Caledon Golden Hawk's set to take off in GMOHL JR.C League

The Caledon Golden Hawks are finally set to spread their junior C hockey wings in the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Hockey League, beginning in the 2010-11 season.

After several meetings, the Caledon Golden Hawks junior hockey group received a letter last Thursday (April 29) from the Ontario Hockey Association, accepting their application

“The approval from the OHA was based primarily on the overwhelmingly support received by the GMOHL,” said Golden Hawks assistant general manager Bill Hawkins, who is the owner of Hawkstone Sports Inc. in Bolton.

The Golden Hawks group made a presentation in early April to GMOHL representatives, which included how they plan to run a successful junior C franchise. Everything presented met OHA qualifications, according to Hawkins.

“We plan to run a first class and respectful organization, while modeling ourselves around some highend junior teams,” said Hawkins.

The GMOHL has been a seven-team league after the Bradford Bulls ended operations in 2006, while remaining with current franchises, the Alliston Hornets (founded 1971), Erin Shamrocks (1971), Fergus Devils (1990), Midland Flyers (1980), Penetang Kings (1977), Schomberg Cougars (1969) and Stayner Siskins (1972). With eight teams in the league, there wouldn’t be any need for the first-place team to be issued a firstround playoff bye.

“It gives us eight teams and if they (the Golden Hawks) are a viable team, they will help our league overall because there will be more competition,” said Hornets’ GM Rick Bartlett, whose team has placed first the past three seasons and is currently in its thirdstraight all-Ontario final, currently leading the Belle River Canadiens, 3-2.

Besides Hawkins, others currently listed as staff members with the Golden Hawks include head coach/GM Ben Davis, who was the original captain in 1992-93 of Caledon’s last junior team, the Caledon Canadiens, of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. The majority owner and team president would be John Tadic, while Jake MacIntyre is also listed as a member of the ownership committee.

“The excitement has been going on for a year, even though nothing was ever final,” said Hawkins.

In the upcoming weeks there will be more details revolving around the Golden Hawks, including construction of a team Web site, finalization of the team’s logo with colours, as well as tryout information. The team is also in the process of booking ice time.

For information on tryouts, contact Hawkins at Hawkstone Sports Inc. at (905) 951-9321.

The Golden Hawks are also a supporter of minor hockey in Caledon, as well as Radio Caledon B 105.5 FM, which is expected to host a meet-and-greet barbecue at the station in the upcoming weeks.