Power Rankings Month #2

One month into the NOJHL season, we've had a chance to see what all nine teams bring to the table. Who is stepping up? Who is making an early statement? Can the Thunderbirds hold their top spot?

Number 9: Blind River Beavers

Previous Rank: 9

Record: 0-8

Verdict:  The Beavers start the season off on an eight game losing streak, and a horrifying 8.5 goals per-game average. If the Beavers want any chance of a winning season, the turn around must occur soon to prevent digging themselves a deeper hole. 

Number 8: Mattawa Blackhawks

Previous Rank: 8

Record: 0-8

Verdict:   The Blackhawks are another team looking for their first win on the year already eight losses in. The Blackhawks are also giving up their fair share of goals, averaging 7.5 goals against a game. The Blackhawks though appear to be coming together offensively and are continuing to grow as a young expansion team. 

Number 7: Powassan Voodoos

Previous Rank: 7

Record: 2-4-0-1

Verdict:   The Voodoos started out the season promising with a close double-overtime loss to a powerful Cochrane team, but that was the shining point. Followed by two blowout losses at home, Powassan wasn't the same team they were opening night. The Voodoos' must be able to compete with top teams to move up the ranks in this competitive year, wins on the year come from Blind River and Mattawa won't push them to where they need to be.

Number 6: Soo Thunderbirds

Previous Rank: 1 

Record : 4-2

Verdict:   The league favourite Thunderbirds have come out to start this season slow, and have fallen from the top spot down to number 6. The Thunderbirds dropped two big division games to the Barons and Wildcats, falling to third in the West division. Two of the four wins come from one sided games against the Beavers, but the Thunderbirds also defeated their rival Barons in a close 2-1 victory. If the Tbirds want to climb back up and own their division, they must beat teams like the Wildcats and Barons regularly. 

Number 5: Cochrane Crunch

Previous Rank: 2

Record: 6-2

Verdict:    After a dominating preseason, the Cochrane Crunch have fallen back down to ice level. Of the Crunch's eight first month games, they recorded only two loses. These two loses two came against the Eskimos and Barons in their only meetings so far. Although both loses were a 2-1 game, losing these games sets Cochrane back. Until Cochrane can beat a team on their level they will stick to the middle of the pack. 

  

Number 4: Abitibi Eskimos 

Previous Rank: 4

Record: 4-3-0-1

Verdict:     The Eskimos are a team doing what they need to do in the early part of the season, but need the extra little push to make themselves a top team. With wins over top teams such as Kirkland Lake or Cochrane, the Eskimos prove that they do have what it takes to be a top team in this league. The consistency is needed when playing a team such as Sudbury who they are yet to defeat this year in two meeting. 

Numer 3: Elliot Lake Wildcats 

Previous Rank: 7

Record: 5-1

Verdict:    The Elliot Lake Wildcats began their franchise with a loss to the division rival Barons, but would bounce back. The Wildcats came back with an impressive five game wining streak, which included wins over teams such as Sudbury and the Soo.With the second lowest goals against per-game average at 2.8, the Wildcats look to make a statement and increase their winning streak to six games against the defending champions Gold Minders. 

Number 2: Sudbury Nickel Barons 

Previous Rank: 5

Record: 7-2-0-1

Verdict:    The Nickel Barons are on top of the West division and making a serious effort for top spot in the league with a 7-2-0-1 record. Along the way, picking up wins against rivals such as the Thunderbirds and top teams like Cochrane and Abitibi. Sudbury is a team that will be battling for the league championship  throughout the year, but needs to play more consistent hockey against division rivals.

Number 1: Kirkland Lake Gold Miners

Previous Rank: 3

Record: 6-1

Verdict:    Defending champion Gold Miners clawed their way back up to the number one spot in this months power rankings. Starting the season off 6-1, defeating top challengers along the way and only being knocked off once by the rival Eskimos. The Miners have only allowed nine goals in seven games, earning a spectacular 1.3 goals against per-game average while still scoring an average of 7.6 goals per-game. The Miners look to remain king of the hill going into October. 

