By: Gift Frame, Ryerson Sport Media
Photos: J. Visca/Clarington Eagles

Five years ago, the people in the North Kawartha region were asked to weigh in on the idea of starting a Junior Hockey team. The community sparked enough interest and a small group of locals took on the task to build something out of nothing. In 2014, the North Kawartha Knights officially became a Member of the Ontario Hockey Association and joined the Junior C Central League, now the Orr Division in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

After only one season, the Knights went through a complete overhaul in personnel, which included new executives, coaching staff, and owners. A fresh group of local investors were ready and willing to take over.

“We’re five guys who share a passion for junior hockey and wanted to see it to continue to grow in this area,” said Josh Perks, Co-owner of the Knights.

But even with a new and dedicated ownership group, developing a team from scratch is no easy task. One of the team’s biggest obstacle is recruiting quality talent. Being in a smaller area and without much of an established history, it has been challenging for the Knights to recruit players to join an unproven program.

In the club’s second season, Duane Wiltshire took over as Head Coach, Head of Hockey Operations, General Manager, and also became a minority owner. 

Josh Perks credits much of the team’s development to Wiltshire.

“Thankfully we have tremendous staff, and under the guidance of Duane Wiltshire, we’ve made tremendous strides in the networking department and player scouting,” said Perks.

This season, Wiltshire’s hard work and effective scouting was rewarded, as Knights’ forward Matthew Wilbee won the PJHL Orr Division Rookie of the Year. This was the first time in the organization’s history that a player won an annual individual award. 

With each passing season, the team continues to progress and make history, surpassing expectations for a new club. 

The Knights have made the playoffs in three out of four seasons, have won a playoff series, and reached  the OHA’s Club 90 status, which is a significant achievement in the operation of hockey programs within Canada. 

The North Kawartha community has relished in the Knights’ successes, and shows support by filling the arena to cheer on their home team. 
“Our fans are second to none in the league,” said Assistant Coach Jake Ireland. “Our organization strongly believes that the energy our fans brought in Game 6 this year was able to give our team a home ice advantage and the boost we needed to win that series.”

Despite being knocked out in the Orr Division Semifinals this season by the Lakefield Chiefs who will be representing the PJHL East Conference in the OHA Schmalz Cup Semifinals, the North Kawartha organization and its fans have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to.

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The ownership and staff have been committed to making the North Kawartha Knights a desired team to play for.  

“We have an ownership group that develops relationships with players and their family,” said Head Coach Duane Wiltshire. “Our goal is to run our hockey team like an extended family where players and their parents feel highly valued.”

The team is also working closely with local minor hockey associations in order to spread awareness of the team’s plan for developing players and their hockey skills.

The Knights have gone through some major growing pains as a new team but have seemingly emerged unscathed. With four seasons under their belt, the club now have reputable veterans on the team, as well as devoted staff, and are becoming an established hockey club. 

It was only five years ago that the thought of having a Junior Hockey team in North Kawartha was even conceptualized, and now the Knights are a contending, legitimate hockey organization of the PJHL.

#WeAreOHA

www.nkknights.pointstreaksites.com