Tough road test for LSSU Lakers


By
November 4, 2015

Lake Superior State University Lakers face a daunting duo of road tests on Friday and Saturday as they go up against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foes from Bowling Green State University. …[read more]

News…views…around the rinks


By
November 3, 2015

News and views pertaining to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League and Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. …[read more]

Around the rinks


By
October 27, 2015

Good day hockey fans, I am back from a three-day, mini-vacation to Detroit, home of my favourite (though I am not sure why) National Football League team. Time now to head out on a trip of a different sort and pay a visit to the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, the Greater Metro Hockey League, the Great North Midget Hockey League, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the North American Hockey League, the North American 3 Hockey League and the U.S. Premier Hockey League. …[read more]

Aidan has the Wright approach


By
October 21, 2015

They have posted their first victory of the season as they prep for two more games this week. …[read more]

A night of firsts for Lake State


By
October 17, 2015

Freshman defenceman Owen Headrick scored his first goal, freshman goalie Nick Kossoff posted a shutout in his first collegiate start and the Lake Superior State University Lakers won their first game of the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]

Lakers are a program in progress


By
October 16, 2015

As they forge into formation with a 30-player roster that includes 11 freshmen, the Lake Superior State University Lakers continue a project in progress with a home-and-home set versus the Northern Michigan University Wildcats. …[read more]

Laker coach high on defensive duo


By
October 7, 2015

A pair of homegrown defencemen from the Sault Ste. Marie area are part of the present and the future for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. …[read more]

Laker coach talks up Headrick


By
October 1, 2015

Despite being the youngest player on the 29-man roster of the Lake Superior State University Lakers, 1997 birth-year defenceman Owen Headrick is poised for regular lineup duty with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association team for the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]

Lakers name their leaders


By
September 26, 2015

Lake Superior State University Lakers head coach Damon Whitten has confirmed his on-ice leaders for the 2015-2016 Western Collegiate Hockey Association season. …[read more]

Headrick gets media poll mention


By
September 21, 2015

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association held its annual media teleconference today and Lake Superior State University Lakers freshman defenceman Owen Headrick — a former standout with the reigning Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League champion Soo Thunderbirds — received a mention. …[read more]

Laker notes, quotes


By
September 10, 2015

Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association have finalized their coaching staff…And a freshman defenceman from Garden River First Nation has a roster spot as the youngest player on the team… …[read more]

Cam Hackett has elite potential


By
August 27, 2015

Sault Ste. Marie native Cameron Hackett has the potential to be an elite goaltender at the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association level. …[read more]

Coulee Region Chill to Ferris State


By
July 28, 2015

Joe Rutkowski has a future commitment to play at the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association level, the family advisor for the Coulee Region Chill defenceman has confirmed. …[read more]

Marble forces Perry back to junior


By
July 27, 2015

The emergence of Tyler Marble as the no. 1 goalie for the Colorado College Tigers has forced Detroit Red Wings draft pick Chase Perry to return to junior hockey with the Wenatchee Wild for the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]

Bronson Kovacs signs pro contract


By
July 21, 2015

Sault Ste. Marie native Bronson Kovacs has inked his first professional hockey contract. …[read more]

LSSU Lakers on the Wright path


By
June 21, 2015

He moved thousands of miles away in order to move back home to continue playing hockey. …[read more]

NCAA commitments for 2 Soo Eagles


By
June 19, 2015

Two more 1994 birth-year forwards who played for the Soo Eagles in 2014-2015 have made National Collegiate Athletic Association commitments, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]

Adrian College ends Chase for Matson


By
June 15, 2015

Hard-working, hard-skating centre Chase Matson has parlayed a two-year North American Hockey League career into a commitment to play for the Adrian College Bulldogs, one of the top Division 3 National Collegiate Athletic Association programs in the United States. …[read more]

Alliston captain off to Finlandia


By
June 15, 2015

Swedish-born defenceman Victor Svensson, who captained the Alliston Coyotes of the Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League in 2014-2015, has committed to play at the Division 3, National Collegiate Athletic Association level for the Finlandia University Lions effective the 2015-2016 campaign. …[read more]

LSSU has plans for Owen Headrick


By
June 6, 2015

He has been a star defencemen during two seasons with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. …[read more]

A look ahead at Lakers schedule


By
May 26, 2015

As the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has unveiled its schedule for the 2015-2016 season, the Lake Superior State University Lakers will begin their second term under the direction of head coach Damon Whitten. …[read more]

Clarkson University honors Joe Drago


By
May 10, 2015

The venerable, gentlemanly Joe Drago received an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson University’s 122nd commencement on Saturday. …[read more]

