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ALL-STAR GAME PHOTOS
An all-star game photo gallery featuring a few shots from the event is available by clicking here.
Posted January 4th 2010
TEAM EAST WINS ALL-STAR GAME
Trappers' Barron nets game winner
by Chris Dawson (baytoday.ca)
Royals forward Andre Leclair is knocked over after he scored to make it 2-1 Team East. Photo by Chris Dawson
Brodie Barron thought it may have been the selfish play - but the right play, as he potted the empty netter that proved to be the game winner for Team East as they edged Team West 6-5 in the first NOJHL All-Star game in 5 years.
Barron was steaming down the left wing with linemate and Trappers teammate Dan Zawacki looking for the pass on a 2 on 1 going towards an empty Team West net.
“I saw him but there was a guy right there and I want to pass to him but can I? No, so I thought the safe play was to put it in there but I felt bad for him,” said Barron about his game winner.
“It would have been nice for all of us to get a goal – our whole line there but oh well.”
The goal made it 6-4 Team East with 44 seconds to play but the resilient Western squad got one back 11 seconds when T-Birds Tyler Evoy netted his 2nd of the game beating Trappers goalie Michael Mitchell who split the goaltending duties with Eskis Eddie Davey.
Barron finished with a pair of goals with the Jonathon Aubertin getting the other goal, while Zawacki was credited with a pair of assists on the All-Star Trappers line.
Sudbury Jr. Wolves sniper Chris Kangas was dominant scoring twice for Team East while taking home the prize for the hardest shot in the skills competition with a slapper clocked at 91 miles per hour.
“It’s a pretty big honour to be here especially in my last year in the league being in an All-Star game,” said Kangas.
“I think we put on a good show and to actually win makes it even better.”
The Temiscaming Royals line of Andre Leclair, Robin Mendelsohn and Cedric Boutin got the Temiscaming fans to their feet in the second period as Andre Leclair snuck one past Eagles netminder John Klienhans who robbed Leclair late in the first period with a highlight reel glove save. The ARC line - as they are nicknamed - had a number of great opportunities.
“It was a really big crowd so it felt really good every time we had chances our crowd was right behind us and it just felt good playing in front of our home crowd,” said Mendelsohn who had an assist and was named the Team East player of the game.
Tyler Evoy led the Team West offence with 2 goals. Singles went to the Beavers Chad Richard, Islanders Blake Pederson and T-Birds Michael Shug.
Team East head coach Ian Swalucynski coached in a SIJHL showcase 4 years ago. He was impressed with the high caliber of play both sides achieved on All-Star Saturday.
“It was good quality, it took a couple hits and a couple of guys got a little bit upset and then the game started really going which was nice,” he said.
“I thought we played pretty well, guys were moving the puck, driving the net and I think we showcased a lot of skill on both teams and there is lots of skill and it was a fast game so it’s good to see and I’m glad we got the big 2 points.”
Skills Results
Here are the winners from the Skills competition held at 5 pm:
Hardest shot – Sudbury Jr. Wolves - Chris Kangas avg. 91mph
Fastest skater - Soo Eagles - Brian Depp 13.59 sec.
Accuracy - Soo Eagles - Aaron Leonard
Puck Relay - North Bay Jr. A Trappers - Sacha Guimond
Posted January 3rd 2010
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ALL-STARS SET TO INVADE TEMISCAMING
by Chris Dawson (baytoday.ca)
The NOJHL All-Star game will dominate the ice at the Centre in Temiscaming on Saturday. The NOJHL will be holding an All-Star game for the first time in 5 seasons.
The event will include a minor hockey skills competition starting at 2 p.m. and then at 4 p.m. the league will hold a Skills Competition followed by the game at 7 p.m. between Team East and Team West.
Trappers head coach Ian Swalucynski will be the man leading Team East which includes 7 North Bay Jr. Trappers.
"It should be a good game, a lot of skill, hopefully we get a packed house and we can represent the East with pride," said Swalucynski earlier this week.
"It will be nice to talk to the other coaches and the other kids and get to know them a little better. Hopefully we can start to build a little bit more of a rivalry between the East and the West."
For the Royals organization, this is a big event - one they would like to host every year.
"It's a great event for the league," said Royals Director of Hockey Operations and Team East All-Star assistant coach Randy Edmonds.
"There are a lot of good young exciting players in this league and I'm excited to be involved and they are excited in Temiscaming to have it."
The North Bay Jr. Trappers will be sending a large contingent to play for Team East including defencemen Sacha Guimond, Todd Hellyer, and Marcel Konopelky. Up front forwards Dan Zawacki, Jonathon Aubertin and Brodie Barron will look to fill the Team West net, while in goal Michael Mitchell will share the duties with Eskis Eddie Davey.
The Royals will have the ARC line of Andre Leclair, Robin Mendelsohn and Cedric Boutin looking to "wow" the crowd in Temiscaming.
Posted January 2nd 2010
TEMISCAMING TO HOST NOJHL ALL-STAR GAME
NOJHL Commissioner Hector Séguin (middle) addresses the media during Wednesday's All-Star game press conference in Temiscaming. Photo by Chris Dawson
The Temiscaming Royals Jr. A hockey team will be hosting 2009-2010 NOJHL All-Star game set for Saturday, January 2nd, 2010, with the puck drop set for 7pm at the Centre. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Brassette-Temrose restaurant in Temiscaming Wednesday morning.
The event will include a minor hockey skills competition at 2pm and a NOJHL Skills Competition set for 5pm.
NOJHL commissioner Hector Séguin is glad to see the league supporting an All-Star game, an event which hasn’t occurred for 5 years.
“The (league) directors decided we had to do something to promote our league so we have to start by promoting our players,” said Seguin who was in attendance at the press conference.
Temiscaming Royals coach and general manager Steve McCharles believes the event will draw scouts from the NCAA, Major Junior and possibly the NHL on January 2nd.
“For us in Temiscaming it shows a commitment from our end to continue to develop our program. I know it’s a league event, but it shows our commitment and I think the town and the area, including North Bay, will be excited now that the official announcement has been made.”
The event will pit the NOJHL Eastern Conference All-Stars against the best from the Western Conference. Team West will be coached by Blind River's Jim Capy, while Team East will be led by North Bay's Ian Swalucynski.
The Jr. Trappers head coach is looking forward to perhaps hearing some cheers instead of boo's when he gets behind the Team East bench.
“I’m excited to see all the different guys try to come together as one and maybe create some rivalries between the West and the East," said Swalucynski, who will be joined behind the Team East bench by Sudbury's Dave Clancy and the Royals Randy Edmonds.
"It should be great for the fans and a fast paced game. Hopefully we can have some good intensity in the game and that’s what its all about. As far as the scouts go, if they are following some kids in our league what better time to come out and see some more kids. We need to make some calls and get scouts out there."
The rosters are expected to be announced within the next week.
Posted November 26th 2009
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