Indians Break Franchise Record for Wins with Playoff Victory
Published on April 6, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
The Soo Kewadin Casino Indians broke their team record for wins in a single season after winning their 51st game of the season after Friday night's 3-1 playoff victory over the US Nationals. The Indians who were 51-6-6 overall after Friday, surpassed the 2000-01 team that netted 50-wins. This season's 44- 6-6 league record is also a team best, surpassing the same 2000-01 team that collected 43-wins in league play.
The Indians lost in overtime on Saturday by a 3-2 score, after the Nationals scored just 21-seconds into overtime to even the Best-of-Five-Game series at a game a piece. With the series tied 1-1, the Indians travel to Ann Arbor for Game's #3 and #4 scheduled for this Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. All games will broadcast on 1400 AM Talk Radio.
Game 5 will be played in the Soo on Saturday, April 10, 2004, if necessary.
Local Star Forward Jason Blain Commits to Northeastern University
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 commitments announced this season by a single team in the 21-team North American Hockey League.
Indians Announce They Will Play in NAHL Next Season
The Kewadin Casinos Indians Jr. A Hockey Team will participate in the North American Hockey League during the 2004 - 2005 season," Tribal Chairman Bernard Bouschor announced today to North American Hockey League (NAHL) Board of Governors.
This announcement supports a resolution passed in March 2004 by the Sault Tribe Board of Directors reversing Board action taken in January 2004 which would have made this season the Indians last. General Manager Joe Shawhan was pleased with the board decision. "I am very happy with the decision of the Tribal Board to support the Junior A team. This decision was best in all aspects," Shawhan said.
Immediately following the first board action in January that would have dissolved the team, Kewadin Casinos Indians team management as well as members from Kewadin Casinos management staff and the Chi Mukwa Recreational Facility began compiling information for the Board's review in hopes that they would be able to reverse the decision to disband the team. In mid March, federally audited financial reports and an impact analysis on Kewadin Casinos, Chi Mukwa, and the Sault community were presented. "I am thankful that we had the opportunity to give the Board all of the facts about the team so that they could make an informed decision," Shawhan said. The results of the Board presentation showed a positive cash flow impact from all presenters he added.
On March 16 2004, the Board voted during regular session to continue support for the team. As part of the vote, it was acknowledged that the team would be used to generate funds in the range of $50,000 to support Tribal Elders programs as well as youth recreational activities. A committee was established to look into ways of maximizing resources to generate the funds desired by the Board.
Establishing a committee of Sault Tribe members to serve in an advisory manner to the team will go a long way towards keeping the hockey team that offers so many things to Sault Ste. Marie according to Shawhan.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2004
- Bobcat Defenseman Leads Team in 3-0 Playoff Sweep - Bismarck Bobcats
- Indians Break Franchise Record for Wins with Playoff Victory - Soo Indians
- Kewadin Casinos Indians Geared up for 2004-2005 Season - Soo Indians
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