Here’s to you, Bronson Kovacs


By
May 9, 2015

Sault Ste. Marie native Bronson Kovacs has ended his four-year, National Collegiate Athletic Association career with the Hobart College Statesmen in splendid style. …[read more]

Soo Indians to LSSU Lakers


By
April 20, 2015

Homegrown forward Ashton Calder, who played the past two seasons with the major midget Soo Indians, has made a future commitment to skate for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association. …[read more]

Chad Catt commits to U-M


By
April 18, 2015

Soo Eagles goalie Chad Catt has committed to play for the University of Michigan Wolverines effective the 2015-2016 season, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed. …[read more]

Tyler Marble stacks up


By
March 24, 2015

He is 23-years old and has drawn favourable comparisons to another high-end goalie who left school early to sign a pro contract. …[read more]

Masked Marble


By
March 8, 2015

Tyler Marble has a reputation as a big-game goalie from his time with the Soo Eagles when he was named the top netminder in the North American Hockey League for the 2012-2013 season. …[read more]

Lakers on verge of playoff spot


By
March 5, 2015

First-year coach Damon Whitten and his Lake Superior State University Lakers are in position to land a Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff spot. …[read more]

Michael Doan pitches first shutout


By
February 28, 2015

Sault Ste. Marie native Michael Doan registered the first shutout of his Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association career on Saturday.

Doan, a 6-foot-5, 210 pound goalie who is in his junior season at Northern Michigan University, made 27 saves as the Wildcats blanked the visiting Lake Superior State University Lakers 5-0. …[read more]

Hockey Remembrance Day at Pullar


By
January 29, 2015

Saturday looms as a big hockey day at Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Soo.

In preparation, Lake Superior State University president Tom Pleger and mascot Seamore practise their face off (photo above) for Saturday’s first-ever Hockey Remembrance Day at the venerable Pullar. …[read more]

How sweep it is


By
January 19, 2015

Having swept the visiting Bemidji State University Beavers on the weekend — the first such perfection under first-year head coach Damon Whitten — the Lake Superior State University Lakers have moved into Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff contention. …[read more]

Laker shakers


By
December 31, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers — and in particular, two of their freshmen — will skate into 2015 on a hockey high.

The Lakers closed out the 2014 portion of their schedule earlier this week by winning both games to take home the Florida College Hockey Classic championship. …[read more]

Goalie leaves LSSU Lakers


By
December 18, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers head coach Damon Whitten has confirmed that freshman goalie Kevin Aldridge has opted to leave the program and return to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League. …[read more]

The latest on Owen Headrick


By
December 3, 2014

He is a current Thunderbird and a future Laker and he is inching towards a return to active duty.

It’s been two months — almost to the day — since Owen Headrick underwent shoulder surgery and the likeable youngster from Garden River First Nation is on the road to recovery. …[read more]

Rebuilding the good ship Laker


By
November 28, 2014

Their top two goalies are freshmen. So are five of their top six defencemen.

Not only that, they have only three seniors on their roster.

Suffice to say that the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association are in a major rebuilding stage. …[read more]

Surging Lakers home for two


By
November 19, 2014

Backed by freshman goalie Gordon Defiel, the Lake Superior State University Lakers will play host to the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks for a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association games on Friday and Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena. …[read more]

Laker goalie leads the nation


By
October 30, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers are winless in eight games to start the 2014-2015 season but freshman goalie Gordon Defiel leads the nation in three categories. …[read more]

Here’s to Captain Kovacs


By
October 25, 2014

Sault Ste. Marie native Bronson Kovacs has been named one of three senior captains for the Hobart College Statesmen of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the upcoming season.

Kovacs, a hard-hitting, puck-moving defenceman who played with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League before going to Hobart, had 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in 24 games with the Statesmen in 2013-2014. …[read more]

Road-tested Lakers return home


By
October 22, 2014

There is no place quite like home, especially after a long road trip.

Lake Superior State University Lakers return to the friendly confines of Taffy Abel Arena for Friday-Saturday night games versus the Northern Michigan University Wildcats after a two-week road stretch that saw Sault Ste. Marie’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association team log more than 4,000 miles. …[read more]

Lakers begin WCHA season at home


By
October 1, 2014

Led by new head coach Damon Whitten, the Lake Superior State University Lakers begin the 2014-2015 Western Collegiate Hockey Association season at home against the Michigan Tech University Huskies this weekend.

