FANS in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior can certainly look north and thank the ultra-productive Thunder Bay hockey program for much of their current excitement level.
Starting with the professional ranks and as was the case with Patrick Sharp in July, another Thunder Bay native and member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization is set to commemorate his day with the Stanley Cup.
Lakehead product Norm Maciver, who serves as the Blackhawks’ director of player development, will spend his 24-hour stretch with hockey’s ultimate prize today in the Minnesota community.
The former long-time NHLer and All-American defenceman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth plans to celebrate the occasion with family and friends.
He has also a time set for fans to get an up close look at the Stanley Cup during an autograph and photo session at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center.
WCHA HONOUR: A more recent member of the UMD Bulldogs men’s hockey team also has reason to celebrate.
Thunder Bay’s Travis Oleksuk was tabbed the latest Western Collegiate Hockey Association offensive player of the week for his on-ice efforts in a two-game sweep over Alaska-Anchorage.
The junior forward scored twice, including the game-winner, while assisting on another in a 6-0 UMD triumph over the visiting Seawolves on Oct. 23. That came a night after setting up the overtime game-winner in a 3-2 Bulldogs triumph.
Not to be outdone Oleksuk continued his clutch scoring prowess this past weekend notching his WCHA and NCAA leading fourth game-winning goal of the season Friday striking with just seven seconds remaining in OT at Bemidji State in a 3-2 victory.
TOP DOG: Not to be overshadowed, Haley Irwin continues to bolster Thunder Bay’s contribution to the UMD hockey program.
The junior forward and Olympic gold medalist currently leads the lady Bulldogs in scoring with 16 points in only eight games.
Her two-point per game average places the Canadian Olympian in the top five nationally. She also shares the NCAA women’s lead for game-winning goals with three and is second in the country in goals with 11.
Irwin’s most recent offensive output came Saturday as she fired a hat-trick that included the winning goal and dished out an assist as the Bulldogs completed a two-game sweep of arch-rival Minnesota with a 4-2 triumph.
The reigning NCAA champions will however have to do without Irwin’s services for a short spell in the coming days as she’ll once again don the Team Canada jersey as they compete in the Four Nations Cup international event Nov. 9-13 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
SUPERIOR TALENT: Across the bridge from Duluth in Superior, Wis., they too are stockpiling their collegiate hockey team with local and area talent.
No less than four players from the region are incoming freshmen for Yellowjackets this season.
Drew Strandberg and T.J. Ahvenniemi of Thunder Bay along with Kenora natives Colton Kennedy and Brooks Mejia are all listed on UWS roster to start the 2010-11 campaign.
Ahvenniemi had an assist in his debut in an away game at Wisconsin-River Falls in which Strandberg started, but suffered a 5-3 defeat.