By Thomas Perry, The Daily Press (Timmins)
TIMMINS – The Timmins Rock have announced director Ted Gooch has been appointed president of the NOJHL club effective Feb. 20.
Gooch takes over from Scott Marshall, who oversaw the move of the NOJHL franchise back to Timmins in time for the start of the 2015-16 season. Marshall has also served in the role of president when the team was located in Iroquois Falls and known as the Eskimos.
“I am pleased to welcome Ted Gooch into the role of president,” said Jason Kelly, a member of the board of directors.
Marshall will act as a team advisor during this period of transition.
Gooch said: “I want to thank Scott for his dedication and hard work in keeping Junior ‘A’ hockey alive and well in Timmins.”
Marshall devoted more than 18 years of his professional life to the not-for-profit organization, first in Iroqouis Falls and then in Timmins.
Gooch is looking forward to helping further develop the relationship between the NOJHL squad and the community.
“We are thankful to the City of Timmins and its residents in showing its support to the Timmins Rock hockey club,” he said.
“Our attendance shows Timmins was hungry for good calibre hockey, and I am positive we are moving in the right direction to deliver a quality organization on and off the ice.
Prior to assuming the role of president, Gooch was involved in a number of initiatives with the Rock, including the inaugural Timmins Rock Celebrity Sports Dinner/Fundraiser which will held at the Porcupine Dante Club on Sunday, with NHL Hall of Famer Paul Coffey serving as the keynote speaker.
Established originally as the Timmins Gold Bears in 1991, the franchise is entering its 26th year of operation.
It is operated by a not-for-profit Ontario Corporation administered by an all-volunteer board of directors.
Other members of the current board include Kevin Peever, Ben Dawkins, Kevin Bertrand, Amanda Dyer, Lacey Rigg and John Longstreet.
