Asides

Blizzard Hire Scouting Staff

In the days since Head Coach and GM Eric Labrosse’s hiring, he has been busy making key moves for the organization. One of the first decisions he made was to ensure the Blizzard added two elite scouting staff members that will help bring quality players to the club. Ryan Goethals will take the role of Director of Player Personnel and Mark Patton joins as Head Scout.

Ryan Goethals: Director of Player Personnel

“I am very excited and honoured to be joining the Blizzard. I want to thank Head Coach/GM Eric Labrosse for giving me this opportunity and putting his trust in me to help build something special here. I’m looking forward to working very closely with Eric and Mark Patton for many years to come.

We are going to be a hard working staff that is dedicated to finding the right players that fit what we are looking for within our organization, developing them into even better hockey players and human beings, and achieving team success. I can’t wait to get started and begin this new challenge.”

 

Mark Patton : Head Scout

“I am excited to be joining the Blizzard in the role of Head Scout. We have some really good pieces in place already and good prospects. Lead by Head Coach Eric Labrosse, I have no doubt that we can return the organization to being a main stay at the top of the standings.

I am eager to get going, and I am honoured to be a part of the organization.”

“Adding both Ryan Goethals as Director of Player Personnel and Mark Patton as Head Scout to the staff was a priority of mine. To build a great organization you need to have a staff on board that has knowledge of the young talent that’s out there. That’s exactly what Ryan and Mark will bring to us.

Their experience whether it’d be with their current WHL teams, as well as their past experiences in Junior A hockey, Ryan being with the La Ronge Ice Wolves the last few years and Mark with the Flin Flon Bombers, will serve the Blizzard’s future tremendously. Their mandate will be to prepare the Blizzard’s future for the MJHL drafts to come, as well as following up on our drafted prospects progress throughout their respective seasons. Their role will be key to making the future of the Blizzard bright for many years to come.

I’m happy they’ve decided to join our organization and look forward to get the season going with them both.” – Eric Labrosse

We welcome both to our tri-community!

Blizzard Looking to Add to Staff

Blizzard are looking to hire two positions to fill their staff for the upcoming season. The first, a full-time Assistant Coach and second, an Athletic Therapist/Equipment Manager. These positions will add to the newly hired HC/GM Eric Labrosse to set the team up for success this year.

Both Job descriptions and requirements are listed below.

Assistant Coach

AT:Equip

All interested applicants are asked to contact Eric Labrosse at

labrosseeric_27@hotmail.com

Closing date: July 22, 2023

Photo by: Kelly  Kocur Jacobson

Summer Camp Registration

Blizzard hockey is back and set to start with our annual Identification camp July 23-24, 2023 in Winnipeg, MB. The camp will take place at the Canlan Arena on Ellice Ave.

All 2003-2007 born players are welcome to attend. There will be a fee of $175 for each player. This will include 2 hours of ice time per day and a dryland session.

Deadline for registration will be July 20, 2023.

Please fill out the registration form below and email it to ocnblizzard.camps@hotmail.com to confirm your spot and make payment arrangements.

Summer Camp 23

For any questions contact HC/GM Eric Labrosse at 514-690-3534.

Photo by Kelly Kocur Jacobson

Eric Labrosse named HC/GM

The Blizzard are pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Labrosse as Head Coach and General Manager. Eric has many years of coaching experience ranging from France2, Usports and most recently serving as the Assistant Coach for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL.

“Coming to the Blizzard is a great challenge for me in my career. I want to come in and prove that we can build a team that competes for a championship. We will be a hard working group that will be exciting to watch. Hopefully we can represent the community with humility and a big sense of pride.”

Welcome to the club!

Photo by Daniel St-Louis

Building a Board

The Blizzard MJHL Junior A Club will be forming a community board to assist in the operations of our program.
We are currently taking names of those interested in assisting, from all communities in the area.  Hockey operations knowledge is a major plus, as well as your community network.
Please feel free to forward your name, and why you’d be suited to assisting our club’s direction to
usman_tahir625@yahoo.com.Closing date:  July 12, 2023
First meeting:  TBA, last half of July.

