New but familiar face behind the Lakers bench
Luke Judson will be wearing a pair of different hats with the Fort Frances Lakers.
Following the resignation of Tyler Miller in early April, the General Manager was named the Head Coach in a matter of weeks.
“I am still learning every day, but I’m enjoying the challenge. I learned a lot working with Tyler, and I am lucky to have a great staff around me,” said Judson.
Judson was the GM and the Assistant Coach with the Lakers last season and has coached across the region with the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association’s AA program.
“We have made it a priority to develop our local talent, and we’re excited to see hockey thrive in Fort Frances again,” Judson added. “We have six local players on our roster, as well as a handful of others playing high level U18 that will hopefully be Lakers soon.”
“In the past 3 years, we have hosted several hockey camps, coaching players from U7 all the way up to college and professional players. We have added a Junior Lakers AAA Spring hockey program with over 10 teams, and we have coached both Fort Frances and Emo Minor Hockey ‘development days’ throughout the season.”
The Lakers finished the regular season with a 20-21-7-2 record in 50 games, which was one of their highest win totals since the 2019/2020 season when they captured 21 victories. Their season ended in Game Seven at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay with a 4-0 loss to the North Stars.
“From the coaching staff to the players, I don’t think any of us thought that we put our best foot forward in Game 7 vs the North Stars last season,” Judson reflected. “Knowing how far we came last season and the progress we’ve made, our players understand its time to take the next step.”
The Lakers lost eight players due to graduation. Judson did note that the roster will be split between returnees and newcomers.
“Brady Cates is a standout 17-year-old goalie from Emo, who has stood on his head playing in Kenora and Thunder Bay, and will be in a great situation to thrive in Fort Frances. We are lucky to have him here, as he likely deserved an opportunity at a higher level,” said Judson.
Judson also highlights another player from Emo Dax Laplante, adding “You need to be an exceptional player to play junior hockey at 16 years old. Dax is proving every day why he is getting that opportunity. He is consistently one of our hardest working players on and off the ice and is someone we can challenge in a lot of different situations this season.”
Judson wants to continue to build what the group, which included Tyler Miller, started in 2022.
“Our rebrand, the Junior Lakers AAA program, hockey camps, our fundraising, social media, how we travel, how we eat, how we train, how we volunteer, and how we represent Fort Frances; these are all things we have planned months and years in advance, and we are just getting started. My goal for this team is to win.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday September 19th vs. Red Lake Miners HOME OPENER
Saturday September 20th vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday September 26th vs. Red Lake Miners
Sunday September 27th @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday October 3rd vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Tuesday October 7th @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday October 10th @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
