NO DOUBT THAT TURCOTTE’S A WINNER
From the desk of RR on a late November evening:
A guy can’t even spend parts of two days in Elliot Lake in the company of a pretty Italian public health nurse (my wife) without returning home to a barrage of e-mails.
I mean, with a record of 18-4-3 and in first place in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, yet Darren (Turk) Turcotte thinks he isn’t the right guy to be coaching the North Bay Skyhawks?
Well, here’s what I know. Turk did resign, he wasn’t fired. In fact, he’s welcome to remain with the Skyhawks, be it as an assistant to his former assistant or maybe even an assistant to the man in charge, general manager Guy Blanchard.
From what I have gathered from those close to Turk and from his official words for the public, the man truly believes the Skyhawks need a different voice of command. Which is a noble gesture on Turk’s part, though I don’t think a coach with an 18-4-3 win/loss record should be holding himself accountable. If only because, with a record of 18-4-3, the only thing Turk is accountable for — the way I see it — is having his team in first place.
And another thing — enough of the nonsense about North Bay finishing a franchise-worst sixth place under Turk in ‘06-07. While that may be true, Turcotte rallied the Skyhawks to a first-round playoff triumph over the Abitibi Eskimos and the NOJHL’s most-established coach – Paul Gagne – before taking the eventual champion Soo Indians to seven games in the semi-finals.
Let it be noted that the Indians, coached and managed to the ‘06-07 regular season and playoff titles by Kevin Cain, were one of the better-balanced, better-skilled teams every assembled in the NOJHL since the powerhouse days of coach Ken Mackenzie and the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats.
In a nutshell, what I’m saying is that Turcotte stepped away from the Skyhawks’ head coaching position on his own terms and for his own reasons. And I really hope that he decides to stay on — I say Turk is good for North Bay and he’s good for the NOJHL.
Then again, perhaps Sudbury could hire Turcotte in what would be a unique coaching role. That is, Turcotte could serve as an assistant for both the OHL Wolves and the NOJHL Jr. Wolves.
Why not? Blaine Smith does double duty as vice president of the OHL Wolves and president of the NOJHL Jr. Wolves as does Oscar Clouthier as assistant GM of the OHL Wolves and GM of the NOJHL Jr. Wolves.
ET AL
If I wrote this once, I wrote this twice — the Sudbury Kal Tire Jr. Wolves were carrying three goalies in the probability that 17-year old Alain Valiquette would be promoted to the Ontario Hockey League Sudbury Wolves. And that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday when the OHL Wolves waived 18-year old backup Michael Swick and called on Valiquette, in the process leaving the NOJHL Jr. Wolves with two capable tenders in Joey Delwo and John Hillier…A rumour that won’t go away has ex-NHL sniper Reggie Leach – of 1970s Stanley Cup fame with the Philadelphia Flyers — taking over as coach of the Manitoulin Islanders before the New Year.
by Randy Russon, Osprey Media
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
The rumour mill will be working overtime in the Bay for the next few days – overheard at Timmy’s today – Hawks will soon be sold, Blanchard will exit and Turcotte will return as gm. No doubt there will be new ones tomorrow.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:16 pm
After I spoke to a few players who were coached by Turks, They all agreed he was great with his players and I respect that. And you nailed it bang on RR, not sure how you can hold yourself accountable when you’re 1st in the NOJHL and ranked 11th in the country. Wish him all the best!!
Watching the Eskimos game online, a few Wolves penalties, Eskimos all over them in the first period. A little choppy but as stated by Polecat before, They need to upgrade their bandwidth pipe in order for this video streaming to be smooth…
Not complaining though..it’s better than nothing that’s for sure!! Kudos to the Eskimos for providing this to those who can’t make it to the game.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 pm
The NOJHL needs a high profile Coach and former OHL and OHL Player like Turcote to stick around and this Beavs fan hopes that he does!
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Turcotte did a great job with the Eskis late in the season 2 years ago and would have been back if Gagne hadn’t come back from Swiss League. I think they expect alot in NB but how much better can you be with 18 Wins and only 4 Looses???
