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4 Lakers to play in Holiday Showcase

Goaltender Nolan Koethler (Drayton Valley, Alberta) will be joined by defenceman Judd Pesch (East Grand Forks, Minnesota), and forwards Pierce Gouin (International Falls, Minnesota) and Teagan Wrolstad (Fort Frances) on the 20-man roster for the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) squad as they go head-to-head with the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the two-game event on Friday January 2 and Saturday January 3.

Photo courtesy Fort Frances Lakers: Goaltender Nolan Koethler

“I was super excited and honoured to be picked to be in the event,” stated Koethler. “A couple of weeks ago, the coaches said that they were putting my name into the running for goaltenders and that was an awesome feeling. Then when the roster came out [on December 2nd] and seeing my name on it, was an even better feeling.”

Heading into the first weekend of December, Koethler has won seven of the ten games that he’s played this season, posting a goals against average of 1.94 and a .938 save percentage.

Photo courtesy Fort Frances Lakers: Defenceman Judd Pesch

“I was pretty excited and honoured when I found out that I had made the team,” said Pesch, who has nine points in 21 games this season. “It will definitely be a lot of fun going there with my teammates and representing the Fort France Lakers.”

Wrolstad has played in 63 regular season games with his hometown squad, compiling 31 points.

“I’m sure at first it may be awkward with opposing guys as teammates, but we are all here for the same reason and I’m sure it will be easier to get over,” Wrolstad noted. “Hockey players often seem to be socially outgoing, and I’m sure the dressing room with be just fine as we get more comfortable with each other. [Kaden] Goodwin, [Evan] Lachimea and the Bertolin brothers [Matthew and Lucas] are a few guys I spent time with when I played in Thunder Bay. They’re all great guys and excited to see them all again.”

Photo courtesy Fort Frances Lakers: Forward Teagan Wrolstad

The SIJHL squad will be made up of four members from the Thunder Bay North Stars and Sioux Lookout Bombers along with three players from the Kam River Fighting Walleye and Red Lake Miners. The Dryden GM Ice Dogs will contribute two players for the event.

Author

  • Kevin is a 2006 graduate of the Radio Broadcasting Program at Humber College and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management from Sheridan College. Based in Thunder Bay, he has been actively involved in the hockey community since 2021.

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