Joey Payeur
The SIJHL ship is under the command of a new captain.
Thunder Bay resident Bryan Graham was announced as the league’s new commissioner yesterday, effective immediately.
Graham takes over for Ron Whitehead, who was voted out of his positions of president and commissioner at the SIJHL’s annual general meeting in Fort Frances earlier this month after being at the helm since 2005.
“It’s an exciting time for me and I am really looking forward to the opportunity,” Graham stated in a press release.
Graham’s main contribution to the game of hockey has come while wearing the stripes, as he served as a longtime veteran official in the Thunder Bay area, the Central Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.
After hanging up his whistle, Graham spent five years as the ECHL’s vice-president and director of officiating.
Upon returning to his hometown, his focus switched from the rink to the diamond as he became assistant general manager of the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods Baseball League.
He was also serving as the news and sports anchor on Country 105 FM radio in Thunder Bay when the SIJHL opportunity came along.
“The SIJHL has made some positive inroads since its inception in 2001 and we as a league will look to build on the previous experiences and successes in continuing to make the SIJHL a viable Jr. A hockey option for our players, coaching staffs, fans and corporate partners,” promised Graham.
The league will be releasing its schedule for the 2014-15 campaign in the upcoming days.
