THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Dryden GM Ice Dogs goaltender Ben Dennis has been selected as its Play It Again Sports player of the week for the period ending Feb. 19.
In two starts last week the 20-year-old netminder from Kenora, Ont., won both of them helping the league-leading GM Ice Dogs capture their second SIJHL regular season title in franchise history.
Dennis began by stopping 26 of the 28 shots he faced to backstop Dryden to a 5-2 triumph over the rival Fort Frances Lakers Wednesday at Memorial Arena.
He then finished up by keeping his side in it by making 31 saves on the night allowing the GM Ice Dogs to rally from a two-goal deficit and eventually prevail over the Minnesota Iron Rangers 7-2 Saturday and secure the regular season crown at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
The Dryden stopper has had a tremendous 2016-17 campaign to date as he has yet to lose in regulation posting an impressive 19-0-1-0 overall record.
Dennis has won each of his past 16 starts and sits second in goals-against average in the SIJHL at 2.64, only behind teammate Patrick Zubick’s 2.43 mark. He’s also tied for second in the league in save percentage at .918.
Also earning consideration for Play It Again Sports player of the week honours were the following:
Cody Aarvig, (F) Thief River Falls Norskies; Jamie Driedger, (F) English River Miners; Brett Pickler, (F) Fort Frances Lakers and Jack Stensgard, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers.
NOTE: The Thunder Bay North Stars did not play last week, thus did not have a nominee.
SIJHL – Play It Again Sports players of the week
Week 1: Eric Stout, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 2: Nicholas Nigro, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 3: Sidney Gladue, (F) English River Miners
Week 4: Cory Dennis, (D) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 5: Spencer Eschyschyn, (G) English River Miners
Week 6: Austin Kuhn, (F) English River Miners
Week 7: Brad Arabia, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 8: Brandon Zajicek, (D) Fort Frances Lakers
Week 9: Nic Noseworthy, (D) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 10: Keaton Huot, (F) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 11: Brad Arabia, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 12: Ryan Walsh, (D) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 13: Braeden Allkins, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 14: Kross Braaten, (G) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 15: Michael Lenko, (G) English River Miners
Week 16: Braedyn Aubin, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 17: Jacen Bracko, (F) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Week 18: Jordan Elliot, (G) Thunder Bay North Stars
Week 19: Ryan Buttazzoni, (G) Thief River Falls Norskies
Week 20: Ben Dennis, (G) Dryden GM Ice Dogs
