The NOJHL resumes the 2017-18 schedule this Thursday, but executives in the league will be eyeing a decision that could come out this month regarding the 2019 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Junior “A” Hockey Championships (DHC).

It’ll be the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s turn to host the tournament at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

And Rogers Radio can tell you that the Timmins Rock have submitted a bid to be host.

“We believe our facilities, game-day staff, ticketing system, fan base and corporate sponsors are second to none in the league,” President Ted Gooch told Rogers Media via email Tuesday evening.

However, information provided to us Thursday morning indicates they aren’t the only ones in the region with DHC aspirations.

Cochrane Crunch owner, General Manager and Head Coach Ryan Leonard has confirmed they are also in the running.

Leonard adds only Timmins and Cochrane are in the running at this point, as they were the only ones to submit a bid by the November 15th deadline.

On the bid, Leonard says “the Crunch have solid support from the Crunch and the Town of Cochrane, along with the Parks and Recreation committee, who will partner to make sure this is an event to remember in the Town Of Cochrane.”

When the question of who should host appeared via Twitter Tuesday night, Rock Head Coach Corey Beer—who knows a thing or two about winning in Junior A hockey—had the following to say on the matter:

The tournament is the next step towards the RBC Cup National Junior “A” Championship. The DHC pits the host against the champions from the NOJHL, the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). If the host wins their league title, the league finalist is awarded the fourth spot.

So does Timmins have a chance? Some others sure think so:

But other teams are worthy candidates as well.

Kirkland Lake hosted the tournament in 2016. Since going to the yearly host format in 2003, the other four hosts of the DHC from the NOJHL:

  • 2013: North Bay
  • 2010: Sault Ste. Marie
  • 2007: Iroquois Falls
  • 2004: North Bay

As to when you can expect an announcement? Well, Dryden was awarded the 2018 DHC and it was released publicly February 1st, 2017 so we could find out within the month.

Filed under: Local News, local-sports