Ice Dogs’ Len Pelletier named SIJHL's top defenceman

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced today that Len Pelletier of the Dryden Ice Dogs has been named the SIJHL’s best defenceman award recipient for the 2012-13 season.

Pelletier, who hails from Thunder Bay, is in his last season of Jr. A hockey and was recognized for his efforts on both ends of the ice.

He edged out Nick McCormack of the Minnesota Wilderness and Nick Le Sage of the Minnesota Iron Rangers for the award.

In 41 regular season games with Dryden in 2012-13, Pelletier picked up 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists.

The veteran D-man is the SIJHL all-time leader in games played at 221 having surpassed former Ice Dogs and Fort William North Stars forward Merlyn Smith’s 215 career contests.

In his tenure with Dryden, Pelletier has registered 22 tallies and 67 assists for 89 points, which ranks him eighth in league history. 14 of his markers came while his club was on the power play.

This marks the fourth time in the 12-year history of the SIJHL that a member of the Ice Dogs has earned the award.

Jon Mitchell won back-to-back league top defenceman accolades in 2009-10 and 2010-11 while Mike Kavanaugh was a co-recipient back in 2001-02, the first year of the league.

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