2 Northern players join Express

Press Release

Espanola, On.

We are pleased to announce that the Espanola Express have signed 2 players from their own backyard in the AAA Great North Midget League.
Joining the Express for the 2018-2019 season will be 2001 birth year Joel Rainville and 2002 birth year Chase Lammi. Both players saw NOJHL action last year as affiliates with the Rayside Balfour Canadians and the Powassan Voodoos.

Chase Lammi played last season for the Sudbury Wolves minor midget AAA team, posting 40 points in 51 games. The 5’10” 175lbs Lammi played 5 games as an affiliate last season for the Rayside Balfour Canadians during their playoff run, scoring a goal and an assist. Lammi was even chosen to play in their last game of the league championship as the RBC staff chose to scratch 2 regulars to play him instead.

“Chase is an incredibly hard working player and his relentless attitude will pay dividends in our league,” commented Chad Clarke GM of the Express. “Lammi fit right in with the RBC lineup and did not look out of place last year and we expect him to do the same with us this year,” added Clarke.

Also joining the Express for the upcoming season will be Joel Rainville. The 6’0 175lbs talented goaltender played for the North Bay Trappers AAA team for the past 2 seasons, during his tenure in North Bay, Rainville was one of the top goalies in the league for both years. During the 2016-17 season, Joel posted the best stats of all goaltenders in the league as a 15 year old, playing with the older players. Last season Joel placed a respectable 2nd place for stats as he was narrowly beat out by a Sudbury goaltender. Joel posted impressive numbers with his team playing in 26 games, he saw 21 wins, 2 loses and 4 shutouts, while posting a 2.37 goals against average. Rainville saw some NOJHL action last year, suiting up as an affiliate with the Powassan Voodoos and ironically beat the Espanola Express in his debut. Joel also saw action in the Telus Cup National Championship last year in Sudbury and performed well. Rainville also attended the Ohl Champion Hamilton Bulldogs Spring Camp as a prospect.

“Joel is a premier goaltender in the North, he had options and we are pleased he chose us to develop his career here in Espanola,” boasted Clarke. “We expect Joel to step in and continue his winning ways with us this year, he will give us a fighting chance every time he is in the net,” commented Clarke.