NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Thunderbirds’ Jeffries named NOJHL nominee for RBC CJHL player of the year
SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that Soo Thunderbirds captain Brett Jeffries has been named the NOJHL’s nominee for the RBC Canadian Junior Hockey League Jr. A player of the year award.
The RBC CJHL player of the year is given annually to the player who best combines on-ice performance with off-ice social responsibility. The winner will be announced during next month’s RBC Cup national Jr. A championship in Lloydminster, Alta.
The 20-year-old native of Cochenour, Ont., played a pivotal role in helping the Thunderbirds capture their second consecutive NOJHL Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy league championship and was a key cog in the club’s overall success.
On the ice Jeffries earned the NOJHL’s top defensive forward award for a second consecutive season.
A valuable two-way forward, Jeffries was instrumental in helping keep opposing players at bay with his defensive efforts with the T-Birds.
He also scored 11 times and doled out 31 assists during the course of the regular season helping the No. 3 CJHL ranked T-Birds capture their third straight league regular season crown.
Jeffries was also a member Team NOJHL at the Eastern Canada Cup Challenge.
Postseason play saw the veteran forward average a point-per-game for Sault Ste. Marie recording nine in as many outings on four tallies and five helpers en route to the league title.
Off the ice, Jeffries was also heavily involved in the Thunderbirds efforts within the community including with the club’s endeavours supporting the Christmas Cheer Fund.
“As a three-year player in the league Brett Jeffries has come to epitomize the commitment and dedication that so many of our players and member clubs display on a daily basis,” stated NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“A true leader on and off the ice, Brett has played an instrumental role in the success the Thunderbirds have achieved, not only within the NOJHL, but across the entire 131-team CJHL,” added Mazzuca. “He is a worthy recipient of this honour.”
Jeffries and the rest of his Soo teammates will continue their season next week as they head to Kirkland Lake to defend the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A title they won a year ago in Fort Frances, Ont.
There the NOJHL champions will take on the title holders of the OJHL (Trenton Golden Hawks) and SIJHL (Fort Frances Lakers) along with the host Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the NOJHL with a berth to the RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A championship on the line.
