Its level ranks below the Ontario Hockey League and comes up just short of the North American Hockey League.
Still, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League lives up to what it sells.
It’s a high-end Jr. A league that develops players for the OHL and the American and Canadian university ranks. Not only that, the NOJHL is the big game in town in four of its seven centres and provides low-cost “hockey nights in Northern Ontario” to its few thousand fans and supporters.
Soo Thunderbirds, Sudbury Nickel Barons and North Bay Trappers are the NOJHL’s bigger market teams but play second fiddle to OHL and university programs in their respective towns.
On the flip side, Blind River Beavers, Elliot Lake Bobcats, Abitibi Eskimos and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are the big game in their towns but are small-market teams with limited audiences.
While all seven NOJHL franchises are somewhat solid, it’s a seasonal challenge to remain operational.
Still, the NOJHL is a league of survivors, a grassroots group of good people who really are involved for the love of the game. This is not a league of fancy suits, big money and showy owners who use their team as an expensive toy or plaything.
This is not the OHL, where the average franchise is worth $7 million. This is not the NAHL, where the estimated worth of an average franchise is about $500,000. This is the NOJHL, where the average franchise is worth $50,000.
But these are real, down-to-earth people who make up the NOJHL. These are not the phonies with the fake smiles and two faces who populate the OHL.
The 2012-13 NOJHL season is approaching the halfway mark and there are issues.
Like, what happens to North Bay after this season when the OHL makes its return to the Gateway City after being gone for 10 years? Will there be room for the Trappers in North Bay in 2013-14 or will they be forced to find a new home in another northern town?
Of more immediate concern, will the Trappers get the necessary financial backing from corporate sponsors as they prepare to play host to next spring’s Dudley Hewitt Cup, Central Canada playdowns? Afterall, potential sponsors for the DHC may now instead direct their money towards the imminent arrival of the OHL.
Meanwhile, in Elliot Lake, the first-year Bobcats are dealing with a bit of a financial shortfall. Money that the Bobcats were expecting from certain corporate sponsors became unavailable in the wake of the Algo Centre Mall collapse, tragedy and destruction of this past summer.
Still, the NOJHL usually finds a way to recover and move forward.
On the ice, the Thunderbirds and Trappers are waging war in a battle for first place and the surprising Gold Miners of Kirkland Lake are trying to hold off the Nickel Barons of Sudbury for third. And folks tell me that some of the most-competitive and exciting games this season have been when Blind River, Elliot Lake and Abitibi play one another.
To be sure, the NOJHL is low-key in some regards. It doesn’t toot its own horn and it marches to its own drummer.
But the NOJHL is good, high-end hockey. Not as high-end as the OHL or NAHL but every bit as entertaining and exciting.
NOJHL TO D1 NMU
Three former NOJHLers are part of this season’s freshman class at Northern Michigan University.
Full-ride scholarship goalie Michael Doan heads the list of former NOJHLers who are on the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association roster of the NMU Wildcats.
Doan, who was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played two seasons in the NOJHL, beginning with the Soo Eagles and finishing with the Soo Thunderbirds. The 6-foot-5, 225 lb. puckstopper played the 2011-12 season in the Ontario Jr. Hockey League, suiting up for both the Wellington Dukes and Huntsville Otters.
Doan, a former Sault Ste. Marie high school athlete-of-the-year, has played in parts of two games at NMU during the early going of this 2012-13 season as the primary backup to junior goalie Jared Comeau. Doan has played in 22 minutes for the Wildcats and stopped 21 of 22 shots for a .955 save percentage.
Other former NOJHLers who are at NMU (as freshmen walk-ons) are third-string goalie Aaron Beutenmiller and depth forward Aaron Leach.
Both played in the NOJHL with the Michigan-based Eagles. The Eagles are now members of the North American Hockey League.
Categories: General
Gotta love the smaller hockey venues. Nothing more fun or exciting than taking in a game in Blind River on a Saturday night. Of course, a slight detour to the Riverside always provides an extra benefit. Loved travelling to the Pullar to watch the Eagles, ex of the NOJHL. Like Peachy relates to us, every town offers memories. And it ‘s not always the hockey. It’s the spirit. And this is the grassroots of hockey.
