The Borderland Thunder, Fort Frances’ entry in the new seven-team Superior International Junior Hockey League, was expected to name former NHL’er Mike Allison as head coach yesterday.
Wayne Strachan and Shane Bliss were slated to be named assistant coaches.
“To me, it’s exciting and a great honour,” said Allison, a Fort Frances native who played 10 years in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings.
In fact, Allison said Monday the recruiting of local talent already has begun.
“Our immediate plan is to find players and that we’ve been working on getting, and getting them to feel it’s a program that will allow them to be part of a community with a strong hockey background.
“Hopefully, it will be an exciting tradition.”
Three months after the announcement of its genesis, representatives from the seven-team league reconvened at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay on Saturday to discuss the ins and outs of scheduling and rosters.
Shawn Jourdain, president of the Borderland Thunder, which is owned by the Couchiching First Nation, said their main focus was “trying to get in order for the season to come.”
The other Tier II Junior ‘A’ teams set to compete in the SIJHL’s inaugural include the Dryden Icedogs, Thunder Bay Wolves, Thunder Bay KC Exterior Finishing Bulldogs, Feathermen Hawks First Nation, Northern Wisconsin Knights, and the Iron Range Yellowjackets.
The entry fee for all teams was $13,500.
SIJHL president Jerry Blazino said the major barrier for teams in the past has been travelling expenses. But with all seven teams being within a 250-road mile radius, the projected yearly travelling budget is $100,000 (Cdn.)
Blazino admitted there has been some instability along the way, including several city and nickname changes.
“We’re trying to build the train as we build the tracks so we’re learning as we go,” said Blazino, adding that “there’s a lot to do yet.”
This is Junior ‘A’ hockey’s first foray into Fort Frances since the 1960s when the Royals ruled the rink at the Memorial Arena. They folded in 1971 after lack of fan support.
The 2001-2002 reincarnation will play their games at the new Memorial Sports Centre.
And although no detailed market reports on potential fan suppport have been made, Jourdain is confident the SIJHL has staying power in Fort Frances.
“We have a fantastic facility to play out of,” he noted. “So hopefully, it’s going to take off really well.”
Fans can expect the SIJHL’s complete game schedule by early June, with each team to play 48 games. The season is slated to be launched on the Sept.14 weekend.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
