The following information has been provided by the Superior International Junior Hockey League:
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced that Thunder Bay North Stars forward Bradley Belisle has committed to attend Bemidji State University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association on scholarship in time for the 2017-18 season.
The 16-year-old Thunder Bay product is in his first year in the SIJHL where he has registered 13 points in his first 15 outings on seven goals and six assists.
Belisle currently leads all rookie forwards in offensive production and is tied for first overall in scoring among all first-year players and ranks in the top 20 among all SIJHL skaters.
“Brad’s a kid with tremendous character that has a genuine love for the game,” offered North Stars head coach Jeremy Adduono when discussing the forward.
“He's a big body that skates well; has an extremely high hockey IQ and possesses a very heavy shot which makes him a dangerous player,” stated Adduono.
“As a 16-year-old he still has lots to learn, but with his ability and work ethic, he has a bright future,” added the Thunder Bay bench boss.
In suiting up for BSU, Belisle will be attending the same school his father, Omer, starred for in the mid-1990s where he led the Beavers to three straight NCAA Division II National Championships from 1993 to 1995.
The elder Belisle captained BSU’s 1995 squad and is an honoured member BSU’s 50 Legends for 50 Years Team, established to recognize the top 50 players in the history of the program.
In heading to Bemidji State, Bradley Belisle will being joining the WCHA school that currently boasts a trio of SIJHL alumni on their 2014-15 roster.
They include senior forward Mitch Cain (Fort Frances), who was named SIJHL CCM rookie of the year in 2007-08 for his hometown Fort Frances side, junior defenceman Graeme McCormack (Thunder Bay) and sophomore goaltender Jesse Wilkins (Sioux Lookout).
Belisle’s uncle, Ted, also attended Bemidji State and is presently an assistant coach for the team.