Looking into the Wildcats

The Elliot Lake Wildcats officially took the ice as a team on Wednesday September 10th to take on the Sudbury Nickel Barons in the Barons home barn. The Wildcats started the game with goaltender AJ Smith and between the pipes for the Barons was Kevin Labelle. The Barons would hold on in a close game and take their second win in a row with a final score of 7-4 and final shot tally of 44-38 favouring the Barons.

Although the Wildcats fell short in their league debut, plenty of skill and emotion was shown from each player as an individual and as a team. We learnt the Wildcats will soon determine their set of captains for the season, and you can expect the names Chiarelli and Campbell  to be on that list.

 Chiarelli displayed leadership on and off the ice, from start to finish. Chiarelli lead by example on the ice as he was the defensive anchor for the Wildcats in their first game, and in the same night made Wildcats history with the first goal.

Campbell lead with a different style.With a relaxed and focused attitude, he seems to slow everything down when he's in control of the puck. Campbell will give you everything you need from a D-man. Campbell can start the rush from behind his own net, while his footwork can create scoring opportunities and also save them. He isn't afraid to get physical.

The third captaincy spot in my mind is still open for the taking, but Wildcats top forward Spencer MacLean may already have a hand on it. MacLean is the type of player that any team would want to have. His 6'4 frame allows him to play a physical, gritty game and win those battles in the corners while still being strong defensively. MacLean has the scoring touch to be a first line forward for this team and put up top numbers. He lead the team in shots putting up a multi-point night in his first game recording two assists. Spencer MacLean is a player on the rise who has yet to reach his full potential and peak as an elite forward in this league.

MacLean during the Wildcats first game.

Wildcats Battle Barons

Puck dropped at 7:30pm and the Wildcats season was officially underway for the first time in history. In net for the Wildcats was AJ Smith and starting between the pipes at the other end for the Barons was Kevin Labelle.

 The game was quick paced and started off with a  bang. On the first shot of the game for the Barons only two minutes in and on a Barons power play sixteen-year-old Ryan Mooney beat Smith off a screened point shot assisted by Bonin and Butterfly. Just a minute later, Smith was left hung out to dry on a Barons 2-on-1, resulting in a Jacob Bonin tap in goal and second point of the night from Jarecki and Butterfly. With 3:50 left in the first period, the Wildcats would cash in on a power play of their own. It would be David Chiarelli scoring with a clean shot from the point, helpers from Cole Helper and Alec Mackenzie. Chiarelli's goal was the first in Wildcats history and the goal to bring the Wildcats within one. Before the end of the first frame, there was yet another power play goal but coming from the Barons and Butterfly this time, putting up his third point of the period assisted by Kyle Fransen. After the first it was a 3-1 game moving forward.

The second frame was north to south hockey at its best. Back and forth as the opportunities went both way but drawing first blood in the second was Elliot Lake. Only twenty-one seconds in Wildcats forward Chris Ordoobadi drove hard to the net and beat Labelle short side to make it a 3-2 hockey game. Near the half way mark in the second, the Barons would retake the two goal lead with Rossi and Whitehead feeding Gadjovich in the slot to beat an out of position Smith and hit the empty net. Action in the second continued with back-to-back short handed goals from Wildcats Helper (MacLean, Mackenzie) and Shane Woosley (Campbell, MacLean) to tie the game at 4-4. In the dying seconds of the middle frame on a Wildcats power play, Butterfly gained control of the puck and tucked it past Smith to give the Barons a 5-4 lead going into the final twenty minutes.

Heading into the third the shots were twenty-eight all and both these teams were eager to make that final push. The Wildcats however took three penalties in the final period, and put a stop to any momentum as the Barons were able to hold off the Wildcats, and add an insurance marker from Callaghan assisted by Mooney and Rossi. Danny Lepage would add the empty netter to end the game with a final of 7-4 for the Nickel Barons. 

Butterfly finished the game with four point, displays his two way talent to the league, and final shots recorded were 44-38 in favour of the Barons. Sudbury will start a road trip out to the East tomorrow squaring off against the Eskimos on September 11th. The Wildcats will host the Mattawa Blackhawks in their home opener Friday September 12th, both team looking for their first club win. 

