FORT FRANCES LAKERS JR. A HOCKEY CLUB
Media Update
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Fort Frances Lakers announce player signings
FORT FRANCES, Ont. — The Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced the following player signings for the 2018-19 season:
ACQUISITION: The club has acquired Fort Frances product Brett Hahkala from the Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) for a player development fee.
“Brett is home grown talent that has played away the last four seasons,” offered Lakers head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
“He has OHL experience, has won a NOJHL championship, played in a Dudley-Hewitt Cup and we are hoping us excited to bring that experience back home,” added Strachan.
“He is a player that fits our philosophy of speed, skill and he should add to our offensive game and bring a added addition to our power play.”
RETURNEES: The club has also resigned defenceman Colton Bodnar and forward Noah Loveday for the upcoming year.
“Colton is a smart player that uses his body and positioning well,” stated Strachan.
“After now playing with us and playing in our last two playoffs we will look for Colton to elevate his game and play some key minutes for a young guy.”
“Noah can play many roles for our hockey team,” said the SIJHL’s all-time winningest coach.
“He grinds and is physical he gets under his opponents skin, he can play with our top guys and contribute, he has a high IQ and was key last year on our special teams.
NEWCOMERS: The is also welcoming a pair of newcomers, who hail from Fort Frances, to their line-up in forwards Cole Allan and Nick Hahkala.
“Cole finished the year with us after his season came to an end. We are happy to have Cole join us full time this year. In the games he played for us last year he grew as a player in a short amount of time. As his confidence grew you could see what he can bring. Primarily used as a defense man growing up his transition to a forward has made him a solid 200’ player. He is big, plays strong in his own end, reads the ice well to make plays and has a physical side to him.”
“Nick comes home after playing the last two years in Thunder Bay with the Minor Midget Kings and previously with the AAA Midget Trappers in North Bay. He will bring speed, a player that can be a 200’ guy, add some secondary scoring and be key guy on the penalty kill.”