Greyhounds and the OHL in general, seems to encourage premaddonaism in their players.
Another great article as always Randy. Elliot Lake will be just fine very tight knit community and things so far are running smooth as they can be. We all will just have to work that much harder through the winter to get through a little bump on the road but will guarantee you that you will always see the Bobcats on the Ice every Friday for years to come as I and our group has a never die attictude and things here on ice is coming along as well last 3 weeks has been a good indication of where we are heading and that we belong.
Peachy spend weekend in Manitoolin No more hockey to watch in Lil Current so Peachy find old Haweater hoze bag at Anchor Inn for roll in hay ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Entertaining contest in the Igloo last night , outcome does not appear predetermined when the Beavs and Esks tangle. Thought for sure last nights contest would go to OT. To their credit although BR never led, they also never gave up, erasing a 2 goal deficit and pressing Til the end.
Couple of tussles but neither lasted long enough to come to a clear conclusion, IMO.
New forward Tront for Eskis looked good albeit a bit rusty in his first game on 2nd line, and got a helper too. He replaces Mungioli who was released.
Winkler in nets played another good game. What he may lack in finesses he makes up with good instincts and using his size to advantage.
Will take more than two games to prove his reliability but so far, so good.
Kudos to the Miners who humbled the hot Trappers. Miners were 0-2-1 in their last 3, having tied BR after 2 OT night before, and rose to occasion Saturday night. Gotta love the competitiveness this season!
Eskis play home game at Tim Horton Event Center in Cochrane next Saturday. Looking forward to returning to that barn and expecting an enthusiastic crow to pack the place. Fans are asked to bring a non perishable good item, donation to local food bank.
Crowd, not “crow”, lol
Unless of course referring to Peachy….
Beavers keep finding a way to lose by one goal. Wrist shot for the blue line finds its way in the net with 17 seconds left last night. Sloppy game and tons of turnovers at the opposition blue line. Did they even win one faceoff last night? Little details but they become big when you lose possession of the puck almost every time you enter the zone or take a faceoff. Abitibi was also very sloppy in their own zone but the big line carried them once again and the goalie was fantastic.
I guess Peachy didn’t go to see the Midget game or the high-school game in Little Current?
latest RR column just posted on http://www.juniorhockey.com:
Up North in late November
Peachy make plan for trip to Iraqwa Falls this week-end ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Randy: Great article on Reid Mimmack. Do you see Tyler Marble following suit?
fanman,
Thanks. Right now, the plan for Tyler Marble is that he begins playing at Lake Superior State at the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
Regards,
Randy
Looking for advice
Does anyone out there know what over the counter medicine
we can give our hockey players for sinus and sore throat?
As a billet parent I don’t want to give my player something that will not be approved by the anti-doping policy.
Or is a trip to emerg the way to go?
Thank you for any honest advice I receive.
The anti-doping policy refers to the WADA Prohibited list. Here is the link..
http://list.wada-ama.org/
Does not list “brand” names, however you should be able to determine what can’t be taken by reviewing ingredients and comparing to this list. Also check with your team trainer. They should be able to advise you.
Peachy -
I`m sure you` ll feel right at home here in I-Falls and won`t be out of place at the Legion . If you can get a ride to Nellie -Lake , I`ll pick you up on Hwy 11 so you can at least catch the game in Cochrane !!
Please do ask directions to see our famous falls..I wouldn`t want you to get lost….
For sore throat my pharmacist recommends Bionet lozenges.
I also use Otrivin nasal mist when needed. You can google them. These products are CLEAN: you can cross-reference them or any other medication here: http://www.globaldro.com/
Linda, I use Otrivin Cold and Allergy Decongestant spray when things get bad, and for sore throats my fav is BIONET lozenges.
Both are CLEAN for use in hockey.
Check out yourself at globaldro . com
I also find that a hot shower helps when the sinuses flare up; also HOT water on a thick washcloth compress across the sinuses, hold for several minutes and repeat.
Good advice Dr. Oz
Thanks sigs2012, very helpful
I always find hanging out with peachy for debauchery and unthinkable, regrettable decisions tends to cure just about anything that ale’s you.
speaking of NCAA, Chris Truehl that used to play in the NOJHL for Michigan has committed to Div 1 US Air Force Academy, nice to see former NOJHL’ers moving on in hockey.
