PROMOTING THE NOJHL
This is somewhat of a new beginning for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
NOJHL governors took the bold step of voting out commissioner Art Yeo at its early June annual general meeting with five of the league’s seven teams voting in favour of searching for a new leader.
Yeo was termed an ineffective leader by many of those who voted against him, saying the NOJHL not only needed its commissioner to be more centrally located — the league office is in Sudbury and Yeo worked out of his home in Sault Ste. Marie — but to be more “pro-active.”
The way I look at it, the NOJHL needs to better promote its assets. It has two former National Hockey League mainstays within its coaching rank that should be billed as main attractions to prospective players. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want the opportunity to play for Paul Gagne of the Abitibi Eskimos or Darren Turcotte of the North Bay Skyhawks?
To be sure, the NOJHL does have individuals who are always looking to promote the league and its players. For example, it was Soo Indians’ coach/general manager Jim Capy who took the time to call me the other day specifically to tell me that former Abitibi sniper Matt Tremblay had signed a minor pro contract with Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League after a 43-goal season playing in the Netherlands.
It is that type of promotion that the NOJHL has to take advantage of and make sure the word gets out there.
I try to do what I can to promote the NOJHL. I specifically sold my boss at Osprey Media about having this blog about the NOJHL when I could have pushed for one about the Ontario Hockey League, which would have been the easy thing to do.
What I’m working on now is the idea of an NOJHL game of the week to be broadcast live on SportsJuice.com. I e-mailed representatives from every NOJHL team as well as historian Dave Harrison and NOJHL.com webmaster Brian Soucie asking them what they thought of the idea.
While the idea is in its early stages, Blind River Beavers’ general manager Don Lees Jr. has already expressed his concerns that a game-of-the-week might affect the home attendance at the venue where the particular game is being held. In other words, the Blind River Memorial Community Centre.
Others such as Blind River head coach Todd Stencill, North Bay’s Turcotte and the previously-mentioned Harrison and Soucie tell me they think it’s a “good idea” worth discussing and exploring.
At any rate, the NOJHL is a league that I have particular affection for. I admire and respect the efforts of the small-market franchises such as Abitibi, Blind River and Manitoulin and am impressed that a New Yorker like Charles Perdicaro would want to get involved to the extent that he pursued the opportunity to purchase the Northern Michigan Black Bears, now the Soo Indians.
I like the fact that Guy Blanchard filled a void in North Bay when he helped form the Skyhawks after the OHL Centennials left town and it says something about the folks who own and manage the OHL Sudbury Wolves — Mark Burgess and Blaine Smith – that they stepped in and took over the NOJHL Sudbury Northern Jr. Wolves when the franchise was on the verge of folding.
And I tip a glass of beer to Al Jones and those involved with the Soo Thunderbirds for making an NOJHL franchise work in a city that is dominated by the OHL Greyhounds.
But still, to survive, the NOJHL needs to actively promote and market its teams, its players and its product. The NOJHL needs forward thinkers.
– RANDY RUSSON/Osprey Media
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July 27th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Great piece. Thanks. I\’m learning about the league through this blog, as I live in Houston. By the way, if money is an object to initiating a \”game-of-the week\” I would be happy to put in my little pittance and to help find other sponsor money. It would mean a lot to the folks that live too far away to come to the games. I\’ve told coaches in the past, in other leagues, how much of a recruiting tool that internet radio can be. Teams don\’t utilize it nearly enough. Thanks again for these great blogs.
July 27th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
A start would be to re-vamp the website…………….I\’m sorry but it\’s so out of date and has very limited info. (but enough ads plastered all over the place).
Heck the Great North Midget League (http://www.gnml.org/) has a better, more organized website.
How about a \”where are they now\” feature, to promote the league on those who graduated from the NOJHL?
July 27th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Yes parents would be happier that they could actually follow their kids.
its a no brainer as far as i’m concerned.
Every team should have their games broadcast. Either on radio or internet, or the radio station could broacast the feed through their internet page.
Joco Radio (in Sturgeon) wanted to broadcast Skyhawks games last year, no cost to the team, but they said they had something in the works with the Fox/CKAT, that obviously never came through.
I know who Joco will broadcast this year.
Anyhow, its also good for local, it will not do anything but promote the games.
If i can’t make the game for what ever reason , i’d love to hear it.
And for people that probably wouldn’t have went anyhow, would turn on the radio and listen for a bit, and hear that its an exciting first period, may be inclined to head down to the rink and check out the rest of the game. Or the next game.
My two cents.
Anyone got change?
Any how
July 27th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Although I am new to the league I promote Darren Turcotte whenever I get the chance. I believe with more promotion you will begin to get a better product on the ice. A showcase tournament for these kids is something that is definately needed. An Alumni section on the league website should be considered as well. I know members of this blog have thown ideas around in the past but who or what group can get the ball rolling on some of the ideas the fans have asked about? I see the things the NAHL is doing, for example they are starting the year with a showcase tournament maybe the NOJHL should follow the NAHL lead, Just a thought.
July 27th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Many times I read this and the other blogs and watch posters complain due to the fact that their favorite player is leaving. Then starts the, where will our team finish in the standings?, how coud they do that do the fans?, this will hurt attendence, and all the other things.
Until fans and team officials, have a change of heart, and begin to respect that Jr’s is a developmental stage of player maturity and begin to celebrate the fact that players move on, and brag about that fact this league will continue to be the lackluster draw for quality players that it is.
I once asked a Junior coach how in the world do you continue to lose 8 or 9 players each and every year, constantly recruit, and still win and be excited about what you’re doing. He answered if you don’t like to see guys grow and move on then you’re in the wrong place, because that’s what Juniors are about. That’s when I learned that as a fan I should be excited for the player, and the team, when he moves on, not upset. It opens a place for the next future star to play. It’s also become a challange to follow a number of the guys in their career, besides it makes for great conversation.
July 27th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
I heard a rumor on the messageboard, well I guess it was in the North Bay Nugget, that NorthBay is looking to deal Kyle Hope to Sudbury for two players.
does anyone have any information on who those two players would be?
July 27th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
I think what Randy wants to do for this league is a big boost for the N.O.J.H.L and its franchises. Do you recall back in the days when Greg Brazeau and George Pinder use to do play by play for the T birds. The arena was half full (1200) and that wasn’t the J.R.C.C this was the Memorial Gardens. I know that people who were driving cab to people who were working afternoons at the plant to the people who were at a Greyhound game who were listening with thier walkmans on to the T-Birds take on Iroquis Falls all the way up in Iroquis. I think it would be great for the league as more people will get to hear and know about it more people will come out and support it.
As for a league Showcase tournament I have heard through the grape vine that there was a proposal put through to do this, but a certain team could not afford the cost to be up here for it. At the same time this team is going to Thunder Bay for a tournament so it is hard to run a show case tournament if every team isn’t on the same page.
July 27th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
League watcher your only kidding yourself if you think that other teams feel any different than the one you speak of. The people who are involved with the thier respective want to see them move on. Your right JR hockey is about development and everyone knows this. Of course everyone is some what sorry to see a player move on but i doubt very few would rather see the player stay just for their personal satisfaction. We’ve beaten Promote the players” horse to death already. every team manager or webmaster has read these blogs. It’s up to them to do something about it now. but if they need an example they can check out the CJHL site, lil tough to find but there is a link of all the players who have moved on to schools etc, and it’s long. I can’t wait for the next two week to finally start getting some names of the talent and signings in each teams respective camps.
July 27th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
i can’t confirm what u say is true PPF but as we know funds are tight and every team isn’t goin to be able to participate in a tourney ever year. Because one team in the league can’t make it doesn’t mean the rest can’t participate! it’s few g’s easy to take a team to a tourney for a weekend once you include the entry fee. The eskis are goin to Thunder Bay next month but it’s to promotoe thier product, see where they stand in comparison to other teams in the porovince and to silence the critics who don’t believe the eskis will be able to compete this in this sring’s classic. all these reason are for the big picture, the Dudley. I’m all for tournaments but being a supported of a small market team i totally understand the why teams can’t make alwayz take part in a tournaments. really there is no return on it and like it or it’s a business. Few make money, most just try n control ther losses.
