The Espanola Rivermen were granted expansion in the summer of 2013 to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Brandon Janke scored the first goal in team history, while Griffin Strain played the game in net.

The first home ice goal was scored by Cray Roberge, 14:35 into the first period, on a penalty shot.

[14] In the summer of 2014, Clayden opted to pull the Rivermen out of the NOJHL to form his own league.

The CIHL season ended with only two teams and the Town of Espanola cancelling their contract with the Rivermen organization.