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Irwin to lead Ice Boltz Midget AA rejuvenated hockey program

The North Bay & District Girls Hockey Association has named Ray Irwin new head coach for the returning Midget AA Girls Hockey Program.

The North Bay & District Girls Hockey Association has named Ray Irwin new head coach for the returning Midget AA Girls Hockey Program.   

The team which went to the Esso Cup finals in 2013, took a leave of absence last season when the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League asked the North Bay team to play its home games south of Parry Sound.  

Ray Irwin, who currently coaches the Ice Boltz Bantam AA team will be the Head Coach and General Manager for the next two hockey seasons, ensuring that Midget AA hockey remains a viable option for girls playing hockey in Northern Ontario.

Mr. Irwin's hockey background includes not only playing in the Ontario Hockey League for the Oshawa Generals and Kitchener Rangers but he was also drafted by the Washington Capitals. Ray attended the University of Guelph and spent some time playing professionally in Europe. 

Over the last 24 years he has acted as a scout for both the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the Erie Otters.  

With his hockey and coaching experience, the Ice Boltz organization believes the program is in good hands going forward.

Darren Turcotte, who led the Ice Boltz to the National final in 2013, is pleased to see the program back on the ice.  

"A tremendous group of young ladies put North Bay and Northern Ontario on the Midget AA map two short years ago by finishing second at the Esso Cup National Championships, " said Turcotte, now the Head Coach of the Nipissing Lakers Women’s Varsity Hockey team. 

“I have had the opportunity to witness Ray Irwin in practices and in the overall organization of his teams and I am extremely confident that Midget AA hockey in North Bay will once again be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.”

As in previous years tryouts for the 2015-16 season will commence mid-April. 

Additional details will be available on the Association website, www.nbgha.com shortly or you can contact Ray Irwin directly at: [email protected]