Staff
The Fort Frances Lakers have signed twins Bryce and Lyndon Lipinski, whom the squad acquired in a July 3 deal with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The pair are expected to be at the Lakers’ main training camp starting Aug. 29.
“Both being 20 years of age, the coaching staff feels they will be very valuable both on and off the ice for leadership and guidance of the younger players,” Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said in a press release.
“Bryce will bring tireless energy, feistiness, and a sound two-way game to the Lakers this season,” Strachan noted.
“He will be looked upon to contribute both on our [penalty killing] and [power play], as well as offensively for the team.
“Lyndon will add more speed to a lineup that should be very quick this year,” Strachan added.
“He has a good shot, and will be asked to play key minutes and have a break-out year, production-wise, to help the team.”
Bryce tied for second on the Terriers in regular-season scoring last season with 24 goals and 17 assists in 59 games.
Lyndon, meanwhile, notched 13 goals and 16 assists in 53 games.
Both had a tough post-season for Portage, however, with neither registering a point as the Terriers were eliminated in seven games in the Addison Division semi-finals by the eventual MJHL champion Steinbach Pistons.
Going the other way in the trade were forward Colton Spicer, the SIJHL’s most improved player last season, defenceman Jon Carlson, and goalie Talor Joseph, who backstopped the Lakers to Game 7 of the Bill Salonen Cup final (a 3-2 loss in overtime to the Minnesota Wilderness).
