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Ice Dogs/Lakers maintain top 20 rankings

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The Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Fort Frances Lakers continue to hold spots in the weekly top 20 rankings by the Canadian Junior Hockey League.

The SIJHL-leading Ice Dogs have moved up a spot from last week to rank number 13.

Dryden swept a home-and-home series with Red Lake on the weekend to extend its winning streak to five games.

The Lakers, who are three points back of the Ice Dogs, hold steady in the rankings at number 17.

Fort Frances extended its winning streak to four games with a pair of victories on home ice over the Kam River Fighting Walleye.

The Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League continue to maintain their hold on the number one spot.

The Niverville Nighthawks of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League continue to sit at No. 2 in the listings, which are compiled by an independent scouting service.
The following are the current CJHL Top 20 rankings as of January 26th:

CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS WEEK)

  1. Rockland Nationals (CCHL) (1)
  2. Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL) (2)
  3. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (3)
  4. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (4)
  5. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (5)
  6. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (9)
  7. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (8)
  8. Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) (6)
  9. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (8)
  10. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (10)
  11. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (13)
  12. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (15)
  13. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (14)
  14. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) (12)
  15. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (19)
  16. Milton Menace (OJHL) (11)
  17. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) (17)
  18. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (16)
  19. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (18)
  20. Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) (HM)
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Top two SIJHL clubs maintain spots in top 20 poll

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The Canadian Junior Hockey League is out with its first list for 2026 of the top twenty junior A clubs in Canada.

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are ranked number 12.

The Fort Frances Lakers hold down the number 19 spot.

The two clubs are one and two in the SIJHL standings.

The Ice Dogs went 2026 with a 20-4-2-1 record, winning their last three games before entering the Christmas break to stay 3 points up on the Lakers.

The Lakers are 18-5-2-2, and have lost only one game on home ice, and are 8-0 in their last home games.

The season resumes for both teams this weekend.

The Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League hold down the number one spot in the weekly top 20.

The Niverville Nighthawks from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League are ranked number two.

Graeme Tenhunen

Tenhunen getting lots of experience with Miners

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Red Lake Miners rookie defenseman Graeme Tenhunen is looking forward to giving his family more chances to see him play.

“I am really looking forward to playing in Thunder Bay. It will definitely feel like a home coming. Playing in western Canada for the last two years, my family hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to see me play,” Tenhunen said.

The Thunder Bay native spent the last two seasons in Winnipeg playing within the RINK Hockey Academy. After being invited to tour the facilities and talking with the coaching staff, Tenhunen was sold on the opportunity to head west to further his hockey development.

“I did set hockey goals for myself and playing junior A hockey was a step in my development and path to playing the highest-level hockey I could. I am happy and excited to have the opportunity to play as a 16-year-old,” Tenhunen added. “My name was passed along to (Head Coach Billy Keane). We had a few great conversations about playing in Red Lake and I was offered a spot on the team.”

Tenhunen was part of the RINK Hockey Academy squad that took part in the 2024 Border Battle at the Tournament Centre. He, along with Thunder Bay forward Jake Ritson, helped the out-of-town team win the championship game 4-1 over the Hermantown Hawks out of Minnesota.

Outside of the nine Thunder Bay born players on the Kam River Fighting Walleye and the thirteen that are on the Thunder Bay North Stars roster, there are five other Thunder Bay born players in the SIJHL. Tenhunen is teammates with forwards Luke Sicilano and forward Kellan Ozerkevich as well as defencemen Evan Wesley and Daniel Lombardo. Defenceman Max Caddo of the Fort Frances Lakers and forward Griffin McGraw of the Dryden GM Ice Dogs also come from Thunder Bay. Nearby communities of Murillo (North Stars Defenceman Connor Larrett) and Oliver Paipoonge (Fighting Walleye forwards Gage Hordy and Nico Simoeni) are also represented on the two Lakehead squads.

When asked about a chance to sign with one of the two local teams, Tenhunen noted “I really liked what Coach Billy had to say about his willingness to give opportunities for a 16-year-old to develop in Junior A. So far, I have had a great time playing for the Miners. I have a great billet family and really get along my teammates.”

Tenhunen was happy to see the team get their first win of the season against the Ironwood Lumberjacks on October 11th.

“We had a slower start to the year, but I think the team is really starting to come together. We have a great group of guys who all work hard. Games are getting closer, and I think that more wins will come as the season goes on.”

