User:Rmdaly93/sandbox

Fort Frances Lakers

 * September 10, 2009 marked the first official day of the community owned and operated Fort Frances Lakers under General Manager/Head Coach, Wayne Strachan. Since then the Lakers have been a corner stone in the SIJHL, placing top five for the past five years, and in the past three years they have been runner up to the champions twice (2011/2012, 2012/2013) and a league title in the 2013/2014 season . The Lakers also made their first ever appearance to the Dudley Hewitt Cup in 2014, losing out in the semi finals to the eventual winners, Toronto Lakeshore Patriots . Before the team became the Lakers, they were preceded by the Fort Frances Junior Sabres, and the Borderland Thunder, who both played in Fort Frances. The Junior Sabres would eventually become the Lakers following the 08/09 season. The Lakers have been playing out of the Ice for Kids Arena, in Fort Frances, but have played a few games in the new Coochiching Arena nicknamed the Duke. Fort Frances has also be named the host of the Dudley Hewitt Cup for the 2014/2015 season, which allows the Lakers to be guaranteed a spot in the tournament as the host team.

Community Involvement

 * The Lakers are a community owned and operated team, therefore much of what they do off the ice is based around the community. Many times you will see Laker players assisting in The Salvation Army Christmas Drive, reading to elementary school classes in the Adopt-a-school program, the Santa Claus Parade, or helping members of the community with a difficult task they might have. It is a way of giving back to the town they call home, and allows them to play year after year. An annual thing the players are a part of is the Backyard Haunted House. It is built by the players and takes about a month of time to setup. The Adopt-a-School program is known only to the Fort Frances Lakers in the SIJHL, it is when the players are sent to many of the schools in the town to spend a few hours a week to familiarize themselves with the kids in the community and help promote the sport and team to the community. There has been a lot of positive feedback from the program and helps the team a lot in terms of support. A lot of players also enjoy the experience as it allows them to feel like a NHL player with all the attention and admiration from the fans.

2013/2014
Bryce Lipinski - Minot State Beavers (ACHA), Lyndon Lipinski - Minot State Beavers (ACHA), Patrick Sofer - Aurora Spartans (NCHA), Tanner Fricke - Williston State Tetons (NJCAA), Cody Wickstrom - Finlandia University Lions (NCHA), Riley Daly - UOIT Ridgebacks (OUA)

2012/2013
Jordan Christianson - Concordia Cobbers (MIAC), Jameson Shortreed - Briercrest (ACAC)

2011/2012
Henry Gutierrez - Williston State Tetons (NJCAA), Tyler Ampe - Northland Lumberjacks (MCHA), Blake Boaz - Concordia (ACAC), Jace Baldwin - Briercrest Clippers (ACAC), Steve Terry - Williston State Tetons (NJCAA), Matt Caulfield - St. Olaf Oles (MIAC), Cody Hasbargen - Concordia Cobbers (MIAC), Morgan McNeill - Briercrest (ACAC), Ryan Presthus - Williston State Tetons (NJCAA), , Brandon Fehd - Northland College (MCHA), Garrett Nystedt - Northland College (MCHA), Dan Smith - Bethel Royals (MIAC), Tyler Stevenson - Concordia Thunder (ACAC),