Lakers hopefuls hit the ice

Lakers head coach Mike McParland goes through a drill with a group of Nipissing Lakers Varsity hockey hopefuls at Memorial Gardens Saturday morning. Photo by Chris Dawson.

It wasn’t the numbers they expected but the new Lakers organization led by head coach Mike McParland had a glimpse at some local talent on Saturday morning. The Nipissing Lakers hockey team will begin playing in the CIS next fall and while this was considered a very informal open skate, Lakers head coach Mike McParland believes these open tryout camps are an important first step.

“We wanted to have a peak at the guys we have at the university that maybe available to us,” McParland said about the 7 forwards, 6 defenceman and 4 goalies that came out for the morning skate at Memorial Gardens.

“If we can find a diamond in the rough that is already at our school that will definitely be an asset, that will be one less guy that we have to find,” said McParland.

Former Skyhawks Andre Laperriere, Matt Lathem, Nathan Hewitt and recently released defenceman Zach Hunter took part in the Lakers skate.

“I would hope to make the team,” said 22-year-old former North Bay Skyhawks forward Nathan Hewitt.

McParland hopes to run another two ice sessions like this – one on the 16th of November and another 2-hour session on Friday, December 5th.

Let the scouting begin…

McParland left the rink Saturday in preparation for a scouting mission in Sudbury where the Major Junior Wolves face-off against the Erie Otters. Later this week McParland plans to head to the Ottawa Valley to scout a few games in the CJHL.

He said he’s been in contact with a number of CIS coaches in Ontario to get some advice and guidance about the recruiting University hockey process. The CHL is mandating that Canadian Universities cannot speak with their players until early December, so the next month will be about identifying players and then making contact with them before Christmas.

He wouldn’t put a number on it but McParland believes it’s important for the new team to have some local flavor, noting that Lakehead University in Thunder Bay has about 7 to 8 local players.

Lakers waves

A local group called the “Friends of Nipissing,” will also give McParland and the University Hockey team some guidance. A collection of local hockey icons will assemble with Lakers officials for the first time officially on Tuesday. McParland said they hope the “Friends,” will help create a connection between the school and the community.

McParland also mentioned that they will likely hire as many as 3 assistant coaches – with all of them likely being local products. He expects to start meeting with those candidates as soon as late this week.

“There are more than enough qualified local candidates that have already expressed interest and I’m sure we’ll take 1, 2 or maybe 3 of those guys that’s what we are looking at,” he said.