NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, August 19, 2016
NOJHL preseason preview: Iroquois Falls Eskis
SUDBURY, Ont. – There’s reason for optimism in Iroquois Falls in 2016-17 as the Eskis prepare for the upcoming Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League campaign.
With Jamy Bernier stepping up to take over the head coaching role following last year’s bench Corey Bricknell making the move to take over the reins of the Elliot Lake Wildcats, the Eskis will look towards a blend of veteran leadership and new talent to build on their 15 wins from last season.
The following NOJHL preseason previews highlights the Iroquois Falls Eskis.
IROQUOIS FALLS ESKIS
Head Coach – Jamy Bernier
GM – Allan Donnan
NOJHL: What are you expecting from your returning heading into the preseason?
JAMY BERNIER: We’re expecting big things from all our returning players. However, guys who we believe we need to see big things from to elevate our game are players like David Osborne, Blake Halowaty, Dillan Bruce, Shadow Reuben, Josh DeJulio, Kyle Sutherland and Sam Vigneux.
NOJHL: Are there any newcomers you’ve signed that you’ve been impressed with?
JB: We’re especially excited with the acquisition of veteran Jay Sidhu along with newcomers Phil Caron and goaltender Trevor Hawkes. In the front end, we have acquired power forward Ryan Forsyth.
NOJHL: What background information can you provide on your new players?
JB: Sidhu split last season in the league between the Cochrane Crunch and Blind River Beavers. He is capable of playing both forward and defence. Caron spend his last season with the Vaughan Kings minor midget AAA. He is a young defenceman with great skill and unbelievable vision on the power play. Hawkes spent last year with the Daytona Racers in the USP3HL. He is a young goaltender with great size and is technically sound. Forsyth played last season with the Kapuskasing Flyers in his final year of midget AAA. He can be described as a power forward with a remarkable shot. He loves to play the body and a pro skating stride.
NOJHL: What goals do you have heading into training camp, the preseason and the start of the regular season?
JB: This year our focus in preseason is to use every opportunity as a learning curb. Being competitive will be a plus for us during exhibition as we want to work out all the kinks and have a great start at the regular season.
NOJHL: What do you look to build on heading into the organizations second season in Iroquois Falls?
JB: That we are committed to being a competitor and a contender in the East Division. We now have an experienced roster bringing back upwards of 13 skaters back to the line-up and we believe our guys have what it takes to take this team to the next step.
ESKIS EXHIBITION GAMES
Friday, Aug. 26 vs. Cochrane 7:30 p.m. (Jus Jordan Arena)
* – Thursday, Sept. 1 vs. Espanola 6 p.m. (Tim Horton Event Centre)
* – Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Cochrane 10 a.m. (Tim Horton)
* – Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Kirkland Lake 6 p.m. ((Tim Horton)
* – Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Kingston (OJHL) 10 a.m. (Tim Horton)
* – Sunday, Sept. 4 To Be Determined (Tim Horton)
* denotes Polar Bear Classic @ Cochrane
