THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Here’s a look at some of the news items each of the Superior International Junior Hockey League member clubs have had during the offseason as we get set enter June where teams can also begin signing players for the 2018-19 campaign later in the month.
DRYDEN GM ICE DOGS
Dryden held their annual general meeting earlier this week and announced the team executive for the upcoming season.
Back as team president is Mike Sveinson while Colleen Oliphant has stepped into the role as vice-president.
Shannon Ouelette will be the GM Ice Dogs treasurer and Natasha Lovenuk-Markham returns for another year as team secretary and Derek Ouelette joins the executive as Dryden’s transportation officer.
ENGLISH RIVER MINERS
In preparation for a new season, the English River Miners have produced a well put together recruitment video, which provides in-depth information what their program is about.
CLICK HERE to view the video
FORT FRANCES LAKERS
Fort Frances continues to send players to the next level under head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
Among the latest to do so is veteran forward Julian Uhryniuk who will be off to Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.
The TWU Spartans compete in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League where they are coming off capturing the BCIHL championship in 2017-18.
In three seasons with the Lakers, the 21-year-old Uhryniuk skated in 139 SIJHL contests and produced 71 points, including 28 goals.
“Julian was a huge part of our team for three seasons,” stated Strachan.
“To me he was all we wanted in a Lakers’ player,” added the Fort Frances bench boss. “He would do whatever you asked, lead the way and his work ethic was endless as he was always prepared to give his all.”
Also Lakers’ defenceman Jack Dunnell had earlier committed to attend the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. where he will attend school and skate for the Marauders program that will play its inaugural season in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
“Jack was an integral part of our defence core after joining the team in early December from Thief River Falls,” stated Strachan.
“His hard, physical style of play was what our team needed. He brought much-added leadership to our backend.”
Dunnell, who hails from Grand Rapids, Minn., dressed in 59 league games where he tallied eight times and helped set-up 16 others.
Meanwhile, the club will be holding their summer evaluation and player identification camp July 6-8 at Lake of the Woods Arena in Baudette, Minn.
Visit the Lakers website at www.fortfranceslakers.com and click on the 2018 Camps tab to register or for more information.
MINNESOTA IRON RANGERS
After wrapping up his Jr. A career in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota Iron Rangers forward Bryce Litke is gearing up to take the next step in his career.
The Iron Rangers defenceman has signed on to play professional hockey in Sweden next season after inking a deal with Ockelbo, a division 3 team there.
The Winnipeg, Man. Product saw action in 56 games this past season with Minnesota where the blueliner notched six goals and chipped in with 15 assists for 21 points.
Earlier the club announced that forward Joel Nagy will be competing in the ACHA in the fall at the University of Mary in North Dakota.
THIEF RIVER FALLS NORSKIES
Not only are the Norskies moving a plethora of players on to the next level, members of their coaching staff are furthering their hockey careers as well.
While head coach Cole Workman recently joined the men’s hockey staff at Bemidji State University, the club’s assistant coach, Kaine Martell, is moving on as well.
Martell has accepted a position to become the program director with the Bismarck, N.D. Hockey Association.
Thief River Falls’ HockeyTV broadcaster Craig Killmer is also departing the organization after moving to Park Rapids, Minn., to work as a morning show host on radio as well as serve as the play-by-play voice of local sports teams in that community.
The Norskies’ search continues for a their new head coach also continues with the organization hoping to have a new staff in place before their Prospects Camp, June 22-24, at Ralph Engelstad Arena at Thief River Falls Arena.
Visit trfnorskies.com for more information on the camp.
THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS
North Stars captain Joe Newhouse was a finalist for the Hockey Canada – CJHL RBC Scholastic Player of the Year.
Newhouse was earlier earned SIJHL RBC scholastic laurels for his efforts in the classroom and was one of 10 finalists for the national award.
He was also recognized for his academic efforts by Hockey Northwestern Ontario by being named the 2018 recipient of the Jim Stirling Memorial Bursary.