CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Aug. 22, 2018
It appears that a Junior hockey team will be returning to the Shawville arena.
Spearheaded by Eric Gauthier, the owner of the Maniwaki Mustangs, who play in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League (CPJHL), the expansion team will be called Shawville Express.
Gauthier said the name was a nod to Frank “The Shawville Express” Finnigan, who made a name for himself in the NHL in the 1920s and 30s, playing for both the Senators and the Maple Leafs.
“I called [Finnigan’s] son,” explained Gauthier. “He was very happy about that, very proud about that. He’s coming to the opening game, he’s going to drop the puck.”
The CPJHL bills itself as a development league that aims to provide a recruiting ground for colleges and universities. The league was created in 2016 and is sanctioned by the United Hockey Union.

“The goal of these teams is that the guys go up and play at a higher level,” said Gauthier. “We have some scouts that come from Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. side. For example, Maniwaki placed a player in Sweden, one in Florida and one is going major in Quebec.”
There are currently 11 other teams, nine of them from Ontario from as far as Brampton and Grey Highlands. The two other Quebec teams are the Maniwaki Mustangs and Universel College UNIK from Gatineau.
Gauthier said that they typically have games against far-flung teams scheduled back-to-back.
Though Gauthier said that a GM and coach have already been chosen, they’re on the lookout for an assistant coach and trainer, as well as plenty of volunteers to help out at home games.
The team will be holding open tryouts at the Masham arena on Aug. 26 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Anyone born from 1998-2003 that wants to try out is welcome to come,” Gauthier said. “It’s an open camp.”
Anyone seeking further information can contact the team through their Facebook page or Gauthier directly at 819 449 8862.
They plan to have the home opener on Oct. 6 at 8:30 p.m. against Maniwaki.