The Lakers and Huskies are set to face off at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday and 5:07 p.m. on Sunday at Taffy Abel Arena. …[read more]

Owen Headrick to have shoulder surgery


By
September 29, 2014

Bluechip blueliner Owen Headrick is slated to have shoulder surgery on Wednesday of this week, the youngster’s mother has confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com. …[read more]

Meet the LSSU Lakers


By
September 22, 2014

Fans and Sault Ste. Marie area youth hockey teams are invited to interact with the 2014-2015 Lake Superior State University Lakers and new head coach Damon Whitten on Sunday, September 28 at 4 p.m. at Taffy Abel Arena. …[read more]

Owen Headrick and two LSSU coaches


By
September 11, 2014

As HockeyNewsNorth.com was first to report on Wednesday, Soo Thunderbirds defenceman Owen Headrick has committed to play for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association effective the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]

Owen Headrick commits to LSSU Lakers


By
September 10, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association have secured a commitment from a plum prospect in their own backyard.

HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed that Owen Headrick, a 1997 birth-year defenceman who hails from Garden River First Nation, has committed to LSSU and will begin his collegiate career with the Lakers effective the 2015-2016 season. …[read more]

Brody Brunet to LSSU


By
September 6, 2014

Sudbury area product Brody Brunet has committed to the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association effective the 2016-2017 season.
…[read more]

Michigan Warriors to Ferris State Bulldogs


By
August 11, 2014

The leading scorer from the Michigan Warriors of the North American Hockey League is headed to the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association ranks.
…[read more]

A new job for Joe Shawhan


By
July 14, 2014

Well-known Michigan Soo native Joe Shawhan is switching Division 1 schools.

HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed that Shawhan has been hired as an assistant coach by the Michigan Tech Huskies of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. …[read more]

Laker summer hockey camps


By
July 9, 2014

Doug Laprade, who has a strong association with the Lake Superior State University Lakers as a player and assistant coach that dates back to 1987, will be heading up a pair of hockey camps at the school’s Norris Centre facility this summer. …[read more]

Laker season ticket, schedule info


By
July 8, 2014

Season-ticket packages for the 2014-2015 edition of the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association are on sale and can be purchased at the ticket office located within the school’s Norris Center. …[read more]

Lakers add second assistant coach


By
June 17, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers head coach Damon Whitten has completed the staff of his Western Collegiate Hockey Association team by hiring Peter Aubry as an assistant coach. …[read more]

Home sweet home


By
June 11, 2014

The hometown kid is back home.

Former Lake Superior State University Lakers assistant coach Rich Metro is returning to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association team in a similar role under new bench boss Damon Whitten. …[read more]

Laker grad joins Army


By
June 3, 2014

A former Lake Superior State University Lakers goalie has joined the Army.

The Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association hockey Army, that is. …[read more]

Good NAHLers out there


By
May 30, 2014

A few weeks ago, the coach of the Lake Superior State University Lakers told me that he was looking to finalize his roster for the 2014-2015 Western Collegiate Hockey Association season with another three to five players.

“A forward or two, a defenceman or two and a goalie,” is what new Lakers headmaster Damon Whitten replied when I asked him how many more newcomers he wanted to add for the 2014-2015 campaign. …[read more]

Lakers add to net worth


By
May 29, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers now have their three goalies for the 2014-2015 Western Collegiate Hockey Association season.

HockeyNewsNorth.com has learned that the latest twine tender to commit to LSSU is Gordy Defiel, a 1993 birth-year who played for Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2013-2014. …[read more]

Aidan Wright to LSSU Lakers


By
May 23, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers have added a Sault Ste. Marie product to their Western Collegiate Hockey Association roster effective the 2014-2015 season. …[read more]

Laprade leaves LSSU Lakers


By
May 17, 2014

The time has come for what needs to be done.

A long-time Laker has left the hockey program at Lake Superior State University. …[read more]

A chat with Coach Whitten


By
May 4, 2014

He has the formidable task of trying to restore the hockey program at Lake Superior State University to its glory years.

To be sure, Damon Whitten knew what he was getting into when he recently accepted the position to become the 10th head coach in the 48-year history of Laker hockey. …[read more]

Laker awards night


By
May 2, 2014

It was the official end of an era for some.

Lake Superior State University Lakers were the featured attraction on Thursday night as Soo BlueLiners held their 32nd annual banquet in support of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association team. …[read more]

Lakers add recruits


By
May 1, 2014

New talent is arriving.

Laker hockey has added some freshman talent for the 2014-2015 season and beyond. …[read more]

Laker mission


By
May 1, 2014

Days off figure to be few and far between for the new coach of the Lake Superior State University Lakers.

