THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Dryden GM Ice Dogs forward Justin Pitari has been named its Play It Again Sports Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 15.
Helping Dryden go 8-2 in their past 10 outings, kept the GM Ice Dogs on track last week in each of their two victories.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Methuen, Mass., helped set-up the decider in a triumph over long-time Thunder Bay, before burying the game-winner in overtime vs. Red Lake.
Pitari presently has points in 10 consecutive games for his side and is playing at just over a point-per-game pace for Dryden with 26 in 25 contests on a team-best 16 markers and 10 helpers.
He also leads all SIJHL skaters in game-winning goals with six while sitting tied for eighth in league scoring.
Also earning consideration for player of the week honours were Cody Bruchkowski, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars; Matthieu Harrold, (F) Fort Frances Lakers and Caron Lux, (D) Red Lake Miners.
NOTE: The Thief River Falls Norskies and Wisconsin Lumberjacks did not play last week, thus did not have a nominee.
SIJHL – Play It Again Sports Players of the Week
Week 1: Alex Bugeja, (G) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 2: Shaye Sommerfeld, (F) Red Lake Miners
Week 3: Noah Loveday, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 4: Cody Bruchkowski, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 5: Xavier Halterman, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 6: Connor Kalthoff, (D) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 7: Cade Moreland, (F) Wisconsin Lumberjacks
Week 8: Jacob Brown, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 9: Bryce Johnson, (F) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 10: Ryan Howe, (F) Red Lake Miners
Week 11: Cody Bruchkowski, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 12: Jack Michels, (F) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 13: Justin Pitari, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Photo credit: Kerri-Ann Kanceruk