The North Bay Battalion will bring back some more memories for North Bay hockey fans tonight as they will wear the North Bay Centennials jerseys tonight when they host the Sudbury Wolves.
The Battalion has honoured the old major junior team once a season since they moved here in 2013. Battalion head coach Stan Butler believes it makes sense to have the game against their regional rivals from Sudbury.
“There’s a great tradition of the North Bay Centennials here in North Bay and it’s something that we as an organization respect and want to continue to honour it for the fans like with the new Centennials wall on the northwest side of the building,” said Butler.
The Battalion will dress in replica uniforms in the style worn by the 1993-94 OHL Championship team, with the following Centennials alumni in attendance.
- Bill Lang
- Ron Bertrand
- Bill Houlder
- Mike Gillies
- Steve McLaren
- Scott Wray
- Brent Bywater
- Robin Boucher
- Darren Turcotte
- Mike Burman
Injury front
Stan Butler confirmed that Riley Bruce will be out long term with an upper body injury as the injuries continue to mount on the Battalion blue line.
Bruce joins Eric Allair, Brady Lyle and Cam Dineen on the injury list in what’s turning out to be a nightmare season of injuries for the Battalion.
“It’s unique, no doubt, not too many teams lose two goalies in two games and have four of their eight defence men out of the lineup with significant injuries but the reality of hockey or life in general, is it goes on,” stated Butler.
“Our schedule is set and we’ve got to play those games regardless if we have the players like that or not. Some years you are really lucky that way and I guess every so often you get a year where things don’t really go your way when it comes to injuries.”
Butler used Daniel Walker on the back end last game and may have some help from the Voodoos in the form of a pair of 19 year old NOJHL All-Star defenceman in Eric Nagy and Dayton Murray.
Butler didn’t confirm whether he would use one of them or both during Wednesday’s weekly media conference as the pair practiced with the Battalion Wednesday afternoon.
