NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015
NOJHL team previews: Rayside-Balfour Canadians
SUDBURY – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is back where one of its most storied franchises once dominated as they welcome the return to Rayside-Balfour for the first time in a decade.
Here’s a look at some the Rayside-Balfour Canadians to watch as they look to be among the NOJHL’s elite.
TEAM: Rayside-Balfour Canadians
GM: Keane Cronin
HEAD COACH: Jason Young
NOTABLE RETURNEES
RYAN MOONEY, DEFENCE: A second year player is among those making the move from Copper Cliff where the then Nickel Barons played out of is blueliner Mooney.
A draft pick of the Sudbury Wolves in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, he saw action in 50 games with the Nickel Barons Ryan recording seven goals and 27 assists.
A Grade 12 student at St. Charles College, Mooney was selected for Team NOJHL for the 2014 Central Canada Cup Challenge.
KYLE FRANSEN, DEFENCE: Last season with the Nickel Barons Fransen collected nine goals and 32 assists in 46 games.
Names a Canadians assistant captain, Fransen was an 11th round pick of the Kingston Frontenac’s in the 2011 OHL draft.
DAN LEPAGE, FORWARD: Lepage enters his second year in the NOJHL.
Last season he saw action in 37 games for the Nickel Barons scoring 14 times and helping out on nine others.
Lepage had previously played for and captained the Hoosac Owls Prep School Hockey team in upstate New York.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
RYAN ERICKSON, FORWARD: Erickson joins the Canadians after splitting last season skating for the Hamilton Red Wings and Whitby Fury of the OJHL.
He scored 12 times and assisted on 34 others in 54 OJHL contests in 2014-15.
Erickson was an eighth round pick of the Niagara Ice Dogs in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection.
He has also been named Rayside-Balfour’s team captain for this season.
CAYSE TON, FORWARD: The New Liskeard native played last year with the New Liskeard Cubs AAA midget hockey club scoring 33 times and setting up 30 others in 36 games.
An 11th round pick of the Owen Sound Attack in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Ton was named 2014-15 NOHA minor midget player of the year.
He also saw some action in the NOJHL in 2014-15 as an affiliate of the Powassan Voodoos.
MAKENZIE MACMILLAN, FORWARD: A first-year member of the Canadians, MacMillan makes the jump to the NOJHL after spending last season with the Nickel City Sons Major Midget AAA side where he recorded 17 goals and 16 assists in 32 games.
The Grade 12 MacMillan attended the OHL Barrie Colts 2015 Main Camp.
QUOTABLE: “The team is excited to be playing out of the Chelmsford Arena this season. Fans will be treated to a team with skill and speed. Solid goaltending and a good core of veterans will help guide this team to a successful season.” – Keane Cronin, GM
