SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Sept. 16, 2016
SIJHL preseason preview: Minnesota Iron Rangers
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The second of six Superior International Junior Hockey League team preseason previews focuses on the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
Minnesota enters the 2016-17 campaign with new leadership behind the bench after Chris Walby stepped after four seasons at the helm of the Iron Rangers.
Set to begin his first year in the SIJHL as Minnesota’s new head coach and general manager is Jesse Davis.
Despite not joining the Iron Rangers until August and the late start in building the program, Davis and the entire Minnesota organization have been hard at work in preparation for the upcoming campaign as the new staff looks to improve on last season’s 21-win record.
MINNESOTA IRON RANGERS
Head Coach/GM: Jesse Davis (1st season)
Last season’s record (Team): 21-31-2-2 (4th overall)
SIJHL: What can your fans expect to see from your club this season?
JESSE DAVIS: When our fans get their first look at our team this season, they should expect to see fast-action, high-end talent and hard-hitting hockey.
SIJHL: Who are some of the players you expect to lead your team this season?
JD: Defenceman Isaiah Olschewske should be a key figure for us defensively. Goaltender Alex Burke is also back with the team this season. There is also Seamus Stoyle, who was my captain with my club last year where he scored 15 times and had 15 assists.
SIJHL: Who are a couple of returning players you expect big things from?
JD: We expect all of our returning players to lead the way. Olschewske, forward Logan Froberg and defenceman Kenny Hasbargen are both among that group that we expect solid seasons from.
SIJHL: Who are some of the newcomers you’ve signed that you’ve been impressed with?
JD: 19-year-old goaltender Jonathan Chin spent 2015-16 with the TPH Thunder U-18 program and has looked good for us so far.
SIJHL: What do you expect from all your players heading into the 2016-17 campaign?
JD: We expect hard work for all of our players to strive to get better.
SIJHL: What is one feature you feel your club will provide this season?
JD: A great connection with our community.
SIJHL: What goals and expectations do you have heading into the start of the regular season and beyond?
JD: That we get better every day and finish strong.
SIJHL: With your late arrival, how has the off-season recruiting gone for so far?
JD: Its’ been tough, but we’ve been working hard every day to put the best team on ice.
SIJHL: What do you look to build on as you enter your first season in the SIJHL?
JD: We look forward to helping our team and the league grow.
The Minnesota Iron Rangers open their 2015-16 SIJHL season at home Saturday, Sept. 24 as they host the Thunder Bay North Stars at Hoyt Lakes Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.