Expansion: Sundridge Spartans

After months of hard work by the ownership group of the Temiscaming Titans and David Forde, a Greater Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League franchise in the town of Sundridge is finally a reality.

The group purchased the Mattawa Voyagers Junior “A” Hockey Club in March and finalized their plan to move the club to the town of Sundridge.

Sundridge Spartans Part Owner and General Manager David Forde stated that we have been working hard in collaboration with the Sundridge Strong Joly Arena Board on this project since September of last year.

"The arena board has been vital in supporting us to come to the village and have made every effort possible to ensure that the arena is in great condition for junior hockey this fall," said Forde in a press release.

"As soon as the team name and logo were released on Facebook and Twitter the buzz around town has been steadily growing. People in the town of Sundridge and surrounding area very excited and they should be. The village of Sundridge was chosen due to its rich hockey history.  We wanted to have a hockey team in a town where the community is passionate about hockey and will support a hockey club that is strong on and off the ice. This experienced ownership group and coaching staff have laid the ground work to establish a strong hockey club on and off the ice immediately," he added.

Dean Harvey, who previously coached in the non-sanctioned junior A league with the Mattawa franchise, will make the move south to coach the Spartans this season.

“Dean is a veteran junior coach that brings credibility, experience, class and a strong work ethic to our organization. Dean is the type of coach that players love to play for," said Team owner Vincent Labranche, who is also a part-owner of the Temiscaming Titans of the GMHL.

The Spartans have started out very strong on the ice as well by signing 7 experienced junior players in Nick MacMillan, Thomas Hamilton, Bryan Austin, Andy Biorac, David Fjardsmans, David Rask and Erik Erkers.

General Manager David Forde and Part Owner Nicolas Tourigny say they have worked very hard at searching the globe for talent.

“The Spartans will be a team that competes with the top clubs in our league immediately," stated Forde.

"We are building a contender here. We will be a team that the local area can support and be proud of. Our players and staff are going to be very active in the community as this team will be a part a big part of the great community we have in Sundridge.

The Spartans will be playing home games on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon's at 2:00 p.m.

Courtesy of www.baytoday.ca