THUNDER BAY – Sports – After an amazing week, in the SIJHL Matt Kaarela is the SIJHL player of the week. The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Matt Kaarela of the Thunder Bay North Stars has been named the Pizza Hut player of the week for the period concluding Dec.16.
In two games during the time frame the 20-year-old Thunder Bay product accumulated eight points helping the North Stars skate to a pair of victories.
The North Stars forward and alternate captain began his award-winning effort by tallying twice and dishing out four assists in an 8-2 triumph over Duluth on Dec. 12. He followed that up two nights later by notching another pair of markers in a 3-2 overtime win on the road against the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
On the season Kaarela leads all skaters in the SIJHL in goals with 26 and also sits second overall in league offensive production with 41 points.
He is also riding a five-game point streak racking up eight goals and six assists during that span.
Honourable mention for the Pizza Hut player of the week award went to Dan Divis, (D) Minnesota Wilderness; Rory Court, (F) Dryden Ice Dogs; Jameson Shortreed, (G) Fort Frances Lakers; Nolan Holcombe, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers; and Jon Ringstad (D) Duluth Clydesdales.
At the conclusion of the 2012-13 regular season, the SIJHL’s top performer will be presented the league’s Pizza Hut player of the year award.
2012-13 Pizza Hut player of the week recipients
Week 1: Tyler Walsh, (F) Dryden Ice Dogs
Week 2: Gordy Defiel, (G) Minnesota Wilderness
Week 3: Tanner Hamilton, (G) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 4: Merritt Rysavy, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 5: Mike Dietrich, (F) Minnesota Wilderness
Week 6: Mason Meyer, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 7: Eric Szymczyk, (G) Dryden Ice Dogs
Week 8: Jonathon Losurdo, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers
Week 9: Mike Dietrich, (F) Minnesota Wilderness
Week 10: Luke Karakas, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers
Week 11: Jordan Shockley, (F) Minnesota Wilderness
Week 12: Conrad Sampair, (F) Minnesota Wilderness
Week 13: Matt Kaarela, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
