While tonight may hold only one game, Espanola is getting an opportunity to show how well they can support junior hockey.
The NOJHL has been eyeing Espanola for expansion for the better part of three years. Tonight the league will get a chance to see just how much support there may be for an expansion franchise.
The North Bay Trappers will take on the Blind River Beavers tonight at 7:30. The NOJHL and local officials are hopping for a good turnout in an attempt to secure expansion for as early as the 2013-2014 season. The game kick’s off the Espanola Winter Carnival.
Espanols is located less than an hour west of Sudbury, another NOJHL city. The North Bay Trappers have used the Espanola Recreation complex for practices in the past when heading on a road trip west. The league is familiar with Espanola as they played host to an NOJHL franchise most recently from 1998 to 2003.
The city has a rich hockey history with junior hockey dating back to 1962, and has had a total of three stints in the NOJHL since 1978 while taking a few terms on hiatus.
It is believed that the former NOJHL franchise located in Soo Michigan would the the franchise that would be placed in Espanola.
TJHN will update this story as more information becomes available.
