SIJHL Player of  Week 11
Thief River Falls Norskies forward Blake Nelson

#LSN_Sports  #LSN_SIJHL Blake Nelson

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO – December 3, 2018  (LSN)  The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Thief River Falls Norskies forward Blake Nelson has been named its Play It Again Sports Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 2.

In three regular season contests over the weekend, the 20-year-old Oxford, Iowa product scored in each of them and registered six points in total helping Thief River Falls pick-up five of a possible six points in the standings.

Included in his efforts was a two-goal, including the game-winner, and two-assist performance in a come from behind overtime triumph vs. the Red Lake Miners Saturday.

Also last week, Nelson tallied once and added an assist to help Team USA to an 8-6 victory over Team Canada in the SIJHL Border Battle All-Star Game in Fort Frances.

With tallies in four straight league outings, he has now notched 10 in total to go with nine helpers in 20 games played.

Also earning consideration for player of the week honours was Ethan Stuckless, (F) Red Laker Miners; Dylan Winsor, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs; Dougie Newhouse (G) Thunder Bay North Stars; Kirk Coppock, (F) Fort Frances Lakers and Garrett Wojicki, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers.

SIJHL – Play It Again Sports players 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

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)