NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012
NOJHL Notebook: 2012-13 season underway
SUDBURY –- The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s 2012-13 season officially got underway Wednesday evening as the new look Sudbury Nickel Barons came away victorious in the debut played at their home venue of McClelland Arena in Copper Cliff.
Sudbury got two goals apiece in each period en route to a 6-3 triumph over the visiting Blind River Beavers in the NOJHL season opener.
After a power play marker by Scott Marshall staked the Beavers to an early lead, Sudbury responded 30 seconds later with an equalizer courtesy of Darcy Haines.
A late Justin Bell effort put the home side up a goal after one period of play.
Josh Moore extended the cushion to 3-1 at 7:29 of the middle frame only to see Tyler Brown strike shorthanded to pull Blind River back to within one.
The Nickel Barons Giovani Foschia buried the eventual game-winner later in the stanza putting Sudbury up a pair after 40 minutes.
Sebastien Leroux and Haines had third period tallies sandwiched around a man advantage marker by the Beavers Connor Cassovia to round out the scoring on the night.
Shots on goal in the contest were 36 apiece with Alex Laino earning the win in net for Sudbury while Brandon Currie was saddled with the loss.
ON TAP: League play resumes Friday on two fronts as the defending NOJHL and Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion Soo Thunderbirds host Blind River at Essar Centre while the expansion Elliot Lake Bobcats make their league debut as they welcome the North Bay Trappers to Centennial Arena.
Saturday sees North Bay heading to the Soo for a 2 p.m. matinee with Abitibi taking on Sudbury at Jus Jordan Arena. Game time there is 7:30 p.m.
Wrapping up the week Sunday will be the Beavers hosting the Trappers at 2 p.m. followed by Abitibi at Kirkland Lake at 7:30 p.m.
NOJHL WEBSITE: The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League new website is now up and running.
Located online at www.nojhl.com the new look site will provide news and team information throughout the year along with statistics, live in-game scoring as well as pay-per-view live streaming of games via FASTHockey.
Powered by TST Media/Sport Ngin, who provides services for a large number of hockey and sports related websites across North America, the site features the latest technology while giving the viewers of www.nojhl.com the ultimate online experience when following the league.
“Our new website marks yet another significant step in the advancement of the NOJHL,” stated NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca. “We are very pleased to have teamed up with TST Media and FASTHockey in our continuing efforts to make our league site one of the most informative and fan-friendly websites in the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League.”
Not only has TST Media provided the new league website, they are also working with each of the seven NOJHL member clubs in building new sites for them as well.
These sites will be inter-connected with NOJHL.com and league teams to offer an even more user friendly experience.
2013 DUDLEY-HEWITT CUP: The North Bay Trappers will serve as the host team for the 2013 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A championship tournament.
The five-day event will be held at North Bay Memorial Gardens April 30 through May 4 and will feature the Trappers along with the champions of the NOJHL, Ontario Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League taking part.
Should North Bay win the NOJHL championship, then the NOJHL finalist will round out the four-team field with a berth to the Royal Bank Cup national championship in Summerside, P.E.I. in May on the line.
FULL-TIME CJHL PRESIDENT NAMED: The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Thursday that Mr. Kirk Lamb, a lawyer and a former junior, college and professional hockey player, has been appointed as the first full-time Chairman and President of the CJHL.
Lamb has served as the CJHL’s volunteer Chairman since January of 2011 and during that time has substantially elevated the profile of the CJHL.
The creation of a full-time position and selection of Lamb is a critical step towards strengthening the hockey and business related operations of the CJHL and growing the Junior A game.
“Our Junior A leagues are working together like never before,” stated Lamb. “Their renewed commitment to national cooperation and organization presents a number of unique hockey and business opportunities that can grow the game for our players, teams and fans,” added the CJHL chairman and president.
“I am honoured to be asked to lead this proud organization and I want to thank the CJHL Board of Governors and member leagues for allowing me to contribute to the proud tradition of Junior A hockey.”
Boasting an extensive hockey and professional background, Lamb has practiced law with firm of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP for the past five years. He is also an alumnus of the CJHL, CHL, NCAA and ECHL, and Princeton University.
