North Bay Trappers - NOJHL - North Bay, Ontario, Canada


	9/10/2010 7:30pm Pullar Stadium

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Golden Hawks, Tigers and Raiders to visit Jr. 'A' Trappers

09/08/2010

The North Bay Jr. ‘A’ Trappers will once again be entertaining competition from the Ontario and Central Junior Leagues as part of their busy pre-season schedule.
The North Bay Junior ‘A’ Trappers Hockey Club will open its main camp in Sunday, August 22nd and on Thursday, August 26th the Trappers will play their first pre-season game against the Trenton Golden Hawks, a team that Jr. Trappers new Vice President Dean Pauli worked for last season as Director of Scouting.

“I’m excited to see how we in the NOJHL will stand up against the competition from my former team and the other two high profile tier II teams coming to North Bay,” adds Jr. ‘A’ Trappers Vice President Dean Pauli who believes the Golden Hawks will be one of the top clubs in the OJHL next season.

Then on Saturday, August 28th the Trappers will entertain the CJHL’s Nepean Raiders followed by a home tilt on Thursday, September 2nd against the Aurora Tigers. The Trappers lone road pre-season game will take place in August 29th when they travel to Aurora.

Trappers head coach and G.M. Ian Swalucynski is excited about the stiff competition the Golden Hawks, Raiders and Tigers will bring to Memorial Gardens.

“Seeing quality teams like these three in pre-season will certainly give us a gauge as to what kind of team we will have this season,” stated Swalucynski.

JUNIOR ‘A’ TRAPPERS HONOUR HALL OF FAMER BILL BARBER

26/07/2010

The North Bay Junior ‘A’ Trappers connected with the past at their Invitational Golf Tournament at Highview Golf Course in Powassan.

Team President Chris Dawson presented NHL Hall of Famer and Trappers Alumni Bill Barber with a Trappers jersey with his old #9 along with his name on the back.

“It is a great honour,” said Barber, who racked up more than 120 points in two seasons with the NOHA Trappers in 1967-68 and 1968-69.

The Philadelphia Flyers legendary winger, who was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, believes his days as a Trappers were vital in helping him develop into the dominant player he was for 12 NHL seasons in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

“I always look back when it comes to a career in hockey, it goes right back to the Trappers in the early years. I was a very young man at the time, or young boy would be better to say, I was 15-years-old and I had a chance to play with some great players and we ended up winning a championship that year so good memories, not moments, being honoured here today is a great feeling."

Barber, did a “meet and greet” (along with friend Peter “Sab” Sabourin) with golfers and sponsors for a couple hours during the 4-man scramble golf tournament, along with donating an autographed jersey to his former junior team.

"When you talk about North Bay, and you talk about hockey, you talk about the Trappers,” said Barber who has two Stanley Cup rings as a player with the Flyers in the 1970’s and another ring with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 as their Director of Player Development.

“The Trappers go back a long time; when they had an ECHL team and they were a pro team, semi pro team and I know one of the players I played with at the time , Barry Ashby, was on the Stanley Cup teams also played a year here and so when you talk North Bay, I think you talk about the Trappers, I think that's the name that always should have been - I wish it was when they were in the OHL, maybe someday that will change but we keep marching ahead and we have to keep that Trappers name."

Tournament Success

About 60 golfers participated in the four-man scramble. The team of Jon Stanton, Rick Stanton, Dave Sadler, Greg Sayer won the event by shooting a 61.

The event included a silent auction of hockey memorabilia and a steak dinner provided by Highview Golf Course.

The organization appreciates all the support from the participants and the sponsors that helped make the event possible.

Jr. A Trappers heads West to name new Captain

21/07/2010

A member of the North Bay Junior ‘A’ Trappers organization made a special visit to the city of Calgary deliver the “C” to the club’s new captain for the upcoming season.

Team President Chris Dawson delivered the jersey, in person, to returning defenceman Matt Weisensel at a park overlooking the Southern Alberta city late last week.

The 6’1”, 185 pound Calgary native registered 1 goal and added 10 assists totaling 11 points in 35 games last season with the Jr. ‘A’ Trappers.

"It means everything to me,” Weisensel said after putting on the Trappers jersey with the “C” stitched on it.

“I've had a letter once or twice before but this is new and I've always looked forward to having it (the ‘C’). I saw myself as a leader last year and I really think I will own this and help the boys be the best they can be this year.

"I think we have a good group of guys, especially some of the players returning, they have good hearts and good work ethic, I think we will have a great team and I'm excited to be back!"

Jr. ‘A’ Trappers Head Coach and General Manager Ian Swalucynski identified the smooth skating defender as captain material early in the off-season.

“He’s a leader in the room and a great role model for future Trappers in the community,” said Swalucynski.

“We are thrilled he wants to come back here and he sees this organization as a place that can help him acquire an NCAA Division I hockey scholarship.”

Weisensel joins returning signed forwards J.P. Kascsak, Jonathan Aubertin, Adam Marceau, Darnell Koosees, and rookies Jonathan Dionne and Travis Fernley.

JUNIOR ‘A’ TRAPPERS NAME NATHAN HEWITT NEW ASSISTANT COACH

19/06/2010

The North Bay Junior ‘A’ Trappers have taken a player from their past to help behind the bench.

North Bay native and former Skyhawks forward Nathan Hewitt has been named as an assistant coach with the Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club.

Hewitt joins the Jr. A Trappers coaching staff after putting up 17 points in 20 games with the Nipissing Lakers Varsity Hockey Club last season. Hewitt, the son of long-time Algonquin Barons High School hockey coach Dale Hewitt, is excited to carry on that family coaching tradition with the Junior ‘A’ Trappers.

“Coaching is pretty appealing to me because of the importance of coaching nowadays,” said Hewitt.

“I think it’s important for me to pass on the knowledge and expertise – everything I’ve learned over the years it is important to pass that on to the players that I will be working with.”

In parts of 3 seasons with the Skyhawks from 2004 to 2007, Hewitt registered 53 points in 90 games. Hewitt will also help out with the Midget AAA Trappers this season.

Trappers add Two Ontario Scouts

The Trappers also added two more experienced scouts to the organization as Rene Berube will take on the title of Northwestern Ontario Scout while Wayne McClelland has been added as a Northern Ontario Scout.

Both scouts have a wealth of scouting experience that they bring to the organization. Berube, a Thunder Bay native, has 10 years of scouting experience and scouted last season for the K & A Wolves of the SIJHL.

McClelland joins the club after 5 ½ seasons scouting for the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

“I left the Maroon's on very good terms and wish them success in the future,” said the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario resident.

“I got an offer from the Trappers and I decided to make the switch. This opportunity gives me a chance to be involved with a first class organization and to try and make a difference while promoting the NOJHL.”