Players of the Week : Week 1

The Junior Puck King "Player of the Week" awards will be announced every Sunday. Players performance from Sunday-Saturday will determine who wins a Junior Puck King bronze, silver, or gold player of the week. If theres a player who didn't make the cut but should, don't you worry, they will receive their honourable mention. Every week, the best performance of year to date will be named the Junior Puck King Crown Holder. The Crown Holder may hold this title for weeks if nobody else's performance compares to theirs. Its that simple. Before you read this, everybody has their opinions, so feel free to leave a comment or email me yours.  (Its a work in prgress people, bare with me). Twitter: @juniorpuckking Email:juniorpuckking@gmail.com
                                                                                                

Participation Ribbons/Honourable Mentions

 Cody Gratton of the Crunch recorded 4 points and the OT winner in the September 5th game against the Voodoos.

Joe Sheppard from the Blackhawks made 47 saves to keep his team close with the Crunch in their season opener.

Luc Soares dropped 4 points against the Blackhawks in a 10-0 win on September 5th earning him this spot.

Ben Auger goaltender of Voodoos showed great patience and skill making 53 saved against the Crunch in a double OT loss, including 3 killed power plays and several breakaways.

Follow on Twitter: @CodyGratton , @shep1995, @LucSoares13, @nebauger

                    Bronze Medal

Cray Roberge of the Sudbury Nickel Barons wins the first ever JPK medal. Roberge scored a hat-trick opening night to push his team to a 4-2 victory over Mattawa. 

Follow Cray on Twitter: @thatshitcray12

                                  G:0   S:0   B:1   

                 

  Silver Medal

   
Jason Berube from Cochrane scored 2 goals and recorded 3 assists in the same night to score a total of 5 points in the Crunch first home opener. You can't top that in the first night of your season. Berubes performance earns him the JPK gold player of the week and current crown holder for performance of the year.

                                                                                                                                   G:0   S:1   B:0   

                         Gold Medal

Brady Clouthier put up four consecutive goals in the Eskimos season opener, with only four shots on goal. Clouthier lead the Eskis to a 7-1 victory and his performance earns him the JPK gold player of the week and current crown holder for performance of the year.

Follow Brady on Twitter: @bclutch18                                                                                           G:1   S:0   B:0

Cochrane Wins in Crunch-Time, Blackhawks get Blasted

 On Friday September 5th, the Cochrane Crunch hosted the Powassan Voodoos in NOJHL action. This would be Cochrane's second game in as many nights after defeating the Mattawa Blackhawks, and the Powassan Voodoos first regular season game in franchise history.

It was the Crunch who would break the ice in this one, 3:25 into the first period when Sudbury native Cody Gratton scored a short-handed goal on Ben Auger, assisted by "Captain Crunch" Max Glashauser. The Voodoos would soon tie the game with a bar-down goal and first goal in Voodoos history on Crunch goalie Troy Paquette from Nathaniel McLeod, assisted by OHL Battalion prospect Brendan D'Agostino. Before the end of the first period though, the Crunch would take the lead again off a Brandon Plourde power-play goal, Gratton recorded his second point of the night with an assist and the other assist coming from Jacob Erwin.

The second began with a bang as well, but it was the Voodoos scoring two unanswered goals. The first scored by Michael Silveri from Steve Harland, and the other from Nate McLeod scoring his second of the game (assisted by Tyler Gervais-Rolfe and Aaron Dart). Before the end of the second period, the Crunch would capitalize on a power-play opportunity with a goal from Josh Racek, assisted by Aviv Milner, tying the game at three a piece.

Going into the third and final period, the Crunch had almost doubled the Voodoos seventeen shots and were looking to convert those shots into goals. Ben Auger had played spectacular up to this point in the game and was feeding his team momentum. Auger continued to do his part throughout the final frame, then with 4:13 left in the third D'Agostino netted his first goal (assisted by Aaron Dart) as a Voodoo and second point of the night. At this point it looked to be over, Auger had made over forty saves, and the Voodoos were up 4-3 with less than two minutes to play. Dustin Cordeiro had other plans. 18:43 into the third, Gratton fed the puck to NOJHL veteran Cordeiro as he cut across the crease to beat Auger and tie the game 4-4. We were going to overtime.

