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Player Advancement

The Neepawa Natives are proud to announce that captain Eli Lieffers has committed to Nipissing University, for the 2021-22 season.

The Lakers are a U Sports program based in North Bay, Ontario that compete in the Ontario University Athletics Conference (OUA).

Lieffers, from Saskatoon, SK, joined the Natives in 2018 and played in 85 regular season games for the Natives where he amassed 26 goals along with 34 assists.

He becomes the 7th member of the 2020-21 team to commit to a school.

Lieffers had this to say about playing in Neepawa, “Junior hockey can sometimes be tough when you move to somewhere you’ve never been, with people whom you’ve never met.

This was not the case in Neepawa. From the first day in Neepawa, it always felt like a place I could call home. The people and community of Neepawa are like no other, they welcomed me with open arms, for which I will always be grateful for.

I would like to say a special thank you to my billet family, the McIntosh’s. You welcomed me into your home and have always been there for me and I will always consider you a part of my family. I would also like to thank my coaches, Ken Pearson and Robby Moar for everything they’ve done for me, and continue to do for the town of Neepawa.”

The entire organization would like to congratulate Eli, and wish him all the best in North Bay.