Espanola Rivermen

The Espanola Rivermen[3] were a Canadian junior ice hockey franchise based in Espanola, Ontario, Canada.[4] They were founded as a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League,[5] but joined the Canadian International Hockey League after one season.

Espanola Rivermen
CityEspanola, Ontario, Canada
LeagueNOJHL
CIHL
Operated2013[1]–2015
Home arenaEspanola Regional Recreational Complex
Owner(s)Tim Clayden[1]
General managerChad Clarke[2]
Head coachTom McCarthy[2]

History

The Espanola Rivermen were granted expansion in the summer of 2013 to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.[6] They are the first junior club in Espanola since the demise of the Espanola Kings of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League and first NOJHL franchise since the Espanola Screaming Eagles.

As a condition of expansion, Tim Clayden, former owner of the North Bay Trappers[7] and the Trenton Golden Hawks,[8] would have to sell his Trappers' franchise to get the team in Espanola. When a buyer was found for the Trappers, his expansion was granted.

The Rivermen's first game was played in Kirkland Lake, Ontario against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners on September 6, 2013.[9][10] Despite an early 2–0 lead, the Rivermen would lose the game 8–3. Brandon Janke scored the first goal in team history, while Griffin Strain played the game in net.[11] The next night, the Rivermen traveled to Iroquois Falls, Ontario to play the Abitibi Eskimos where the Rivermen won 3–1 to pick up their first franchise victory. Strain would get the win in net.[12] The Rivermen's first home game was on September 27, 2013, as they host the Sudbury Nickel Barons.[13] The Rivermen would win the game 5–4. The first home ice goal was scored by Cray Roberge, 14:35 into the first period, on a penalty shot. Brennan Dubchak would score the eventual winning goal 9:04 into the third period while Griffin Strain made 44 saves to pick up the historic win.[14]

In the summer of 2014, Clayden opted to pull the Rivermen out of the NOJHL to form his own league. The newly formed Canadian International Hockey League boasted 8 teams, but within months lost most of its teams. The CIHL season ended with only two teams and the Town of Espanola cancelling their contract with the Rivermen organization. The CIHL folded in the spring of 2015 and Espanola had an NOJHL team within weeks, with the Espanola Express for the 2015–16 season.

Season-by-season results
SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPResultsPlayoffs
2013–1456322301218187653rd NOJHLLost semi-final
2014–1538221402123117462nd CIHLLost final, 0-4 (Attack)

References
  1. June 28, Timmins Press More from Timmins Press Published on; June 28, 2013 | Last Updated; Edt, 2013 2:42 Pm (June 28, 2013). "Espanola returns". Retrieved November 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Espanola NOJHL entry brings Trappers' top guns | Sault This Week". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  3. "Espanola decides on Rivermen | Sudbury Star". www.thesudburystar.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-08.
  4. "NOJHL in Espanola". Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  5. "Espanola Jr. A Hockey Club | Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League | Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League". Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  6. "Espanola makes official return to Junior A hockey". Sudbury.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  7. "NOJHL to Add Espanola in 2013? | the Junior Hockey News". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  8. "Pointstreak Sites | Pointstreak Solutions | OJHL approves Preds move to Trenton". Archived from the original on 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  9. "NOJHL announces 2013-14 schedule – North Bay Jr. 'A' Trappers". Archived from the original on 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  10. "Game Schedule - 2013-2014 Regular Season - Espanola Rivermen". Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  11. "Espanola Rivermen at Kirkland Lake Gold Miners - 2013-2014 Regular Season". Archived from the original on 2013-09-07. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  12. "Espanola Rivermen at Abitibi Eskimos - 2013-2014 Regular Season". Archived from the original on 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  13. August 2, KEITH DEMPSEY More from KEITH DEMPSEY Published on; August 2, 2013 | Last Updated; Edt, 2013 2:07 Am (August 2, 2013). "Nickel Barons host Eskis to open season". Retrieved November 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. "Sudbury Nickel Barons at Espanola Rivermen - 2013-2014 Regular Season". Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
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