. Does anyone? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the steps the NOJHL has taken here to try to better showcase itself and its players. But if the scouts don’t show up — is there any indication that many will? — there has to be a way to make sure they know who the league’s better players are and what they can do. To that end, Team West coach Jim Capy, who is as good a promoter of the NOJHL and its players as anyone who has ever been a part of the league, is suggesting that the All-Star game be videotaped, complete with play-by-play, and sent off to various scouts and higher-level hockey programs. I think Capy’s idea is a great one and I think that Chris Dawson of Dawstar Video Scouting Services should play a major role. Not only is Dawson a well-respected videographer with a broadcast background but he lives in North Bay, which is less than an hour’s drive from Temiscaming.

…If I’m a U.S. college scout and I’m looking to the NOJHL for potential recruits within the next year or two I am gathering information on Abitibi Eskimos goalie Eddie Davey, North Bay Trappers defenceman Sacha Guimond, Soo Eagles goalies John Kleinhans and Michael Doan, Soo Thunderbirds defenceman Drew Otto and a pair of Blind River Beavers in centre Brett Findlay and defenceman Grant Paulson.

…Soo Eagles President Judd Howson didn’t pull any punches when I had a lengthy chat with him earlier this week about some of the team’s off-ice issues. Howson publicly announced on the Dec. 16 edition of The Hockey North Show on SportsZeus.com that two independent accounting firms have totally cleared Eagles coach Paul Theriault of allegations that he misused team funds. The allegations first came to light in mid-October and were carried in separate stories in both the Sault (Michigan) Evening News and the Sault (Ontario) Star. “It’s unfortunate that Paul’s good name had to be dragged through the mud through allegations and rumours,” said Howson, “but I can tell you honestly and unequivocally that Paul has done nothing wrong.” Those who know Theriault — myself included — aren’t surprised by Howson’s words. It certainly is a relief, however, to hear it publicly that Theriault is not the crook that some may have led us to believe. Meantime, pending details to be provided by two other members of the Eagles Board of Directors — Dyke Justin and James Lambros – the team is expected to announce a new organizational structure next week that “will be positive news for the Sault, Michigan hockey community and the NOJHL,” Howson told me. When asked if Theriault will be a part of the move forward, Howson didn’t hesitate before replying: “Absolutely!” By the way, it should be noted that Board members Justin and Lambros are both high-profile, high-powered, community-minded lawyers in the Michigan Soo/Eastern Upper Peninsula area.

…Howson also alluded to the recent decision made by the Eagles to release four high-scoring players: forwards Jake Watchorn, Jacob Johnston and Justin Scott and defenceman Ryan Axsom. “Yes, there were money issues involved,” Howson began. “But those were issues that could have been resolved. The one and only reason why the four individuals were removed from our roster was because of repeated failure to adhere to our team’s code of conduct.”