SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, Sept. 14, 2015
SIJHL team previews: English River Miners
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League’s 15th season gets underway later this week.
As a prelude to the upcoming campaign, the following is the first of a number team previews heading into the 2015-16 campaign with insight on some of the names to watch for on each squad.
The initial preview is on the English River Miners:
TEAM: English River Miners
HEAD COACH/GM: Derek Sweet-Coulter
Under new Miners head coach and general manager Derek Sweet-Coulter, English River will look to improve on last season’s fifth place finish in the SIJHL that produced a 10-41-5 record.
The Victoria, B.C., native joins the club to enter his ninth campaign as a head coach at the junior level.
Sweet-Coulter spent 2014-15 with the Vegreville Rangers of the North East Alberta Junior Hockey League.
NOTABLE RETURNEES
RYKER MOREAU, FORWARD: Moreau was a 29-point man for the Miners last season scoring 12 times and adding 17 assists.
“Ryker brings a tireless work ethic and a competitive edge that is hard to match,” stated Sweet-Coulter.
“He also has great leadership skills.”
LANDEN MATECHUK, FORWARD: Matechuk joined English River for the second half of 2014-15 and contributed 14 points in 27 outings on five tallies and nine helpers. Three of his markers came on the power play and one was a game-winner.
“Landen brings speed on the ice and also has a great work ethic,” offered the Miners coach.
“He also demonstrates very good leadership skills.”
ALEX MATICIC, FORWARD: As a rookie last season, Maticic was one of the top first-year performers in the SIJHL and was a finalist for the CCM rookie of the year award.
Maticic was second in offensive production for English River in 2014-15 notching 16 goals and setting up 17 more for 33 points in 54 games played.
“Alex brings tremendous skill and anticipates and sees the ice very well,” said Sweet-Coulter.
“He also has leadership skills that he will continue to develop this season.”
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
DANIEL SZPAKOWSKI, FORWARD: The 18-year-old from Port Moody, B.C., played for his hometown Port Moody Panthers of the PIJHL last season and had 16 goals and 12 assists in 42 games.
“Daniel is a humble young man that brings a tremendous shot and the ability to use his body to protect the puck very effectively,” provided Sweet-Coulter.
“Off the ice Daniel works extremely hard to stay conditioned.”
KONNAR DECHAINE, FORWARD: A 19-year-old, who hails from Lac La Biche, Alta., spent the majority of 2014-15 with the Princeton Posse of the KIJHL, but also saw time in both the AJHL and SJHL with Lloydminster and Humboldt respectively.
Offering his thoughts on Dechaine, the Miners bench boss and GM said this: “Konnar brings a quick release and his ability to give and go is at the highest level. A humble young man with a bright future. He works very hard off the ice and harder in practice.”
BRANDON SCHABER, DEFENCE: A veteran D-man from Kelowna, B.C. saw action in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Estevan Bruins. He also had a stint with Princeton of the KIJHL out west as well.
In 33 games he scored eight times and assisted on four others.
“Brandon is a 20-year-old veteran who came over to us from Estevan,” said Sweet-Coulter.
“He has unbelievable skill with the puck and his awareness away from the puck is just as good. He also provides tremendous leadership skills and is a humble leader.”