THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that the recently granted expansion franchise to Ear Falls/Red Lake, Ont. area will be dubbed the English River Miners.
The Miners main jersey colours will consist of black and gold with white trim with the new team name being decided upon by the club’s first-ever executive opting to go with English River over Ear Falls, where the team will be play the majority of their home games, stating it will best aid in building the organization throughout entire Ear Falls/Red Lake area.
With that, the Miners have also formalized their executive for the 2013-14 campaign.
Jason Vinet, who brings with him an extensive hockey and business background, will serve as the Miners’ first team president.
Coming on board as the club’s vice-president will be Ear Falls resident and Ontario Provincial Police officer Sean Nichols.
Other members of the Miners’ executive include Dave Lamme (Billeting), Donna Theissen (Marketing) and Joanne Bennett (Secretary) with that trio all hailing from Red Lake.
Rounding out the executive will be Matthew Barrow (Fundraising), Rob Doyle (Logistics/Website), Frank Ray (Director) and Kevin Kahoot (Hockey Operations) with that foursome all being from Ear Falls.
Kahoot, who is the Mayor of Ear Falls, will also serve as general manager and head coach of the Miners.
The new board also noted there are also many other individuals who have stepped up to help make this a successful venture and bring Junior A hockey to the Ear Falls/Red Lake area.
SIJHL president/commissioner Ron Whitehead praised the Miners executive for their efforts in getting the club off the ground.
“Kudos to the entire English River Miners executive board and their ever-growing fan base for their efforts in getting the organization up and running,” offered Whitehead.
“Just by seeing the number of individuals who have stepped up to make Jr. A hockey in the Ear Falls/Red Lake area a go bodes well for the entire SIJHL,” added the league president/commissioner.
In the days, weeks and months to come various team initiatives will be unveiled within the communities that will include a season ticket drive, corporate and small business opportunities, fundraising events as well as club news regarding training camp and player signings.
The English River Miners website is currently being built with the site address to be announced once it is ready for launch.
For more information on the English River Miners Jr. A Hockey Club, contact team general manager and head coach Kevin Kahoot at [email protected].
