Staff
The champ is here—again.
Defenceman Roshen Jaswal, who helped the Fort Frances Lakers to their second-straight SIJHL crown last season, is back with the team after being acquired from the Kanata Lasers (CCHL) for a player development fee.
The trade officially was announced today but actually took place last Monday (Nov. 16).
“[Jaswal] wanted to explore other opportunities, he did, and found he would like to be back with our program,” noted Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
The 20-year-old from Burnaby, B.C. joined the Lakers last season at the Jan. 10 trade deadline, netting one goal and three assists in 20 regular-season games.
Jaswal added one assist in nine playoff games, then celebrated on the ice with a replica championship belt draped over his shoulder after the Lakers beat the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in Game 6 of the SIJHL final.
He then tacked on two assists in five games during the Dudley Hewitt Cup here.
Jaswal had two goals and an assist in 17 games with Kanata this season.
The blueliner is expected to join the Lakers in time for tomorrow night’s game in Hoyt Lakes against the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
Fort Frances also will have two of its top offensive threats back in commission.
Dylan Robertson, the team’s leading scorer this season with 22 points, returns after missing three games with post-concussion syndrome after taking a blow to the head Nov. 5 against the English River Miners.
Joining him will be fellow forward Cole Tymkin (17 points), who missed the Lakers’ last game with a shoulder injury suffered the previous game against Dryden.
Defenceman Brandon Zajicek, who missed the Lakers’ last game due to post-concussion syndrome, has skated in the last two practices.
But Strachan said his availability tomorrow night is uncertain as Zajicek still has to pass the final tests related to the SIJHL’s concussion protocol.
In related news, the Lakers maintained their spot at No. 4 in the CJHL’s top 20 weekly rankings.
The Pentiction Vees (BCHL) held on to the top ranking, followed by the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) and the Portage Terriers (MJHL).
