The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team continues to build depth and add skill during the off-season, by adding a pair of forwards this month.
The Lakers are adding Charlie Johnson and Kyle Foreman to the mix of forwards for McParland's Lakers.
Johnson, a forward from Kanata, ON has had a productive career in the CCHL, playing for both the Kanata Lasers and this past season with the Renfrew Wolves.
Johnson, who mainly plays right wing, prides himself on his playmaking abilities.
“I am a play-making forward who can play in all situations, I work just as hard in the defensive zone as the offensive zone,” he said.
The captain of the Wolves, Johnson had a career season, posting 58 points in 54 games and another seven in the playoffs.
He finished his CCHL career with 82 points in 116 games over parts of three seasons with the Lasers and Wolves.
Johnson was named a CCHL third team all-star this year, thanks to his strong campaign.
“I chose Nipissing because it is a small university and the combination of being able to play hockey and my academic program,” Johnson, who will be enrolling in education and geography, said of his decision to join the Lakers.
Lakers head coach Mike McParland has been busy adding key pieces to reload his lineup and Johnson is another strong pick-up for the program.
“We are very glad to add Charlie, who we project to be a similar player to our graduating player Jacob Hickey. Charlie is a very good skater who has a good offensive upside. Charlie possess a great will to success and not be denied in the games I have seen him play,” McParland explained.
“We are looking forward to Charlie joining the Lakers men’s hockey team where our goal will be to continue to develop him in a positive manner on and off the ice.”
Foreman comes to the Lakers after completing his junior career in the MJAHL. Foreman also spent some time in the QMJHL.
He’s excited about the next chapter of his career, both athletically and academically.
“I have played with some guys who currently go to Nipissing and I have heard nothing but great things about the program and the university,” he said.
“After all the positive things I heard, my decision to join Nipissing became really easy.”
The winger spent this past season with both Grand Falls Rapids and Campbellton Tigers, after playing parts of three season with the Moncton Wildcats.
His first year in junior, foreman suited up for the Woodstock Slammers.
Foreman believes his style of play will translate to the next level and he’ll be able to contribute to the Lakers as they continue their quest for an OUA championship.
“I expect to come in and do whatever I can do to help the team get a championship. I’ll thrive in whatever role I’m assigned,” Foreman stated. “My strengths are my offensive game, my hockey IQ as well as my 200-foot game.”
Foreman piled up 24 points in his rookie season with the Slammers before jumping to the ‘Q’ where he suited up for 104 games.
He finished his junior career with 24 points in 21 games with the Rapids and Tigers capping off a career where he scored 71 points in 88 games – including 31 goals.
The Woodstock, NB native was named the MJAHL forward of the month in March after a great run with the Tigers.
The 6-foot, 198-pound forward will be enrolling in the criminal justice program at Nipissing when school begins in the fall.
Lakers head coach Mike McParland is excited to add Foreman to the program, noting his time with the Wildcats and success in the MJAHL will help him jump into the lineup and be a strong pieces of the puzzle.
“Kyle brings with him a good amount of Major Junior experience and we look forward to him stepping in and showing what a good player he is, helping us offensively,” McParland said.