To be sure, the task at hand is a big one for 37-year old Damon Whitten, the former Michigan State and Michigan Tech assistant who was recently named the 10th head coach in the 48-year history of Laker hockey. …[read more]

Laker shaker


By
April 28, 2014

Let’s call it fresh-start optimism.

After nine ho-hum seasons under since-departed head coach Jim Roque, the scene is one of new beginnings for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Former Michigan State and Michigan Tech assistant Damon Whitten is the new headmaster of the hockey Lakers and if nothing else, the 37-year old starts with a clean slate.

It’s good that the slate is clean because the plate is full for Whitten. …[read more]

Dunbar, Whitten are talking


By
April 27, 2014

As first reported by HockeyNewsNorth.com, Damon Whitten has been named the tenth head coach in the 48-year hockey history of Lake Superior State University.

Whitten, the former Michigan State and Michigan Tech assistant, was introduced at a Saturday press conference on the LSSU campus.

The 37-year old Whitten replaces Jim Roque, who was fired on March 11 after nine seasons at the helm of the Lakers.

Following is some of what LSSU athletic director Kristin Dunbar had to say about Whitten — and what Whitten had to say about taking the Laker job. …[read more]

Damon Whitten is new Laker coach


By
April 26, 2014

There is a new hockey coach in place at Lake Superior State University.

Damon Whitten was introduced at noon today as the new bench boss of the Lakers. …[read more]

Is Damon Whitten new Laker coach?


By
April 25, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will hold a press conference tomorrow at noon to announce the hiring of their new head coach. …[read more]

Laker coach interviews continue


By
April 20, 2014

The interview process will continue at Lake Superior State University on Tuesday.

Providence College assistant coach Ben Barr will be the latest candidate to visit LSSU. …[read more]

Laker coach interviews begin


By
April 16, 2014

Athletic director Kristin Dunbar is leading a series of interviews this week as Lake Superior State University zeroes in on a new head coach to replace Jim Roque, who was fired on March 11 after nine seasons at the helm of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Lakers.

A search committee, headed by legendary coach Rick Comley — who guided Division 1 teams at LSSU, Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University over a 38-year period before retiring in 2011 — sifted through about 50 applications before moving forward a list of candidates to Dunbar. …[read more]

LSSU Laker coach update


By
April 8, 2014

It figures that the search for a new head coach of the Lake Superior State University Lakers is winding down.

Friday is the closing date for applications for the position that has been vacant since Jim Roque was fired on March 11 after nine years as Laker bench boss. …[read more]

LSSU coach search continues


By
March 31, 2014

The process remains ongoing.

After firing Jim Roque on March 11, Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association are continuing their search for a new head coach. …[read more]

Laker signs with Red Wings


By
March 18, 2014

Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League have signed forward Colin Campbell to a two-way, entry-level contract. …[read more]

Laker fan favourites


By
March 17, 2014

A change has been made.

A new guy will in charge.

But who will it be?

HockeyNewsNorth.com has conducted a random, unscientific poll of fans and sponsors connected to Lake Superior State University and come up with a list of the four most-popular choices to take over as new head coach of the hockey Lakers. …[read more]

Laker is top WCHA rookie


By
March 14, 2014

Forward Alex Globke of the Lake Superior State Lakers has been named Western Collegiate Hockey Association rookie-of-the-year. …[read more]

Potential Laker coaching candidates


By
March 13, 2014

There is a hockey buzz about both sides of the International Bridge in the wake of the recent firing of Jim Roque as head coach of the Lake Superior State University Lakers.

Roque was let go as LSSU coach after the Lakers failed to make the playoffs in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association this 2013-2014 season.

As a national search for a new coach at LSSU is underway, there have been no shortage of names being mentioned as potential candidates to replace Roque, who had a below-average, nine-year run as the Lakers bench boss. …[read more]

Looking for new Laker coach


By
March 12, 2014

A national search for a new hockey coach at Lake Superior State University is underway.

After a ho-hum, nine-year run as head coach of the Lakers, Jim Roque was fired from his position on Tuesday.

The dismissal of Roque ends an association with LSSU that dates back to 1983 when he was a freshman forward with the Lakers. …[read more]

Lakers graduating eight seniors


By
March 2, 2014

A gang of eight is departing the Division 1 hockey program at Lake Superior State University after this season.

Goalies Kevin Murdock, Kevin Kapalka and Niels-Erik Ravn. Defencemen Andrew Perrault, Matt Bruneteau and Zach Sternberg. Forwards Dan Radke and Colin Campbell.

All will leave the Lakers at the end of this 2013-2014 season.

The Laker seniors — three goalies, three defensemen and two forwards — are a diverse group, to be sure. …[read more]