The first overtime period was controlled by Cochrane for the most part, outshooting the Voodoos 4-1. In the dying seconds of the frame though, Crunch goalie Paquette was forced to make a huge save stopping a Voodoos breakaway and keeping the game alive.

The second overtime period began, and it was classic 3 on 3 hockey. Lots of open ice and room for players to skate. By this point in the game, Powassan had battled hard and strong throughout the game, showing tons of heart and hustle, but it just wouldn't be enough. It only took a minute and fifty-six seconds of play before Cody Gratton scored his second goal and fourth point of the night to end the game.

Powassan gave it everything they had, but it still wasn't enough to overcome the powerhouse Cochrane team. Both goalies played remarkable, Auger ended the night with an outstanding 53 saves and Paquette with 34. A game changer was the special teams. Powassan went 0 for 5 on the power play, but Cochrane converted on 2 of 5 chances. Gratton finished the night with four points and an OT winner, but honourable mentions to McLeod for a multi-goal performance, and Racek for a three point night. Powassan will play back-to-back, as they're in Abitibi tomorrow night, Saturday September the 6th visiting the Eskimos. Cochrane is off until September 11th, when they'll host the Barons.

Blackhawks get Blasted by Gold Miners

The defending champions Kirkland Lake Gold Miners opened their season off with a bang, embarrassing the Mattawa Blackhawks 10-0. The Gold Miners had twelve different players record points in the game, including four points from Luc Soares and a pair of goals from Ryan Swain. Kenny Fitzgerald put up a thirteen save shutout. The Blackhawks twitter feed tweeted after the game: "The @jrablackhawks want to apologize to Mattawa on a humiliating loss, changes coming to the locker room soon." With tonights loss, Mattawa begins the season off 0-3, and by the sounds of it, things may be tense in the Hawks' environment for a while.

Roberge Steals Show in NOJHL Opener

On Wednesday, September 3rd, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season began with a meeting between the Sudbury Nickel Barons and the Mattawa Jr. A Blackhawks. This would be the first game the Barons play since local teen and Barons prospect DJ Hancock's life was taken by a drunk driver in an accident on August 22nd.

Starting in goal for the Barons was former Blind River Beaver Jessie Morin, and Josh Horner in net for the Blackhawks. The game started off at a fast pace, and both clubs had their chances. Being tested early though was Horner. Only 3:27 into the first period the Blackhawks gave up a breakaway chance and Barons forward Cray Roberge was able to capitalize and giving Sudbury the early lead. Only minutes later, the Blackhawks had a breakaway opportunity of their own but Morin was able to shut the door and maintain the 1-0 lead. The Barons would cycle the puck and keep the game in the Blackhawks zone, when Roberge netted his second of the period. The Barons looked strong and confident with a 2-0 lead going into the second frame. 

After the first twenty minutes, the Barons lead in shots 18-10, and dominated time on attack. That moment wouldn't carry over to the second however. Mattawa came out in the second with high energy and speed on the wing. The game went to back and forth on the rush, but the Blackhawks were first to strike in the period. Only a minute and a half in, Tyler Broderson was able to tuck one past Morin to bring the Blackhawks within one. The Blackhawks were unable to capitalize on two second period power plays but kept the game a close 2-1 going into the final period. 

Going into the third period both teams were bumping heads and ready to give it all for the win. The period again began with high energy and excitement, as just over a minute in Barons forward Jimmy Roy scored his first of the game, recording his second point of the night putting Sudbury up 3-1. Mattwa would strike back though at 6:29 into the period, Alex Hulford brings the Blackhawks within one again as he scores a power play goal off a August Jarecki roughing penalty. The games high energy continued and the players started to feel it and play a rougher style game. Two head contact calls were made in the third period, one to each team coming with a ten minute misconduct to each player. When the tempers settled, it was the one and only Cray Roberge scoring the dagger and hat-trick goal to make it a 4-2 game, and put it away. 

The Barons would win season and home opener thanks to great goaltending from Morin, stopping 34 of 36 shots and the performance of hat-trick hero Cray Roberge. Honourable mentions to Josh Horner, stopping 43 of 47 shots and three Barons power plays, and Kyle Baril on a multi-point night recording two assists. The Blackhawks take the ice again tomorrow night in Cochrane to take on the Crunch in the franchises first home opener, and the Barons are back a week today on Wednesday the 10th hosting the Elliot Lake Wildcats in their first ever regular season game. 

