Joey Payeur
For a team that steadfastly downplays the need for individual recognition, the Fort Frances Lakers still get their share of it—and then some.
The Lakers have collected five of the seven SIJHL year-end awards handed out so far, with captain Dylan Robertson a good bet to make it six out of eight when the Amyotte’s Awards & Promotions Most Valuable Player is announced tomorrow.
Robertson already has one jewel to add to his crown as he was named as the league’s best defensive forward over Eric Madison (Minnesota Iron Rangers) and Kenny Turner (Thunder Bay North Stars).
“Dylan to me is a strong 200-foot player,” lauded Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan of the 20-year-old from Atlanta, who won the SIJHL scoring race this season with 88 points.
“He is aware and knows the importance of being that type of player.
“Because of this, a lot of his offence or the line he is playing with’s offence comes from being strong on the defensive side,” Strachan noted.
“He led our team in plus/minus and is one of the best penalty-killers in the SIJHL.”
Two other award winners were obvious choices.
Nick Minerva captured the best defenceman award after finishing second to Robertson in the SIJHL scoring race with 73 points—more than any other blueliner in not only the SIJHL but also the CJHL.
Not too shabby, considering the 20-year-old from New Brunswick, N.J. nearly called it a career this past off-season.
“I contemplated quitting,” admitted Minerva, who is in his second year with the Lakers and beat out Troy Williams (Dryden GM Ice Dogs) and former Laker Aaron Wesley-Chisel (North Stars) for the award.
“It was Robertson that talked me out of it,” he noted, referring to his friend and captain.
“I thank [Strachan], the town, and the team for pushing me to have the best season of my career,” Minerva added.
“Going into the playoffs winning this award gives me a lot of confidence for the post-season.”
Strachan brought Minerva back into the fold late in training camp and saw a player with renewed focus.
“Nick had a mission to prove himself this season and on the offensive side of things, I think what he accomplished speaks for itself,” he said.
“He is a player that dedicates himself to working hard on and off the ice,” added Strachan.
“He reads the ice so well, and finds open guys to make plays to get out of our zone and create offence in their zone.”
Cole Tymkin was another no-brainer selection to receive some hardware—selected as rookie of the year.
The former Muskie, who was a fifth-round draft choice by the OHL’s London Knights last year, decided to return to his hometown for his first year of junior.
It turned out to be a wise decision as the 16-year-old forward wound up the top rookie scorer with 48 points in 49 games—14 ahead of fellow nominee Brad Thrower (North Stars).
“I’m pretty honoured to get [the award], and it’s pretty cool to see the guys who won it before me and see where they are playing now,” enthused Tymkin, who made a believer out of Strachan.
“Cole, for his age, did not play like a first-year player,” said Strachan.
“In terms of age, he is a young junior player,” he remarked. “But in terms of his game, he didn’t show any signs of being a first-year guy or letting older players slow him down.
“He plays a physical power game and earned his success by going to areas on the ice to make things happen.”
Forward Andrew Willner, with just 10 minutes in penalties all season, was handed the league’s most sportsmanlike player ahead of Iron Rangers’ goalie Kyle Carignan and Turner.
“Andrew is a focused player who works had to achieve success,” Strachan said about the 20-year-old from New Brighton, Mn., who was fourth in the SIJHL in points this season with 58.
“He is dedicated to making himself a better player, loves the game, and plays it with respect,” he noted.
“In turn, he comes and works hard daily and plays an honest game.”
Strachan also got in on the act as he won the coach of the year award for an unprecedented fifth time—breaking the tie with former Fort William North Stars’ coach Todd Howarth.
“Obviously, I feel honoured and thank the [other SIJHL] teams for the recognition,” said Strachan.
“The award wouldn’t have happened without the guys that go to battle nightly, the assistants’ help, and their dedication to bring success to the organization,” he added.
“I have to thank them all for their hard work.
“It’s a special feeling, but I am more about team achievements and winning as a group,” Strachan stressed.
The Lakers had a finalist in all eight award categories, but Pierce Dushenko (top goalie) and defenceman Roshen Jaswal (most improved) were left empty-handed.
“In Pierce’s case, I believe if I was him, I would use this as motivation to further prove myself through the playoffs,” Strachan said about the 20-year-old from Coquitlam, B.C., who lost out to Thunder Bay’s Riley Corbin despite having more wins, a lower GAA, and a higher save percentage.
“I have a lot of respect for Corbin’s ability and his play, and he is very deserving of the award,” Strachan noted.
“I believe he beat us six times and was a huge part of his team’s success on many nights.
“I just feel the numbers supported our guy more,” he added.
“When 68 percent of your wins come against your two nearest competitors points-wise [Dryden and Thunder Bay], that says something for the ability of the player.”
As for Jaswal, who lost out to Turner, Strachan said, “You always want to see your players have success and have the opportunity to win achievements.
“And in Roshen’s case, I believe the right player won the award.
“Kenny Turner had a huge year for the North Stars, as good as Roshen had been for our team, and the effort [Jaswal] returned to the team with was good to see.”
