It's been a busy few weeks for Nipissing Lakers men's hockey head coach Mike McParland, but it's paying off.

The veteran coach has added a player that has potential to make a difference with his team and brings great versatility to the Lakers after finishing up a five-year career with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL.

The Lakers are thrilled to announce the signing of Danny Desrochers, a North Bay native who captained the Wolves this past season and was an assistant captain the year before.

McParland said adding Desrochers is a big pick-up for his program.

"Danny has played five seasons with the Wolves and brings with him a high skill level to the Lakers team," he said. "I know Danny along with being a very good hockey player, is also a very good academically and is excited to be entering our BPHE program in the fall."

With the OHL regular season wrapping up in March, Desrochers graduated from the only team he's know at the major junior level.

He spent four full season with the Wolves, as well as eight games as a 16-year-old, playing 264 games, putting up 39 goals and 39 assists, good for 78 points along with 259 penalty minutes.

Desrochers came to the Wolves as a point-getter, putting up 49 points in 43 games with the North Bay Trappers in 2011-12 before making the jump to the Wolves.

"I'm definitely excited. It's been awhile since I've been a part of a new team so it's going to be nice to start fresh," he said. "I saw more of an opportunity with the Lakers. The guys seem to really like it here. And I get to stay at home, even though Sudbury wasn't too far."

Desrochers, who stands 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is primarily a centre and became one of the top shut-down forwards in the league, combining great speed with an impressive work ethic throughout his OHL career.

His best season came in 2015-16 when he posted 15 goals and 15 assists, as well as 84 penalty minutes.

He said he established himself early as a hardworker and grew into his role as his career progressed in Sudbury.

"I took in a role my first couple years and it ended up growing on me throughout my career and I was the type of guy that could go two ways on the ice, but mostly shutting down other team's first line," he said.

Desrochers will join former teammates Jimmy McDowell and Chad Thibodeau, who both spent time with the Wolves during their OHL careers as well.

McParland has now added players that feels can help the team progress, bringing in players who are able to contribute at both ends of the ice, as well as provide leadership.

"We're very excited to add a player of his caliber. We will be looking to Danny to add some scoring and help ramp up our offence. I know Danny is very skilled, I believe he will also be a key contributor to our power play," McParland explained. "Having been a captain in Sudbury doesn't hurt either in the leadership department looking to the future."

A graduate of the West Ferris Minor Hockey Association, Desrochers said he adapted his playing style a little in the OHL, carving out a niche as a checker, but has the potential and is excited about chipping in offensively with the Lakers.

Although he noted that whatever the team needs to be successful, he'll be happy to provide.

"I took on a role early on that limited me from doing the things that I grew up doing, which was scoring goals, so obviously now getting back on track with the Lakers, being able to produce offensively and winning as many games is going to be the expectation moving forward," he explained.

With the players already signed, the returning group and now the addition of Desrochers, McParland is liking the way his roster is shaping up heading into the 2016-17 season.

"Adding Danny to the core we have returning creates a very optimistic feeling and excitement for the coming season," he said.