SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013
SIJHL team preview: Thunder Bay North Stars
THUNDER BAY – Buoyed by a plethora of local talent on their roster the Thunder Bay North Stars will look to rely on that strong Lakehead influence as the club looks to move back among the elite in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
Off the 25 players on the club’s roster heading into their season opener Friday in Fort Frances, 23 of them hail from Thunder Bay while one, Robert MacLean, is from New Hamburg, Ont., and defenceman Tyler Brower is from all places, Kailua, Hawaii.
As an organization the North Stars are no strangers to winning SIJHL titles, boasting a league-best five Bill Salonen Cup crowns over the first 12 seasons of the league.
New head coach Jeremy Adduono enters his first campaign behind the bench and he is no stranger to skating on the ice at the Fort William Gardens ice having played junior for the Thunder Bay Flyers before moving on to shine with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL and eventually an 11-year professional career in both the AHL and Europe.
The North Stars bench boss is clearly looking forward to the start of the campaign.
“On behalf of my players, coaching staff, and the entire organization, I can say that we are all enthusiastic about the upcoming season in the SIJHL,” stated the Thunder Bay product.
“I believe it will be a competitive league, and that every team will bring different challenges every night.”
Among the number of players back for Adduono and assistant coach Colin Zulianello, who also starred in junior locally before earning a NCAA scholarship at Colorado College, look for a pair of defencemen help stabilize the back-end of the team.
“Tim Cavar is a big strong D-man that will bring lots of experience and stability to our back-end,” offered the new Stars coach. “Tim is tough to play against; he battles hard in his own zone and loves to step up and be physical. He will provide plenty of leadership.”
Another rearguard Adduono is looking to impress is second-year D-man Bryce Martyn.
“He is entering his second SIJHL season as a 17-year-old, but plays like a poised veteran. He’s a solid all-around defenseman, has offensive upside with his ability to move the puck and his heavy shot.”
Up front veteran forwards Trevor Hynnes and Cary Brown are being looked at to lead the way as the duo enter their final year of junior hockey.
“Trevor is the type of player that any coach would love to have on their team,” said Adduono.
“He is a natural leader both on and off the ice and epitomizes what it means to lead by example; every time he steps on the ice we know what to expect.”
As for Brown, Adduono also likes what he has seen in the towering six-foot-four-inch forward.
“Cary is another team leader who has the respect of all his teammates. He’s a big body who is effective at both ends of the ice. He is strong on face-offs and possesses a very good shot and we will be counting on Cary to help provide some offense.”
Second-year sniper Matthias Gardiman is also back looking to improve on an 18-goal campaign as a rookie.
“Matthias’ biggest assets are his hockey IQ and his skating ability. He’s a fast, offensive minded player with great vision that will be expected to provide offense.”
Also back after a year in the OJHL is center Brandon Wolframe.
“Brandon is a proven junior “A” player and we are very excited that he has returned to Thunder Bay. He was point-per-game player in this league two years ago. We expect him to be an offensive catalyst for us this year and he plays much bigger than his 5’7” frame who can finish around the net.”
Rookie forwards Zach Grzelewski and Daniel Delpaggio will also look to make their mark in their first season in the SIJHL.
“Zach is a big solid kid with excellent speed and offensive know-how,” offered the coach on the London Knights draft pick.
“He’s only 16; however, he’s very mature and plays like he belongs.”
As for Delpaggio, Adduono also sees plenty of upside.
“Daniel is another rookie in our line-up and comes to us with unlimited potential. He possesses high hockey intelligence, has great vision and is very creative on the ice.”
Between the pipes Eric Mann and Nathaniel Dupuis, graduates of the Thunder Bay Kings major midget program, will look to share the goaltending load for the North Stars.
“Eric is a goalie who has solid fundamentals; he tracks pucks very well and his movements are instinctive and allow him to always be in the right position to be able to challenge shooters while Nathaniel is a 17-year-old goalie that has good size and natural ability that make it possible for him to make the tough saves look routine.”
Starting Friday in Fort Frances, it will be tough sledding for the Stars to begin the 2013-14 campaign as they will play their first six games on the road before skating in their home opener Oct. 15 against their long-time rival, the Dryden Ice Dogs.