Lucas Punkari
Having signed six forwards thus far during the off-season, Fort Frances Lakers’ general manager and head coach Wayne Strachan went to work on the other aspects of his team for the 2011-12 SIJHL campaign with the signing of a blueliner and a goalie from last year’s squad.
The Lakers announced yesterday that the team is bringing back defenceman Marty McFadden and goalie Tyler Ampe for another season.
Ampe, a 1991 birth date from Hermantown, Mn., split time between the pipes with Jameson Shortreed last season, sporting a 23-12-1-0 regular-season record with a 3.09 goals against average.
The 19-year old received many accolades for his performance during the season, taking the Lakers’ fan club award and splitting the team rookie-of-the-year honours with Ryan Wildman.
He also was nominated for the SIJHL’s goaltender-of-the-year award.
“We are very pleased to make this announcement as it gives us one half of the best goalie tandem in the league back for next year,” Strachan enthused.
“Tyler played a huge part in our success last season, and this makes our team much better come the opening of main camp when you know that you have a solid netminder returning,” he added.
As for McFadden, a 1992 birth date from Carman, Man., his rookie campaign in the SIJHL saw him dress for 50 regular-season games, notching three goals and adding six assists.
“Marty is a defenceman with a lot of potential, and he could play a key role in our success if he comes back motivated to work hard and be the player that he can be,” Strachan said.
“If he keeps his game simple and he uses his size and speed to his advantage, he could have a break-out season,” Strachan added.
McFadden and Ampe will be re-joined with Wildman, Byron Katapaytuk, Blake Boaz, and Henry Gutierrez from last year’s squad, which advanced to the semi-finals before being ousted.
Payton Ruter and Jordan Larson are the two new faces signed by the Lakers’ so far.