Written by Gary Moskalyk
The newly branded Ironwood Lumberjacks are settling into the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center in Ironwood, Michigan, 172 km east of their old home in Spooner, WI. For head coach Doug Lein, who has been at the helm since day one, speed, skill and buy in are key.
“This is six years for us. We want to turn the corner and compete for a championship,” said Lein. “I know it’s cliché and everybody says that. Things are different. We’ve figured some things out here. We started recruiting different type players. . . made some transactions on the trade front. I think it would be a disappointment if we’re not right there pushing for that at the end of the year.”
Five players are returning from last year’s squad. Defencemen Josh Gulden and Cooper Malkowski, and forwards Collin Baker, Nolan Fowler and Marshall Thomas.
“Camp’s been good. We’ve moved to the new town, the new arena. . . Last year we had really good pieces, we just couldn’t figure out how to put them together. We got guys coming, we have a good group here now,” said Lein.
The Lumberjacks are looking to cut down their penalty minutes this season. The average Lumberjack is 5-foot-11, 172 pounds, and 18.60 years of age, according to Elite Prospects.
“Speed and skill and buying in will be big this year,” asserts Lein, who looks to incorporate a “family” type atmosphere into the hockey mix.
“I think our identity will be family off the ice. On the ice it’s going to be the little things,” said Lein, who felt those qualities were lacking at times last season. “It’ll be guys doing the little things for each other and for the team. . . Hardworking, playing for each other, doing the things that matter.”
Mathias Anderson, Sam Keene and Kole Kronstedt will share goaltending duties. The ’06 Anderson is a an Ironwood native who has impressed during camp. Keene is a Thunder Bay Kings graduate who played for Elliott Lake in the NOJHL last year. Kronstedt, the most experienced and well travelled of the three, was acquired from Kam River.
The Lumberjacks finished in sixth place last year with a 16-26-7 record with a 17.7% powerplay and 75.9% penalty kill. The special teams numbers are a concern for Lein.
“We tried to be too fancy in the past,” explained Lein. “One of the things we’re going to do is simplify things.”
Long-time Duluth native Jamie Stauber (brother of NHL goalie Robb Stauber) will be part of the overhaul.
“Jamie’s been a mentor of mine for a lot of years now. He’s a damn fine hockey coach,” said Lein. Stauber and ‘Jacks’ assistant GM Ken Turnbull will consult on the special teams aspect.
“It’s doing the little things. It’s blocking shots, it’s guys willing to sell out. . . We might not have the best powerplay in the league or the best kill but we think we have a group here who is willing to work hard and do the necessary things. . . We really went out and recruited guys who were able to produce, that were hard-nosed, but with low penalty minutes. . . I’d rather have two-to-one powerplays than penalty kills. We’re getting back to simple special teams this year.”
The SIJHL champion Sioux Lookout Bombers used that recipe last year, to great success.
“Play clean, but still play physical, You can do it. (The Bombers) proved it last year. And they were very successful with it.”
Lein is looking forward to playing in the two-year-old Pat O’Donnell facility, playing in history-rich Ironwood, and in the SIJHL’s future as well.
“I think our league is headed in a really good direction,” said Lein. “From top to bottom, from Dean (Commissioner Thibodeau), Paul (Wehrstedt), who does our stats, to Steve (Cramsie) who does our graphics, I believe the league is on the doorstep of some really good things. I’m really encouraged as an owner, as a coach, as Chairman of the Board of Governors, about where our league is going.
“We’ve been very appreciative of the town of Ironwood and the surrounding communities,” he added. “Billets have been just great. Sponsorship in town has been phenomenal (as have our) corporate partners. I’m excited for the year. Can’t wait to get going.”
Ironwood begins the 2024-25 season at home against Red Lake on September 13th and 14th at 7:00 p.m. CDT.