Staff
Pierce Dushenko and Christian Ripley once again will wear the same jersey this fall, but it will be with a different logo than last season.
The former Fort Frances Lakers have committed to play for the Stevenson (Maryland) University Mustangs in their inaugural season in the West Conference of the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
“We are more than happy to have these two join the other six who have already made commitments, and wish them the best of luck with their new team and school,” Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said in an e-mailed statement today.
Dushenko, named a CCM Second-Team All-Star, was a finalist for the SIJHL’s top goalie after leading the league in wins with a 28-4-0-2 record.
He also finished second in GAA (2.68) and save percentage (.920) to teammate Brandon Bodnar, who played only 23 games compared to 35 for Dushenko.
The 20-year-old from Coquitlam, B.C. then went 7-2, with a 2.64 GAA and a .920 save percentage, in the Lakers’ run to a third-straight SIJHL title.
Dushenko went 0-2 at the Dudley Hewitt Cup before injuring his hip and having to come out halfway through his third appearance.
He remained on the bench until the final 1:32 of the Lakers’ last game of the tournament, when Strachan put him back on the ice as a reward for his efforts over the past two seasons.
Ripley, a 20-year-old forward from Duluth, was fourth in team scoring with 49 points in 53 regular-season games.
He tacked on nine points in 10 playoff games.
In related news, the SIJHL’s newest member now has a name.
The league and ownership group announced Friday the latest expansion franchise will be known as the Thief River Falls Norskies.
“We are proud to have chosen a name that is different and exciting,” said co-owner and general manager Kevin McCallum.
“We have a strong Norwegian presence in our community that we like to celebrate,” he noted.
The Norskies will begin play this fall as the SIJHL’s sixth team.
