Lakers’ Debenedet earns Pizza Hut player of the week award

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Fort Frances Lakers forward Lucas Debenedet has be selected Pizza Hut player of the week for the period concluding Jan. 26.

Taking to the ice three times during the week that was the 18-year-old Debenedet, who hails from International Falls, Minn., registered seven points helping league-leading Fort Frances skate to a trio of victories.

He began with an assist Wednesday in Day 1 play at the SIJHL Showcase in Spooner, Wis., as the Lakers defeated English River 5-2.

The next night at the Showcase in Spooner Debenedet was stellar scoring four consecutive goals of the impressive variety, including a natural hat-trick in the second period, as Fort Frances stormed back from an early deficit to beat the rival Dryden Ice Dogs 5-2.

He then topped on his award-winning week by adding another goal and setting up another to help his side skate past the second place Thunder Bay North Stars 6-4 Saturday at the Fort William Gardens.

On the season Debenedet leads the SIJHL in goals, assists and points with 37, 45 and 82 respectively.

Also earning consideration for Pizza Hut player of the week was Tim Cavar, (D) Thunder Bay North Stars; Matt Audet, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers; John Morales, (F) English River Miners; Sawyer Jacobson, (F) Wisconsin Wilderness and Dane Feeney, (F) Dryden Ice Dogs.

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.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)