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:15 pm
5 to 4 Woofers down aftter 2 and no Valiquett in net as RR says he’s up in the “O” going to have to rely on Hilier and Dalwo.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Strange hockey game tonight….by the Eskis. It was their game to lose and lose they did. With Turcotte…..somethings there for sure. Lets wait and see what happens next. I don’t think he’s going to be too far…..for sure.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:45 pm
The Jr. Wolves and the Eskimos combined for five goals in one minute and 19 seconds in the second period. The Jr. Wolves scored two in eight seconds and three in 58 seconds. Quite a second period after the Eskimos had a 3-0 lead. J.F Houle had a pair of goals and three assists, Brendan Biedermann and Shane Innes two goals and Scott Restoule a goal and two assists. Bryan Verreault and Chris Kangas scored singles to round out the Jr. wolves scoring.
Cody Fox had a pair of goals and two assists, Russel Morin and Skylor winsor each scored twice and Dustin Roy added a single.
All four goalies saw action in the game Roch Charbonneau starting and finishing the game for the Eskimos with Miles Williams seeing relief action in the second and the start of the third. John Hillier started for the Jr. Wolves and Joey Delwo came on in the second period after Abitibi had scored their fifth goal.
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
RR I like your suggestion that the Wolves hire Turcotte! You should sell it to your buddy Blaine! This would creeate a Sudbury-North Bay rivalry like the NOJHA has never seen!
Statsman Dave: Thanks for the update from last night’s game. 16 goals must have been Fright Night for the 4 Goalies!
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
So have the Eskis smartend up and sent goalie Miles Williams home yet?
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
re: sending Williams home, we can only wish!
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Williams stats aren’t a whole lot worse than the other kids. It must be very encouraging for him to read all of your negative comments. Being a Wolves fan last night stats aren’t good but I think the 2 kids will need some time to sort out who is going to play the bulk of the games.
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Woah Suds
Save some goals , wow! I guess they need that for the goals against. They could really be a scary team, if they focus
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Good to see Kangas steppimg up and playing tougher .
Perhaps he’s rounding out his game to be more attractive to scouts, he’s this leagues best hope to crack an NHL draft, and may ever attract some attention in suds for scouts at a wolves gane, too bad they don’t play the same day, would make it more possible/attractive
November 24th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Sound like a broken record….goaltending looks to be a problem in Eskisville…but where the hell is the “D”? Sure, the current “D” can contribute offensively (Fox 2G, 2A vs Wolves) but they are non-existant in their own end. Goalies must be frustrated as hell. The WHOLE team has to be on the same page defensively when in their own zone. That page seems to be missing from the Eskis’ playbook. If this team can get it together defensively, they’d be the team to beat. A big “IF” in IF right now!
November 24th, 2007 at 4:34 am
The soap opera in North Bay continues. They should make a reality TV show on this franchise (better than some of the crap currently on the tube). Turks has to stay in the NOJHL. It adds to the leagues idenity…Gagne, Turks…former NHLer’s and maybe Reggie Leach in Manitoulin (possibly). Having these gents in this league can not only attract future prospects but their experience and knowledge makes their respective organizations much better.
There has to be another reason why Turks is stepping down…you just don’t leave a team when you’re in first in the league and moving up in the Canadian Junior standings especially when they have a ligit shot at going to the DHC. I hope RR can track Darren down and do a full blown interview (interrogation lol) to get to the REAL reason for Turks’
decision.
November 24th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Who cares who is coaching the Skyhawks? People go to the arena to see a team play, not to look at the coach. Mr. Turcotte resigned and gave his reasons. He might not have said all of them but so what? It’s nobody’s business anyway. Why make such a big fuss about that?
November 24th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Nobay says: He is exactly correct. We go to watch the players. I personlly think blanchard gave Turk the option to step down or be fired. Blanchard likes systems from the beginning of the season and Turks like the system to be develop in time to utilize in playoffs.
November 24th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Maybe Darren and/or Butch and/or a few others are buying the team? My real guess is that Turk will surface with a team in the O.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Nobay…if I were a season ticket holder in NB I would like to know the team has a capable coach to get the team to reach its’ ultimate goals…win the regular season, win the NOJHL title and go deep into the DHC. Are you saying you don’t care who replaces Turks? Maybe Parsons, ex of the Isles could replace Darren…you’d be okay with that? Sure, the players decide the outcome but with out the proper coaching, they wouldn’t go far.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Is the colossal silence from the Islanders proof of their impending demise?Do the board of directors even go to their own games anymore??HELLO!HELLO?IS ANYONE THERE?
November 25th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Turcotte gave his reaosn, as did he dad on Baytoday…belive me if there was something else it would have been said.
