Monday, April 18, 2011

Wisconsin's John McLean named Sportop Playoff MVP

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced today that Wisconsin Wilderness goaltender John McLean has been named the Sportop Marketing most valuable player for the 2011 playoffs.

The Eagan, Minn., native, who is in his final year of junior hockey, backstopped the Wilderness to the Bill Salonen Cup SIJHL championship posting an impressive 9-1 record in postseason play while leading all netminders in the league with a stingy 1.90 goals-against average, a stellar .932 save percentage and two shutouts.

After dropping his first playoff start the towering McLean, who stands over six-feet-eight-inches tall, reeled off nine consecutive victories that included leading his club to back-to-back four-game series sweeps over the Thunder Bay North Stars in semifinal action as well as the Dryden Ice Dogs in the finals helping Wisconsin become the first U.S.-based team to capture a Bill Salonen Cup title in the 10-year history of the SIJHL.

McLean and the rest of his teammates will now move on to represent the SIJHL and compete in the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Jr. A championship, April 19-23, at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville, Ont.

Joining the Wilderness will be the host Huntsville Otters along with the respective champions of the Northern Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Eagles or Sudbury Jr. Wolves) and Ontario Jr. Hockey Leagues. (Wellington Dukes or Oakville Blades)

Awaiting the DHC champion will be the opportunity to represent the region at the Royal Bank Cup Canadian national Jr. A championship, which will be staged in Camrose, Alta., April 30 – May 8.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: