Moosecalac 2017 – The Market is Hot ! ! !
Planning for Moosecalac 2017 is off and running. It is scheduled for the Family Day Weekend
(February 16-19). As usual, there is lots of stuff going on for all ages and we are looking forward for
another great year. There are a few new developments this year as well. We will be partnering with
the OPP and the “Push for Change Foundation”. This activity will involve students from the three
area high schools. We will have more information about that later. We also have agreed to sponsor
the family of Tyler Abraham of Geraldton. There will be more information on funding goals later as
well. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Mikko Koivisto and AV Terrace Bay for their
continued sponsorship. And finally, we would like to thank all the businesses, organizations, and
individuals who have stepped up again this year to support the Annual NHL Jersey Raffle.
On the hockey front, we have 22 teams registered including 5 ladies teams (6 if you count Pat and
Jeremy Albert’s team). For the 23rd consecutive year, the Newfie Bullets will be part of the festivities.
The Bullets have under gone some managerial changes over the past few years and are proud to say
they have persevered despite the questionable leadership of the aforementioned Koivisto and the
pride of Goulais River, Andrew McFarlane. That being said, McFarlane has made a fleury of moves
already and looks like a man on a mission to keep his job. At first glance team management was
excited to hear he signed a few “20 somethings” and a cagey veteran however the devil is in the
details. Stephane Leclair and Ian McPherson will certainly help the offensively challenged team and
Sidney Abraham will definitely solidify the defense. It is the addition of Cody Salmi that has raised
some eyebrows. Salmi, once thought to be an “A Division” star, has seen his stock drop very quickly.
Given that he can barely even keep up with coach McFarlane himself, the future is not exactly bright.
As this point Salmi looks like a solid 4 th liner (along with McFarlane). We won’t tell them we’re only
going with 3 lines for now. Add to that, long time Bullet, Andrew Carr (the 3rd member of the 4th line)
is bringing some buddies from Thunder Bay to join the team. Without going into great detail, I can
tell you that nobody is “shaking in their boots” with that news.
On another note, the talent challenged triumvirate of Mikko Koivisto, Pat Albert, and Jeremy Albert
are in the news again. Last year, after several years of trying (and failing miserably) to build a
Championship team in the B Division (or any division), they moved their merry band of over-rated,
over the hill, and overblown egos to the C Division in search of success, any kind of success. That
failed miserably when they fell to the faster and more skilled Newfie Bullets in the semi-finals.
Undeterred and in search of a fair test of their skill (Hint: Think Ladies Division), they are making the
jump back to the B Division again this year. I guess, as Donald Trump has shown us, a big ego (backed
up with “Alternative Facts”) is a powerful thing. Good luck boys (but I’m thinking you need a lot more
than luck).
And that’s how it looks from where I sit . . . . See you next week ! ! !
Your 2017 Moosecalac Committee
Natalie Piché, Angele Serré, Francis Dumais, Lisa Dumais, Brent Henley,
Rob Kurish, Renée Henley, Alain St. Onge, Pat Albert, and Tim Griffin