Lakers hockey future looks bright

The Nipissing University Lakers Hockey team announced today that an agreement has been signed between the university and a private partner, Dennis Lathem, to manage the operations of the hockey team. Lathem was part of the original private partnership group.

“We are pleased to announce that we have a partnership agreement in place to continue to build on the Lakers success. We are actively recruiting players and planning for events, like Homecoming, and looking forward to many more fine years of Lakers hockey in North Bay,” said Vicky Paine-Mantha, interim president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing University.

“I am excited to have an agreement in place and to be part of this terrific group,” said Lathem. The past three years have been a wonderful experience. I learned a lot, had a lot of fun and enjoyed a lot of excitement. We are looking forward to continuing to build the Nipissing Lakers into a premier university team, and growing our fan base, which is already envy of almost every other university in Canada.”

The team also thanked His Worship, Mayor Al McDonald, who announced that he will no longer be involved in the operation of the team in order to focus his attention on running the City of North Bay.  McDonald was presented a framed photo of one of the Lakers first ever goals scored alongside a group shot of the management and coaching group from Lakers inaugural year. Lakers head coach, Mike McParland, and a group of players presented McDonald with a commemorative stick, autographed by Lakers players.

The new three-year agreement is an extension of the existing agreement that has been in place over the past three seasons and has proven successful. The university is responsible for paying the league fees, the head coach’s salary — which includes a teaching component — and provides scholarships and bursaries to students, players included. The private partner is responsible for all other expenses.

The Lakers hockey team has enjoyed significant success since they skated into Ontario University Athletics competition in 2009. Home attendance consistently ranks in the top three in Canada, the team has been ranked in the national top ten on multiple occasions, have qualified for the playoffs each year and have improved their regular season record each year.

The team and the student athletes are also very engaged with the North Bay community in events like the annual Real Men Wear Pink game in support of breast cancer research, the support the troops game and an ongoing relationship with the North Bay North Stars hockey team.