Staff
At least two familiar faces will suit up again for the Fort Frances Lakers this coming season.
Defenceman Connor Keith and forward Jack Bernie became the first two players from last year’s squad to have their return confirmed by the team earlier this week.
Keith, an 18-year-old from Kenora, made a strong first impression with the Lakers and ended up being named the team’s top rookie.
“Connor was our rookie-of-the-year last season and a player that improved immensely on our back end to play a key role for us all season,” Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said in a press release.
“We are hoping Connor is working hard this summer to continue his growth as a player, and returns hungry to not only improve his game but help our team have a bounce-back season,” Strachan added.
“We look forward to seeing Connor at the end of August.”
Keith had 18 points in 45 regular-season games, then added three assists in six playoff games.
Bernie, a fellow Kenora native, will be back in Lakers’ colours for a fourth season.
He had his best season here so far last year, when he notched 32 points in 55 regular-season games.
He then added two goals in five playoff games.
“Jack can play several different roles with our team and his development continues to grow in a Lakers’ uniform,” lauded Strachan.
“[Bernie] will be looked at to become more of a leader this season and help change the culture of the team back to the way Laker hockey can be played,” he said.
The pair, along with newcomers in forward Jeff Venzon and defenceman Cohen MacPherson, are the only players officially on the team’s main training camp roster so far.
The Lakers will hold a tryout camp July 14-16 at Bronco Arena in International Falls.
