NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2016
NOJHL preseason preview: Elliot Lake Wildcats
SUDBURY, Ont. – After two successful seasons under the guidance of general manager Todd Stecill and head coach Nathan Hewitt, the Elliot Lake Wildcats will look to improve even more heading into the 2016-17 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season.
With Hewitt having departed to join the staff of the University of Waterloo Warrior’s men’s program as an associate coach, former Iroquois Falls Eskis bench boss Corey Bricknell is now in Elliot Lake as their new head coach.
Under Hewitt’s and Stencill’s helm they guided the Wildcats to an impressive 73-23-6-4 overall record in 106 games during the past two seasons. Bricknell will look to build on that.
The following preseason preview on the Elliot Lake Wildcats is the second of the 12 NOJHL teams with insight from each of the leagues dozen head coaches and/or general managers.
Elliot Lake Wildcats
Head Coach: Corey Bricknell
NOJHL: Give us a preview of what you hope to see when you hit the ice at training camp?
COREY BRICKNELL: “We start up on August 22. I expect high-pace, high-tempo in the skates. There are spots to be had and nothing is in stone. I hope the players come in fit and ready to play hockey.”
NOJHL: Who are some of the returning players you expect big things from?
CB: “I’m not one to put pressure on any one player or players. I want the best from every player.”
NOJHL: Are there any newcomers you’ve signed that have got your attention?
CB: “We have a few new players that we are bringing in. They are great hockey players and great people off the ice as well.”
GM TODD STENCILL: “On the new players to watch, one is Ryan McGee, a defencemen who played for the Mississauga AAA Midgets in the GTHL last season. Another will be Sudbury Nickel Capitals graduating goalie Justin Richer who backstopped the Wildcats to their TEP Tournament championship this off-season. There is also 19-year-old D-man Zac Mihalis among the other players coming in.”
NOJHL: How are the preparations going leading into the exhibition schedule?
CB: “Preseason is when you can get a handle on who plays well together and see the real game emotions. It’s not about winning in the preseason.”
NOJHL: What do you look to bring behind the bench with the Wildcats?
CB: “Leadership, bench management, knowledge, confidence.”
NOJHL: What goals do you have heading into training camp, the preseason and the start of the regular season?
CB: “I want to get to know all the players and find out what their “WHY” factor is with hockey.”
WILDCATS PRESEASON GAMES
Sept. 1 vs. Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Centennial)