Thunderbirds Win Thriller, Wildcats Sign Local

On Saturday August 30th, NOJHL expansion team Elliot Lake Wildcats hit the ice to square off against future West division rival, Soo Thunderbirds. The Wildcats brought in a total attendance of 724 people in their only pre-season game.


Going into the game against the Thunderbirds, the Wildcats were fresh out of training camp and haven't established a complete roster yet. A few hours prior to puck drop, the Wildcats announced tonight would be the debut for Elliot Lake native goaltender Tristan Hanna. The 18-year-old goalie had attended Wildcats main training camp and played two games last year for the Bobcats recording a 2.42 GAA.

The game was scoreless throughout the first period and chances coming to both sides. Then with only a minute left in the first period, Wildcats forward Nathan Campbell netted a power play goal and the games first to put Elliot Lake up. Starting the game in goal for the Wildcats though was AJ Smith, Smith faced ten shots in the first period stopping all of them to keep the game 1-0 after the first twenty minutes.

Going into the second, Smith was taken out of the game and Tristan Hanna was put in. Just over two minutes into the second, Thunderbirds forward Jacob Porco beat Hanna to tie the game up at one a piece. Throughout the second, the Wildcats were given three power play opportunities including a two man advantage but could not convert. Hanna stopped nine of ten shots faced in the second frame.

The Wildcats made another change in goal to get 17-year-old and Barrie native Allan Menary into the game. A little over eleven minutes into third, with both teams unable to convert on power play opportunities the Thunderbirds took the 2-1 lead off of Porco's second goal of the night. The Wildcats would respond quickly though as Alec Mackenzie buried the game-tying goal only two minutes later. At the end of the period, Menary had saved twelve of thirteen Thunderbird shots. The Wildcats only managed to land six shots in the third on Thunderbirds goalie Mario Culina, and a total of twenty-nine throughout regulation play. The game was nodded at two and headed to overtime.

The overtime period begun, and Wildcats coach Nathan Hewitt had made the decision to keep Menary in net for the beginning of the sudden death round. Menary would play less than a minute in the overtime period though, Matt Pinder would score on the Thunderbirds second shot of overtime to end the game early.

The Wildcats would fall just short of the win on home ice, and the Thunderbirds head to the bus with their first win of the season (if you really wanna count pre-season). The Wildcats power play went 1 for 9,  and the team gave up four power plays throughout the game.  The final shots recorded were 35-30 in favour of the Thunderbirds and final score of 3-2 in OT. The Wildcats take the ice next September 10th in Sudbury to face off against the Nickel Barons and begin their season.

NOJHL Powers Rankings 2015

As the NOJHL season comes closer, teams start to come together. Pre-season is underway, teams have fought through training camps, and roster spots have been battled for. Before the season begins, questions always start to emerge coming from everybody, from the fans to the owners. Who will have a breakthrough year? What can we expect from this team? Who are the early favourites? Which team is still far from contending?  Ask no more, the 2015 Junior Puck King rankings will give you all of the answers. 

Number 9: Blind River Beavers

 Why they're here: The Beavers have struggled for a long time, actually a really long time. Since being founded in 1999, the Beavers have never finished higher than 4th, and never advanced past the quarter-finals in postseason play.  Last season the Beavers finished with 127 goals for and 281 goals against. Scoring the least amount of goals in the league and allowing the most. 

Key to improvement: A young core of high-potential players may be the only chance to take this franchise out of its misery. Offence, defence, and goaltending all need a new look to turn things around. A major step backwards with a roster demolition and rebuild may come with a great future. The Tyson MacLeod and Scott Marshall days are over Blind River fans. 

Number 8: Mattawa Blackhawks

Why they're here: The North Bay Trappers used to be a top tier team in the NOJHL and financially stable. Yeah, used to be. The Trappers finished also as a bottom feeder last season, recording the second most losses, GF, GA, and points, only being better than the cursed Beavers. Despite winning the league title in 2012-2013, the Trappers have fallen off, and now fallen back to Mattawa in desperation to save the franchise. It'll be a rocky start, and we got a preview of it with back-to-back losses against the Crunch, 5-3 and an embarrassing 12-2.  

