The Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League (EOJHL) is a developmental hockey league that largely feeds the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), but players who develop in the EOJHL also move onto Major Junior, NCAA, USports and pro hockey. Marc Franche is the current league commissioner, and was kind enough to take some time to answer some questions:
How long have you been the EOJHL Commissioner?
I am starting my second season as the EOJHL commissioner.
What is the age range and level of play is the EOJHL?
Each team is allowed to dress a maximum of two 16 years old (Hockey Canada rule that applies for all junior levels) and the rest of the players range from 17-20 year olds. We do not have a limit on how many 20 year olds each team can have.
What is the average makeup of an EOJHL roster, and are there any mandatory requirements on local players or restrictions on import players?
Most teams are made up of local players to generate organic community support.
What positions or jobs have you held in the past that prepared you for this role?
I have been a long time coach and was part of the management team for 7 years with a junior hockey team. I have worked in HR within a large government department as well.
What were some of the challenges you faced upon taking the position?
The biggest challenge I had in my first year was learning the job while trying to provide a safe environment for the players, coaches and fans during the pandemic. We were shut down for six weeks during the season but managed to complete the season and have an outstanding playoffs.
What have you enjoyed about the role of commissioner so far?
The most rewarding parts has been working with the owners in helping them achieve their goals of providing local players with a quality hockey experience. For some players it means playing for their hometown with kids they grew up with, and for others it’s playing one season before moving onto Junior A or the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
What do you enjoy doing in your very limited free time?
Spending time with my beautiful wife of 27 years Lisa, and my two great kids Matty and Sophie.
What has been one of your most memorable moments as a commissioner?
Being able to hand out the Barkley Cup after completing a full season and playoffs in a packed arena.
The Casselman Vikings were crowned the Barkley Cup champions this season after a tough 6-game battle against the Perth Bluewings. What do you believe were some of the key factors to the Vikings success this season?
Ray Lavergne and Sylvain Dignard always find players to stay competitive. Coaches Mike Ruest and Geoff Séguin seem to get the most out of their roster every season. They built a team that was made to be effective in their smaller home rink and made key additions through affiliations to bolster an already strong lineup.
What are some goals you have for the EOJHL moving forward?
I would like to see all 16 EOJHL teams dress the maximum allowed two 16 year olds to allow young men in the area to develop through the junior ranks. I want to enhance our league profile through the use of social media and traditional media outlets. Lastly, I want to continue to provide local players with a safe environment for them to play the game they love.
You can learn more about the EOJHL by visiting their website at https://www.theeojhl.ca/ and you can catch all EOJHL games on HockeyTV. Also, follow the EOJHL on Twitter @TheEOJHL!
Follow the Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast @PHHOffical on Twitter for junior hockey news and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or on a myriad of other podcast platforms!
Author: CD, Host, Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast
