About 25 prospective players and their parents attended the first meeting of the Borderland Thunder on May 15 at the Memorial Sports Centre, which head coach Mike Allison called “very productive.”
Still, he added the question period was most challenging as those on hand asked about the stability of the new Superior International Junior Hockey League team–and the fledgling ‘A’ league itself.
Despite announcing Brent Tookenay as the Thunder’s general manager last Thursday, Allison said the SIJHL’s brain trust should be making sure all seven teams are on the same page from a business standpoint.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to say that we’re not ready yet,” he admitted, noting fans should have at least received preliminary information about season tickets this month.
“I hope we can get some seats out there,” said Allison. “We really need the support from the community.”
SIJHL president Jerry Blazino said issues such as ice availability for the teams in Thunder Bay and travel schedules will be the main topics at the league’s next general meeting June 9.
“There is some concern,” Blazino said. “Some are established teams, some are just starting out. There’s always going to be a little bit of problems.”
For now, Allison said the important thing is to ensure prospective players that this league will be an integral part to their personal development.
“Everyone left with a lot of understanding of what it takes to represent hockey in their community,” said Allison.
But that doesn’t mean expanding their talent base outside Fort Frances is not out of the question.
Allison said the next step is to recruit talent from elsewhere in Northwestern Ontario, such as Kenora, where he suggests other SIJHL teams from Dryden and Thunder Bay also will be scouting.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
