French River Rapids

The French River Rapids are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team based out of Noelville, Ontario. They are members of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and play their home games at Noelville Arena.

French River Rapids
CityNoëlville, Ontario
LeagueNorthern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Founded2015
Home arenaNoelville Arena
ColoursBlue, red, and white
     
General managerPaul Frustaglio
Head coachPaul Frustaglio[1]
AffiliateSudbury Wolves (OHL)[2]

History

The Rapids were one of two expansion teams that entered the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) prior to the start of the 2015–16 season along with the Espanola Express. The team hired former NHL defenseman Moe Mantha, Jr. as its first general manager and head coach.[3] The team played its first game on September 11, 2015, losing at home 6-5 to the Powassan Voodoos before a crowd of 450.[4] After losing the first 13 games in franchise history, the team picked up its first victory with a 3-2 overtime win against the Espanola Express, the other expansion team.[5] Moe Mantha, Jr. left the club near the end of the season to take over as the interim head coach of the Saginaw Spirit. His record as head coach of the club was 1–41–1–1.

In summer 2016, the French River Rapids came under new ownership when Jessy Landry purchased the franchise from original owner Allan Donnan. Landry then assumed the role of president and general manager and was able to get Mantha to return as head coach of the Rapids. However, after the team was assured of another last place finish in the league, Landry stepped down in February 2017.[6] In April 2017, under new management of team president Paul Frustaglio, the Rapids named Sherwood Bassin the director of hockey operations and Ken Strong as head coach.[7]

Towards the start of the 2017–18 season, the Rapids had a four-game win streak (surpassing their total wins in a season) within their first ten games.

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPtsResultPlayoffs
2015–16542491212434776th of 6, East
12th of 12, NOJHL		Did not qualify
2016–17563511112837686th of 6, East
12th of 12, NOJHL		Did not qualify
2017–1856133805164287316th of 6, East
11th of 12, NOJHL		Did not qualify
2018–19561439—3155244316th of 6, East
11th of 12, NOJHL		Did not qualify
2019–20561338—5136250316th of 6, East
11th of 12, NOJHL		Did not qualify
2020–21844—036388Withdrew from season due to the COVID-19 pandemic[8]

References
  1. "French River Rapids Hockey Operations". French River Rapids. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  2. "Wolves Affiliate Rapids and Canadians from the NOJHL for 2017-18". Sudbury Wolves. November 8, 2017.
  3. "French River Rapids Make It "10" for the NOJHL in Noelville". Juniorhockeynetwork.com. 2015-06-17. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  4. "Official statistics powered by". Leaguestat.com. 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  5. "Official statistics powered by". Leaguestat.com. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  6. "Change in French River". Hockey News North. February 24, 2017.
  7. "French River Rapids Power Up for Winning Season". The Junior Hockey News. April 15, 2017.
  8. "COVID-19 restrictions cause season cancellations by Espanola, French River, Rayside-Balfour". NOJHL. March 10, 2021.
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