The Fort Frances Lakers are preparing for their opening of training camp.

It will begin tomorrow.

Coach Paul MacLean expects a good turnout from players who may have attended camps elsewhere.

“I’m sure we’re going to have some 11th-hour signups. The players that we’re recruiting, some of them went to other camps, whether it was Manitoba or Saskatchewan. We’re going to get some filter over from there as well. And then we’ve got several guys that we signed. Basically, everybody’s going to be reporting probably about a day or two before camp,” says MacLean.

One area where new faces are expected is between the pipes.

MacLean says he was hoping for one of the players from last year to return, but he is still suffering from hip issues sustained last season.

He does have his eye on a couple of players from southern Ontario.

“We got goaltender Brendan Strobel that’s going to join us from playing for Chatham and Sarnia GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League). We’ve also got another kid by name of Ryan Tanner, who’s young. He’s an 18-year-old from just outside of Kincardine ON. I think he’s going surprise. He was probably the best goalie in his division last year. He’s had four years of Midget AAA in Perth.”

MacLean is putting defence at the top of the agenda this season.

He says even when you have a good offensive line, it is still important to have them playing their end.
The team has several players already signed.

All are expected to be at camp.

Players will be on the ice at 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.