When the SIJHL’s top players take to the ice Feb. 6-7 in Dryden, Fort Frances Lakers will be well represented, with seven players across the two teams and an assistant coach behind the bench as well.
Five members of the Lakers, goaltender Brady Cates, defenseman Zak Green, and forwards Pierce Gouin, Tie Schumacher, and Daniel Tokariwski, will join Team White as part of the SIJHL’s All-Star Game. The team will be overseen by Kam River Walleye coach Larry Wintoneak who was chosen for the role based on the team being defending league champions. Wintonek is also joined by Lakers assistant coach Foster Couvier behind the bench.
Meanwhile, Team Red, coached by the Ice Dogs head coach Jake Gushue, will feature Lakers defenseman Judd Pesch and forward Nick Fagnilli as part of the team.
Lakers GM and Head Coach Luke Judson says the team is deep and the seven selections to the all-star teams reflect that.
“I’m proud of all those guys,” Judson said.
“Obviously we have a pretty large group of guys that are going to be there, they’ve earned it. There’s a handful of other guys that it would have been no surprise if they were there as well. But the guys that were chosen, I think it’s good for them to be recognized at the league level. Teams see what they’ve done for us and I think they’ll have a fun time in Dryden for that event.”
This is the league’s first all-star game in a number of years; Fort Frances last hosted the game in 2018.
Schumacher leads the team in goals with 13, while Green leads the Lakers in assists with 20.
Brady Cates leads the league in wins and sits second behind Kam River’s Sam Keene in both Goals Against Average and Save Percentage, far and away the top among rookie goaltenders in the league.
Judson also praised Foster Couvier, who joined the Lakers as a coach following his age 20 season.
“There were some concerns I had with Tyler [Miller] moving on and Cody [Mosbeck] as well, he’s got some other priorities that have kind of taken more of his time,” Judson said.
“I was worried about how we were going to cover all of our bases this year and Foster was a guy I identified early as someone that had a lot of the right characteristics of someone you need on a coaching staff: being committed, attention to detail, willing to help in every facet, not just coaching but travel and meals and hotels and laundry and equipment and apparel and just everything that it takes to put together a good program. He’s picked up a lot quick. He’s added a lot to what we’re doing and given us some capacity to offer more to our players and the fans. He’s well aware of how hard you need to work to move things forward. I’m glad he’s being recognized as well to be a part of that event.”
According to a release on the Dryden GM Ice Dogs Facebook page, the tournament kicks off the weekend on Friday with the Skills Competition at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Admission is $10.
During the skills competition players will compete in Fastest Skater; Accuracy Shooting; Hardest Shot; Relay Race; Shootout; and 3-on-3 competitions.
Saturday, February 7, will feature team practices at Eagle Lake First Nation, starting at 9 a.m., along with opportunities for fans to interact with players.
A Fan Fest will take place at the Centre from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. featuring cornhole, a selfie station, a mini-stick game (bring your own sticks), and an autograph session.
Saturday night is the highlight of the weekend. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop for the SIJHL All-Star Game. Admission for everyone is $15.
Full event details will be shared on the SIJHL and Dryden GM Ice Dogs’ social media pages.
