Nipissing University responds

Nipissing University was hoping to announce the birth of an OUA hockey team under much different circumstances but a Skyhawks press conference changed that.

“This is a long way from being finalized,” stated Al Carfagnini, executive director of student affairs at Nipissing University during a press conference during the lunch hour on Monday.

“We have to be accepted in the OUA which we are looking at this week there’s also the whole negotiations with the city nothing has been signed or sealed or anything yet. This is very premature we are certainly looking at it as we did in 2002 when the Centennials left we looked at a proposal then and we had a discussion with the city at that time we felt we weren’t quite ready but we think we are ready now to bring a team forward now and that’s what we are trying to do.”

The University was forced to hold the press conference Monday after the Skyhawks claim they are victims of a hockey-like conspiracy that involved the city and the University meeting secretly about University Hockey and not letting the Skyhawks in on it first.

Skyhawks General Manager Guy Blanchard admits he’s met recently with the city and the University but he doesn’t believe the two teams can co-exist by sharing sponsorship dollars. At Sunday’s press conference Blanchard stated that the team will likely fold in the spring of ‘09 as Nipissing University begins its new era of University Hockey in the fall of the same year.

“At this present time the city has made it clear to us, they’re in and we’re out, I guess the tax paying people should have a choice on that matter also,” Blanchard said at the press conference at Pete Palangio Sunday afternoon.

Jumping the gun?

Carfagnini was surprised by Blanchard’s tone.

“We did meet with them and we were still meeting with them as far as I know to see if there is something we can do,” he said.

“It’s a small city and whether or not both can function here I am not sure so that’s where we are with it. They are going to do what they feel they have to do but from our perspective we have to stay out of that. We aren’t going to get into discussions with the Skyhawks or with their fans that’s their business.”

City councillor Mike Anthony believes council was doing nothing wrong by meeting with the University about the proposal to bring a higher caliber of hockey to North Bay. He feels council is expected to entertain anything that is brought to the table but he’s upset with the Skyhawks approach.

“I’m disappointed the Skyhawks were speaking on the Universities behalf,” Anthony said about Blanchard commenting on the hockey team that doesn’t officially exist yet.

Less is more?

During the Skyhawks press conference the organization took some shots at the University brand of hockey - from its shorter schedule to the brand of hockey itself.

But the Canadian University brand of hockey is full of success stories. Like University of New Brunswick graduate Darryl Boyce, who made the jump from University hockey to the NHL in one season - joining the Toronto Maple Leafs last fall but playing most of the season for the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock got his coaching experience in the early 1990's with the Lethbridge Pronghorns, while Lakehead Universities top defenceman, Jordan Smith, is a former 2nd round pick of the Anaheim Ducks.

Current NHLers with CIS background:

Steve Rucchin - Atlanta Thrashers (Western)
Jody Shelley - Anaheim Ducks (Halifax)
Mathieu Darche - Tampa Bay Lightning (McGill)