Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

TJ Irey

By Dave Leaderhouse

ESTEVAN BRUINS

It certainly looks like Estevan Bruins winger TJ Irey is feeling more comfortable in his second Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season.

In just six games this season the Bismarck, ND, product is within three points of matching his entire output in 48 regular-season and 13 playoff games played with the Bruins last year. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Irey has points in every game so far this season and his 14 points in total are tops in the league through the first two weeks of the season.

The 19-year-old Irey also appears to have discovered some discipline in his game as one year ago he amassed 98 minutes in penalties, but so far this season has yet to make a trip to the penalty box.

Prior to joining the Bruins, Irey averaged two points per game over two seasons with his high school team in Bismarck. As a 16-year-old, Irey tallied 27 goals and 28 assists in 27 games while as a high school senior he posted 29-22-51 totals in 26 contests. Irey also played in 20 games with the North Dakota under-18 squad in his final year of high school collecting 18 points- including eight goals.

Last year Irey was a depth player on a team that led the league in scoring, but this season he has blossomed into a bonafide threat once again helping the Bruins to become the early offensive leaders in goals scored.

Estevan was one win away from claiming its first league championship in 19 years last year and it looks like Irey is doing his part to take care of some unfinished business.

Tag(s): Young Guns