Key to improvement: Given the chance of a fresh new start as the Blackhawks, use it. Staying close to North Bay area in Mattawa, it provides the opportunity to bring back the faces that did well for the team. This team will need its veteran leaders to get through the season. As well as bring in new talent to give the team a fresh spark. Mattawa will also have a new fan-base in their home city, and probably some returning North Bay fans. 

Number 7: Powassan Voodoos

Why they're here:  Powassan is one of few teams this year that could win the league title, or finish dead last, but either way nobody would be surprised. This is because nobody knows what to expect this year from the new 2014-2015 expansion team. Being affiliated with OHL franchise North Bay Batallion may play in thei favour, but won't be enough to push towards a winning season. Why rank them number seven then? Powassan is located very close to Mattawa, causing great competition for player signings. Also, Powassan is in the strong East division for the 2014-2015 season, where well built teams will go up against the new wildcard known as the Voodoos. Lastly, Powassan was also crunched by the Crunch in pre-season play, 9-1. 

Key to improvement: This first year could be a trial run for the team, but even if it is, make an impact. Powassan needs to make a splash in the league and let players know that this franchise is up and coming and that a young core of 95-98 born players could start this hockey team out on the right foot. Oh, and try and get out of the East division, sorry Voodoos but you really don't wanna be there.

Number 6: Elliot Lake Wildcats

Why they're here: The other 2014-2015 expansion team this year starting from "scratch", the Wildcats. The Wildcats may have a better chance of winning this year than they are thought to for one reason, they are in the not as powerful West division. This division still has its threats, but is more forgiving on a team starting with literally nothing. The Wildcats also have their share of player signing competition, but did sign players from around the continent. Including a few Quebecois and a handful or Americans. One of these Americans being goaltender AJ Smith from Wisconsin. Smith's performance may earn the team a few extra wins this season. 

Key to improvement: As a new team without any record, the Wildcats will need to stand their ground in the West, and build their core chemistry throughout the season as the top teams roll into town. Going forward, the Wildcats need to make the best of their three sixteen year old player signings each year, building the future of the team.

Number 5: Sudbury Nickel Barons

Why they're here: Sudbury, being one of the bigger cities in the NOJHL, is a bigger market for player signings. Going into the 2014-2015 season, the Barons have bolstered the roster. Bringing back OHL Sudbury Wolves prospect, Khadyn Butterfly, recruiting 96 born talent Dylan Callaghan, and signings of two high-potential sixteen year old defence-man Whitehead and Mooney. The Barons are setting up for the future, while also being a strong competitor this season.


Key to improvement: With new goalie Jessie Morin acquired from Blind River and two sixteen year olds on the blue line,  more depth on defence will be needed to support this team. The Barons will also have to battle hard to knock off division rival Soo Thunderbirds for top spot in the West.

Number 4: Abitibi Eskimos

Why they're here: Abitibi finished last season 4th in the league but only a single point back of 3rd. They moved on to the semi-finals of the postseason before being eliminated. The Eskimos go into the 2014-2015 season as an experienced team, offensive minded team and with league top-ten scorer Brady Clouthier to help lead the way. The Eskimos are a team that will make you fight for every inch of ice behind five-time NOJHL coach of the year Paul Gagne.


Key to improvement: Despite scoring 212 goals last season, most first period goals and having a league top scorer on your roster, the team also allowed 212 goals against and 2049 shots. Defensively the Eskimos need to lockdown and play smarter in their own end to stay on in it with the top teams.

Numer 3: Kirkland Lake Gold Miners

Why they're here: Defending champions, Gold Miners expect to stay on top of this league. Bringing back top players such as Steven Babin and league top-five goaltender Kenny Fitzgerald. The Gold Miners finished the 2013-2014 regular season with 46 wins and 92 points in only 56, while also only recording two losses in a playoff domination. The Gold Miners also managed to handle the Eskimos in a four-game pre-season series, winning the series 3-1. With the championship roster, top goaltender, and former NOJHL coach of the year and Canadian junior hockey assistant coach Marc Lafleur, the Gold Miners aren't ready to take any steps backwards.


