New season brings change for Rayside-Balfour Canadians

The new season of junior hockey will have more "new" than usual for members of the Rayside-Balfour Canadians (formerly Sudbury Nickel Barons).

For starters, there's the move from the McClelland Arena in Copper Cliff, to the refurbished new digs of the Chelmsford Arena, almost complete following a year-long renovation project.

And when visiting buses arrive, there will be the familiar faces of the Soo Thunderbirds, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and Blind River Beavers, as well as the excitement that will accompany those representing new and returned franchises to the NOJHL - the French River Rapids, Timmins Rock and such.

"I think all the guys are pretty excited," said goaltender Jessie Morin, at the opening of training camp Thursday night at Cambrian Arena. "I think we'll have a bit bigger of a fan base there, so that's always exciting for everyone."

The native of Haileybury, attending Cambrian College for the second straight year, split netminding duties with Kevin Labelle in 2014-2015. Now in his third year in the NOJHL, Morin is looking to close out his career in style.

"I feel more confident coming in," he said. "With the experience I have now, I feel better about training camp."

The parity that was evident throughout the NOJHL for most of last year might have been wonderful for fans, even if the impact on goalies in the league is somewhat different.

"I think you know that you have to play well to give your team a chance to win," said Morin. "That can put some pressure on you, but I think it's a good pressure. I think it helps a goalie."

Helping the Sudbury goalies, as well, is the return of 20 year-old blueliner Kyle Fransen, also in his final year of junior hockey.

"I worked really hard last summer and this summer," said the local product, a one-time draft pick of the Kingston Frontenacs.

"You work hard so that you can go out there and have a really good year, and enjoy it. You've got to enjoy what you have left." An undersized defenceman who was typically known for his puck-moving abilities, Fransen has learned where he needs to compensate when dealing with bigger opposing forwards.

"My defensive game in general is always something that I've looked to improve," he said. "I work on my foot speed a lot, try and angle guys into the boards. I'm not going to be the one out there crushing guys, or making the big hit.

"Just try and rub them out, keep them on the outside, and keep the shots easy for our goalies to see."

Which, of course, earns the appreciation of Morin, who said he doesn't always know, early on, if he is completely on his game.

"If you make a few big saves, early, and things feel good, you kind of know," said Morin. "But sometimes you have a bad start, and you still come back and have a good game. So you never really know."

And if you're a junior hockey fan in Greater Sudbury this winter, the only way to know what is going on in the NOJHL will be to make the trek to Chelmsford Arena, with the Canadians playing the bulk of their home games Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The team will host an exhibition game in Sudbury on Aug. 29, with the Timmins Rock meeting up with coach Jason Young and company at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex. The official puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m.