Skyhawks Captain walks

North Bay Skyhawks captain Justin Piquette went home to Timmins for Christmas and decided during the Holiday season that he's not going to return to the Skyhawks.

Skyhawks General Manager Guy Blanchard confirmed that Piquette has requested a trade to the Abitibi Eskimos but the shrewd Skyhawks G.M. won't allow any player to force his hand.

"The Skyhawks will do what's best for the Skyhawks and not what is best for Justin Piquette," said Blanchard.

Piquette, who had 9 goals and 13 assists in 23 games with the Skyhawks, wants to be closer to home as well as play for an Abitibi squad that is hosting the Dudley-Hewitt Cup.

With the fact that the Skyhawks waited about a year before trading defenceman Kyle Hope who requested a trade to Sudbury, the former Kitchener Rangers draft pick likely shouldn't hold his breath waiting for Blanchard to pull the trigger on a deal just to accomodate him.

Blanchard will be busy in the next few days possibly dealing Piquette, but that's not his top priority. Blanchard will work the phones in an attempt to bring in as many as three new players to help the Skyhawks during the stretch run. The deadline is January 10th.

NOJHL turnover

The Soo Indians did an overhaul by getting rid of longtime NOJHL coach and G.M. Jim Capy along with his coaching staff.

Despite being in second place in the NOJHL, owner Charles Perdicaro said in a press release that the move was made due to "major philosophical differences."

Meantime in Sudbury the Jr. Wolves will be welcoming back their old head coach as rookie bench boss Tom Faganely stepped down and Darryl Moxam steps in to take over the position he held last year when the Jr. Wolves captured the NOJHL crown.