Key to improvement: Though Kirkland Lake seems to be in a good situation,  time is ticking and the championship roster is slowly going. Kirkland Lake will lose its championship core within the next couple years, and now have to compete for player signing with Abitibi as well as Cochrane.

Number 2: Cochrane Crunch

Why they're here: When the Crunch left Elliot Lake and the Bobcats name, they left the struggles behind with them. Since establishing the Cochrane Crunch, owner and manager Ryan Leonard's work has been nothing short of spectacular. Leonard managed to bring Bobcat offensive threat Cordeiro, defensive cornerstone and captain Max Glashauser, and others to the city of Cochrane. The Crunch are undefeated in their preseason so far, scoring a whopping twenty-six goals in three games, and allowing only six. Leonard has put together a team to be reckoned with. "The Beast of the East" is approaching.


Key to improvement: Goaltending. Even with the new-look big and strong defence, the Crunch cant afford to have bad goaltending this year in the NOJHL. Last season in Elliot Lake the team allowed 3.62 goals against per game, and three goalies with a GAA above 3.40. Without a change in goaltending performance, the Crunch could end up back in the bottom half of the league, where they left off in Elliot Lake.

Number 1: Soo Thunderbirds

Why they're here: Last season the Thunderbirds lead the league in points with 99, goals for with 245, and fewest goals against with 102. The Thunderbirds dominated the regular season leader-boards as well, with captain Gavin Burbach leading in points and goals. Also topping the leader-boards on the back end was Thunderbirds goalie Joel Horodziejczyk, who actually swept the boards. He lead the league in GAA, save percentage, wins, and shutouts. To be blunt, this team is stacked offensively and on its back end. The Thunderbirds are constantly brining in top end talent from all over North America, and never taking a year off to rebuilt. This is a team that plays its best hockey and re-tools at once. The Thunderbirds should dominate the West division this season, and looks to seek redemption on Kirkland Lake in the playoffs.

Key to improvement: The Thunderbirds have only finished below 3rd twice since being established in 1999, and have won two league titles and one Dudley-Hewitt Cup victory.  Are they a dynasty? No.

The team has appeared in the finals six times since 1999, and hasn't finished the job 66% of the time. A team that dominated the regular season need to be able to finish off a season with a championship, and thats what the Thunderbirds need improvement on. Clutch.  You could finish with the best scorer, goalie, and most points, but guess what, Kirkland Lakes one championship at the end of the season will always be sweeter.  

NOJHL Anticipation

This years Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season is less than twenty-three days away now, and is suiting up to be a historical one. With the most teams in league history, the rapid growth of fans and league interest, and much-anticipated heated rivalries, this wait will feel way longer than just twenty-three days. Over the offseason, the NOJHL went through many major changes.

The two biggest alterations the league saw over the offseason were relocations of two teams. The Elliot Lake Bobcats and the North Bay Trappers were both relocated due to financial issues. The Bobcats landed in Cochrane, roughly 100km north of Timmins, to become the Cochrane Crunch. The Trappers relocated only 60km east of North Bay, staying close to home and settling in Mattawa. The Trappers are now known as the Mattawa Jr. A Blackhawks.

The NOJHL had more major news to come, granting two expansion teams into the league. The first being the now Powassan Voodoos. Powassan is located just 30km south of North Bay, and 75km from Mattawa. The Voodoos looks to promise a great rivalry with Jr. A Blackhawks as they have their first meeting on September 15th in Powassan. The other expansion granted was to Elliot Lake. After recently losing the Bobcats this summer, the NOJHL expansion was granted and the Elliot Lake Wildcats were established as a new franchise in the league. Although all Bobcat records, players, and history are still with Cochrane, the Wildcats get a chance to start fresh. Although the Crunch and Wildcats are over seven hours and 550km apart on the map, they will bring a grudge match to the ice.

With the relocations and expansions this summer the NOJHL now has nine teams, the most teams the league has ever had. With more teams in the league it brings a new level of competiveness for the top spots on top of the league, and the Copeland Cup-McNamara Trophy. In addition to competing for regular season points and standings, the team’s management will also now have the extra challenge of signing players with more teams now on the market and looking to build their roster.

