NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, August 28, 2017
NOJHL team preseason preview: Blind River Beavers
SUDBURY, Ont. – The start of the 2017-18 season for the Blind River Beavers in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League will have them in uncharted territory.
No longer considered an underdog, the Beavers enter the campaign fresh off a franchise-record setting 2016-17 that saw them win the most games in team history as well as advance to their first-ever berth in the NOJHL finals.
Under NOJHL coach of the year Kyle Brick, his efforts and guidance saw Blind River post a club single-season-best 32 victories last year.
The goals for the Beavers continue to remain high as they look to maintain their winning ways at “The Dam” where they were among five league sides to post 20 or more wins on home ice last season.
Here’s a look at the third of 12 NOJHL team preseason previews as we get some thoughts and expectations from head coach Kyle Brick of the Blind River Beavers.
Head Coach – Kyle Brick
NOJHL: What are your expectations for the club heading into the 2017-18 season?
KYLE BRICK: Well I believe the goal would be to build on last year’s success and continue to have a growing program here in Blind River. Obviously it will be difficult to mirror the results of last year, but the goal would have to be to make it back to the league final and see what happens.
NOJHL: Give us your thoughts on what you’ve seen, or hope to see, from your club in the early days of your training camp.
KB: We want to be a team that is able to compete with all styles of play. Last year we had some issues against the bigger teams that seemed to bang us around. We have made strides to help improve that and it’s very visible at our skates that we will be bigger and stronger.
NOJHL: Who are a couple of returning players you expect big things from?
KB: We expect big things from Max Khull and Caleb Serre. This will be Max’s third year in the league and we expect him to be dominant. He was second on the team in scoring last season with 62 points in 55 games and was a point-per-game guy for us in the playoffs. As for Caleb, he is coming off a great rookie season. He scored 17 times, which put him in the top 10 in goals among first-year players. We are expecting him to contribute more offensively this year and also lead our team as our captain.
NOJHL: Who are some newcomers you’ve signed that you’ve been impressed with early on?
KB: I’ll let them introduce themselves throughout the year with their play on the ice. They come from all over; from all different programs and positions.
NOJHL: What are you looking to build upon after last year’s impressive season?
KB: I want to try and have a better record within the division. I thought we were very successful in the East (8-3-1), but would like to be better in our own division. That will be something we strive for all year.
NOJHL: What goals do you have heading into the preseason and the start of the regular season?
KB: Zero expectations for the preseason. As for the regular season, we want to start strong. Our schedule is very front-loaded so we need to be fast out of the gate.
NOJHL: Any other thoughts or comments you’d like to provide.
KB: Thanks for your time; can’t wait to get started.
PRESEASON GAMES
Aug. 31 vs. Elliot Lake 7:30 p.m. (Community Centre)
Sept. 1 @ Elliot Lake 7 p.m. (Centennial Arena)
THE BEAVERS ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: blindriverbeavers.com
Twitter: @BeaversNOJHL
Facebook: /Blind-River-Beavers-304022019704586/
