NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012
NOJHL Team-By-Team Previews: Abitibi Eskimos
SUDBURY –- In a prelude to the upcoming Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season, team-by-team previews are being offered in preparation for the 2012-13 campaign, which gets underway Sept. 5.
The latest team preview features the Abitibi Eskimos
ABITIBI ESKIMOS
PO Box 1131
Iroquois Falls, Ont.
P0K 1G0
President/Director: Scott Marshall
Head Coach/General Manager: Paul Gagne
Website: www.eskis.com
Last season’s record: 28-18-4 (2nd Eastern Division – 4th overall)
Playoff record: 1-4 (Lost divisional semifinal to North Bay, including three games in OT.)
Under the guidance of head coach and general manager Paul Gagne, Abitibi continues to be a model of consistency in the NOJHL. In the past five seasons his club has averaged nearly 30 wins per season, accumulating 148 coaching victories in that span while never finishing up below the .500-mark.
KEY RETURNEES
RICHARD THERRIEN: The Eskimos forward and team captain is the highest returning point producer heading into this season. He enters his final year of junior hockey after finishing sixth in league point production in 2011-12 with 91. His 44 tallies were the second most in the league last season. Add in 47 assists and he averaged nearly two points per game.
COACHES’ QUOTE: “Richard is a power forward going into his third season with us. He was named captain last season and is a natural leader, on and off the ice.”
KEALY CUMMINGS: Back to help anchor the Abitibi defensive corps is hometown product Cummings. As a rookie the five-foot-11, 208-pound blueliner contributed 13 points in 32 games, including five goals.
COACHES’ QUOTE: “Kealy is going to play his second season for the Eskimos and will be a key player on defence. He will play lots of Power Play time and key situations.”
KEY NEWCOMERS:
MILES NOLAN: Making the jump to the junior ranks is crafty forward Miles Nolan. A graduate of the Hearst Elans program, Nolan was second on his midget club in scoring with 50 points on 21 markers and 29 helpers.
COACHES’ QUOTE: “Miles is in his first year of junior hockey. He will have plenty of ice time in key situations due to an incredible amount of skill. He works hard in practices and games and is eager to learn and improve.”