Other minor news this offseason comes from the player’s side of the NOJHL. Former Blind River Beaver, 1992 born Brett Findlay signed a one-year contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. If Findlay were to make it one step further and crack the NHL roster he would only be the eighth NOJHL player to do so, joining familiar names such as Todd Bertuzzi, Steve Sullivan, and Alex Auld. Findlay will be the first Blind River Beaver to ever play AHL hockey.

Findlay wasn’t the only NOJHL player to move forward with their career this summer, as 30 players moved on to other showcases and leagues. NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca says, “Those 30 players who were promoted and/or committed to higher levels of competition, it came at a time when the league had eight teams. They'll have nine teams in the 2014-15 season.” With that being said and with a new league high-nine teams now in the league, scouting on the NOJHL and fan interest are on the rise. The NOJHL buzz granted the league to host the 2016 Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Central Canadian Junior A Championship that determines the central seed in the National Junior A Championship, the Royal Bank Cup.

What do all these transitions and updates mean for the league? Success, and more coming that could see the sixth ranked junior league in Canada rise to the top five in the near future. As the season approaches, everything starts to change. Rosters get fiddled with, players get juggled around, the writers get nosey, and the fans get anxious. With only twenty-three more days to wait, the season is just around the corner.

My Hockey Beginning

Everybody begins his or her journey with the love of hockey as a kid. For some it’s skating before they could walk, others it’s watching their favorite team with their daddy, or even a “hockey is in my blood” type of person. My passion for hockey started a little differently, with junior hockey.

It was 1998 and I was barely two years old. My dad had received two free tickets to the Barrie Colts game that night, and of course wanted to go see some OHL action. So instead of dropping me off at home a like he usually would to go have a night out with the guys, he decided to take a risk and bring me to the game. He made it clear to my mother that if I didn’t like it there, we would both leave and come home.

So he brought me as a baby in diapers to the OHL game and my first real hockey experience. He held me like a baby in his arms as we walked through the tunnel to see the ice, the players warming up, and over 4,000 people. My dad looked at me the moment we walked through expecting tears and fear in my eyes but instead he says he saw the happiest kid ever. My eyes were stuck open staring at the ice and he couldn’t wipe that smile off my face if he tried. With that said, we stayed for the game, and came back for the next 5 seasons.

As I grew older, I started loving the games even more. I would beg to go to the games early to watch the Zamboni and warm-up. Once I was in my seat and the puck dropped there were no further distractions. Hungry? Nope. Have to pee? I can hold it. The only thing I was doing at those games was cheering hard, meeting mascot Charlie Horse, and winning fan of the game. Being at those Colts games were the best nights of the week, and after every game I would look forward to the next.

After OHL games, most teams have a concessions stands afterwards that the players go to and meet fans. Win or lose, I was going every single time. I would wait patiently behind everybody getting their jerseys and hats signed by future professionals, because my jersey was already full of 2.signatures from the first time I met them. Why go then if I’ve already met everybody and got my signatures? I liked to talk to them. I would talk to guys like Bryan Little and say "don’t worry about team Canada; you’ll make it next year." Sure enough he did make the world junior squad the next year, won a gold medal, and got drafted first round in the NHL. The more I talked with these players, the more I realized that they’re just normal guys playing hockey.

After moving north with my family, I continued to follow junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, and learning of a new league, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The NOJHL brought a whole other option for a kid watching hockey. I was paying $7 a ticket to go watch junior hockey with my friends; we could sit wherever we wanted! The NOJHL expanded eventually and to this day is only getting bigger and better.

That’s how it all began with me, diapers at the game, fan of the game attitude, meeting some regular guys who play hockey, and my dad who lead the way for me. Without being brought into the hockey world by my dad at such a young age, I don’t think that I would even be writing about it today. It would just be another sport like basketball or soccer. So if anybody is skeptical about bringing kids to a junior game or even a professional game, do it. They might cause some grief, get into some trouble or make a scene, but if they’re lucky enough to get the same feeling I get when I watch hockey now, it’ll be worth it.