July 27th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
I agree that if BR is not enterested in the betterment of the league then they should excluded from anything that would have to do with promoting their team.They seem to want to stay in their own little world over there.By the way,I think the game of the week is a great idea especially for the number of parents who have boys on teams that are imports and can’t make it to games. But I guess BR aren’t very interested in keeping their imports happy.
July 27th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Dear Mr. Russon: I enjoy reading your articles in Hockey Weekly all the time and I also enjoy all of your articles on this Ospreyblogs. I am a player from the Detroit area and I played Major Midget U-18 for Belle Tire during the past season that we won the State Championship. I am interested in playing Junior A this coming season and I have relatives who live near Sault St. Marie in Newberry so I can live there if I were to play for the Sault Indians. I read about the Open Camp in Hockey Weekly and I am very interested in this opportunity. I am just wondering if you can tell me what you know about Coach Capy and his experience and if he has contacts with the D-1 Colleges. I have included my mother\’s e-mail address. Thank you very much for your time.
July 27th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
There is an article in the NB Nugget today describing Quinn Waller’s wish to play his final year of junior eligibility in the Toronto area, based on what he says he was told by U.S. college scouts – that they didn’t mind flying into Toronto, catching a game and getting out again the same day, but that they couldn’t be bothered to go as far as North Bay to do the same thing. If the NOJHL desires to be taken seriously as a development league, this prevailing attitude has to be addressed in some effective way, probably at the mid-season all-star game, where a strong effort will have to be made to cater to college scouts and provide them with all the players’ data that they want to see. The advancement of any league players must then be highlighted on the league website so that people can see results. kenadian’s suggestion of showing “where are they now?” is also a good one, because not everyone continues on in just hockey.
As much as possible, away games should be available on local radio. It boosts general interest, and allows people who have to work, shut-ins and the elderly to see how their boys are doing – the net is an option but not as useful to the majority of these groups as radio.
The Soo and Sudbury have built-in affiliations with their OHL clubs, but it would be ideal if all league teams had such an affiliation. It motivates certain players to play hard, in an effort to be noticed by the big club. If it doesn’t happen right away, then at least it gives them a goal to work towards, and exposes them to the big club’s scouts.
A league of just seven teams is another reason why it’s hard to get scout attention. Hopefully the new commissioner will make it a priority to work on league expansion. A league of at least ten teams would have a little more “critical mass”.
Almost every other league website offers league merchandise. The logos of member teams should be on all sorts of things that people like to wear (ballcaps, T’s, sweats, bobble-heads, whatever) to get people’s attention. You know the saying: “out of sight – out of mind”.
July 27th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
To all the fans who think that the NOJHL should expand and get more teams. As it currently stands the league can not expand with the exception of awarding the Rayside franchise to someone to make it an eight team league. The governing bodies have put a freeze on Junior A expansion across the province. The league needs to keep the seven teams strong that it has and worry about them not go wasting time looking to expand when the rules don’t permit it. As to moving to other areas of the North, Hearst has been suggested, this was brought up a few years back and nothing ever materialized. A Hearst entry would like spell disaster for Abitibi. As for a Showcase tournament to srat off the season, possibly the league could look at incorporating a couple of games from the Showcase into the league schedule and to avoid teams losing home dates they could increase the schedule to fifty games with the extra two being the showcase games, Having been involved since the rebirth of the league in 1962 I have watched teams come and go – many due to financial reasons – but you still have the dedicated owners of the current teams who are involved to keep players in the North close to home, something that was trumpeted in 1962 when the league was formed in Espanola. The league definitely needs to start promoting itself and this includes keeping you the fans involved and up to date on what is going on.
Anyone interested in finding out their current teams record books can E-Mail me at statsman@vianet.ca and I will send you an Excel file. A fairly lengthy file of the individual teams records.
July 28th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
I think it is a hell of a good idea too rr but you have to remember Turrcot doesnt have 3500 hundred population to deal with that Don LEES has.
