Staff
Andrew Willner and Roshen Jaswal have more to look forward to than next week’s Dudley Hewitt Cup.
The Fort Frances Lakers’ forward and blueliner can anticipate at least a few more seasons sharing the same ice beginning this fall after yesterday committing to play for the NCAA Division III St. Olaf College Lions in Northfield, Mn.
St. Olaf, which competes in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, missed the playoffs this season by finishing seventh out of nine teams.
“We are extremely proud to announce that both Andrew and Roshen will be continuing their hockey careers and academics at a quality school and program that St. Olaf offers,” Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said in a statement.
“Coach [Sean] Goldsworthy is a good hockey coach that believes they both can help his hockey program immediately.
“The school aspect speaks for itself,” Strachan added.
“Both these young men will walk away with quality degrees from an excellent institution.”
Willner, a 20-year-old from New Brighton, Mn., was third on the Lakers—and fourth overall in the SIJHL—with 58 points in 52 games this season.
He was named to the CCM Hockey 2nd All-Star Team and also captured the league’s most sportsmanlike player award after posting just 10 penalty minutes during the regular season.
Willner added eight points in 10 playoff games as the Lakers claimed their third-straight SIJHL title.
Jaswal, a product of Burnaby, B.C. who turns 21 next month, notched 26 points in 25 games after rejoining the Lakers on Nov. 16 in a trade with the Kanata Lasers (CCHL).
He was nominated as a finalist for the league’s most improved player.
Jaswal then kept up his offensive production in the post-season, chalking up nine points in 10 games.
The Lakers begin their quest for their first Dudley Hewitt Cup crown next Tuesday (May 3) against the host Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (OJHL).
The tournament wraps up May 7.
