Feature Story
Lakers look ahead with optimism
By Brian McDonough
The
“We knew this year was the start of a
rebuilding process,” said Lakers general manager Steve Longren,
“and we’re taking it one step at a time and doing things the right way.”
The Lakers, the last MJHL team to win a
USA Hockey national championship back in 1999, brought a new coach into the
fold this season in Dan Strot, who has slowly but
surely molded the team into worthy opponents.
“We’ve overcome the reputation of not
being competitive and we can play with any team in the league,” said Strot, noting his club’s two recent losses to the
powerhouse Minnesota Ice Hawks by 3-2 and 2-1 counts. “That’s a result of every
player on our team improving all aspects of their game.”
And that’s what is most important to the
Lakers, who put structure and development ahead of anything else when it comes
to grooming their student-athletes.
“Our primary goal is to develop players
to move up and allow them to play at the highest level possible,” Longren said. “We’re serious about giving kids a chance to
play and develop into players even if this costs the team financially or in the
win-loss column by letting our best players go.”
“We want each and every player to have a
positive experience,” echoed Lakers president Ralph Hayne.
“If they aren’t having a positive experience, we want to work to move them to
an environment that meets their needs. This happens quickly and, again,
sometimes at a cost to the team financially or in the win-loss column.”
Sean Randall, a big part of the Lakers
early in the season, was one player the team developed before he advanced to
the NAHL’s Alaska Avalanche. Oscar Carlsson, another key cog in the club’s offense, elected to
finish his season in
“But we continue to attract players from
other teams, and I think that says a lot about our program and where it’s
heading,” said Strot.
Among them Brandon Boyd, who came to St.
Paul from the Central States League’s Dubuque Thunderbirds, Tyler Venne, formerly of the Granite City Lumberjacks, and John
Griffith and Chase Hanson, both of whom started their seasons in the Eastern
Junior League.
When it comes to recruiting, however,
there’s no rest for the weary, especially in the MJHL, where competition for
players within the league and with other junior programs is fierce.
With enhanced communication with local
high schools and youth associations, the Lakers aren’t taking any shortcuts
this off-season.
“We have three scouts out working with
high school seniors and coaches to make them aware of the MJHL and, in
particular, the Lakers,” said Strot. “Clearly, to win
in this league you have to have talent and committed players to join the
veteran players year after year.”
And Hayne is
confident with the coaches and management at the controls.
“These guys are dedicated to working to
improve each player, and that’s where it all starts,” said Hayne.
“I’m excited about what’s in store for us.”
And for this year’s Lakers, despite their
record, there’s no quit from here on out.
“We want to be a spoiler and go as hard
as we can well into the playoffs,” said Strot. “We’re
at a point where the team is beginning to believe and compete with anyone.”
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