Shelburne Jr. ‘A’ re–groups for 2014

September 3, 2014 · 0 Comments

After a tough season that saw the Shelburne Redwings finish in the basement of the Greater Metro Hockey League, the club is in a re-building year with new ownership, a new name, and a new team on the bench.
The Redwings managed to win only three games all last season and with the losing season, they also lost a lot of fans as the team struggle to finish the year.
With a new ownership in place the team has reformed as the HTI Stars, named after the Hockey Training Institute – an Innisfil hockey training academy.
The transition was made in July with new players trying out for the newly named team.
As with the last few season, the team will have players from a variety of different places and nationalities.
“We have First Nations players, and some from Russia, the Czech Republic, as well as some Canadian and American players,” said the club’s Director of Hockey Operations Lesley Way. “We’ve signed up a full roster.”
The team’s head coach will be Nemanja Jankovic – an alumni of the Bradford Rattlers Jr A club that won the League championship in 2007 / 08.
Bob Russell, League president said, “Jenya is a talented recruiter that brings elite level players. From his time with the Rattlers, I know that Jenya can run a great program. He will ice a competitive team.”
In an effort to boost fan participation, the club has also moved their regular home game nights from Saturday to Monday.
“Hopefully with the new ownership, new coach, and new team, it will bring more people to our Monday games,” Way said.
The team enjoyed a good response from local fans in the their inaugural year in the GMHL, but fan interest waned when they started dropping lower in the standings.
The switch to Monday nights will hopefully renew interest at the local level.
The GMHL season is scheduled to get underway on September 5.
The Shelburne team’s first game is scheduled for September 14, in Bradford.
Their first home game will take place on Monday, September 15, when they host the South Muskoka Sheild at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.
The puck drop is slated for 8:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart