SIJHL Player of  Week 14
Thief River Falls Norskies defenceman Jake Eischen 

#LSN_Sports  #LSN_SIJHL Jake Eischen

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO – December 26, 2018  (LSN)  The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Thief River Falls Norskies defenceman Jake Eischen has been named its Play It Again Sports Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 23.

In a pair of outings last week, the 20-year-old Hastings, Minn., product recorded five points while his play on the back end helped his side only allowing one goal against in a pair of Thief River Falls victories.

Eischen, a SIJHL All-Star on defence, began by notching a personal single-game high four assists in a triumph over Minnesota then capped off his week with a tally in a road win at Fort Frances.

Two games shy of 100 in his SIJHL career, Eischen, the Norskies team captain, has already surpassed single-season bests in goals, assists and points with five, 11 and 16 respectively heading into the 2019 portion in league play.

Also earning consideration for player of the week honours was Jacob Anthony, (G) Dryden GM Ice Dogs; Jaedin Ness, (F) Fort Frances Lakers; Connor Jacobs, (F) Red Lake Miners and Joe Lech, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers.

NOTE: The Thunder Bay North Strs did not play last week, thus did not have a nominee.

SIJHL – Play It Again Sports Player of the Week

Week 1: Keighan Gerrie, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 2: Brock Aiken, (G) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 3: Bryce Young, (F) Red Lake Miners
Week 4: Kyle Auger, (D) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 5: Nick Corneliusen, (G) Minnesota Iron Rangers
Week 6: Bryce Young, (F) Red Lake Miners
Week 7: Fletcher Bolda, (G) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 8: Ben Erwin, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 9: Connor Bowey, (D) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 10: Bryce Young, (F) Red Lake Miners
Week 11: Blake Nelson, (F) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 12: Trey Palermo, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 13: Cameron Coutre, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 14: Jake Eischen, (D) Thief River Falls Norskies

Photo credit: Mark Whittaker

Oakville Blades (OJHL) take over as No. 1 in CJHL Top 20 Rankings
Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) stay No. 2;
Brooks Bandits (AJHL) slip to No. 3

CALGARY, Alta. – December 3 , 2018  (LSN)  Winners of nine consecutive games and having gone 17-1-1-1 in their past 20 outings sees the Oakville Blades (OJHL) move into top spot in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Top 20 Rankings, released Monday.

Oakville will have a chance right off the get go to test their No. 1 ranking as the 24-2-1-1 Blades play on home ice Monday afternoon.

Also, winners of nine straight, and sitting 19-1-1 overall, the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) maintain their hold on No. 2 in the 133-team CJHL.

Joining Oakville with 50 points, the 25-3 Brooks Bandits were tabbed No. 3 nationally as the 2019 National Jr. A Championship hosts remain among the country’s elite.

Boasting the best winning percentage in the LHJAAAQ, 20-3-2 les Cobras des Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) were slotted fourth once again while surging the Portage Terriers (MJHL) are 12-0-1-1 in their past 14 and 22-4-1-1 overall to sit first in Manitoba and earn a No. 5 ranking this week.

The weekly CJHL rankings, compiled by an independent scouting service, which uses a variety of factors to determine them.

The CJHL Top 20 Rankings (As of Dec. 3)
RK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (3)
2. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (2)
3. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
4. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (4)
5. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (10)
6. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (5)
7. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (8)
8. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (7)
9. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) (11)
10. Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) (9)
11. North York Rangers (OJHL) (12)
12. Brockville Braves (CCHL) (6)
13. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (13)
14. Titan de Princeville (LHJAAAQ) (14)
15. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) (18)
16. Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) (15)
17. Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) (16)
18. Red Lake Miners (SIJHL) (20)
19. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) (NR)
20. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (NR)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Penticton Vees (BCHL); Melfort Mustangs (SJHL); Rockland Nationals (CCHL); Inouk de Granby (LHJAAAQ); Amherst Ramblers (MHL)