Northern Wolves sold; deal could be vetoed (new)

NOTE: This story appeared on www.sudburysports.com Saturday morning.


by Randy Pascal
Sudburysports.com


The saga of the Sudbury Northern Wolves continued with a few new twists and turns Thursday although most involved with the NOJHL are thankful the direction, at the very least, is quite positive. The Sudbury Minor Hockey Association issued a press release late Thursday night indicating that the Northern Wolves had been sold to Sturgeon Falls businessman Gerry St Onge.


In the issued release, SMHA President Mike Brunette notes that the "SMHA has mixed emotions about this transaction. We are pleased that we were able to find a home for our Northern Wolves, and at the same time help the NOJHL keep its eight team league....on the other hand SMHA is sad to no longer be the "owners" of the Northern Wolves which the community has watched develop into a proud franchise...".


However, it was a statement later in the press release that has hockey locals buzzing as Brunette noted that the "SMHA is confident that with some flexibility on the part of the NOJHL and Mr St Onge, that this transaction can be successfully completed." While neither SMHA or NOJHL league officials would confirm, the sense is that the sale would also involve the team's relocation to Sturgeon Falls, a city that was home to the Lynx prior to the club's move to North Bay two years ago to become the Skyhawks.


NOJHL commissioner Art Yeo stated that he was "cautiously optimistic" about the latest developments but went on to add that the entire matter will be dealt with at the league's scheduled monthly meeting set for Saturday morning in Sudbury. While both Mr St Onge as well as SMHA President Brunette have been invited to attend this meeting, Yeo confirmed that the new Northern Wolves "owner-in-waiting" will be unable to attend as he is out of town.


While Yeo noted that he has no personal knowledge of Mr St Onge, North Bay Skyhawks Director Guy Blanchard said that "Gerry St Onge is both a very good person as well as a good hockey person." However Blanchard, like others involved in the league, is anxious to learn details of the agreement reached between the SMHA and St Onge before giving it his full blessings. "At the moment, I really don't know enough details to make a comment" said Blanchard.


The league is expected to issue a statement Saturday afternoon following the monthly meeting...in other league news, it's expected that North Bay will be able to land Sudbury area prospects Chris Pontes and Yves Bastien as both will be in North Bay next week....NOJHL exhibition play starts up this Friday evening with the Abitibi Eskimos travelling to Little Current to face the Manitoulin Wild. The Wild are looking to improve on their inaugural NOJHL campaign and the presence of veterans Brendan Assinewei, Aaron Assinewei and goaltender Matt George provides the second-year club with a very solid foundation on which to build a contending team.

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