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday November 7 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday November 8 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday November 14 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday November 15 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Tuesday November 18 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers

FORT FRANCES LAKERS

The Lakers were recognized on the Canadian Junior Hockey Leagues (CJHL) Top 20 list, grabbing the 18th spot. They swept a weekend double-header with the Sioux Lookout Bombers on home ice.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Sunday November 2 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday November 7 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Saturday November 8 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Tuesday November 11 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday November 14 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday November 15 vs. Red Lake Miners

SIOUX LOOKOUT BOMBERS

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

After losing both of their games last weekend to the Fort Frances Lakers, the Bombers now find themselves trailing the Dryden GM Ice Dogs for top spot in the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). They enter the first weekend of November on a three-game losing skid.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Saturday November 1 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday November 7 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday November 8 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Tuesday November 18 vs. Red Lake Miners

DRYDEN GM ICE DOGS

A seven-game winning streak has vaulted the Ice Dogs into top spot in the SIJHL and earned them the 17th spot in the CJHL Top 20 rankings.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday November 7 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday November 8 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday November 14 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday November 15 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Tuesday November 18 @ Fort Frances Lakers

KAM RIVER FIGHTING WALLEYE

The Fighting Walleye concluded October with a 7-3 record, which included back-to-back home wins against the Red Lake Miners.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Sunday November 2 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Friday November 7 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday November 8 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday November 14 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday November 15 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks

THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS

The North Stars will hit the ice for game action on Halloween night against the Sioux Lookout Bombers. They last played on October 18th, earning a 2-1 victory over the Red Lake Miners.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Saturday November 1 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Wednesday November 5 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday November 7 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday November 8 vs. Red Lake Miners
Friday November 14 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday November 15 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Tuesday November 18 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks

Brady Cates

Cates, Laplante representing Emo on Lakers

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If you can’t play junior hockey in your hometown, a 30-minute trip east of it isn’t a bad alternative.

That’s the reality for goaltender Brady Cates, who’s from Emo but is a returning member of the Fort Frances Lakers.

“[Fort Frances is] kind of just near my hometown, so figured might as well go play some junior hockey [there] and have some fun. We have a good group of guys [here], so it’s been good talk,” said Cates, following the Lakers 3-2 victory over the Kam River Fighting Walleye on Saturday, September 27th.

16-year-old forward Dax Laplante is also an Emo product on the Lakers squad this season.

Cates is following in the footsteps of Jack Orchard, who patrolled the Lakers crease during the 2023/2024 season after being picked up in a deal with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). Orchard helped the Kam River Fighting Walleye win the Bill Salonen Cup in 2023.

Cates earned an honorable mention for the Week Three Stars by turning aside 34 of 35 shots in a 7-1 win over the Thunder Bay North Stars on October 3rd.He has a 3-0-1 record for the season to go along with a goals against average of 1.25 and a save percentage of 955.

Cates is a big believer in Head Coach and General Manager Luke Judson, adding “Our coaching staff work us hard every day in practice. We’re doing well. And I think [that] nobody’s being selfish out there. We’re just finding a way to finish out every game.”

When asked how kids from Emo develop, Cates notes “Most of them go to Fort Frances to play ‘AA’ hockey. [That said] I think that things are going to get better in the next few years. Some guys that have played junior hockey in the past are coming back and helping out with some programs, which is good to see.”

Emo saw a drop in its population in the 2021 Census with 1,204 as compared to 1,333 back in 2016.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 24 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Saturday October 25 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 31 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs

RED LAKE MINERS

The Miners entered the Thanksgiving weekend with their first win of the season over the Ironwood Lumberjacks on October 11th. The team also registered a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Kam River Fighting Walleye on October 3rd. Reid White and Bryan Linklater each have four goals while Noah Tenney leads the team in points with eight.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 17 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday October 18 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday October 24 @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday October 25 @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Wednesday October 29 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Thursday October 30 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks

SIOUX LOOKOUT BOMBERS

A sweep of the Three Stars for the Bombers as they sit atop the league with seven wins in eight games.

Forward Brodie Wood scored in a pair of overtime wins in Dryden, while Defenceman Kaden Veller had the game winner on Saturday October 4th.

In the crease, Matthew Ofukany stopped 47 of 52 Ice Dogs shots to earn Star Goalie honours.

