Lakers men’s hockey add depth to push for playoffs

With the Nipissing Lakers on the outside of the playoff picture at the moment, head coach Mike McParland isn’t going to sit back and play the waiting game. Throughout the first half of the season, McParland has been diligently working at improving his roster, and the team debuted some new faces Sunday night in their first game of 2014.

While three of the added players suited up Sunday night, McParland has added six new members to the team.

Defenceman Dale Deon, forward Tyler Gjurich and returning forward Marcus Watson all played Sunday night, with both Watson and Gjurich picking up assists.

To go along with those three players, forward Craig Campbell, defenceman Mitch McNeill and goalie Nick Barnett have also been added to the Lakers.

McParland said not only do they bring in skilled players, but they force everyone to be better and to battle for ice time, which will make the team better at the end of the day.

“I am very excited to have increased our numbers, therefore automatically increasing competition for playing spots. This definitely helps compensate for the 5-6 guys that for one reason or another never returned in the fall,” he said. “The biggest improvement I can foresee by adding some players is that it should improve our depth and our quality of practices, as well it should help keep our effort more consistent over the full 60 minutes during games.”

Prior to Sunday’s game, a few of the players expressed their excitement to be part of the men’s hockey team.

“I am very excited to be joining such a good group of guys and being a part of this team’s playoff push. The facilities that Nipissing has to offer are second to none,” McNeill, a native of Strathroy, ON said. “I look forward to becoming a Laker not only on the ice, but also in the classroom.”

Gjurich who was born in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, and had an impressive 2012-13 season with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, posting 97 points, including 53 goals in 53 games, is excited about the potential of the team.

“I'm very excited to be coming to Nipissing. It's a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to help the team make a playoff push,” he said.

For Campbell, a player who has put up points at every level the past five seasons, including 54 last season with the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL, he’s looking forward to contributing anyway he can and helping the Lakers reach the playoffs.

“I'm very excited to become a Nipissing Laker. I am anxious to join the team as they push for the playoffs, and look forward to new challenges on the ice and in the classroom.”

Each player McParland has brought on board has a different skill set, and he’s hoping they can use that to their advantage to help the team.
“I see these new players definitely each bringing something different to our team. I look at it also as a bit of a head start in recruiting for next season as we do turn over a number of forwards this year,” McParland noted.

The Lakers dropped their first game of 2014 to the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 in a shootout and will look to rebound this weekend when they hit the road to face UQTR and Concordia.