Resch on a rush to Red Lake

Red Lake Miners of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League have added an offensive minded, puck moving defenseman via cash transaction with the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.

20-year old Caleb Resch figures to add an offensive dimension from his defensive post for Red River, which is in second place in the SIJHL with a record of 16-3-2.

A lanky defender who hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Resch had two goals, 17 assists, 19 points in 24 NOJHL games with Espanola.

Notably, Resch was a power play presence in Espanola with two goals, nine assists, 11 points. And he joins a Red Lake team that leads the SIJHL in power play proficiency.

Known as a character individual, Resch heads back to the SIJHL after playing in the league for the Kam River Fighting Walleye during the severely shortened 2020-2021 season and collecting three assists in four games. He was traded by Kam River to Espanola during the past off season.

Resch commented on the recent trade from Espanola to Red Lake.

“For me going from Espanola to Red Lake, it will be an easy transition for me going to a league where I played last year,” Resch told Hockey News North. “I think it will be a great experience for me to go to a Red Lake team that will be hosting the Dudley Hewitt Cup and a team that is a contender to win the SIJHL championship.”

Resch noted that as he is excited to be headed to Red Lake and the SIJHL, he enjoyed his time with Espanola in the NOJHL.

“I want to say thank you to the whole Espanola Express organization for everything while I was there. But now it’s time to get to work and make a push. We have a good squad in Red Lake … I’m excited and can’t wait to get started,” the likeable lad relayed to Hockey News North.

Looking ahead, the SIJHL will have two teams taking part in the 2022 Dudley Hewitt Cup, Central Canada championship tournament.

As noted, Red Lake will be the host team for the annual event that, in this case, will be held from May 10 to 14 in the cozy confines of chilly Cochenour Arena.

Joining host Red Lake at the four-team DHC will be the champions of the SIJHL, the NOJHL and the Ontario Jr. Hockey League. Should Red Lake win the SIJHL championship for this season, the league’s runner-up team will be the fourth entry into the DHC tournament.

A small town of just over 4,000 residents Red Lake is located about 330 miles northwest of Thunder Bay and is just over 60 miles from the Ontario-Manitoba border.