Joey Payeur
A normal catalyst for a player trade is the gradual build-up of dissension between the player and his head coach.
That’s not the story in the cases of both Jessie Heisz and Brett Pickler.
The two joined the Fort Frances Lakers at the CJHL trade deadline Jan. 10 and already have provided positive contributions to their new team.
Heisz made 24 saves to win his Lakers’ debut 7-3 on Saturday night against the visiting Minnesota Iron Rangers.
And in what was Pickler’s second game, the forward registered his first goal as a Laker with a third-period deflection that made it 7-2.
Each player came from different places—Heisz from the Forest Lake (Mn.) Lakers of the USPHL Elite league and Pickler from the Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL).
But both came not as exiled outcasts but as part of their own mutual agreements with their coaches to come here to help with their development process.
“My coach texted me and I was a little surprised considering I was the No. 1 guy in Forest Lake,” conceded Heisz, a 20-year-old from Janesville, Wis. who was picked up in exchange for goalie Dakota Delbridge and defenceman Frank Zhong.
“But he made me see it was a good opportunity.”
Pickler, meanwhile, is an 18-year-old from Villa Park, Calif., who lives five minutes from the Honda Centre—home arena of his favourite team (the Anaheim Ducks) and favourite player (Ryan Kesler).
“I was not getting a lot of playing time,” noted the 6’1”, 200-pounder, who had no points in 21 games with the Bombers and was acquired for future considerations.
“My minutes were down but my coach thought I could improve my play by coming here.”
Pickler’s first goal since the pre-season was a welcome change of fortune after his lack of scoring touch in Flin Flon.
“I had plenty of open nets, and guys were getting their sticks in there and deflecting the shots or the puck was hitting the goalie.”
His first day in Fort Frances saw the West Coast native wake up to near minus-40 C temperatures.
“I was all bundled up,” chuckled Pickler. “But since then, it’s been warm here compared to Flin Flon.”
Both players are thrilled to have the chance to help the three-time defending SIJHL champions return to the upper echelons of the league as opposed to their current fifth-place standing.
“We’ve got a real chance to put on the pressure on the teams ahead of us, get to the playoffs, and make a run,” Pickler stressed.
“I’m ready for the challenge to win in the playoffs.”
Heisz, who considers himself a hybrid-style goalie who likes to move around the net, has similar designs on what role he can play for the Lakers.
“I think I’m a great fit for this team and that I can get this team back on track.”
Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan was pleased with what he saw out of both of his newcomers.
“On the two shots that beat him in the second, we didn’t give him a whole lot of help defensively, although maybe he was a little deep in his net,” said Strachan.
“I thought he had a pretty good game.
“He made some point-blank saves on some guys in the slot in the third period, and he looked calm and poised in the net,” he noted.
“He’s definitely an upgrade.”
As for Pickler, Strachan said, “He was aggressive and finished his checks and strong in the corner in both ends.
“It’s something we needed in our lineup,” he remarked.
“Judging from the points he had with the teams before he went to Flin Flon, he [Pickler] does have scoring ability and can add that to our team.”
After having blanked the Thief River Falls Norskies 5-0 here Friday night, the Lakers (14-13-2-3) now have won three-straight.
The line of Matt Tustin, Tyler Malpass, and Julian Uhryniuk—back after a 15-game absence due to a broken ankle—was front and centre against the Norskies (17-14-2-3).
Tustin and Malpass each had two goals while Jaden Gustafson netted the Lakers’ other goal.
Brandon Bodnar made 40 saves to earn the shutout.
Jared Virtanen had his 15-game point-scoring streak end Friday, but made up for it by netting two goals and an assist Saturday’s win over Minnesota.
Malpass, Dominick Allan, Jack Bernie, and Matt Cheetham as scored in Saturday’s win, with Dylan Kooner adding three assists.
The Lakes next face the Thunder Bay North Stars—the only team they haven’t beaten this season—in a home-and-home series that opens there tonight.
The North Stars then travel here on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. tilt at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The Lakers then head back on the road Saturday to play the English River Miners.
