NOJHL Notebook: Returning commissioner and teams as 2015-16 approaches

It’s been quite a busy summer in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The resignation, and subsequent return, of Robert Mazzuca as league commissioner has made headlines in recent weeks.

Mazzuca stepped down from the post shortly the NOJHL annual general meeting in late-June but agreed to return to the job after a restructuring of league operations.

“Essentially, the executive committee will oversee the day-to-day business affairs of the league and submit policy recommendations to the board of governors for consideration,” said NOJHL Chairman of the Board Scott Marshall.

“The commissioner will maintain absolute care and control of hockey operations in concert with his staff,” Marshall also said. “The new division of roles and responsibilities should result in more efficient operations and alleviate concerns regarding who does what.”

The executive committee includes Jim Taylor of the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and Todd Stencill of the Elliot Lake Wildcats as well as Marshall.

Mazzuca became the NOJHL’s commissioner in 2011.

The league opens the regular season on Sept. 11 with all 12 teams in action.

The league enters the 2015-16 season featuring three new teams and includes the Soo Eagles, who return from time spent in the North American Hockey League, as well as the French River Rapids and Espanola Express.

The league announced on Saturday that it will have a team compete in the Eastern Canada All-star Jr. A Challenge (originally called the Central Canada Cup Challenge.

The tournament features all-star teams from all five eastern Canadian Junior Hockey League member leagues. Teams from the Central Canada Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Quebec Junior Hockey League and Maritime Hockey League as well as the NOJHL team will be a part of the event.

“(The tournament) has generated into a very high profile tournament that draws a multitude of scouts in all areas from major junior, CIS to the NCAA and NHL,” said Mazzuca. “The additional exposure the Eastern Jr. A Challenge will offer our payers that are selected to the team is second to none and we’re excited to be part of it.”

The tournament is scheduled to begin on Nov. 16 in Cornwall, Ont.