Slaker Honored as Junior Player of the Year

June 23, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Jake Slaker with the Bloomington Thunder
Jake Slaker with the Bloomington Thunder
(Bloomington Thunder)

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The 2015-16 Bloomington Thunder captain from San Diego, CA was named Wednesday afternoon as California/Nevada Player of the Year. California Rubber Magazine put together their second annual All-California/Nevada Junior Team. Jake Slaker (University of Michigan) stood above the field as the top player, showing players from the Western Hockey League, British Colombia Hockey League, North American Hockey League, and USHL. The full team showed two goaltenders, six defensemen, and 12 forwards from the west coast.

"It's a huge honor being recognized from California. Hockey is growing out there and there are great players coming out of the state going on to do big things," said Slaker who was recognized with other USHL players like Lawton Courtnall (Western Michigan University) and Patrick Khoderenko (Michigan State). "It is really exciting and it's pretty great to be honored with the award."

Slaker finished his second USHL season with the Thunder, leading them to the Clark Cup Playoffs and the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Following a 42-point (21g, 21a) season, the dynamic two way forward produced a remarkable playoff run. He led the league right up to the Final round, holding 12 points (5g, 7a) in 10 games. During the season he also led the top USHL power play of the Thunder with 11 goals.

"Going into junior hockey, making the playoffs was always a goal of mine," said Slaker regarding the playoff run as one of his favorite memories with the Thunder. "We had a great team and a great group of guys that were like a family. Going as far as we did was amazing being in just the second year of the team. Being able to be part of that group and say we did that was my favorite experience."

Right after the post season wrapped up for the forward, he committed to the University of Michigan where he will skate in the 2016-17 season. It is there that he will join teammates and Thunder alumni Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) and Steven Merl (University of Michigan). The second captain in Thunder team history wrapped up his USHL career with 114 career games and 67 (34g, 33a) and is the second leading scorer for the Thunder all-time.

The journeyman was acquired by the USHL expansion program ahead of the 2014-15 season and has been an invaluable piece to the team's growth over their creation. His midget career took him to the Chicago area to play for the Fury and then Michigan with Belle Tire where he was an assistant captain. Before making the move to the Midwest, he learned his craft on the west coast with the UTC Jaguars, Kroc Center Saints, SDIA, and the L.A. Hockey Club.

SEASON TICKETS: Tickets are now on sale for the 2016-17 season with the Thunder as they look for their second consecutive post season run. Bloomington's tickets begin at $240 and also offer youth prices as low as $150. Also, take a look at our mini packs for some flexible alternatives. The Thunder offer 15, 8, and 6 game packages. Buy your season tickets in full by July 1st to be entered in a Chicago Blackhawks Ticket contest. One lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to a 2016-17 regular season game at the United Center. For more information call (309) 434-2980 or visit BloomingtonThunder.com.




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Jake Slaker with the Bloomington Thunder
Jake Slaker with the Bloomington Thunder
   



United States Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2016


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