All three players were also recognized for their September efforts (Wood 10 points in 5 games, Veller 3 points in 5 games, Ofukany 2-1 record, 2.00 goals against average, .945 save percentage).

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 17 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday October 18 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Tuesday October 21 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday October 24 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday October 25 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Friday October 31 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars

DRYDEN GM ICE DOGS

The Ice Dogs came from behind at home to upend the Lakers 2-1 on Friday, October 10th and then shut them out a night later in Fort Frances. They sit a point behind the Fighting Walleye after Thanksgiving.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 17 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday October 18 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Tuesday October 21 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 24 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday October 25 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday October 31 vs. Fort Frances Lakers

KAM RIVER FIGHTING WALLEYE

After slipping below the .500 mark, the Fighting Walleye have reeled off five wins in their last six games, including handing the Lakers their first defeat of the season on October 7th.

Forward Carter Poddubny was a honourable mention for the Week Three Star selection with points in all three of the teams games that week.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 17 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday October 18 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday October 24 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday October 25 vs. Red Lake Miners

THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS

The North Stars earned three of a possible four points against the Fighting Walleye this past weekend, and sit three points back of the Ice Dogs for fourth place in the overall standings (3-2-1-1).

Forward Evan Simeoni had a strong September with three goals and nine points, including a trio of multi-point efforts. Defenceman Chance Loke had five points in four games, which included two outings where he registered more than a point.

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

Friday October 17 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday October 18 vs. Red Lake Miners
Friday October 31 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers

fort-frances-lakers-sweater-2016

SIJHL season kicks off, Lakers host Ice Dogs tonight

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The Fort Frances Lakers kicked off the SIJHL regular season Friday night with a convincing 7-1 win over the Red Lake Miners. The Lakers got goals from seven different skaters while Brady Cates stopped 25 shots in net for the win. Austin Cooper with a goal and an assist was named the games first star. In the only other game last night the Thunder Bay North Stars dropped a 4-1 decision to the Ironwood Lumberjacks.

The Lakers will face a tougher test tonight when they host the Dryden GM Ice Dogs at 7:15p.m.

Ice Dogs Preview

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs were a shot away from forcing Game Seven in the Bill Salonen Cup Finals against the Kam River Fighting Walleye.

Head Coach and General Manager Jake Gushue looks at the setback last season as positive and negative.

“We were really happy with all the success that we had last season. We had a really good year and a lot of fun,” Gushue noted. “But obviously, there’s a sour taste in our mouth, right? We were right there; it was a really close series. Our goal is to get back to the finals and we have the belief that we’re going to do that this year and not miss this time around.”

The season came to an end in Oliver Paipoonge on April 29th when Fighting Walleye forward Jett Mintenko wrapped up the league championship in overtime in Game Six.

Seven players from last year’s squad graduated while the returnees include Forwards Elias Eisenbarth, Payton Hu, Kelby Diehl and Griffin McGraw along with Defencemen Carter Goreniuk, Tegan Kerr, Reidar Paquette and Nicholas McCallen.

Gushue’s message to his returnees is bigger and better than last year.

“The guys have put in a ton of work in the off season. That sour taste in their mouths will fuel them, especially at the start of the year where we’re going to hit the ground running,” said Gushue. “There are a lot of things that we learned from last year (the successes and failures). We’re going to be way better set up for this season, and our guys are up for the challenge.”

Some of the new guys on the Ice Dogs include 20-year-old defenceman Carter Welke from Edmonton. Fellow defenceman Jacob Bernardo from Victoria already has over 130 games in Junior ‘A’ and will be entering his 19-year-old season. The team also added Quebec born forward Adrian Mendoza.

The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2025-2026. Similarly, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs will commemorate their 25th year as the league’s oldest and most decorated franchise.

Gushue has worked his way up the organization and is proud to lead the Ice Dogs as Head Coach and General Manager.

“We’re hoping to show with our work ethic, and how we handle ourselves every day in the community and on the ice,” said Gushue. “It means the world to us, thinking of all of the time and support that we’ve been given from the City of Dryden. For us to be a part of the anniversary season, it’s a huge honour and privilege, and I know we’re going to live up to the expectations this year.”

“Our guys have been chomping at the bit here to begin the season. We have high expectations of the club, and I know our club’s ready for the challenge and ready to battle every single night.

The Ice Dogs have won four Bill Salonen Cup Championships, capturing their last one in 2018.