New Junior League on the horizon?

Doug Sanders and Tony Mastrangelo of the Powassan Blazers Hockey Group are working with NOJHL Commissioner Hector Seguin and the NOHA’s Hugh Riddle in the attempt to start a new junior development league in Northern Ontario.

The aim of the league will be to help fill the void for players wanting to continue their playing careers after midget with the hopes of beginning regular season play for the 2009/2010 season. Also, the leagues goal is to offer our players the best possible scenario to further their development, and give them the opportunity and exposure needed through hockey, to learn, grow and achieve their full potential.

Officials say the leagues philosophy will focus on player development.

"Our players will be taught not only individual and team skills and tactics, but also we will help develop their character in order to prepare them for the every day aspects of business and life," it states in a press release sent out Thursday morning.

A group from Powassan led by Doug Sanders has been looking for a league to play in for more than a year after looking at possibilities of joining the non-sanctioned Greater Metro Junior 'A' League or the NOJHL.

Skyhawks General Manager Guy Blanchard believes the talent pool is stretched thin enough now to add another NOJHL club from Northern Ontario but he believes creating a Developmental Jr. League makes a lot of sense.

"There's a place from Junior 'B' in the North," said Blanchard.

"It could be a place for players that are not ready for Junior 'A'. I absolutely think there's room here (in the North) for a 4 or 5 team league."

In addition to the group in Powassan, the league will be looking for any interested groups throughout Northern Ontario to operate a junior club in their community.

Any interested parties are to contact Doug Sanders (705) 724-5090, Tony Mastrangelo (705) 471-5771, Hector Seguin (705) 594-2139 or (705) 594-2407 or Hugh Riddle (705) 693-4203.