Chris Zajac, a 5-foot-11, 180 pound, 1996 birth-year forward from Naperville Central high school in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, has committed to the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2014-2015 campaign.
Beavers coach-director of hockey operations Don Gagnon has confirmed Zajac as the latest newcomer to the Blind River roster.
Zajac had 55 goals, 56 assists, 111 points in 60 games with Naperville Central in 2013-2014 en route to being named to the Illinois all-state high school hockey team.
Zajac is the fourth skater — and third American — to commit to the Beavers this off-season.
Earlier, the Beavers snagged American-born forwards Jeremy Joyce and Chris Corgan as well as defenceman Ronson Odjig, who is a Manitoulin Island native.
To be sure, it has been a busy off-season for the Beavers as they strive to reverse their fortunes after winning only 10 of 56 regular-season games in finishing in last place in the NOJHL in 2013-2014.
Besides the new players, Blind River has added National Hockey League goal-scoring legend Reggie Leach and Sault Ste. Marie native Michael Porco — who now resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan — to a scouting staff that includes holdover Steve Summers.
Photo credit to http://www.noozebox.com/2013/12/off-the-ice-interview-with-naperville-centrals-chris-zajac/
