The goal was simple for Kam River Fighting Walleye President Derek Geddes… address past concerns and move towards a brand new partnership with the Thunder Bay Kings midget program.
The Kings will be able to keep their players to get more exposure and move up when they’re ready; In turn the Walleye will provide players with scholarship money to further their education and playing opportunities.
“We want skaters and goaltenders developing. We don’t want to take them out of midget hockey too early and have them sitting in the stands in junior or playing on the fourth line” notes Geddes.
Geddes mentions the goal is to get players as young as five and six years old to start thinking about eventually being a member of the Fighting Walleye.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
When you bring a new team in, one of the burning questions will be “what’s your nickname going to be?”
Geddes notes the choices were endless when making that decision: “We even sought out the Thunder Bay Flyers name, which was a very successful program back in the 80’s and 90’s”.
At the end of it all, Geddes and company decided to adopt their Junior ‘B’ name.
“With the Walleye being such a popular fish, and fishing itself being a popular sport in our neck of the woods, we just thought teaming that with a cool logo would resonate with not only our market but with other teams across the Superior International Junior Hockey League” says Geddes.
The team is set to play out of the NorWest Recreation Centre in Oliver Paipoonge.
EVALUATION CAMP
Extended camp continues at the Tournament Centre.
The SIJHL is aiming to have a season with fans start on November 14th.
Both the United States and Canada have extended the land border closure to October 21st.
