Blain Commits to Northeastern
April 2, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) On the eve of the opening of the North American Hockey League playoffs for the Kewadin Casinos Indians, at least one player will breathe a little easier. Local product Jason Blain, has committed to play at Northeastern University of Hockey East next season.
Blain, who was in his last year of Junior eligibility, returned home to play for the Indians with the dream of earning a Division I scholarship. Jason came up through the Sault Ste. Marie minor hockey ranks eventually playing for both the Indians Midget AAA team and had a stint with the Indians Junior A team in 2000-01. He then chose to sign a tender with Bozeman of the AWHL (America West Hockey League). After a couple of solid seasons with the Ice Dogs, including a season as a team captain; he returned home this season for his final year of Juniors.
Jason has been an outstanding player for the Indians this season finishing the regular season as the NAHL's top assist man with 45-helpers. Blain also finished the regular season tied for tenth in league scoring with 57-points in 55-games. Overall on the season, Jason has scored 17-goals and added 48-assists for 65-points and earned a plus/minus rating of +36. The powerful right winger has been instrumental in both the Indians league leading power play, as well as the second rated penalty kill.
Coach Joe Shawhan praised the efforts of his star winger, "Jason garnered a lot of attention this season. He was basically committed to Harvard in February, then learned that admissions had closed. He then had to re-open his recruiting campaign. It would have been more comfortable for him at the end of the year to have been settled on his future, but he certainly did not let the distraction affect his game. I have never met a more polite young man with as much passion for the game."
Shawhan also credits the Bozeman Ice Dog program for their efforts in Blain's development. "The easiest part of selling Jason to colleges was his attention to the minute details of the game and his commitment to the unpopular parts of hockey. These details were integrated into his game at his time at Bozeman. The Indians program, and in the future the Northeastern program, ultimately become the benefactors. Jason came to us ready to be an impact player, and to his credit he was exactly that."
Jason Blain is the sixth Indians player to commit to an NCAA Division I school for next season, which is the most college committments announced this season by a single team in the 21-team North American Hockey League.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2004
- Barons Clinch AHL Calder Cup Playoff Berth - Cleveland Barons
- Blain Commits to Northeastern - Soo Indians
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
