Kirkland Lake Gold Miners | |
---|---|
City | Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada |
League | Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |
Division | East |
Founded | 2003 |
Home arena | Joe Mavrinac Community Complex |
Colours |
Blue, Light Blue, Yellow, and White |
General manager | Ryan Wood (2017–18) |
Head coach | Ryan Wood (2017–18) |
Affiliates |
Oshawa Generals Kirkland Lake 87's |
Franchise history | |
2003–2005 | Manitoulin Wild |
2005–2011 | Manitoulin Islanders |
2011–2012 | Kirkland Lake Blue Devils |
2012–Present | Kirkland Lake Gold Miners |
The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Founded in 2003 as the Manitoulin Wild, the franchise changed its name to the Manitoulin Islanders in 2005. They were eventually taken over by former NHLer Reggie Leach and the team started to split its time between Little Current, Ontario and the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve's Arena. Win totals dwindleed, debts added up, and by 2011 the team was set to move from the Island.
After eight years on Manitoulin Island, the team had to either move or fold. In mid-May 2011, the NOJHL conditionally approved the move of the Manitoulin Islanders to Kirkland Lake, Ontario to become the Kirkland Lake Blue Devils. In their final four seasons in Little Current, the Islanders managed 17 wins in 200 games played.
The Blue Devils moniker was a long used traditional team name in Kirkland Lake, the most notable team to use the name was the Kirkland Lake Blue Devils who defeated the Calgary Stampeders 3-games-to-none to win the 1940 Allan Cup.
On September 9, 2011, the Blue Devils played their inaugural home game and regulation game in their history. The Blue Devils dropped a 9-2 decision to the North Bay Trappers. On October 12, 2011, the Blue Devils won their first game since relocation 3-2 in a shootout against the Sudbury Cubs. Two nights later, the Blue Devils scored their first ever home win, 5-4 in a shootout, against the Blind River Beavers.