The French River Rapids are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team based out of Noelville, Ontario. They are members of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and play their home games at Noelville Arena.
History The Rapids were one of two expansion teams that entered the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) prior to the start of the 2015–16 season along with the Espanola Express. The team hired former NHL defenseman Moe Mantha, Jr. as its first general manager and head coach. The team played its first game on September 11, 2015, losing at home 6-5 to the Powassan Voodoos before a crowd of 450. After losing the first 13 games in franchise history, the team picked up its first victory with a 3-2 overtime win against the Espanola Express, the other expansion team. Moe Mantha, Jr. left the club near the end of the season to take over as the interim head coach of the Saginaw Spirit. His record as head coach of the club was 1–41–1–1.
In summer 2016, the French River Rapids came under new ownership when Jessy Landry purchased the franchise from original owner Allan Donnan. Landry then assumed the role of president and general manager and was able to get Mantha to return as head coach of the Rapids. However, after the team was assured of another last place finish in the league, Landry stepped down in February 2017. In April 2017, under new management of team president Paul Frustaglio, the Rapids named Sherwood Bassin the director of hockey operations and Ken Strong as head coach.
Towards the start of the 2017–18 season, the Rapids had a four-game win streak (surpassing their total wins in a season) within their first ten games.
Season-by-season records Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts Result Playoffs2015–16 542491212434776th of 6, East12th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2016–17 563511112837686th of 6, East12th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2017–18 56133805164287316th of 6, East11th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2018–19 561439—3155244316th of 6, East11th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2019–20 561338—5136250316th of 6, East11th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2020–21 844—036388Withdrew from season due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021–22 48232410197196474th of 6, East8th of 12, NOJHLWon E Qualifier 0-2 (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners)Lost E Div Semifinal 0-4 (Timmins Rock)2022–23 5894621145304214th of 6, East10th of 12, NOJHLLost E Div Semifinal 0-4 (Timmins Rock)2023–24 58104611164344226th of 6, East11th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify2024–25 52163312147244356th of 6, East10th of 12, NOJHLDid not qualify
References
External links French River Rapids Webpage