THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) announced Monday that Fort Frances Lakers forward Lucas Debenedet has been named the initial Pizza Hut player of the week for the 2013-14 season. In two games during the opening weekend of league play, the 18-year-old Debenedet, who hails just across from Fort Frances in International Falls, Minn., picked up a league-best five points on three goals and two assists.
He began by scoring on his first shift, 61 seconds into his opening SIJHL game Friday, vs. Thunder Bay.
He added two assists in an eventual 4-3 setback to the North Stars and followed that up the next night tallying twice more to lead the Lakers in a romp over the English River Miners on home ice.
His offensive outburst has him leading the league scoring parade after week 1.
Also receiving considerations for the Pizza Hut player of the week award were Dane Feeney, (F) Dryden Ice Dogs and Cary Brown, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars.
At the conclusion of the regular season the SIJHL’s most valuable player will be presented the Pizza Hut player of the year award and will also go on to be the league’s representative for the national Canadian Junior Hockey League player of the year trophy.
2013-14 SIJHL – Pizza Hut player of the week recipients
Week 1: Lucas Debenedet, (F) Fort Frances Lakers