Mitch Calvert
The not-for-profit, community-run effort to maintain junior ‘A’ hockey in Fort Frances now has an official name for the team it will ice in the SIJHL this season: The Lakers.
“We went through a few names [at Wednesday’s meeting] and came through with that,” board of directors president Milt Strachan Jr. said.
“We had a few names that we haggled over for awhile; we wanted to incorporate something that represents the community and surrounding area, and we just kept coming back to this one,” he added.
“Rainy Lake and the inland lakes are something that draws people here and provides a source of recreation and enjoyment for the people who live here,” Strachan Jr. explained.
The Lakers will see their first action under their new name tomorrow night in exhibition play versus the expansion K & A Wolverines (Ice For Kids Arena, 7:30 p.m.)
Admission will be $5.
Season tickets can be purchased at the game at a cost of $220 for adults, $170 for seniors, and $110 for students (aged five and older).
The Lakers’ 26-game home schedule features two games against the expansion Wisconsin Mustangs, and six each against the Wolverines, Fort William North Stars, Dryden Ice Dogs and Sioux Lookout Flyers.
The team will continue to use the existing Sabres jerseys for this season, but will replace the crest immediately with a new-look design.
“Our intention is to go with new colours and jerseys later on, haven’t decided exactly what those colours will be, but in the meantime we’ll use the old jerseys and replace the crest with a Laker logo that’s in the process of being made,” Strachan Jr. noted.
“The sweaters will likely remain the same for this whole season, and then when we’re in a position to move forward and comfortably make some bigger purchases, we’ll order new sweaters.”
Now that the group has an official title, the process of applying to incorporate as a not-for-profit organization is underway.
The committee plans to host its first fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 26 with a golf tournament at Kitchen Creek Golf Course.
The “Lakers Golf Classic” will begin with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. at an entry fee of $75, which includes your green fee, cart and a spaghetti supper.
The Lakers are set to open the SIJHL regular season next Thursday (Sept. 17) at the Ice For Kids Arena against the visiting Fort William North Stars.
