Jonah Fournier has signed a letter of intent to join the Nipawin Hawks next season. (Submitted/Jonah Fournier)

By Clark Stork

Future Hawk

Kozun signs first commitment, Hawks host Humboldt, Melfort this weekend

Feb 18, 2022 | 12:17 PM

Nipawin Hawks interim General Manager Tad Kozun has signed his first recruit for the organization going into the next Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season.

The club announced Thursday that Jonah Fournier has signed a letter of commitment for next season. Kozun took over the role of general manager and head coach of his hometown team in December. While his future with the club is still pending the 28-year-old said he’s working to continue to build the program and make the organization stronger on the ice next season.

“It feels really good,” he said of signing Fournier. “Being able to continue and make this town and organization proud is something I take great pride in. Being able to start building for next year is exciting and something I’m excited about. I want to do everything I can to help the team out and be here next year.”

Fournier is a six-foot tall, 200 pound forward playing this year for the Columbia Valley Rockies in the Junior B Kootenay Interior Junior Hockey League. The 17-year-old has seven goals and 16 assists in 33 games for the Rockies this season. Kozun said he’s thrilled to have Fournier committed to Nipawin next season.

“I have watched a lot of videos and talked to some people and just the way he plays is something we need in our lineup next year,” he said. “He can play the physical game, likes to get to the scoring areas, plays the right way night in, night out. A player I played with, there’s a little comparison to Garrett Lockeridge, just the way he plays with his physical body and be a presence. Being able to have that in the lineup every game is something we’re excited about.”

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On the ice the Hawks host the Humboldt Broncos Friday at the Centennial Arena. Nipawin will take on Melfort at home on Saturday night capping a back-to-back weekend. The Hawks are holding their annual parent-billet weekend. The team will wear third jerseys and auction them off and will host the social on Saturday after the game.

Faceoff is 7:30 p.m. for both games.

The team is also getting set for their annual radio auction that begins on Feb. 23 in partnership with Pattison Media and Beach Radio. More details will be announced on the radio and Beach Radio’s website.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork