Nolan Desjardins is returning to the Lakehead Junior Hockey League, but not with the affiliate club of the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Desjardins, who will turn 21 years old in August, surprised many in the hockey community by jumping to the Current River Storm on Dec. 2, after he was reassigned by the Superior International Junior Hockey League club.
The Thunder Bay native has played eight games in the LJHL, including with the Thunder Bay Walleye, which became the Kam River Fighting Walleye after jumping to the SIJHL ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.
“There was [a chance for me to stay with the club when they changed their name], but I chose the North Stars route. I am excited to be in the spot I'm in now, and I'm ready to get started,” Desjardins said after the Storm’s 6-1 win on Dec. 2 over the Schreiber Falcons. “I think [the leagues are] pretty [similar]. The [only difference might be a higher] tempo, but [at the end of the day] it's still the same game of hockey.”
Desjardins played in 94 regular season games in just over two seasons with the North Stars, collecting 22 goals and 39 points. He added nine points in 25 playoff games with the franchise.
With the experience under his belt, Desjardins feels the responsibility to be a leader in the room, adding “[Whether you have a captaincy letter on your jersey or not, I want to] guide these guys to a championship and just be there for them as much as I can.”
He's allowed to play one more year of hockey in the LJHL, which permits four players on each roster who have turned, or are turning, 22.
In terms of his future plans, Desjardins wants to stay in the game of hockey but is still keeping his options open.
Desjardins is currently serving a suspension for a second match penalty of the SIJHL season. He was called for a slew foot penalty in a Nov. 22 game against the Fighting Walleye.
