The Nipawin Hawks have signed a letter of intent for next season with Calgary product Mark Lafleur. (Submitted photo/Nipawin Hawks)

By Clark Stork

Calgary commit

Hawks sign Calgary-born winger to LOI

Feb 19, 2023 | 1:31 PM

The Nipawin Hawks have added some size to their future forward group.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) club announced the signing of a letter of intent from Calgary product Mark Lafleur. The 2005-born left-handed shot player is in his second season with the Calgary Norststars U18 AAA program. Hawks Associate General Manager Dana Dirks saw Lafleur play earlier this year then at the Circle K Classic U18 tournament in Calgary at Christmas. Dirks said progress was made on a possible recruitment and Nipawin is happy to have the six feet four inches tall forward signed for the 2023-24 season.

“Having the bigger bodies that can still play and still perform are definitely going to be assets for Tad [Kozun, head coach] and Levi [Stuart, assistant coach] to have in the lineup,” Dirks said.

He added that the Hawks have four forwards recruited for next season, none of the prospects are under six foot two inches. Nipawin plays their home games at the Centennial Arena which consists of a smaller ice surface, the team also plays six games in La Ronge and Flin Flon during the season as well. Dirks said those types of players will help the Hawks, adding Lafleur can play all aspects of the game.

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“He is playing in that 18 to 20 minutes a game type thing, he’s definitely well used,” Dirks said. “He wears a letter, there’s some scoring touch there.”

In Lafleur rookie U18 season with the Northstars he scored seven goals and added 10 assists, this season he has six goals and 18 points. Dirks said Lafleur will have an opportunity in Nipawin under Kozun to excel at both ends of the ice for the foreseeable future.

“Having a coach that leans a little bit more towards the offensive creativity side of things with Tad will be a huge benefit for him,” Dirks concluded.

On the ice the Hawks will host Flin Flon on Tuesday. Face-off is set for 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork