Brothers of the Walleye
There will be another Vanska playing for the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League come the 2022-2023 season.
The Fighting Walleye has confirmed the commitment of 2004 birth year forward Kai Vanska, who skated for the under 18 Thunder Bay Kings AAA program in 2021-2022. He will join his older brother, 2002 birth year goalie Eric Vanska, who will return to the Fighting Walleye for a second full season in 2022-2023.
Kam River head coach Matt Valley knows what he is getting in the younger Vanska, having previously coached him with the Thunder Bay under 16 Kings back in 2019-2020.
“Kai’s skillset should translate well to the junior level. He is a strong presence on the ice and will fit well in our dressing room too. It’s been a pleasure to watch him develop over the past several years and I am excited to have the chance to work with him again.”
Fighting Walleye general manager Kevin McCallum took note of what Vanska has to offer as a young player.
“We are excited to have Kai in the mix,” said McCallum. “We believe he is junior hockey ready. He plays with skill and an edge that transfers into someone who I believe will have a long and successful Walleye career.”