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(Courtesy of RRN Sports)

Three Escanaba hockey players have committed to play for the new Alpena Thunder Junior-A hockey team, which will play in the Northern Junior Hockey League.

Brothers Joe and Brent Kallio and Justin Weinert are the only three U.P. kids on the team's roster.  Brent Kallio had 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 24 games last season for the Escanaba Eskymos.  In his two-year high school career, Kallio had 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points.  His older brother, Joe, did not play high school hockey, but played Midget A hockey for the Escanaba Hawks.

Weinert played for the Eskymos in 2008-09, tallying two goals and two assists.  The three will attend Alpena Community College and will stay with host families.