Friday, June 28, 2013

Espanola returns to the NOJHL

Press Release

ESPANOLA – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced today the official return of junior A hockey to Espanola with a franchise that will see the club take to the ice in time for the 2013-14 season.

The NOJHL’s eighth team had been unanimously approved at league meetings held in Elliot Lake over the weekend.

Heading up the group that brings Espanola back to the NOJHL following a 10-year absence is Tim Clayden, who will serve as the club’s director of hockey operations.

Guiding the team’s fortunes behind the bench will be head coach Tom McCarthy while Randy Blake will work in the role of general manager.

The trio are no strangers to the NOJHL having most recently led the North Bay Trappers to the league’s regular season and playoff titles in 2012-13.

Espanola too has NOJHL roots dating back five decades as the Espanola Eagles were inaugural members of the league back during the league’s first season in 1962-63 where they would go on to capture the first-ever playoff championship.

Extremely pleased to have Jr. A hockey and the NOJHL back in the community is Espanola mayor Mike Lehoux.

“The addition of an NOJHL franchise hockey team in Espanola is a significant win for both the community and hockey fans alike,” offered Lehoux.

“Jr. A hockey is good business; a boost to both our economic and community development.”

For Clayden, he looks forward to the return of Espanola to the NOJHL.

"It is an honour that our fellow NOJHL Governors have put faith in our organization to resurrect junior hockey in the Town of Espanola,” stated Clayden.

“The community, Mayor Lehoux and his fellow Council Members and Staff have been second to none in making our organization feel welcome,” he added.

Echoing the sentiments of Mayor Lehoux and Clayden is NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.

“We at the NOJHL are extremely pleased to welcome Espanola back into the fold,” said Mazzuca.

“Strengthening our league with an eighth franchise, especially one with such historic roots, only further enhances the NOJHL moving forward,” added Mazzuca.

“We look forward to working with the franchise in what is sure to be a memorable 2013-14 campaign.”

As part of the build-up to the season, the franchise is letting the fans voice be heard by holding a name the team contest along an opportunity to design the club’s logo.

More information on the name the team and logo design contest along with other organizational news, visit the club’s website at www.espanolajuniorhockey.com.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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