BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The NOJHL has announced North Bay solicitor Wayne Stickland has
been appointed as the new league commissioner, replacing Sault
Ste. Marie native Art Yeo.
A 35-year-old alumni of the league, Stickland suited up for a
year with the Powassan Passports in the early 90s after
spending the bulk of his minor hockey career within the North
Bay Minor Hockey Association system.
He also spent a few years coaching in the minor hockey ranks
in the 90s as well as playing one year of CIAU football at
Concordia University.
"I got involved with this league because I love the game of
hockey," said Stickland in a news release. "My dad is a huge
hockey fan and the Canadian tradition, Saturdays with Hockey
Night in Canada and such, were clearly passed on to me from
him."
While Stickland had no previous involvement with any of the
NOJHL teams since his playing days, the young lawyer is very
candid in his assessment of becoming involved at this point in
time.
"I would like to make a contribution to hockey in Northern
Ontario," he stated. "The NOJHL is a strong developmental
league…I want to strengthen and market that fact."
Stickland enters his new role with a clear vision of the
direction he wishes to pursue as league commissioner.
"We have a very strong alumnus that we need to publicize.
And the on-ice product is excellent. We need to find a way to
make more people aware of that fact," stated Stickland.
North Bay Skyhawks general manager Guy Blanchard, a member
of the internal league committee assigned the duty to come up
with a successor to Yeo, was pleased with what the new face of
the NOJHL will bring to the position.
"I think we have a commissioner who is a young entrepreneur,
who is going to work very hard to make our league better", said
Blanchard in a news release. "He is focused on areas that we as
a league believe are important - the stability of all seven
current franchises, the need to see expansion as an important
issue, and the search for increased sponsorship."
In other league news, the Sudbury Junior Wolves squad started
their defence of the NOJHL crown in fine fashion by dumping the
Abitibi Eskimos 4-2, this past weekend.
Ryan Mathes led the charge, scoring two goals and adding one
assist. Matt Chiupka and Chris Pontes added singles in the win.
Scott Restoule, who left the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of
the OHL to join the Junior Wolves late last week, made an
immediate impact, recording three assists.
Goalie Darren Rowlandson was sharp as he turned away 25
shots for the win.
The Junior Wolves are back in action tonight as they kick
off their regular season home schedule with a tilt against the
Blind River Beavers. Game time at the McClelland Arena in
Copper Cliff is 7:30 pm.
The Beavers come into the game licking their wounds as they
dropped their season opening game 6-1 to Manitoulin.
The North Bay Skyhawks got back to their winning ways as they
also won their first game of the season by dumping Abitibi on
Sunday, 4-0. Valley East native Scott Faulkner was the main
man, scoring two goals. Goalie Mike Lalande made 27 saves for
the shut out.
