NEWS

May 5, 2021, Minden, Ontario - A new addition to Haliburton County promises to deliver fast-paced Junior A hockey to the community beginning this fall, it was announced today. The Haliburton County Huskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League are setting up shop in the recently renovated S.G Nesbitt Memorial Arena.  One of 22 franchises in the OJHL, the team is moving to Haliburton from Durham Region where it was known as the Whitby Fury.

“One of our main objectives, aside from having a great hockey team, is to work with the local residents to bring the community closer together through sport,” said Huskies President Paul Wilson. “We are very proud of the organization that we have created and the strong tradition that we know this team will bring to the county and its many hockey fans.”

“We’re very excited to be in Haliburton County,” said Huskies Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Ramsay. “Everyone, from the municipal council and staff, to local residents and merchants, has been so welcoming and we’re looking forward to getting into our new facility in this great community.”

The rink portion of the Minden arena was demolished and replaced as part of a $12-million renewal project.

“We think the knowledgeable hockey fans of this area will really enjoy this brand of junior hockey,” said Ramsay. “Our players are shooting for college scholarships and opportunities to play in the OHL and eventually professionally. The emphasis is on skill, speed and character.”

“We cannot wait to bring Junior A Hockey to Haliburton County,” said Bradley Townsend, the Huskies’ President of Business and Hockey Operations. “Our team on and off the ice will work hard to give the entire community a great hockey experience for all ages. Join us and be a part of Huskies Hockey  “  

“Haliburton county is beyond excited to get a Junior A hockey club,” said Mayor Brent Devolin of the Township of Minden Hills. “The new facility in Minden Hills that will house the team is state-of-the-art and we are proud to host teams of this level. We cannot wait to get the 2021-22 hockey season going.”

“The OJHL is extremely excited to be bringing Junior A hockey to Minden and the Haliburton County. At the Junior A level, the partnership with our municipalities is a key success factor. The last number of years we have seen municipalities value having OJHL clubs being partners within their communities,” said OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy. “From running events at the regional and national levels, hosting league events and nationally televised games, to supporting our clubs throughout the season, these partnerships help in the development and support of these athletes and provides a platform to bring the community together.”

West Guilford native Bernie Nicholls played for the North York Rangers of the OJHL ahead of his 17-year career in the NHL. Former Haliburton Huskies minor hockey player and future NHLer Cody Hodgson was an affiliate player with the OJHL’s Markham team.

“One of our main objectives, aside from having a great hockey team, is to work with the local residents to bring the community closer together through sport,” said Ramsay. “We are very proud of the organization that we have created and the strong tradition that we know this team will bring to the county and its many hockey fans.”

About the Huskies

Ryan Ramsay is entering his third season as general manager and head coach of the franchise. Ramsay played in the OJHL before playing four years in the Ontario Hockey League at Peterborough, Plymouth and Kitchener. Ramsay signed an NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues before playing a 11-year pro career in the AHL and Germany.

“The majority of our core players will be returning and we are excited about this young group but we will be looking to add players to complement them,” said Ramsay.

The Huskies inaugural Rookie Camp will be held Aug. 13-15 at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena

*For registration, go to the team website: http://haliburtonhuskies.pointstreaksites.com/view/haliburtonhuskies

Help Wanted

The Huskies organization is looking to fill the following positions:

•       Assistant General Manager
•       Assistant Coach
•       Athletic Therapist
•       Equipment Manager
•       Game Day Staff - timekeeper, videographer, announcer, ushers
•       Billet Families

Please send applications to: ramsayhockey@gmail.com

About the OJHL

COVID-19 shut down the OJHL during its 2019-20 playoffs in March 2020 and did not allow the league play a regular season in 2020-21. League officials are optimistic that play will return this fall.

The largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the league’s footprint stretches from Wellington to Buffalo and north to Collingwood – and now Haliburton County.

With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U SPORTS, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 125 commitments in 2019-20 – including more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarships.

On opening day of the 2021 NHL season, there were 59 players on rosters who skated in the OJHL – as full-time players or affiliates from U16 or U18 teams.

OJHL alumni – who played full time in the league – skating in the NHL this season include:

•   Toronto Maple Leafs Zach Hyman (Hamilton), Michael Hutchinson (Orangeville) and Travis Dermott (Newmarket). (Mitch Marner and John Tavares played as U16 affiliates.)

•    St. Michael’s Buzzers graduates and brothers Reilly Smith (Vegas Golden Knights) and Brendan Smith (New York Rangers)

•     Edmonton Oiler Devin Shore (Whitby)

The OJHL has four players – the most of any Jr. A league in Canada – on the NHL Central Scouting draft list for the 2021 draft.

A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League. It was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94.

For more details regarding the Huskies please visit  http://haliburtonhuskies.pointstreaksites.com/view/haliburtonhuskies