Skyhawks send Lalande to Aurora

Skyhawks goalie and North Bay native Michael Lalande is heading south. File photo.

The North Bay Skyhawks have traded the playing rights of Mike Lalande to the Aurora Tigers of the Provincial League for future considerations.

Rumours of a trade were swirling on Sunday when Lalande was not on the team roster and goaltender Ian Wilson was wearing his old number 35 jersey in the 7-2 loss to the Sudbury Jr. Wolves.

Skyhawks G.M. Guy Blanchard says the club just followed through with a trade request from the three-year Skyhawk veteran.

“We felt Mike and Ian could do the number one job,” said Blanchard.

“In this case Mike made it clear he preferred not to share and at this point we think Ian has brought his game up to compete for #1 spot. He had the option to stay and compete but he preferred to go to another team instead.”

Blanchard says the Aurora franchise will give Lalande the chance to be a number one goalie. He will join former teammate Quinn Waller on the OPJHL franchise.

Drake and Bell up the River

The Skyhawks also have announced that they have moved imports Jon Drake and Matt Bell to the Blind River Beavers for cash.

Drake, a San Jose, California native; had 9 goals and 6 assists in 17 games with the Skyhawks, while defenceman Matt Bell, a Houston, Texas native; had 1 goal and 9 assists good for 10 points in 17 games this season.

Blanchard says he had to make the swap simply because the club was carrying too many imports.

The Skyhawks also released forward David Cadorette, a forward from St. Joseph de Coleraine, Quebec; who joined the team on a three-game tryout basis from the Manitoba Junior League.