SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016
SIJHL preseason preview: English River Miners
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – With the commencement of the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s 16th season just over a week away, it’s time to take a look at each of the six competing clubs that will take to the ice in 2016-17.
The opening SIJHL team preseason preview features the English River Miners.
Despite a fifth place showing last season, English River turned in a solid playoff run rallying from a 2-0 series deficit to defeat the Minnesota Iron Rangers in first round play.
Advancing to the league semifinals, the Miners gave the Fort Frances Lakers all they could handle before falling to the eventual Bill Salonen Cup champions.
Back for his second year as both head coach and general manager of English River is Derek Sweet-Coulter.
ENGLISH RIVER MINERS
Head Coach/GM: Derek Sweet-Coulter (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 12-27-3-4 (5th overall)
SIJHL: What can your fans expect to see from your club this season?
DEREK SWEET-COULTER: Our fans can expect us to be creative offensively as well as be extremely hard working.
SIJHL: Who are some of the players you expect to lead your team this season?
DSC: Sidney Gladue is a 20-year-old forward from Alberta who had 25 goals in 33 games in his junior league out west and averaged close to a point-per-game.
Another 20-year-old forward we will rely on is returnee Braedan Pearce. He had a strong playoff for us last season after joining the team from Cochrane of the NOJHL.
Austin Kuhn is from B.C. where he was captain of his team last year and had 75 points in 36 games.
Helping anchoes our defence is returning D-man Sam Cirone. We expect a strong season from him.
SIJHL: Who are a couple of returning players you expect big things from?
DSC: Along with Braedan Pearce, Nash Dabb and Trevor Pereverzoff are just two of our players that we expect to have strong seasons. Nash has great hands around the net and Trevor contributes to our defensive game and brings an solid offensive upside as well.
SIJHL: Who are some of the newcomers you’ve signed that you’ve been impressed with?
DSC: Besides Sidney Gladu, three other western players who have looked good are forwards Morgan Scriber (Castelgar Rebels, KIJHL), Terix Fischer-Kobes (Golden Rockets, KIJHL) and Michael Di Lullo (Edmonton MLAC AAA)
SIJHL: What do you expect from all your players heading into the 2016-17 campaign?
DSC: Live our team motto – Humility, Integrity, Courage. We want all our players to work hard on and off the ice and be good people who are involved in our community.
SIJHL: What is one feature you feel your club will provide this season?
DSC: Offence.
SIJHL: What goals and expectations do you have heading into the start of the regular season and beyond?
DSC: Our goal is to be a top three club in the SIJHL this year and build off our playoff performance from last season.