Joey Payeur
The phone line couldn’t conceal the enthusiasm of Nolan and Davis Ross as they get set to finish their junior hockey careers in front of the people who know and love them best.
Thanks to a swap Sunday just ahead of the CJHL trade deadline, the 20-year-old twins will lace up the blades for their hometown Lakers beginning tonight against the host Dryden GM Ice Dogs.
But it’s Friday’s first game at the Ice For Kids Arena versus the Minnesota Iron Rangers which Nolan, a forward, and his defenceman sibling are anticipating after being acquired from the Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) for forward Carter Chorney and future considerations.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Davis, who helped the Portage Terriers (MJHL) win the RBC Cup national championship last year and will be playing his first games representing his hometown since suiting up for the Muskies in his Grade 10 year and then the Midget ‘AA’ Canadians the following season.
“I haven’t [played at] home in a long time and I’m looking forward to it,” he enthused.
Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan had to give up a solid top-six, second-year forward in Chorney, an 18-year-old native of Rainy River who was fifth in team scoring with 29 points in 28 games this season.
He had 67 points in 75 games over two years with the Lakers.
But the chance to land the Ross brothers was too much to resist.
“In acquiring Davis, we get a very good defenceman who has championship experience at the RBC Cup level,” noted Strachan.
“He is a local and a player we feel can boost our power play and defence corps.
“Nolan, we are very familiar with,” Strachan added. “He helped us and was a big part of our team last season in the post-season, scoring many big goals to help us have success through the playoffs.
“He will add to our special teams and is a good 200-foot player,” Strachan lauded.
It was a case of life coming full circle for the Ross twins.
Nolan was traded from Portage to the Lakers midway through last season—marking the first time in their competitive hockey lives that the siblings had not been on the same team.
Doing his best to make the most of it, Nolan had five goals and four assists in 10
regular-season games while working his way through some injury problems.
He got healthy in time for the playoffs, when he netted six goals and added an assist to help the Lakers win their second-straight SIJHL crown.
Nolan then had a goal and two assists in five games during the Dudley Hewitt Cup here last spring.
“Last year, I loved playing back at home,” he remarked. “We had a great season. . . .
“[But] I expressed to [Strachan] at the end of the season [that I wanted to play my last year of junior with Davis and he got the deal done.”
Nolan was dealt back to Portage, but the Terriers immediately sent both players to Virden in another trade.
Now the brothers are ready to make their last stand in an arena they both know so well from their minor hockey days.
“Things just work out that way sometimes,” mused Nolan, who had 12 goals and six assists in 38 games for Virden.
“It’s going to be great,” he added. “All the fans support the team so well, and the Dudley Hewitt Cup was such a great experience for the town and for me to play in.”
Nolan rated this an “up-and-down” season for himself so far, but believes he’s turning the corner at the right time.
“Every season, you have those stretches were you have to push through,” he acknowledged.
“But I think I’m hitting my stride.
“Christmastime is when things really get going for most players as now you’re starting to make that push to the playoffs,” Nolan added.
Davis had an tough start to his Virden tenure after collecting 49 points in 111 regular-season games the past two season with Portage, along with 10 points in 18 playoff games.
“I hurt my collarbone in the first game and I was out for a month-and-a-half,” recounted the blueliner.
“I had a little bit of a slow start when I got back, but I’ve found my groove a bit as the year has gone along,” added Davis, who has five goals and 18 assists in 23 games this season.
“I’m hoping to bring that to the Lakers and keep the ball rolling.”
Davis planned to rely on his previous on-ice exploits to give a boost not only offensively but defensively to a Fort Frances team that has surrendered a rash of shots on goal in recent weeks.
“I’ve been in junior for three years so I should be able to help with my experience on the back end,” he remarked.
“The Lakers are a fairly young team and I want to bring some leadership.”
In related news, the Lakers also signed forward Matt Tustin, who started the season with the Lindsay Muskies (OJHL).
Tustin, a 19-year-old from Whitby, had five assists in 22 games with the Muskies before being part of a five-player deal between the Muskies and Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL) back on Nov. 26.
But he never reported to Pembroke and has not played since the trade.
“In Matt, we get a fast, skilled forward who will be good for our lineup,” said Strachan.
“He is the style of player we like to have in the lineup and will further add to our depth up front,” he noted.
