U16 Lakers compete at the Wendy Dufton Classic, Dale embraces opportunity

By: Michael Willoughby

In preparation for the 2026 U16 AAA Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament in London, U16 Huron-Perth Lakers head coach Greg Swan says the team is maintaining a great attitude, and their primary objective for the upcoming tournament is continuous improvement with every game.

“Yeah, I think they have a positive attitude right now, and like I've said before, a lot of new bodies, new coaching staff for them all, and you know we're still working each and every practice to get to where we want to be, and I think the guys come with a good attitude. They're listening. They're working hard, and we're trending in the right direction,” Swan said.

“I think obviously we would like to play in the playoff rounds, make it to the round of 16. But I think at the end of the day, we've been telling the guys our biggest goal right now is to get better and better every game, and then as we keep building, to get to where we want to be.”

Defenceman Tyson Dale says he’s excited to be with the team and looks forward to the journey ahead with the Lakers and continuing to grow.

“Yeah, it feels great. Obviously, getting back on the ice with the boys,” Dale said. “Obviously, success, but honestly, get noticed, get moving as a group, and hopefully get wins.”

The Lakers began the tournament on Oct. 8 against the Detroit Honeybaked. Will Molenhuis scored their only goal in a 4-1 loss. On Oct. 9, the Lakers started their second day of the tournament with a morning clash with the Toronto Titans.

Samuel Humphrey opened the scoring for the Lakers in the first period, but the Titans answered with a goal midway through the second. Coleson Beirnes put the Lakers back in front with 91 seconds remaining in the middle frame. After Toronto tied it again, Simon Howard gave the Lakers another lead with 1:22 left in regulation. The Lakers couldn’t hold on, as Toronto tied the game with 22 seconds remaining, and the teams settled for a hard-fought 3-3 draw.

The Lakers finished day two with an early-evening game against Hill Academy. Dexter Powell put the Lakers ahead in the opening frame, but Hill Academy took control in the second period with three unanswered goals to lead 3-1. Howard’s second of the tournament put the Lakers to within a goal late in the third, but they couldn’t find the equalizer and lost 3-2.

In their final tournament game on Oct. 10 against Victory Honda, Colin Dinel scored in the first period to tie the game, but Victory Honda pulled away in the third as the Lakers fell 3-1.

The Lakers open their ALLIANCE U16 AAA regular season on Oct. 16 against the Waterloo Wolves at the Stratford Rotary Complex. They travel to Brantford to take on the 99ers on Oct. 17, then wrap up their opening weekend in Windsor against the Jr. Spitfires on Oct. 18.