SIJHL Media Update
Release date: Tuesday, August 31, 2016
Former North Stars forward Grzelewski joins ex-SIJHL teammate Del Paggio in CHL inter-league deal
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Having played together previously in the Superior International Junior Hockey League, Zach Grzelewski will once again have an opportunity to skate alongside fellow former Thunder Bay North Stars line-mate Daniel Del Paggio.
Last week saw Grzelewski’s Canadian Hockey League playing rights dealt by the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League to the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
In 92 career OHL outings with both Flint and the London Knights, the 19-year-old forward has scored 13 times and assisted on 22 others for 35 points.
Del Paggio meanwhile is entering his third campaign in the QMJHL with Saint John having notched 30 markers and dished out 47 helpers in 127 games for the Sea Dogs.
The duo last were teammates back during the 2013-14 season with the SIJHL’s North Stars where Del Paggio was the league’s most valuable player and a CCM Hockey first team all-star.
Grzelewski meanwhile was the youngest player in the Jr. A loop that year where he finished second overall in goals with 43.
He also led the SIJHL in power play markers with 17, was the runner-up to rookie of the year laurels and was a second team CCM Hockey all-star selection.
“Zach has been a high-scoring forward through minor hockey up to junior ‘A’,” stated Sea Dogs head coach Danny Flynn.
“He was one of Flint’s top scorers despite missing some time last year. We think he has the potential to be a top-six forward for us.”
Thunder Bay’s first SIJHL preseason contest goes Saturday, Sept. 10 as they take on the three-time defending Bill Salonen Cup champion Fort Frances Lakers at Port Arthur Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The North Stars will then travel to Fort Frances to wrap-up a home-and-home with the Lakers on Friday, Sept. 16. Action there will get underway at 7:30 p.m. at Ice for Kids Arena.