Nicholas Frederick and his Timmins Rock teammates will be looking to hoist the Cottage Cup when they participate in the preseason tournament in Collingwood, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. ANDREW AUTIO/THE DAILY PRESS
The Timmins Rock will get an early opportunity to find out how they stack up against teams from across Ontario after being invited to participate in the 2022 Cottage Cup.
Andrew Autio
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
The event, which will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 31, through Friday, Sept. 2, is hosted by the Collingwood Blues, of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, and serves as a pre-season tournament with an interesting mix of Junior ‘A’ clubs from various leagues.
The Rock, who are the only participant from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, will join a field that includes the Navan Grads, of the Central Canada Hockey League, as well as the North York Rangers, Trenton Golden Hawks, Milton Menace and the host Blues, of the OJHL.
“We are very excited to participate in the Cottage Cup,” Brandon Perry, the Rock’s coach and general manager told The Daily Press Thursday afternoon.
“The teams participating are high-end, and should be a good test for us to see where we stack up against other leagues across the province.”
Perry indicated these contests will essentially act as the Rock’s pre-season games ahead of their regular season opener for the 2022-23 NOJHL season on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners at the McIntyre Arena.
“They will also be a good opportunity to make our final roster decisions,” he said.
The entire event will take place at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena in scenic downtown Collingwood.
The Rock will face off against Trenton on Aug. 31, at 8:20 p.m., North York on Sept. 1, at 12:20 p.m., Milton on Sept. 1, at 3:20 p.m., Collingwood on Sept. 2, at 10:40 a.m., and Navan on Sept. 2, at 2 p.m.
Essentially, each team will play a game against all other participants, and whoever emerges with the best round-robin record will hoist the Cottage Cup.
“A big thank you to Mike Tarantino and the Collingwood organization for the invite,” Perry said.
“It will be great exposure for our club.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased through the Blues’ website.
Perry noted the Rock will be back on the ice at the McIntyre Arena on Monday, Aug. 22.
