Dave Allison says his reasons for leaving the Lakers have nothing to do with the team and everything to do with being able to see family more often.
The Times spoke with Allison on the phone from Fairbanks, Alaska where he has taken over head coaching duties of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Allison had nothing but positive things to say about the Lakers organization.
“I enjoyed my time there,” Allison said. “I enjoyed the people I coached with and I think the team is ready to pop in terms of starting to put it all together. I think the deals that they’ve made put them in a real good position this year and moving forward.”
Allison left the team with a 2-19 record but trade deadline roster moves may help the team, and coach Ron McKinnon, if the league resumes play as hoped in early February.
Despite the team’s poor performance, Allison said things were great for him personally back in Fort Frances.
“I enjoyed everything about Fort Frances,” Allison said. “My family and friends were there, I met a gal. I enjoyed the kids and I enjoyed the board, the staff we had there was outstanding. But these opportunities don’t come along all the time.”
One of the big draws for Allison in joining the Ice Dogs in Alaska is that the league plays games near where his kids live in the United States.
“It gives me more flexibility to see my kids,” Allison said. “We fly through Seattle and I have two daughters living in Seattle, and we play in Minnesota and I have a daughter four hours from Minnesota.”
Allison says even though he’s no longer with the team he will continue to advocate for the players he coached and could even see some players jump to the NAHL where he now coaches.
“I think the SIJHL has an advocate,” Allison said. “They’ve always had an advocate in myself. If these kids go do their job and play well there’s an opportunity to play in the North American Hockey League or possibly the USHL.”
In Allison’s first weekend coaching the Fairbanks Ice Dogs the team won two games against the Kenai River Brown bears, 10-1 and 5-3.
