Sunday, January 22, 2012

NOJHL welcomes new member in the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners

Press Release

SUDBURY, ON – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Friday that the proposed bid by a community-based group to operate a new Kirkland Lake franchise and to join the league as a new member has been officially and unanimously approved by the NOJHL’s Board of Governors.

Also granting their authorization to compete was the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, the region’s governing body for amateur hockey.

Moving forward, the newly-minted club has opted to be dubbed, the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.

The organization’s inaugural game will played this evening at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex in a 7:30 p.m. start vs. the visiting Soo Eagles.

Stepping up to form the Gold Miners’ executive board, with the long-term goal of keeping junior hockey in Kirkland Lake and the NOJHL for years to come, is a dedicated group of community-minded volunteers.

Heading up the group will be team president John Hammell, who will work alongside a trio of vice-presidents in Dave Bolger, Jim Taylor and Gord Sinclair. They will serve as the club’s V.P. of hockey operations, business operations and marketing respectively.

The Gold Miners’ secretary-treasurer will be Rob Murdoch while Jim MacKinnon steps into the position of team manager.
“This is an exciting day for hockey in Kirkland Lake and all of the NOJHL,” offered NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.

“I would like to commend this dedicated and passionate group along with the entire community of Kirkland Lake for rallying together in such rapid, yet determined, order to bring about this new Jr. A hockey franchise,” stated the commissioner.

Special thanks to them, the NOJHL’s executive board and the NOHA for working hand-in-hand to expedite the entire process and getting this new club on the ice,” added Mazzuca.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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