Thunder Sign Kiefiuk to Tender

April 12, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder Welcome Forward Calen Kiefiuk
Bloomington Thunder Welcome Forward Calen Kiefiuk
(Bloomington Thunder)

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - Soon after completing the 2015-16 regular season, the Bloomington Thunder are already thinking for the future. Tuesday morning the team announced the signing forward Calen Kiefiuk (University of Michigan) from the Honeybaked program. The signing makes Kiefiuk the first tender by the Bloomington Thunder in team history.

"We are very excited to have Calen and his family coming to Bloomington next year to be a part of our organization. (Director of Scouting) Dan (Jewell) has done a great job of identifying players and Calen has been at the top of our list all year," said Thunder Head Coach Dennis Williams after Kiefiuk inked his deal with the Thunder. "He has been our number one guy we have always wanted. He plays the way we like to play and to have him and his family out to solidify the signing for next year is special."

Kiefiuk, 16, is a dynamic scoring talent that led his Honeybaked program in scoring by a landslide. In 64 total games this season, the Macomb, MI native averaged well over a point a game with 80 total points. He tallied 36 goals and 44 helpers for the team and outscored his next closest teammate and recent tender to Youngstown, Max Ellis, by 16 points.

"I've had a great relationship with (Coach Jewell) from the beginning," said the newest member of the Thunder. "Right off the bat (Bloomington) caught my eye and it has been great ever since. The hospitality was amazing and they have treated me like a professional from the second I got here.

"I'm just really excited to be a part of the organization and to take the next step in my hockey career," Calen continued.

Coach Jewell is the Director of Scouting for the Thunder and put together a long list of scouting logs in preparation of the Thunder's first tender.

"It's a huge step for us as an organization. It's something we have talked about at great length over the past two years, and something we have taken some serious thought about. It's something we don't take lightly to say the least," said Coach Jewell.

"Calen is a dynamic player," Jewell continued. "He can score, he can make plays, he has great vision and IQ too. Those are all unbelievable qualities. He has an edge and physicality and that's something we take pride in here in Bloomington. Those traits separate him from any other group of players. We think that not only is he the most skilled, but also has the relentless type game that will fit in really well with our program."

Tendered players are required to play in 55% of the team's games the following season according to United States Hockey League mandates. It also takes the place of the Thunder's Phase I First Round draft pick in the upcoming 2016 USHL Draft in May. Kiefiuk immediately is removed from the draft board and placed under the Thunder's protected list of players for the upcoming 2016-17 USHL season.

Recently the newly tendered member of the Thunder announced his commitment to the University of Michigan in February. With the Wolverines still in his future, Kiefiuk is excited for the development of his game and taking the step into the USHL.

"From day one, I have been a big college guy. I've wanted to play there and my parents have felt the same way. This is the best league to play in to achieve that goal and I couldn't be happier to be here," he said.

This season the Thunder have two players committed to Michigan, goaltender Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) and Steven Merl (University of Michigan).

"What really excited me watching him was not only does he have a great knack for scoring goals and making plays but he plays the game right," said Coach Williams who put a focus on the Bloomington style of hockey. "He is a 200 foot player and has an edge. He competes every shift he's out there and that's what we look for. We want a great all-around player with high end skill and that's what Calen brings us. We're getting an A-plus hockey player and also an A-plus individual as well."

As a tender, Calen will join the Thunder and step in to play right away. That was a special thing for the new forward, but also has the coaching staff excited.

"I think he is going to come right in and play. There may be a little transition period for him, but I think it's going to be very minimal," said Coach Williams. "To get a player of his caliber and to have him come in and join our team next year is very exciting for us."

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. - Post-season hockey is in Bloomington and it's your chance to join in the excitement. The Thunder host Cedar Rapids for game three of their best of five series at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Be one of the first 2000 in the building and receive a free 2016 Thunder rally towel courtesy of Meltdown Creative Works. Tickets start at $10 in our premium seating and $5 for youth tickets when you call ahead. For more information, contact the Bloomington Thunder office at (309) 434-2980.




Images from this story

Bloomington Thunder Official Present Forward Calen Kiefiuk with his Jersey
Bloomington Thunder Official Present Forward Calen Kiefiuk with his Jersey
 Bloomington Thunder Welcome Forward Calen Kiefiuk
Bloomington Thunder Welcome Forward Calen Kiefiuk
  



United States Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2016


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