HEADLINE

Elliot Lake is back in the NOJHL

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

For the first time since 1999, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has a presence in the Algoma District town of Elliot Lake.

As Mika Media was first to report in the April 4 and April 11 editions of Sault This Week, the NOJHL and then the Northern Ontario Hockey Association approved the award of an expansion franchise to Elliot Lake effective the 2012-13 season.

And just last week, the Ontario Hockey Federation gave its stamp of approval, officially clearing the way for Elliot Lake to become a member of the NOJHL.

Ergo, having spent the previous five seasons in the non-sanctioned, Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League, Elliot Lake Bobcats will debut in the NOJHL under the direction of owner-general manager-coach Ryan Leonard.

The 32-year old Leonard, a former Sault Ste. Marie resident, successfully operated the Elliot Lake franchise for five seasons in the so-called Outlaw League, winning one championship and compiling an eye-popping, overall record of 158-38-15 along the way.

Leonard, who also works as an educator within Algoma District School Board, has displayed good business sense in operating a junior hockey franchise.

"Before we granted Ryan an expansion franchise for Elliot Lake, we did a thorough check on him," said NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca. "Not only did he run a successful program on the ice, he operated it in a tidy fashion on the business side."

Full Story from The Sault Ste Marie This Week