Blizzard Announce New Partnership

The Blizzard Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club of the MJHL, and the Town of The Pas, are announcing today that the team has signed a 3 year agreement to play out of the Roy H Johnston Arena, in The Pas.

“There has been a lot of chatter around the communities as our agreement with the GLMC ended this past season.  Despite offers to move the team out of the region, we were committed to accomplish our original goal when we took over the team – to keep a world class Junior team in the North, where we call home. We’re excited that we can keep our team here for our fans in our three communities, and in the North.  We are very grateful to the hard work of the staff of the Town of The Pas over the past months to create this deal.  We are also extremely thankful to the fans of our club from The Pas, Opaskwayak, and the entire region, who wanted to ensure that MHJL Junior A hockey continues to have a home in Northern Manitoba.” – [Blizzard official]
“With any move of this size, yes, we know there will be some challenges.  However, to us, the economic and community impacts of the team staying outweighs this, and I’m proud how our staff are committed to making this work to the best of our abilities.  So many communities without a Junior team wish they had this opportunity.  Our kids can still look up to a local Junior A program, which is a goal that many players from The Pas, Opaskwayak and the RM have had.  It should also be noted, that there are no new direct costs related to this deal that will come from the taxpayer.  This is an arrangement of in-kind support, which is best suited to our community’s needs.” – Andre Murphy, Mayor.
“We hope to continue to build relationships within the North, as we have so much talent emerging, that we’d love to have part of this club.   As we look to grow, we are exploring options on a restructure to a community-based, board-led organization.  Be on the look out for many new exciting announcements in the days to come.  Thank you fans from across the North, and all our volunteers, staff and sponsors.  Looking forward to an exciting up-coming season.” – [Blizzard official]
(Pictured – Mayor Andre Murphy and Ownership Usman Tahir)

Blizzard Hiring HC/GM

Blizzard are looking forward to the 2023-2024 season. With this excitement comes the hiring of a new Head Coach and General Manager. We are looking to add a motivated individual to our team for the upcoming season. Job requirements and duties are listed in the link below.

HC/GM Duties

All interested parties are asked to email Usman Tahir at usman_tahir625@yahoo.com

Closing Date: June 25, 2023

Blizzard Make 1st Round

For the first time since 2018, the Blizzard are joining the dance to the Turnbull Cup. With a back and forth race since returning from winter break, the #MGEUWest division was the tightest it could be with all clubs hoping to keep their dreams alive.

A ten day break from games in early March didn’t make it easy waiting to see where the final points would stand. Fast forward to our last weekend of play and we have clinched a spot, secured 2nd place of the West Division and claimed home-ice advantage for the beginning of playoffs.

To say we are excited is an understatement. Lets pack the GL and bring back its former glory! Ticket information coming soon.

ANNUAL PANCAKES & PEROGIES

The Blizzard are hosting their annual pancake breakfast this year with a couple differences!

Our location has changed! Previously hosted at the Roy H Johnson Arena, we have moved to a different venue. The Norlite Hall is the site for our new location!

Day 1 was a huge success with nothing but raves from everyone who attended. Come on down and join us for the rest of the weekend! Start and finish your trappers weekend with us.

OPEN THURSDAY UNTIL SUNDAY 7AM-1PM!

Don’t forget to pre-order with Jenn @ 204-620-5200

RBC Community Ambassador – Ryan Monias

Early in January the Blizzard, MJHL and RBC named this years 2022/2023 RBC Community Ambassador. This award is given to the player who shows interest and enthusiasm in working in the community. The player selected has a donation made to a local school in their name by RBC.

“Community Ambassadors are recognized for making a difference and giving back to their communities in which they play in. Each player has displayed outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship both on and off the ice and a commitment to volunteerism.” – MJHL

The player named as this years RBC Community Ambassador is 20 year old Ryan Monias. Ryan was acknowledged by RBC and given his award during their RBC Game Night on January 17, 2023 at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre. He has chosen Ecole Opasquia School as the recipient of his donation!

Pictured above with Cam Nagle, Principal of Opasquia

Congratulations Ryan!