| Espanola Paper Kings | |
 | |
| City: | Espanola, Ontario |
|---|---|
| League: | Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |
| Founded: | 2014 |
| Home Arena: | Espanola Regional Recreation Complex |
| Colors: | White, Blue, Green, and Gold |
| Franchise history | |
| 2015-2022: | Espanola Express |
| 2022-Present: | Espanola Paper Kings |
The Espanola Paper Kings formerly the Espanola Express are a team based in Espanola, Ontario. They are based out of the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex. The team was founded in 2015 as an Expansion team in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The team replaced the Canadian International Hockey League team in town; the Espanola Rivermen. The team had previously been in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League for the 2013-14 season, but withdrew to form the CIHL. The CIHL was down to two teams by the end of the 2014-15 season. With it being apparent that the CIHL might not take to the ice for the 2015-16 season, a local group came forward to secure a lease at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex and gain an expansion team in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The town previously had four other NOJHL teams:
- Espanola Eagles (1978-1988) left league and franchise sold to etablish Haileybury 54's organization
- Espanola Eagles (1991-1995) folded
- Espanola Screaming Eagles (1998-2003) relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and were renamed Northern Michigan Black Bears and are now the Soo Eagles who rejoined the league for 2015-16
- Espanola Rivermen (2013-2014) withdrew to form Canadian International Hockey League
The town also previously had a franchise in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League; the Espanola Kings who were members of the league from 2007-2009
The Espanola Eagles had previously been a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association from 1962-1971 when the team dropped out of the league.
The team would be announced as being renamed the Paper Kings in August of 2022 to better reflect its connection to the community as the paper making industry has been vital to the community for over 100 years.[1]
original Espanola Express logo
team's text logo
team logo to 2022
Season by Season[]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OL | Pts | GF | GA | Standing | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 54 | 12 | 39 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 132 | 243 | 5th of 6, West 1th of 12, NOJHL |
L, Play-In 0-2 Soo Eagles |
| 2016-17 | 56 | 9 | 45 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 139 | 297 | 6th West 11th of 12 NOJHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2017-18 | 56 | 2 | 52 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 114 | 344 | 6th West 12th of 12 NOJHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2018-19 | 56 | 10 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 145 | 291 | 6th West | Did not qualify |
| 2019-20 | 56 | 17 | 34 | 1 | 4 | 39 | 167 | 247 | 5th West | L, Play-In 0-2 Soo Eagles |
| 2020–21 | 12 | 5 | 4 | — | 3 | 46 | 56 | 13 | Withdrew from season due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2] | |
| 2021–22 | 48 | 13 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 150 | 217 | 30 | 6th of 6, West 10th of 12, NOJHL |
Did not qualify |
| Espanola Paper Kings | ||||||||||
| 2022–23 | 58 | 29 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 233 | 218 | 63 | 4th of 6, West 7th of 12, NOJHL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1-4 vs. Greater Sudbury Cubs |
| 2023–24 | 58 | 34 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 271 | 219 | 69 | 4th of 6, West 7th of 12, NOJHL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 3-4 vs. Blind River Beavers |