New Junior League Getting Mixed Reaction

A new “non-sanctioned “ Junior “A” Hockey league is planning to put its roots down in the North bay area.

The Greater Metro Jr A Hockey League (GMHL) announced this week that it has six franchises in place for the league’s inaugural 2006-2007 season.

The clubs will be located in Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Quinte, Gravenhurst, Bradford and in nearby Sturgeon Falls.

The West Nipissing franchise will be owned by local school teacher Gerry St. Onge who's tried in the past to bring junior hockey back to Sturgeon Falls.

League President Bob Russell, a former owner of Richmond Hill Riot of the now defunct Metro Junior A league says there’s a chance another franchise could be located south of North Bay in Powassan.

“We think it’s a great location,” Russell said about bringing a team to Powassan which has already committed ice time for a potential junior franchise.

Unlike any other Junior “A” leagues in the country the GMHL will allow an unlimited amount of 16 year old players and as many as five 15 year olds on the roster.

Hockey Canada has changed its rules two years ago and now Junior Hockey franchises can only have two 16 year olds on their rosters and no 15 year olds.

Russell says that will make his league younger and more of a developmental league than other competing leagues like the NOJHL.

“We really want to develop players instead of creating power house teams,” said Russell noting that most strong junior A teams are made up of mostly 19 and 20 year olds. He says the GNML will only allow each team to carry eight 20 year olds which may even drop down to a maximum of five.

The GMHL will also hold a draft instead of having its clubs relying on recruiting as the only way to gather talent.

Show me the Money!

Skyhawks General Manager Guy Blanchard was surprised to hear about the new league.

Blanchard ran the Skyhawks franchise in Powassan for four years and another seven years as the Lynx in Sturgeon Falls. He believes each team would have to have an operating budget of $125,000.00 to $150,000.00.

“Where is any team going to get the players and the money it’s very simple,” Blanchard said, noting that only six local players play for the Skyhawks this season.

Blanchard believes it’s difficult to run a junior “A” franchise in a city like North Bay, let alone in communities with half or less than half the population of North Bay.

Keenan livid

Trappers Head Coach Larry Keenan got wind of the new league about a month ago. He says Russell phoned him up to ask about some of his players. Keenan was less than helpful.

“It is pure insanity,” Keenan said about the new league that will likely try to recruit current and future North Bay Trappers.

“They will have a battle on their hands for taking our guys.”

Keenan has never been a big advocate of junior hockey especially when it involves 15 and 16 year old players. He believes those years should be spent at home playing midget.

“The selfishness of people that operate some junior clubs and they don’t give a care about the kids,” Keenan said.

However, Russell insists that his new league will open up more opportunities for 15 and 16 year olds who will get a chance to at a higher level.

The league will consist of 42 regular season games and each club will play exhibition games against NCAA Division III schools and the Under 17 Russian National team.

GMHL logo courtesy www.worldhockeycentre.com