Two former Blind River Beaver players have signed on with University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils of the NCAA Division III.
"The University of Wisconsin-Stout NCAA Division III men’s hockey program likes what they have seen in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL)," said Robert Mazzucca, NOJHL president, in a recent statement. "The UW-Stout Blue Devils have received the commitments of a pair of NOJHL standouts, from the Blind River Beavers, in forwards Caleb Serre and Noan Minns.
"Serre starred in the NOJHL and was one of the league’s all-time top performers, while appearing for his hometown Beavers’ side," he continued. "He skated away with the league scoring title in the 2019-20 campaign, racking up 113 points in total, which was 25 more than his closest rival.
"Serre went on to pace the league in goals (47), assists (66), points (113), man advantage markers (17), power play helpers (26) and game-winning tallies (10).
"Those efforts were more than enough to see him collect NOJHL Most Valuable Player and first team all-star team laurels at forward." Mazzucca said. "He was also a finalist for Canadian Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player and Top Forward honours.
"As for Minns, the 21-year-old from Barrie, Ont. was also over a point-per-game producer during league play.
"After beginning his NOJHL career in Elliot Lake in 2018, he went on to spend a pair of campaigns in Blind River.
"Overall, his offensive numbers read 36 tallies and 83 helpers for 119 points in 88 outings," Mazzucca concluded.
The UW-Stout Blue Devils compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and play their home games out of the Fanetti Community Center in Memomonie, Wis.