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OHL North Bay Battalion

North Bay Applauds Gold Medalist Paul

January 16, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - Nick Paul stood tall at Memorial Gardens on Thursday night.

The North Bay Battalion honoured the gold medalist with Canada at the recent World Junior Championship, who played his first Ontario Hockey League home game since the tournament as the Troops lost 2-1 via shootout to the Barrie Colts.

"It was pretty amazing," Paul said of the reception from the crowd of 3,871 during the pregame ceremony.

"Fans were amazing. It was really loud in here, and they showed their support. I was surprised. I didn't see that coming."

Paul may have been taken aback by the response from the Gateway City, but it hardly was surprising. The accomplishment had a special resonance given that the first North Bay-based OHLer to win gold with Canada at the world tourney has a familial connection to the area through the Powassan roots of his father, Ellwood.

Centre Paul himself, 19, is a native of Mississauga who holds citizenship in both Canada and the United States because of his Los Angeles-born mother, Melinda.

But it was Canada he represented at the world tourney in Montreal and Toronto, scoring three goals in seven games, including one in the championship final, a 5-4 victory over Russia at the Air Canada Centre on Jan. 5.

The video board played tournament highlights and an interview with Paul before team captain Marcus McIvor joined him at centre ice to present a plaque from the Battalion organization recognizing his feat.

A game-worn sweater bearing his Canada number, 20, was on display in the west concourse of the arena, along with his gold medal. Fans thronged to look at and take photographs of the threads and hardware.

Barrie's backup goaltender Daniel Gibl, a member of the Slovakian roster that took the bronze medal, also was recognized and drew hearty applause.

As for the game itself, Paul, who missed eight Battalion contests during his time with the national junior team, saw the end of an eight-game points streak dating to Nov. 27 and during which he had four goals and six assists for 10 points.

"I didn't capitalize on the chances I wanted to, but I think the team played well."

Three members of the North Bay Centennials played for Canada in the world juniors during that franchise's 20-year term.

Goaltender Alex Auld won a bronze medal in Russia in 2001. Left winger Chad Penney was on a sixth-place team in Germany in 1992, and centre Dave McLlwain was a member of the medal-bound Canadian squad that was disqualified for the Punch-up at Piestany in Czechoslovakia in 1987.

Left winger Vincent Praplan of the Troops played for Switzerland at Malmo, Sweden, a year ago.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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