July 28th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
yes i guess he should because all these negative coments about blind river sure as hell isnt doing the league much good.
July 28th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I hope your Game Of The Week idea goes through RR! I listened to a few of the Beavers games in the regular season and then listened to all three games yo did in the playoffs for the Islanders. I know how much the Islanders and us Fans loved having the games on the Internet and I hope that you feature the Islanders often on your Game Of The Week!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
A year ago, Don Lee’s was the smartest man alive because he hired Jim Capy to coach the Blind River Beavers. This year he has concerns about attendance when games are on sportsjuice in Blind River and he is an idiot. You people make me laugh. Then there is Art Yeo, lets burn him at the stake while we are at it. Good guy and did a great job, with what he had to work with. Every-one has answers looking in from the outside. Promoting the league, I agree, needs to be done, but a game of the week just isn’t going to do it. Its a start, but promoting the league is a 12 month a year job, not just during the winter months. I also do not see people standing in line at the door for the job of commish. Cassio, you live in Sudbury, why don’t you take the job. Randy, you speak of personal agenda’s, can you explain that one a little further ? I have been around the league for only two years and there is not one person, including all those you mentioned (Guy, Mark, Blaine, Al, Scottie, Todd, Jimmy) that do not put their personal agenda before the best of the league. It is the truth and all of them, inculding yourself knows it. I believe a team must get themselves in order, both finacially and hockey strength before they can start taking care of other teams. Just my opinion.
July 28th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
THE WAY I READ RR QUOTE FROM DON LEES WAS HE HAD CONCERNS. THAT\’S ALL HE SAID — CONCERNS. HE DID NOT SAY HE DID NOT WANT THE GAMES AND RR DID NOT SAY THAT EITHER SO WHY JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS?
July 28th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
It sounds to me like Don Lees wants to have his cake and eat it too. As for Toots Kovacs I have just one question: What did you ever do to promote the NOJHL??? Maybe you are just jealous of Russon because he came up with the \”Game of the Week\” suggestion and you didn\’t??? You should be thankful to Russon for all the ink he gave you Toots instead of dumping on his suggestion.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
To R.R. any idea who has came forward for the comish’s job. Just curious. I remember the days of Joe Drago.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Questions for Randy Russon the best Sports Writer by far!
1. Have the Beavers signed any of the North Shore boys like Bird, Seemers, Goodall and the new boys who were at the Try-Outs Chiblow and Mills?
2. Will you still be broadcast the away games that are involving the Beavers?
3. Why did Jim Capy leave the Beavers as he was such a great Coach was it because of all of the travell??
July 28th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
I THINK TOOTS IS A SMART HOCKEY MAN AND DOESNT HAVE TO TAKE A BACK SEAT FOR ANYONE.IF HE SAID ANYTHING TO OFFEND RANDY YOU CAN BE DAMN SURE RANDY WOULD BE DEFENDING HIMSELF. HE SURE DOESNT NEED ANY HELP….
July 29th, 2006 at 10:46 am
As recently as July 24th, Jim Capy put a notification about the Indain’s tryout camp on the chat site for USAJuniorHockey magazine. It didn’t seem to leave any doubts about there being a team.
July 29th, 2006 at 10:48 am
As an aside: Coach Capy has his number listed in several places, including the tryout notification that I mentioned, above. Couldn’t you just call him and ask?
July 29th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
It is interesting that their hasn’t been any statements or posts from the ex Black Bear owners ( Foster mercer etc ) on this sale! it would be too bad if all this work to keep this team in the Soo was for nothing! It would be nice to hear something from the “new owner” Charles Perdicaro on this matter, I know his son is a draft pick of the soo Greyhounds , he could put all this speculation to rest once and for all! It seems like all the parts for the Soo Indians are in place schedule, website, staff, season tickets, Tryouts etc, kind of strange to go to all this trouble if there isn”t going to be a team wouldn’t you think? Any one else got any opinions on the matter! At any rate we will all know for sure in about 2 weeks! Peace Out!
