NOJHL team previews: Blind River Beavers

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015

NOJHL team previews: Blind River Beavers

SUDBURY – Optimism reigns supreme in Blind River this season as the Beavers look to rebound from a difficult 2014-15 campaign.

Fresh off a victory in their final preseason contest, new Blind River head coach and general manager Brad Barton looks to have his charges headed in the right direction.

The following a look at the Beavers and some of the names on the roster to watch for this season:

TEAM: Blind River Beavers

HEAD COACH/GM: Brad Barton

NOTABLE RETURNEES

NATHAN HANS, FORWARD: Named team captain in Blind River this season, the 19-year-old Hans hails from Almonte, Ont.

In 50 games last season he tallied 12 times and chipped in with 13 assists.

“He’s a great leader with lots of skill and determination,” stated coach Barton.

ALEX KIDD, FORWARD: From the nation’s capital in Ottawa, the 19-year-old Kidd is back for another year with the Beavers.

At six-foot-one, Kidd will look to build on the five assists he accumulated last season in 39 outings in Blind River.

“Alex has lots of speed and comes hungry to prove he is a bona fide player at this level,” states Barton.

ALEX DAJIA, DEFENCE: Acquired in a deal from the Cochrane Crunch, the veteran D-man will look to bolster the Beavers defensive corps.

In 46 total games in the NOJHL last season, Dajia scored six times and supplied 19 assists.

“Alex brings leadership and a good two-way game with him,” offered the Blind River coach and GM.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS

MAX KHULL, FORWARD: Khull joins the Beavers after an impressive 2014-15 playing minor midget in Sault Ste. Marie.

He amassed 63 points in 53 games with Soo Greyhounds minor midgets blasting home 32 goals and helping set-up 31 others.

One of the youngest players in the NOJHL, the Niagara Ice Dogs OHL draft pick, turns 16 in October.

MAX BARR, GOALTENDER: Barr signs on in Blind River after tending goal in the United States Prospects Elite League for the Richmond Generals.

The all-star netminder had a 2.17 goals-against average and a .918 save mark last season.

STEVE KHULL, FORWARD: Another gifted forward from Soo Greyhound minor midget program, will be counted on to bring a fast and energized approach according to Beavers coach Barton.

He saw action in 64 games in minor midget and found the back of the net 19 times while adding 23 assists for 42 points.

QUOTABLE: “We are a very young, fast and energized team and look forward to getting better and better as the year progresses.” – Brad Barton, Head Coach/GM