North Bay, ON – The North Bay & District Girls Hockey Association Jr Lakers and the Nipissing Lakers proudly hosted a highly successful Junior Lakers Night this past weekend in partnership with the Junior Lakers Ice Fest tournament, creating a memorable experience for young athletes, families, and the hockey community.

Approximately 1,500 fans were in attendance for Friday night's game, an impressive turnout for a smaller-scale tournament weekend. The atmosphere inside the rink was electric, with visiting teams, families, and local supporters taking part in a celebration of girls' and women's hockey.

A highlight of the weekend was the opportunity for several visiting teams to tour the Lakers dressing room on Saturday. During these tours, players and team staff hosted question-and-answer sessions, offering young athletes a behind-the-scenes look at varsity hockey and the pathways available through sport.

"A big thank you for the additional events, including the dressing room visit. The kids absolutely loved it. Thanks so much for offering this experience to all girl's hockey teams. It means a lot!" said the Carleton Place U9B Manager.

Four Junior Lakers players — two U7 athletes, one U15, and one U18 — were also invited to help announce the Lakers' starting lineup in the dressing room prior to the game, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young players involved.

"I felt very honoured to be asked to take part in announcing the Lakers starting line. Getting to be in the dressing room with the team before the game made me feel like I was part of something special," said Bella Johnstone, U18HL North Bay Jr. Lakers Blue. "Participating in the puck drop was the coolest experience I have ever had. Hearing my name being announced and then getting to walk out to centre ice was amazing!"

"It was super inspiring to be a part of the Lakers pre-game rituals," added Karley McLaren, U15HL North Bay Jr. Lakers Blue. "I enjoyed being included in something so important to the team. I look up to those players so much and it made me feel important."

The U11 Green North Bay Jr. Lakers served as the Team of the Game, giving players the opportunity to experience the varsity environment from the bench and on the ice alongside their role models.

"Being the Team of the Game was an unforgettable experience for our U11 Green team," said Lauri St. Jacques, Head Coach of the North Bay Jr. Lakers U11 Green. "Seeing their role models up close, both in action from the bench and alongside them on the ice, was incredibly inspiring for our players and showed them just how far their love of the game can take them."

Lakers players remained actively involved throughout the weekend, spending Sunday at the rink watching Ice Fest games and assisting with medal presentations for all tournament champions and finalists. Many visiting teams who toured the dressing room or attended Friday's game returned later in the weekend, further strengthening the connection between the Junior Lakers program and the varsity team.

In addition to the on-ice impact, the event also supported the local community through a food drive, raising $224 and 354 pounds of non-perishable food items for the North Bay Food Bank, helping support families and individuals in need.

Events like Junior Lakers Night and the Ice Fest partnership continue to make a meaningful impact on the girls' and women's sport community, reinforcing the importance of representation and opportunity.

By creating moments where young athletes can see themselves reflected at the next level, the Lakers remain committed to the powerful message: "See Them, Be Them."
 
#GoLakers
 
Media Contacts:
Jarod Shea
Sports Information & Game Day Coordinator
Nipissing University
(705) 474-3450 (4079)
jarods@nipissingu.ca