Arnprior Rivermen kick off EOSHL season Sept. 24

ARNPRIOR – The Arnprior Rivermen, owned and led by Galetta’s Adrian Moyes, kick off their third season in the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (EOSHL, Senior A) this Saturday (Sept. 24) against the Glengarry Pipers.

The Rivermen were one of the original four teams in the EOSHL inaugural season in 2019-2020 playing out of the Kinburn arena and known as the West Carleton Rivermen. The team lost in the championship series in game five of a five-game series.

The following season was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the league return in 2021-2022 and added eight more teams and a second division. The Rivermen moved to Arnprior but had another strong season finishing third in the EOSHL West Division with a 11-6-0-2 record.

The Rivermen would win their first EOSHL playoff series but be knocked out in the west finals by the Gananoque Islanders.

The North Dundas Rockets would win the 2021-2022 EOSHL Championship beating the Islanders in overtime in the final game of the season.

Rivermen general manager and coach Mike Byrne and owner-player Moyes have been busy in the off season adding to a team they hope will return to the finals this year.

The Rivermen have added defenceman Cole Peck who played Swedish third division hockey with the Ockelbo HC. He had 32 points in 22 games. Cole played for Laurentian University before that.

Ryan Peck was also added to the team. In Ryan’s Jr. A season in 2018-2019, Ryan scored 27 goals and had 51 points in 51 regular and playoff games.

The Rivermen also signed former Jr. B Arnprior Packer Daniel Johnson who played parts of two seasons with the Packers before moving on to the NCJHL North Dundas Rockets where he had 43 points in 28 games.

“The Rivermen are thrilled to add Johnson to the lineup, where he’ll be counted on to produce offence,” the team announced following his signing on Sept. 1.

Former Packer Jared Campitelli is also joining the team after averaging more than a point-per-game with the Packers in 2019-2020. Capitelli also captained the Whitewater Kings in his junior career.

Arnprior’s Jesse Dick is joining the team. Dick just finished his junior career where he played in the OHL with the Ottawa 67’s and the CCHL’s Kemptville 73’s and Pembroke Lumber Kings.

“Jesse will be counted on to provide offence for the Rivermen and will be a fixture on the Rivermen’s power-play,” the Rivermen said on Aug. 31.

Also in August, the Rivermen added Luca Nocita who scored 225 points in his Jr. A career and was the leading scorer in all of the CCHL.

“The Rivermen are thrilled to add Nocita to the team, where he’ll be counted on to play big minutes up front and will provide an instant improvement to the teams offence,” the Rivermen said.

Defenceman Alderic Denis will join the Rivermen this year. Alderic played 175 Jr. A games for the Ottawa Jr. Senators, Navan Grads and Nepean Raiders. He was a fourth-round selection of the Peterborough Petes in 2017.

Off the ice, the game day experience is improving as well. The Rivermen have acquired a special event liquor license for home games and fans will be able to purchase beer from Arnprior’s own brewery, the Cold Bear Brew Co. A special section of stands has been licensed for alcohol.

The team has also secured earlier start times at the Nick Smith Centre.

“Last year we asked the fans what they would like to see improved in our schedule and the number one biggest concern was the late-night game starts, so this year we are thrilled to announce at seven of our home games the puck will drop at 4:30 p.m. the other three games will be 7:30 p.m. starts,” the Rivermen said. “We hope this allows our fans to bring the entire family to our games.”

Saturday’s (Sept. 24) game will be a 4:30 p.m. start. The Rivermen will play at home in the regular season on Oct. 8 (4:30 p.m.), Oct. 15 (4:30 p.m.), Oct. 22 (4:30 p.m.), Nov. 5 (7:30 p.m.), Nov. 12 (4:30 p.m.), Nov. 26 (7:30 p.m.), Nov. 12 (4:30 p.m.), Nov. 26 (4:30 p.m.), Dec. 17 (4:30 p.m.), Jan. 14 (7:30 p.m.) and Jan. 28 (4:30 p.m.).

Ticket prices will remain the same as last season.

• Adults $10
• Under 18 free

We are also now going to start selling our season ticket packages.

• Regular season: $90
• Regular season plus playoffs: $130
• VIP season tickets regular season, playoffs plus a custom numbered team issue game jersey: $200

If you are interested in season tickets please email Info@arnpriorrivermen.com.