Even though Griffin McGraw is in just his second season with the Dryden GM Ice Dogs, he recognizes the importance of this year for the franchise.
“The Ice Dogs have such a long history in Dryden, and you can feel how much pride the community has in this team. Being part of that tradition and helping build on it means a lot to all of us in the room,” McGraw said.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2025-2026. Similarly, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs are commemorating their 25th year as the league’s oldest and most decorated franchise.
McGraw notes that the players in the room are still getting to know each other, and that chemistry enhanced with a pair of wins over the Fort Frances Lakers on October 10th and 11th.
“I really like our dynamic as a group. We showed that we don’t care who or where we’re playing and that no matter what the circumstances, we are willing to battle every night. When we’re rolling on all cylinders, we’re a tough team to face off against,” McGraw added.
Outside of the nine Thunder Bay born players on the Kam River Fighting Walleye and the thirteen that are on the Thunder Bay North Stars roster, there are two other Thunder Bay born players in the SIJHL, including defenceman Max Caddo for the Fort Frances Lakers and forward Graeme Tenhunen of the Red Lake Miners.
McGraw enjoys the trips home, adding “Getting to play in front of family and friends is always a surreal feeling. Those games in Thunder Bay and Kam River are so much more than just road games to me. And there’s no better feeling than winning at home.”
McGraw spent a couple of seasons in the Thunder Bay Kings organization and had a desire to get the full junior hockey experience of living away from home.
“When the opportunity to go to Dryden came around, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that’s what I wanted to do and it has been the best decision of my hockey career. The organization is first class, not only for the SIJHL, but for the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). I’m very thankful that (Head Coach and General Manager) Jake Gushue and (Assistant Coach) Ben Hackl took a chance on me and have given me an opportunity to strive at the thing I love most. I can’t wait to return the favour with a championship.”
When it comes to the league’s Star honours, Ice Dogs goaltender Maveric Welk was recognized for a pair of wins, including a shutout against the Fort Frances Lakers on October 11th.
Teammate Elias Eisenbarth earned an honorable mention as Star Forward with a goal and two assists in a pair of wins against the Kam River Fighting Walleye on October 17th and 18th.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 31 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Friday November 7 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday November 8 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday November 14 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday November 15 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Tuesday November 18 @ Fort Frances Lakers
RED LAKE MINERS
The Miners have won two of their last three games entering the weekend of October 24th and 25th. Reid White, Hayden Seib and Bryan Linklater each have four goals while Noah Tenney leads the team in points with nine.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Wednesday October 29 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Thursday October 30 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday November 7 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday November 8 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday November 14 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday November 15 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Tuesday November 18 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
SIOUX LOOKOUT BOMBERS
The Bombers rank number 16 on the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 Rankings.
Cooper Labelle was named the Star Forward in the SIJHL with three goals and two assists in a weekend sweep of the Ironwood Lumberjacks on October 17th and 18th.
Defenceman Michael Casey earned Star Defenceman honours with a goal and an assist. Teammate Kaden Veller was recognized with seven shots on goal and two primary assists.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 31 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday November 1 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday November 7 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday November 8 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Tuesday November 18 vs. Red Lake Miners
FORT FRANCES LAKERS
The Lakers are now tied with the Kam River Fighting Walleye for third in the standings (12 points) as they look to snap their three-game losing skid at home against the Bombers October 24th and 25th.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 31 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Sunday November 2 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday November 7 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Saturday November 8 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Tuesday November 11 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday November 14 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday November 15 vs. Red Lake Miners
KAM RIVER FIGHTING WALLEYE
The Fighting Walleye are a game above the .500 mark (6-5) after dropping a pair of games in Dryden against the Ice Dogs on October 17th and 18th.
They are 4-3 at Norwest Arena and hold a record of 2-2 away from home.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Sunday November 2 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Friday November 7 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday November 8 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday November 14 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday November 15 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS
The North Stars split their weekend series at Fort William Gardens against the Red Lake Miners on October 17th and 18th.
Goaltender Morgan Blackwood earned an honourable mention for Week 5 thanks to 28 saves against the Miners in a 2-1 victory last Saturday.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Saturday November 1 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Wednesday November 5 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday November 7 vs. Red Lake Miners
Saturday November 8 vs. Red Lake Miners
Friday November 14 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday November 15 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Tuesday November 18 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
