Joey Payeur
It’s a race too close to call so Wayne Strachan is going to make it last a little longer.
The head coach and general manager of the Fort Frances Lakers consulted with his staff during the team’s three-day training camp last week at the Ice for Kids Arena to figure out who will represent the three-time defending SIJHL champs to begin the new season.
But there’s still some figuring to do.
For starters, the team will continue to carry four goalies for the rest of this week, then release one to still have three going into the start of its two-game pre-season schedule Saturday against the host Thunder Bay North Stars.
“Through the competitive games and the goalie session, all four goalies are fairly close,” noted Strachan.
Brandon Bodnar—the lone returnee–appears to be the clear favourite to grab the No. 1 job ahead of former Muskie Dylan Ossachuk, Edmonton product Billy Gorn, and Indianapolis native Ryan Wagner.
“If you look at the stats, two of the other three [besides Bodnar] stick out a little better than the other one,” Strachan said.
“I want it to be a battle between them this week, and then we’ll get down to three after Friday and then wait until we’re done after our other exhibition game [Sept. 16 at home to Thunder Bay] to make another decision.”
Despite losing a ton of offensive talent up front from last season, including league MVP and scoring champ Dylan Robertson, Strachan’s goal-scoring cupboards are far from bare at the forward position.
A potential line featuring veteran Laker Dylan Kooner (the top returning scorer with 33 points last season), along with newcomers Jared Virtanen and Tyler Malpass, took shape early on in training camp and offered a positive glimpse into the Lakers’ future.
“Dylan and Jared know each other well, with both being from Abbotsford [B.C.], and worked together all summer, and you can see that chemistry on the ice,” Strachan noted.
“Virtanen is a smart, heads-up hockey player and Dylan finds the holes to create opportunities.
“Malpass could be the surprise of camp,” added Strachan, referring to the 17-year-old from Blaine, Mn.
“I knew nothing at all about him coming in,” he admitted. “But he’s a strong skater and a kid with some feistiness and a bit of an attitude who didn’t back down.
“He showed he’s got the talent to skate with those guys.”
Other returnees up front include Rainy River native Jaden Gustafson, Jack Bernie, Tanner Garnham, and the duo of Matt Tustin and Julian Uhryniuk, which may have played their way into top-six roles.
“They both showed their abilities, and both have good speed and can be little buzzsaws that go to the net well and have a good compete level,” said Strachan.
The newcomers up front include one with a familiar name to Lakers’ fans.
Anthony Minerva is the younger brother of Nick Minerva, who had a standout past two seasons capped off by capturing the SIJHL’s top defenceman award after leading all CJHL blueliners in scoring with 73 points.
Anthony was in camp with the Lakers last year, but was coming off a broken back and wasn’t ready for contact.
“The job is his for the taking,” noted Strachan.
“We talked to him after camp about a few things, like moving his feet and working hard,” he added.
“But he has the skill level and Nick said himself that his brother was more talented than him.
“He just needs to get in better shape,” Strachan stressed.
“And if he understands you have to work hard the entire shift and the entire game, he could be beneficial for us.”
Dominick (Domi) Allan, who played under Lakers’ assistant coach Nick Wreggitt for the Fort Frances Midget ‘AA’ Canadians the past two seasons, was able to nail down a roster spot.
He’s joined by fellow newcomers Ian Jarvis and Oliver Alcock, who wasn’t at camp but is expected to arrive from B.C. by week’s end.
An unnamed forward based out of North Dakota also was anticipated to be here before the weekend, although Strachan said nothing was official as of press time.
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ defensive corps virtually was wiped out after last season, with players either reaching over-age status or choosing to play in other junior hockey locations this season.
The lone holdover is 20-year-old Albertville, Mn. product Brandon Zajicek, who had 23 points in 35 games last season.
He is joined by Matt Cheetham of Fort Frances, who started the season with the Lakers last year before switching to the Muskies.
“Matt has a lot to offer if he puts his mind to it,” noted Strachan. “He has to prove he wants to be here through his work ethic.
“Not playing here the latter part of last season is something I don’t think really hurt him.”
Also on the back end are Matt Mason (Anmore, B.C.), who had a hat trick in the first intrasquad game Thursday, and Maverick Lynes (Sherwood Park, Alta.), who Strachan sees as top-four defencemen.
“Mason was a bit of a surprise to myself and the coaching staff,” Strachan admitted.
“I heard he was a big guy who skated well for his size and ability and played a physical game, which is something we thought we’ve been needing for years on the back end,” he added.
“Then he gets three goals in his first game.
“He’s versatile as I scouted video of him from last year, where he played forward and defence,” noted Strachan.
“He reads the ice well and knows when to jump in the play.
“We heard great things about Maverick and he skated well and has good positioning, and never got beat a lot in one-on-one situations,” added Strachan.
“Being a 20-year-old, he knows how to slow the game down.”
Rounding out the blueliners are newcomers Matt Bruinsma, Mark Richter, and Bryce Patterson, who will be kept around despite suffering a wrist injury in the second intrasquad game that will sideline him indefinitely.
The status of Fort Frances Canadians’ alumnus Izzy Smith, who was called up by the Lakers for three games last season, still is to be determined.
“We have to talk to Izzy to see what he wants to do as he had some concerns relating to school and other things,” Strachan said.
Strachan, meanwhile, had a clear picture as to what he hopes to have his team accomplish in its pre-season kick-off Saturday against the North Stars.
“First and foremost, we’re looking for who’s going to define their role, and what guys are going to step up and play an actual opponent and show us where their compete level is at,” he remarked.
“We’ll be looking for chemistry between forward lines and defence partners, and see what works for this season.
“It’s also about the road trip and see what the camaraderie is between the players, and get a feel for what our identity will be to start the season,” Strachan added.
