Staff
Matt Mason is building himself a good reputation right from the start.
Mason netted a hat trick to lead Team Black to a 9-3 win over Team White as the Fort Frances Lakers opened training camp last night at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The three-time defending SIJHL champs will hold five intrasquad games over three days as they select their roster for the upcoming season.
Mason showed early signs he wants to be one of those selections.
The 17-year-old from Anmore, B.C., who played last season with the Port Moody Panthers of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League, made it 3-0 in the first period before adding his squad’s final two goals in the third.
Veteran Laker Matt Tustin added a pair of goals for Team Black, which also got singles from veterans Izzy Smith and Jack Bernie and newcomers Ian Jarvis and Maverick Lynes.
Promising newcomer Jared Virtanen tallied for Team White, as did returnees Jaden Gustafson and Dylan Kooner.
The second game went earlier today (score unavailable), with the third one set for tonight at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow will see two more games at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with player meetings to follow the second one.
The Lakers play their first pre-season game Sept. 10 at the Thunder Bay North Stars, then will host the Stars on Sept. 16.
In related news, the Lakers landed in sixth place in the CJHL pre-season top 20 rankings released today.
The MJHL champion Portage Terriers are ranked No. 1, followed by the OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks, the NOJHL champion Soo Thunderbirds, the RBC Cup champion West Kelowna Warriors, and the Penticton Vees (BCHL).
