Lucas Punkari
Local hockey player Jordan Larson is moving on from the Fort Frances Lakers after just one season in the SIJHL.
The 17-year-old centre was dealt to the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL on Friday afternoon for a player development fee.
“In the end, Jordan was honest about what he wanted to with his development and where he would like to play, and as an organization, we have always worked with our players to help them reach their goals and dreams,” said Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
“It is tough to see him go, for sure, but he is going to a great organization and we with him the best of luck,” Strachan added.
Larson, who had 69 points in 56 games last season en route to capturing the SIJHL’s rookie-of-the-year award, is looking to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship in the future, and believes the Lumber Kings will help achieve that goal.
“It’s obviously pretty exciting for me to head down there,” enthused Larson, who has been drafted by the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds and the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers.
“Pembroke is a great organization, and I’m looking forward to getting started down there,” he added.
“I think it’s going to be a good year.”
The Lumber Kings, who captured the Royal Bank Cup national Junior ‘A’ championship back in 2011, had won five-straight CCHL crowns before bowing out in the semi-finals last season to the eventual champion Nepean Raiders, with many of the core players from those title runs having moved on.
“We’re in somewhat of a rebuilding mode here, and we are well aware that if you bring in some talented pieces like Jordan, it allows you to stay competitive while rebuilding,” explained Lumber Kings’ head coach and general manager Sheldon Keefe.
“We are really excited to bring Jordan in as he’s a player who has had a lot of success offensively in his young career, and we are a team that is in need of an offensive boost,” Keefe added.
“He really fits the bill in a lot of ways for our team.”
While the loss of Larson will be a big hole to fill offensively, along with graduating forwards Byron Katapaytuk, Blake Boaz, Jaret Leclair, Henry Gutierrez, and Adam Wensley, the Lakers will be looking to rely on a more balanced offensive attack for the 2012/13 season.
“We return Jordan Christianson to our lineup, and we have also just signed returning players Davis Smith and Alex Bruess for this season,” Strachan noted.
“Hopefully, both Merritt Rysavy and Colton Spicer will be returning to step into roles in key situations,” he added.
“And I think once some of our younger guys get their feet wet, we will have guys that will produce.”