The true test comes this wed if the hawks can bounce back and get a win against the Goaltending weak wolves now. I say 6-4 win for the hawks.
November 25th, 2007 at 8:14 am
All I am saying, from a fan point of wiew, is that a fan wants to see his team perform. Right now, the Skyhawks seem to perform most of the time. That is all that matters and that should please the fans. So i am not making a big fuss to see that Mr. Turcotte resigned his position. He gave his reasons and that should be good good enough for the Skyhawks fans. And I am not saying that any coach would do better than he did. Actually, the players make a coach looking good or bad. And again, why making such a big fuss about Mr. Turcotte leaving the team? He is a free man and an adult who made a decision to resign.
November 25th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Agree with both of you (redlighter/ Nobay) somewhat. This blog’s here for all fans to discuss issues that concern the league. Everyone has a right to their opinions whether or not others agree or not. Some people don’t know or understand the facts. Here we can get the answers. Read on and enjoy!
November 25th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I see Blackned didn’t play for the Isles this weekend. Is he gone too?
November 25th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Both Blackned and Moses were absent, although Bondy was back. Given the turmoil with coaching, etc. none of this is unexpected. Also, the failure to acquire either new players or at least some AP’s (gotta figure there are a few midget players nearby who could at least fill out the bench, if not improve it) is not surprising. While it lends some support to deepwater’s theory that the Isles board is just waiting to pack it in this spring, I think it points more to their lack of competence and failure to have any kind of long term strategy. Lots of us have said it on here before, they care, they work hard, but unfortunately they don’t work very smart. Please God someone help them!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
The season is half over and time for a half-hearted (half-baked) prediction of the playoffs:
I think that with 5 games left against the Hawks, Sudbury will end up on top at season’s end, followed by the Hawks and Abitibi will be 5th. (I see the last Eskie’s travel weekend as a rarity. Maybe not.)
That would put the TBirds against the Beavers again in a tight, post season series, and NB against the Eskies. (I think that’s the right formula?)
November 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
The Islanders played a half decent game up to the time when the Beavers scored their 3rd goal then they quit.They are a team that is not very many players away from being competitive.I think Cain would have made them into a good team.
November 25th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Sad situation in Manitoulin. If the board is that oblivious to the situation, the league should step in and make some kind of decision. Simply going through the motions isn’t going to benefit anyone. The league should, if they haven’t already, make sure the Isles have all their ducks in a row for next season or temporarily suspend their operations until they do so.
Then the league will have to aggressively promote the league to attract 1-2 more crediable franchises, even if the Indians return for the 08/09 season.
With rumors the Hawks are up for sale, the future is looking bleeker than it ever has.
Any news regarding league expansion RR? Is the commish on the Isles situation?
November 25th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
New CJAHL rankings out for today.
Sudbury moved from an honorable mention to #14 on the list and the skyhawks moved down to an Honorable mention.
November 25th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
WEll from what im told.. by players on teh team both Blackned and Moses are gone. Game in Blind River was decent in the 1st..and part through the 2nd i would say.. THere is some major issues with certain players that need to be addressed tho.. Repetitive screws up and they need to be stopped.
Im hearing that the are soem players coming to the team.. a couple anyways.. not really sure concrete info.. just going by the talk of the players.. but i think things may look up for the boys.. if we are getting some new players..and we can rid of some of the kids that really arent there for hockey.. We get a coach on the bench i think we will then see some hockey.
November 26th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Released by the Manitoulin Islanders this weekend
This should end the speculation on Reggie Leach.
The Manitoulin Islanders are pleased to announce addition of former Philadelphia Flyer Reggie Leach to its staff. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Leach will be joining the Islanders on December 10th and remain through to the end of playoffs.
The organization and players welcome Mr. Leach and look forward to his positive influence on our organization
November 26th, 2007 at 8:30 am
good news for the island. Good luck to Mr. Leach, hopefully they can start winning back the faithful fans, and start winning some games.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I agree that the addition of Reggie Leach is a good thing for the Islanders. His hockey background will restore some credibility to the organization. Hopefully the Board can now go back to their main job – raising money – and let the hockey people do theirs. Time will tell if he is a strong enough personality to ensure this happens. All that said, what is his job in the organization?
November 26th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
just posted on OspreyBlogs.com:
BIRDS OF PRAISE FOR MANITOULIN
Regards,
RR