Sunday, June 19, 2011

Lakers re-sign forwards Boaz and Katapaytuk

Press Release

FORT FRANCES, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers have announced their first two signings for the 2011-12 season in the return of forwards Byron Katapaytuk and Blake Boaz.

The duo, who will both be entering their final season of junior hockey, are the top two scorers from last year’s squad that were eligible to return to the Lakers’ line-up.

Katapaytuk, a product of Moose Factory, Ont., was second in scoring with Fort Frances in 2010-11 while also finishing seventh overall in SIJHL offensive production with 56 points in 54 games.

As for Boaz, who hails from MacGregor, Man., he was third is points with Fort Frances this past season putting up 46 in 51 contests. He ended up 16th overall in league scoring.

Boaz was also the recipient of the SIJHL’s top defensive forward award while Katapaytuk was a finalist for the Pizza Hut player of the year honour.

Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan is pleased to have these two key cogs back for another campaign in Fort Frances.

“Byron has proven himself as one of the top players in the SIJHL and was recognized as such in being a finalist for the league’s most valuable player,” stated Strachan.

“He is a big-body presence that skates well and will be relied upon to be one of their top contributors in all aspects of the game,” added the three-time SIJHL coach of the year award winner.

“Blake too will be counted on to not only be a leader on and off the ice but a solid contributor on both ends of the rink,” said Strachan.

“He has shown he can do both for our club averaging nearly a point per game for us last season while also helping shut down the top players on the other teams by being a well deserved winner of the top defensive forward award, offered the Lakers’ bench boss.”

Both players will be entering their third campaign with the SIJHL squad.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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