SUDBURY, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners know they only have one way to go – Up.
Finishing in the cellar among the 11 teams that concluded the 2024-25 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League campaign, a fresh look within the organization hopes to turn things around for Kirkland Lake.
With an ownership change seeing them ready for a full season in charge, along with head coach Tyler Pracek having prepared to begin behind the bench from the get go, the steadying influence there should help produce dividends.
A three-game preseason road swing against Ontario Junior Hockey League competition saw the Gold Miners give a good account of themselves with a win and a pair of narrow road setbacks.
They defeated the Lindsay Muskies 3-1; dropped a 5-3 decision to the King Rebellion before being blanked 3-0 by the Pickering Panthers.
That follows a 3-3-1-0 finish under Pracek’s guidance to wrap-up last season.
Here’s a glance at some of the veteran leadership that Kirkland Lake will be calling upon to help raise their record as well as some of the newcomers brought in to do the same as they’ll kick off their year with a four-game home stand:
Head coach: Tyler Pracek
Home opener: Friday, September 12 vs. Soo Eagles
7 p.m. – Joe Mavrinac Community Complex
KEY RETURNEES
Jordan Fitger, Forward
DOB: 03/16/2006
Hometown: Uxbridge, Ont.
Fitger finished second in team scoring last season for Kirkland Lake with 29 points. His 17 tallies were also No. 2 on the squad. He played at nearly a point-per-game pace from January 18 on.
Coaches’ comments: “Jordan was a key contributor last season and he returns in 2025-26 as a player we will lean on heavily on both sides of the puck. He’s a highly competitive kid with great speed and one of the better shots I’ve seen across the league.”
Aaron Leenaars, Forward
DOB: 10/12/2006
Hometown: Wasaga Beach, Ont.
As a rookie, Leenaars held his own in his first year of junior hockey. The 18-year-old from Wasaga Beach, Ont., tallied nine times and helped set-up nine others for the Gold Miners in 47 games played. Highlighting his season was a career-best one goal, three assist effort in an impressive win over the Soo Thunderbirds back on October 20.
Coaches’ comments: ” Leenaars is a quiet leader, but he’s the type of leader who pulls his teammates into the fight. He never takes a shift off; a Swiss army knife of sorts who can do everything well and plays a versatile role for us. We expect the same this year, with some additional offensive production to follow.”
NEW TO THE SQUAD
Parker Evans, Defence
DOB: 05/12/2006
Hometown: Stittsville, Ont.
The 19-year-old blueliner put up solid numbers from the point with the Renfrew Timberwolves (EOJHL). He collected 34 points in 39 outings, including hammering in a dozen goals. Those numbers paced all defencemen on the squad and tied him for sixth overall among D-men in EOJHL.
Coaches’ comments: “Coming to K-L from Renfrew of the EOJHL, Parker is a towering defender who has penchant for creating offence from the back end. He provides a powerful point shot, excellent length and a physical edge on the backend. I would suspect we will see schools show interest in Parker throughout the season.”
Lex Lamontagne, Forward
DOB: 04/06/2008
Hometown: Kapuskasing, Ont.
The 17-year-old Kapuskasing product had a solid season for his hometown Flyers in 2024-25, leading them in scoring with 40 points in just 23 outings. 10 of his 27 tallies came on the power play, which tied him for the Great North U18 Hockey League lead in that department. Also chipped in with five-man advantage helpers for Kap as his 15 total points with the Flyers being up a skater put into a share for top spot in the GNU18L.
Coaches’ comments: “Formerly of the Kapuskasing Flyers (GNU18L). Lex joins the Gold Miners after an excellent U18 season in which he led his team in scoring with 40 points in 23 games. Lex is an in your face, energetic, skilled forward who can play both centre and wing. Lex has a lot of similar attributes to NHL pest Brad Marchand.”
Glen McInnes, Goaltender
DOB: 04/25/2006
Hometown: Frankford, Ont.
Saw over 1,000 minutes of playing time in the eight-team East Tod division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. Twelve of his 22 appearances saw him peppered with 30-plus shots against, including three starts where he faced 55, or more, attempts.
Coaches’ comments: ” Formerly of the Trent Hills Thunder (PJCHL), Glen is a seasoned veteran, having previously skated in the OJHL with Pickering and Cobourg. A former Barrie Colts draft pick, Glen comes with some pedigree behind him as he as always been a top goaltender within his age group. With impressive size, Glen is a calm, but athletic goaltender, who reads the play well and is tough to beat clean.”
Photo credit: Allyson Demers
