Staff
Any concerns about the Fort Frances Lakers’ goaltending situation heading into next season just got alleviated.
The Lakers announced today that goalie Brandon Bodnar will be back this fall—solidifying the position after the departure of starter Pierce Dushenko.
Bodnar, 18, will enter his third year with the squad after dressing as an emergency back-up in 2014-15.
He then got into 23 games this past season as the No. 2 netminder behind Dushenko.
The Fort Frances native made the most of his time—going 18-4 while playing enough games to qualify as the SIJHL leader in both GAA (1.94) and save percentage (.935).
“Brandon is a competitor, he prepares himself, and is a focused player,” Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said in an e-mailed statement.
“Unfortunately, he went down to injury in late October through November, but he didn’t miss a beat and came back strong to help the team down the stretch into the playoffs.”
Bodnar went 1-0 in two post-season appearances.
He then got called unexpectedly into action midway through the Lakers’ second game at the Dudley Hewitt Cup when Dushenko injured his hip.
Bodnar then started the final game of the tournament against the Trenton Golden Hawks.
He played all but the last 1:32 of the contest, when Dushenko came in as a farewell gift from Strachan in his final junior game.
The Lakers will hold their summer tryout camp July 15-17 at Bronco Arena in International Falls.
