Staff
After hours upon hours of evaluation, Wayne Strachan has decided on the group that will look to continue a winning tradition.
The Fort Frances Lakers released their roster for the 2014-15 season last night while also making a flurry of last-minute roster moves to round out the unit that will look to defend its SIJHL crown.
Seven players are back from last season’s league champs, led by Gongshow Gear playoff MVP honouree Miles Nolan and fellow forward Mason Meyer, a CCM First Team all-star.
It will be Nolan sporting the ‘C’ as the Geraldton native prepares to start his third season with the team.
This year’s alternate captains will be chosen later in the week.
Also back are forwards Colton Spicer and Bryson Jasper, goalies Devin Tappenden and Ryan Ferguson, and defenceman Aaron Wesley-Chisel.
Spicer and Ferguson, whose hometown is Atikokan but who starred for the Muskie boys’ hockey team, will be joined by forward Jarred Taylor and defenceman Josh Gouin to provide the hometown flavour to this year’s squad.
Gouin completed his eligibility with the Muskies last season while Taylor is making the leap from the black-and-gold to the SIJHL as a 17-year-old following an outstanding training camp.
Fort Frances also did some horse trading yesterday, moving three players out and bringing three more in.
The Lakers picked up forwards Tristan Salesse and Josh Brunton from the Winkler Flyers (MJHL) for a player development fee and also signed forward Dylan Kooner from the Mission Outlaws (Pacific Junior Hockey League).
Salesse and Brunton played with the Kenora Thistles Midget ‘AAA’ program last season before signing with the Flyers.
To make room for the trio, the Lakers shipped forwards Adrian Guenette, Nic Proulx ,and Nick Scherbinin to the English River Miners for a player development fee.
The Lakers—coming off a 4-1 pre-season record—will open the regular season this Friday at home against the Thunder Bay North Stars.
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
