A new hockey season always brings excitement and hope for every team. This year the Nipigon Elks are no different and after four games in the Lakehead Junior Hockey League there is plenty to be optimistic about.

Opening the season with two losses is not how any team wants to begin, but the games were both competitive. The Elks bounced back with a two-game sweep over the Schreiber Falcons last week.

Head Coach Jean Marc Fortier sounds pleased with the start saying, “the team is coming together. They are playing like they did at the end of the season last year and are starting to buy into what we are preaching.”

Third year veteran Tyler Miticic leads the team in points with seven (one goal, six assists) so far while the top goal scorer is Cole Desjardins with four in three games. Ben Hendricken, Jean Marc Fortier, Tristan Houston and AJ Gilbert all have found the back of the net at least twice as well.

“The returning players are helping the nine rookies get up to speed with where we want to be early in the season,” commented Fortier. “This week will see where we really are, if we are going to be at the top or mid pack.”

Nipigon have a three-game week ahead of them starting on Tuesday against the seven-time defending league champion Thunder Bay Northern Hawks.

Upcoming schedule

Tuesday, October 25 at Thunder Bay Northern Hawks, 8 PM

Thursday, October 27 at Thunder Bay Stars, 7:30 PM

Friday, October 28 vs Thunder Bay Kings AAA, 7:30 PM