The Nipissing Lakers stayed close to home as Mike McParland announced commitments to Battalion forward Chad Denault and Voodoos forward Parker Bowman.
"We are excited to get Chad, another student athlete from the North is always great and has a familiarity to North Bay bodes well for us and he really enjoyed his time in North Bay when he was playing for the Battalion," said McParland.
Denault, a 2000 birth year forward from Iroquois Falls, netted four-goal and four assists for eight points in 35 games with the Battalion after a mid season trade with the Peterborough Petes.
McParland says once he found out that Denault was not going to return as an overage player in 2020-21, the Lakers bench boss started the recruiting process.
"I think next year he will be a player that brings some jam, speed, jump and muck," said McParland.
"I believe he will eventually be able to score as well at our level, naturally we hope that starts next season but overall I think over the four seasons at Nipissing he will be someone who can help us out offensively."
As for Parker Bowman, the Bracebridge, ON product re-joined the Powassan Voodoos last year after spending two seasons in the QMJHL with the Rimouski Oceanic and had a dynamic offensive year netting 38 goals along with 50 assists for a team-leading 88 points for the Voodoos last year.
"I am excited," stated Bowman about the opportunity.
"I know coach Mike is going to put me on the right track."
McParland says he was impressed with what he saw from Bowman in Powassan.
"When I watched him play in Powassan, his work ethic never varied," McParland stated about the Voodoos captain.
"He is a gamer, I have heard nothing but good things about his positive attitude and his determination. He had a great year offensively with the Voodoos and combine that with two years of major junior I think he is someone who can combine those two traits over the last couple of years and combine them hopefully as well at the university level."
McParland also added goaltender Brett Epp. The Edmonton, Alberta native is a transfer from Nicholls College in NCAA D III.
McParland hopes he helps fill the void left with the departure of Talor Joseph to graduation and Brent Moran to professional hockey in Europe.
Epp had a 3.32 goals against average in 13 games last season with Nicholls College along with a .898 save percentage.
