Skyhawks present to meet the past

The North Bay Skyhawks of 2008-2009 are the frontrunners in the NOJHL but they are hoping to learn something from the championship teams from 2002 and 2003 as the two generations of Skyhawks will clash at Memorial Gardens this coming Sunday night.

Bruce Winn, a former Skyhawks captain in the first two seasons in North Bay, got the idea from his girlfriend who told him about an Alumni Basketball tournament they have at Laurentian University.

“I was just talking to Guy and I thought it would be a good idea,” said Winn, who works in North Bay as a helicopter pilot for Gateway Helicopters.

“We heard that Abitibi has done it before too. I called the guys and almost everyone said they wanted to play.”

Among those expected to play for the Alumni team are locals Luke O’Shell, Marty Perreault, Pat Honeysett and David Cappadocia, while players like Sylvain Houle and Kyle Van Groningan will be traveling more than 3 hours to participate.

The Alumni club will be coached by current Skyhawks general manager Guy Blanchard who held the coaching duties in the opening two seasons in North Bay.

“I know our alumni roster is good enough to compete but I don’t know if we have a big enough oxygen tank for them,” Blanchard joked about his alumni squad of players - most of whom are competing in Men’s league hockey these days.

As for the current club, Blanchard figures about 15 of the 20 players on the current roster will take part in the non-contact exhibition game.

“I’m just there to get entertained by the guys in front of me," added Blanchard.

"It will be a very peaceful game and we hope all the players have some fun.”

Good Cause

There is no charge to watch the game which will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28th. The Skyhawks ask for a $2.00 donation at the door with all the proceeds going to a local charity.

“The scrimmage will prove to be a lot of fun and should bring back some fond memories,” said team president Al Campbell in a press release.