Joey Payeur
A strong start to the season doesn’t mean the Fort Frances Lakers are content with standing pat.
The two-time defending SIJHL champ yesterday announced the addition of two players to the roster.
They also traded two more and cut ties with another.
Coming on board are forwards Julian Uhryniuk and Tanner Garnham, who both were in the lineup last night when the Lakers faced off against the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Uhryniuk, 18, was acquired from the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) in exchange for a player development fee.
The East St. Paul, Man. native spent the past two seasons with the Winnipeg Thrashers of the Manitoba Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey League.
“We felt Julian will come in and solidify a position in our top nine [forwards],” said Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
“He has good speed, work ethic, and has a strong shot,” Strachan added.
“He knows what it takes to have success and compete to win a championship.”
Garnham, an 18-year-old from Portage la Prairie, Man., was picked up from the Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL).
He is another Manitoba Midget ‘AAA’ product.
“Tanner brings depth to our lineup,” said Strachan.
“He skates well, plays with grit and energy, and works extremely hard,” he noted.
Those leaving the Lakers’ fold include defenceman Aaron Beauchamp, who was traded to the Espanola Express (NOJHL) for a player development fee.
Beauchamp, a 19-year-old native of Flin Flon, Man., had no points in three games this season.
Forward John Cuni, meanwhile, was sent to the Minnesota Iron Rangers for a player development fee.
Cuni, a 19-year-old from Clearwater, Fla., was a healthy scratch for all three Lakers’ games so far this season.
As well, forward Kyle Folson was released by the Lakers.
“Kyle was deciding what he was going to do, either attend school to play tennis or look at some hockey options,” Strachan explained.
Folson, 19, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, had a goal and an assist in the Lakers’ first three games.
