08/04/2023 – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 4, 2023

Hockey site The Junior Hockey News announced today that the KIJHL has been rated as the Canada’s 2nd best Junior B league.

Criteria

The criteria that was used in rating these six leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL, NCDC, and Canada Junior A, or Canadian University hockey programs.

The size of the league, as in number of teams, was also taken into account for depth of player talent throughout the league. The level of promotion of commitments was also taken into account for this particular rating.

KIJHL

The KIJHL finishes second once again. Every year, the league is making improvements, and every year, players are seeing the value in the KIJHL.
The Junior Hockey News

Seen as Canada’s top Junior B league was the GOJHL, followed by KIJHL, EOJHL, PJHL, VIJHL, and the HJHL.

For more, HIT here

Source: The Junior Hockey News

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 3, 2023

The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the NHL Vancouver Canucks, have signed rookie defenseman Jay Keranen to a contract for the 2023-24 season.

Joel Martin

Jay Keranen is a versatile defenseman with good skating and puck-moving ability, said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach.

He comes from a great program and makes our backend stronger.

Jay Keranen

I am excited to be joining the K-Wings this upcoming season, I have heard nothing but great things, Keranen said.

Through conversations with Coach Martin and players, I’m looking forward to the culture and the opportunity to get to play in front of the K-Wings’ passionate fanbase.”
Kalamazoo Wings Press Release

History

Keranen, 25, is a 5-foot 11-inch, 183-pound, Brighton, Michigan native that turns pro with two B1G titles in hand.
In 2022-23, Keranen suited up in 40 games for the Michigan Wolverines (1g, 4a, 17 PIM, +6), and finished his career in Ann Arbor (2019-2023) with 69 games played, adding 2 goals and 2 assists from the blue line in the previous two seasons.
Prior to donning Maize and Blue, Keranen played two seasons (2017-2019 | 98gp, 1g, 12a, 64 PIM) with Prince George (BCHL), winning the BCHL championship with the Spruce Kings in 2018-19.

Source: Kalamazoo Wings Press Release