Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Deseronto Bulldogs senior hockey team will have a new geographical rival when play resumes, located just a 40 minute drive away in Tweed.
At their latest meeting, the senior Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (EOSHL) voted to grant expansion to Tweed, bringing the number of teams in the league up to 12.
The EOSHL actually had interest in two teams joining the league, with Gloucester also submitting an application. The applications were then put to the 11-team owners to decide, with Tweed picking up seven votes, while four owners voted to allow both teams to join.
“Location is a key player in Senior Hockey and with already five teams within an hour of each other in the East, I believe the final vote was a reflection of this matter,” EOSHL President Mitch Gagne said in a release.
Tweed becomes the eighth team to join the league since their inaugural 2019-20 season. The franchise is yet to announce a team name.
While no regular season games were played over the last year due to the pandemic, the Bulldogs did play a handful of exhibition games with North Frontenac, which up until last week was their closest rival.
Deseronto, Cornwall, Maxville and West Carleton made up the ‘Original Four’, which have since been joined by North Dundas, Glengarry, South Grenville, Smith Falls, Gananoque, Pontiac (Quebec) and now Tweed.
The exact scheduling is yet to be finalized, but it’s expected to see each team play home-and-home, with some extra games against geographical rivals.
With the teams set, the league will now turn its attention to the draft, which will take place May 30 at 1 p.m. The draft will consist of four rounds.