Rumer around the Bay is having Greg Dobbs being traded to the AJHL or BCHL or OPJHL for a forward and a D man with Brampton Battalion backup 17 year olds coming to North Bay to be the starter any truth to this RR I also hear Astorville will house the North Bay team next year as the East Nippissing Vipers
NBH,
Lots of rumours out of North Bay, for sure, some of them have legal implications with regards to the Trappers lease. Such as, was the City of North Bay negotiating with the Brampton Battalion while at the same time finalizing a new 3-year deal with the Trappers?
Bayer,
We were first to report the Chris Truehl D1 commitment to Air Force on Juniorhockey.com and within Sault This Week but had forgot to post it here. Thanks for doing so.
Regards,
RR
The word around NB bars is that when the City was negotiating with the Traps for the new 3 year lease that they assured the Traps that they were NOT talking to an OHL team about coming to NB.
Coffee shop talk is that NB and the Battalion began serious discussions back in August but there had been previous informal calls from time to time and Battalion President Mike Griffin being a hometown boy didn’t hurt either. Councils came and went but the city always retained the right to negotiate with a potential O tenant within all of its subsequent lease arrangements.
The Mayor of North Bay was on Sportsnet this week and stated the first talks with Brampton in fact were held in June.
Heard around the rinks that the City approached to Junior Trappers to host the Dudley-Hewitt at the Sam Jacks (West Ferris Arena) so they could begin renovations earlier.
Peachy look for tail in Iraqwa Falls tonite ahahahahahahahahahahahaha
The DHC at the WF Arena is a non-starter. The 80×180 icepad, cramped, bare-bones changerooms, hard spectator benches and frigid conditions are all hopelessly inadequate for a showcase event. This is a neighbourhood relic from the ’60s best suited for teaching tykes how to skate or novice hockey games. I can’t believe anyone would seriously propose using it.
I dont think North Bay City Counsil has heard the last from Tim Clayden. NB City Council should no better than to try to f-ck with Mr. Clayden! This guy wont back down!
Is that Peachy I just seen hiding under a rock in Elliot Lake???!!!
GO BOBCATS GO !!! Beat them snots from Kirkland Lake!!!
Sec2RowP – my thoughts exactly. The Ferris arena is, in a word, totally inadequate for a province-wide Jr.A event.
It would be nothing less than humiliating for the city to even consider such a move. (And, as an aside – the Ferris arena was built in 1964, not in 1967 as is commonly stated in our local press. I believe artificial ice was introduced in ’67, after 3 years of use on natural ice. I also think it was at that time the arena was officially named West Ferris Centennial Community Center.)
My family and I look forward with great anticipation to the DHC, at Memorial Gardens. Cheers!
latest RR column just posted on http://www.juniorhockey.com:
For the love of the game
Rumors definetly abound outta North Bay,as for Dodds being traded that isn’t true. He has came in to do a job and he is by far the most consistant goalie they have had in some time. Can’t see the Trappers wanting to jepordize that.
Old Viking
Beat them snots from Kirkland Lake?
Thats funny!
We have been called worse! Lol
Hey and you did!
Eskimos new tender held the boys in and weathered the storm for the first 5 minutes and you could see the confidence growing for the black and gold afterevery save! Something the eskis were lacking for the first 3 months! I mean how many games did the eskis score more than enough only to lose! Kid is big already and played like a giant and just frustrated the crap out of the barons! Congrats winkler on a great shutout and ur 3 and 0 start!
Elsewhere around the Nojhl, just a lil hiccup for the Gminers i’m sure but can the tenders pull it back together and can the sputtering offence dig deep enuf to upset the 1st place (and well rested) TBirds in order to salvage the road trip?
Opps Winkler is actually 2-1 but impressive in each!
Dec 1 cut down , takes a toll on teams when new bodies are coming in. Monday will be fresh start to make the push for many teams.
new blog just posted:
Wandering and wondering about North Bay
Looks like the Eski’s have finally found a starting goalie. Winkler was excellent in last nights game. Barons were all over them in the first part of the first period, shots were 9-3 at one point but Winkler did the job.
Great team effort last night congrats Eskimos.