Beau's Hockey Insider - Hockey in the Area Moving Forward

Former Trappers head coach Beau Moyer will be offering his hockey insight on "Beau's Hockey Insider." Aside from coaching, Moyer won an NCAA Div. III national championship playing for the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets in 2002 and was a draft pick of the OHL's North Bay Centennials in 1998. Enjoy!

I am very happy to hear that the Trappers had a valuable information session this week. The hockey club is definitely in good hands for years to come. I am also very enthused about West Ferris stepping in with a Minor Midget AA program to help in the development of players who might not be strong enough to make that jump from Major Bantam AAA to Major Midget AAA hockey. It is a difficult jump for most 15 year olds to make and the Midget AA program will offer a competitive brand of hockey to aid in their development. I think that a definite long term goal not only for North Bay but the NOHA is to develop a Minor Midget AAA league.

This past week has been a positive for all upcoming players in the area. With the new affiliation between the Skyhawks and Trappers it will be nice to see the odd Trapper get his name called to join the junior club for games or practices. A lot of people have been at odds over this situation in the past and why there was no affiliation but you people do not know the true story and what happened in the early 90’s. People need to quit making assumptions of the reasoning behind the lack of affiliation, its now time to move on.

I think a big thanks needs to go to Larry Keenan and Art Tiernay. Without them the Great North Midget League might not have ever been created. They established and ran a well run hockey club both financially and on the ice. They made hockey affordable with all their hard work with regards to sponsorships and all you parents should be thankful for all they have done for your kids. I know that my family and I am very grateful for the two of them, they gave me the opportunity as a player and as a coach to achieve my goals. Nobody has been a better supporter of myself then Larry. Larry and Art everyone thanks you for all your great years!

GREAT DAYS AHEAD

I think the hockey community is currently in a solid state. I am looking forward to the Nipissing Lakers hitting the ice in their inaugural season. People are going to get to see an exciting brand of hockey.

Following the OHL since the age of 4, I am very impressed with those that have already committed to the hockey club. Gathering three former Ottawa 67s you know your getting players with credibility, real winners. Plus getting a high quality goaltender from the Couchiching Terriers, the building blocks are already set for a solid foundation.

This is a brand of hockey that will also give our younger players going through our minor hockey system a higher goal to achieve. Kids are going to want to be Lakers, the bar has been set a little higher and we are going to notice a trickle effect in all of minor hockey in a positive fashion.

The CIS is a great brand of hockey that has developed players to the NHL, AHL and Europe. I believe this is as close to professional hockey as there is, these boys age from 20 to 25. They have all developed and experienced great coaching along the way. Most players are going to be former OHL regulars and those coming from Tier II Junior A are players that were highly successful at that level.

Again this is their first season, fans be patient, great hockey clubs were never built over night, but wouldn’t it be great to have Memorial Gardens rocking again just like in 1994 when the Centennials won their only OHL crown.

Good luck to all!