July 29th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Hey RR! I just love the way you write and your knowledge is so amazing but I am a disappointed that you are not answering some of the questions that have been asked to you.
Like: Has Blind River signed any vets or new guys and why did Capy leave Blind River. Also I have some like do you know anything about what is going on with the Soo Indians like will there be 6 or 7 teams. I am also curious to hear what your thoughts are about Toots Kovacs.
Thanks RR!
Perry aka Slim.
July 29th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Slim, in response to your questions.
1. I do not know if Blind River has signed any one, though I imagine that when the Beavers do want to announce any signings that head coach Todd Stencill will let me know.
2. You’ll have to ask Capy why he left Blind River.
3. From everything I’ve been told and from what I know, the NOJHL will remain a seven-team league with the Soo Indians being a part of it.
4. As for my thoughts on Toots Kovacs, he is not someone who I spend my time thinking about. (lol.)
July 29th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Been on vacation and reading but couldn’t replay as I forgot my damn password, lol. But now that I’m back, I’d like to comment on the Game of the Week situation. I for one cannot fathom a true fan giving up a chance to attend a home game but rather sitting at home listening to said game on his computer. Boggles my mind and if this is what Mr. Lees is concerned about I think he needs some perspective. Don’t sabotage something that benefits the entire league, and especially its players by increasing their exposure, for fear of losing what I believe would be less than five tickets sold to “fans” who are not dedicated to their team. The possible gains by far outweigh what is a very slim chance of any losses. I too would prefer the games on conventional radio so I could listen in the car, but keep the games on sportsjuice as well to maximize that exposure I mentioned. Either way I hope the project is a go, and if Lees was in fact to put up resistance, I agree with those who say simply boycott the Beavers and proceed with the broadcasts. Gotta think big picture folks.
July 29th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Thanks to RR for answering my questions especially the one about Kovacs lol.
Welcome back Redneck!!! I wander what had happen to you! I thought maybe you drank too many Molson Canadians and fell off the Swing Bridge you always speak of!
July 29th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Actualley Redneck I thaught the rest of us were on vacation from u! Redneck was probaly on a scouting trip to find enough more brutal player so Manitoolin can finish in # 8 place again lol lol! No more jokes I think a game of the week would be OK so long they are can be heard on Lab Tops. Thanks RR!Â
July 29th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
most of beaver games are played on saterday nite so they are competing against tv already. they should move there games to friday and sunday and let someone else compete for a change then broadcast.
July 30th, 2006 at 9:04 am
To readers and posters of this blog,
Just a reminder to please refrain from making personal attacks on others. It is okay to disagree, in fact it is okay to disagree vehemently with the views and the opinions of others. Just keep your comments in good taste, please. I have not had to delete any posts but I have had to edit a couple over the weekend and I want to try to keep the forum as “clean” as possible.
Regards,
Randy Russon
July 30th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Well I did bump into a friend with hockey connections overv here this aft and he tells me that the Indians will announce some signings soon as Coach Capy comes back from some of the N.A.H.L. Camps. I hope this is so.
July 30th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Doobie Bro: Look for things to change with the T-Birds. New Player of Personnel, Frank Porco has assembled a team strictly for the promotion of player profiles.
July 31st, 2006 at 10:25 am
Redneck
How about Tracy knocking out Tagliani with his helmet on?!!
It cuts out after the first punch on all the highlite reels, but on sportsnet, on the photo section, it shows Tags layed out on the ground, getting scooped up by a crew membership.
Guess he shouldn’t have went after Paul the send and third time, good thing his helmet was on. HA HA
Anyhow hope everyone can be happy with their team’s this year (effort wise), as only one team can win.
Take care all.
RR your habs should nab Tracy before he’s too old, they need some one to help out Downey in that regard.
July 31st, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Just posted on Ospreyblogs.com:
NOJHL TEAMS KEEN ON OHL PICKS
July 31st, 2006 at 8:51 pm
PT vs. Tags is hilarious! Champ Car probably got more press from that incident than they have the last 3 or 4 years put together. Good Canadian boys showing their hockey roots, lol! Boys will be boys…