Press Release
Jake Esselink of Emo, a junior attending Dordt College in Sioux Centre, Iowa, was a member of the Blades hockey team that recently completed its season.
The squad finished with a record of 24-4-1-2 and placed fifth at the recent ACHA Division III national tournament in Rochester, N.Y.
The Blades have 13 Canadians on their roster and their coaching staff is primarily Canadian, as well.
The Canadian players come from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Esselink, an alternate captain for the Blades, played in all 31 games and finished the season with 53 points (13 goals and 40 assists).
He ended the year with a +/- rating of +72, and was honoured by being named a Pacific Region second team defenceman.
“Jake is a very dynamic player and certainly leads our team by example,” said Blades’ head coach Nate van Niejenhuis.
“He is a big physical presence on the ice with a great shot, and also [is] a very responsible defenceman,” he added.
Esselink is majoring in Physical Education: Recreation at Dordt College.
