CARLETON PLACE
– The Junior A Canadians arrived in style last weekend playing host to the
entire league.
Each of the 12 teams of the Central Junior A Hockey League
played two games here in the annual showcase. The event brought players,
family, fans and scouts from near and far to the expansion team’s home rink for
three days of action.
Jason Clarke, coach of Canadians, said he was thrilled about
hosting the “biggest showcase in North America.”
“It was absolutely awesome, just fantastic,” he said about
the CJHL’s opening weekend.
The exposure gained by the Canadians in their first season was another plus.
“This showed the town how good this level of hockey is and
what they can look forward to,” he said.
“It shows how the organization is taking the right steps to
make the hockey club competitive.”
On Friday evening, the Canadians went head-to-head against
the Nepean Raiders.
The Raiders came out on top with a 4-1 win.
The Canadians took on the Ottawa Junior Senators on Sunday
and managed to record a 3-2 final after a shoot out.
Clarke was happy with the team’s split and said there were
still some kinks to iron out.
“I think the boys played really well, but couldn’t finish on
some of their chances,” he said.
“They represented the town and the organization with the
utmost class.”
Clarke also tipped his hat to the town for coming out to
support the Canadians.
“The players were very excited to see the crowds come out at
5 p.m. on Friday and again at 11 a.m. on Sunday. They were excited to play in Carleton Place,” he
said.
“The teams all had great things to say about the hospitality
and the ice conditions. Bob White and the arena staff did a great job.”
Clarke did not have a final attendance count, but said most games
attracted between 250 to 400 spectators
THE SHOWCASE
CJHL commissioner Kevin Abrams said holding the annual showcase
in Carleton Place
this year made sense as it is a great, central location. Not to mention, this
was a good way to introduce the other teams to their newest competitor’s home.
Abrams said the obvious benefit to a town hosting the annual
showcase is the economic spinoff, as players and families often stay in local
hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop in the area. It also allows local fans
to watch teams from the entire league in three days.
“(The fans) get to see future rivals,” the commissioner said.
When the Kemptville 73’s joined the league, he said, the
showcase was held in Kemptville for the same reasons.
“I think it creates fans,” he said.
Abrams said he has been very impressed with the performance
of the Canadians so far.
Scouts from American colleges, the OHL and NHL also packed
the stands, alongside the fans.
Steve Bisson, the Guelph Storm’s eastern Ontario scout, said he was looking at kids
already drafted and those who might be potential free agents.
“This showcase is predominantly for NCAA where they can come
here and watch a whole bunch of games in one weekend. They get to see everybody
in one weekend,” he said before catching a Smiths Falls Bears match.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to come up for the
weekend instead of seeing a game every once in a while.”
Bisson said he was already visiting Carleton Place to look for new talent,
but expects the new team to give local hockey fans a better product.
“It puts Carleton
Place on the map for some of the kids who want to
come out to play and earn a scholarship,” he added.
Abrams said coach Clarke has done “a great job” building the
team and working hard to promote the league over the summer.
When a new team joins the league, Abrams said, it generally
takes two to three years for it to get up to speed. However, with the community
support the Canadians have, he feels the Canadians will be a team to watch out
for in no time.
“Once the playoffs roll around, you never know,” he said.
HOME OPENER
This Saturday, Sept. 19, the Canadians will host the Smiths
Falls Bears for the home opener.
Organizers are planning a family-oriented tailgate street
party with entertainment for any age.
The day will feature games for kids, a free barbecue, a
chance to meet the players, entertainment by The Barking Spiders, free draws
and the unveiling of the official mascot.
The fun begins at 3 p.m. in the parking lot at the Carleton
Place Community Centre on Neelin
Street and will continue when the hockey game
starts at 7:30 p.m.
Well-known face in the community, Jack Denovan, will act as
master of ceremonies. Advance tickets are available at MacDonald Sports at 155 Hooper St. and
at Carleton Refrigeration at 150
Industrial Ave.