SUDBURY – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced today its team staff for the upcoming Central Canada Cup Challenge, which goes Nov. 14-16 at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto.
The 2014 Central Canada Cup Challenge will feature nine competing all-star teams, including one from the NOJHL, two apiece from the Central Canada Hockey League and Quebec Junior Hockey League along with four from the host Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Heading up the staff as director of operations is Soo Thunderbirds general manager Kevin Cain while Sault Ste. Marie head coach Jordan Smith will serve in a similar capacity for Team NOJHL.
Joining Smith behind the bench as assistant coaches is Ryan Maunu of the Thunderbirds and Don Gagnon of the Blind River Beavers.
Rounding out the staff as team athletic trainers is Lisa Parise of the Sudbury Nickel Barons and Carla Vine of the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
Each of the participating clubs will play two round robin contests with the length of games being two 20-minute periods.
After round robin competition the teams will be rated on their overall performance will be reseeded for the playoff round with each side vying for the championship for the CCCC, which will conclude with the final on Nov. 16.
“The NOJHL is pleased to once again be competing in this high profile event that will feature some of the premier players from our league going up against some of the elite talent from the CCHL, QJHL and OJHL,” stated NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“Only playing 40 minutes per game means a much faster-paced style of contest that will excite the fans and offer the plethora of scouts, from all levels, that will be there in Toronto an opportunity to view our prospects at a highly skilled pace and tempo,” added Mazzuca.
The players that will comprise the NOJHL roster for the three-day event will be selected by the team director of operations along with the coaching staff.
The announcement on Team NOJHL is expected to be made by the end of October while the Central Canada Cup Challenge game schedule is slated to be released in the coming days.
TEAM NOJHL CENTRAL CANADA CUP CHALLENGE
Staff
Director of Operations: Kevin Cain (Soo Thunderbirds)
Head Coach: Jordan Smith (Soo Thunderbirds)
Assistant Coach: Ryan Maunu (Soo Thunderbirds)
Assistant Coach: Don Gagnon (Blind River Beavers)
Athletic Trainer: Lisa Parise (Sudbury Nickel Barons)
Athletic Trainer: Carla Vine (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners)
