SUDBURY—Julien Bergeron’s dream of establishing a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) team in the North was first inspired by the fabled Travellers of Wawa, a community near to his home reserve. It is a dream he has doggedly pursued, and he has considered a number of potential locations in which to settle a team, but chose Manitoulin Island, with its strong hockey fan base, as his main target.
Mr. Bergeron recently launched a GoFundMe campaign with the lofty goal of raising $400,000 as a base to make his dream a reality.
Expositor readers will likely recall Mr. Bergeron’s approach to the Northeast Town council last March seeking formal agreement to utilize the town’s arena as a base for the team. Council was leery of the concept, given the failure of two previous attempts to successfully establish junior hockey teams in the community—notably the Manitoulin Wild (2003 to 2005) and, more recently, the Manitoulin Islanders (2005 to 2011). The Islanders franchise was then sold by owner Reggie Leach and moved to Kirkland Lake, where they became the Gold Miners.
Hockey journalist Randy Russon told The Expositor at the time that he believed the Island could successfully host a team this time around as the model has changed considerably as a ‘pay to play’ proposition.
“Look around the NOJHL and see the number of small market towns that are supporting teams: Blind River, Espanola, French River, Iroquois Falls,” said Mr. Russon back in March. “I truly believe that, for example, if French River can house an NOJHL team—as it has for a number of years now—that Manitoulin can as well with the right set of ownership, management and community support. I would love to see the NOJHL back on the Manitoulin. More importantly, citing examples of other such small market teams, I think it can be done in Little Current with the right people involved and unconditional community support.”
Mr. Bergeron originally hoped his home reserve would invest in the project, and at first it seemed they would, he told The Expositor in conversation recently, but they eventually decided to go in another direction. Other investors who seemed promising at first approach have also stepped back, so Mr. Bergeron, while he remains undaunted, looks upon the GoFundMe campaign as his last kick at the can to establish a NOJHL franchise on Manitoulin.
The clock is ticking on the timeframe to establish and build a team based in Little Current, notes Mr. Bergeron. The news that the Espanola team might be in play offers an opportunity to purchase an existing franchise. Establishing a team on Manitoulin Island would place it close enough to the other teams in the league to make it viable.
In speaking to the Northeast Town council last spring, Mr. Bergeron said he would anticipate a 28-home game season and training camp that would require use of the facilities from August to March. Should the proposed team be successful in making it to the playoffs, additional ice time would be required.
In establishing his GoFundMe campaign, Mr. Bergeron said he has “calculated the amount needed to make this a reality rather than just a dream. I believe the best way to encourage people, especially businesses, to help is by recognizing their contributions. I plan to have the first donors on a banner for all to see for eternity.”
The minimum amount set for the campaign is $300,000. If unsuccessful in meeting that benchmark, Mr. Bergeron said donor’s money would be returned. The funds would be used for the initial buying price, hiring employees, arena costs, merchandise and player equipment.
“I have a side request as my family currently lives in Sudbury,” notes Mr. Bergeron. “If donors or people sharing this fundraiser could relay some housing options around the Island, it would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be close to the team and the business.”
To support Mr. Bergeron’s dream, search ‘Bring NOJHL back to the Island’ on GoFundMe.com.
