Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves hockey team are pleased to announce that Josh Laframboise has committed to the program.
A native of Thunder Bay, Laframboise moved to the Regina area with his family when he was in his early teens and went on to play three seasons in the B.C. Junior Hockey League, beginning with Penticton in 2014-15. He played half a season with the Vees before being traded to Salmon Arm for the remainder of that campaign and the next, where he notched 48 points in 57 games for the Silverbacks in 2015-16.
The 61, 185-pound forward finished his BCHL career this past season with the Trail Smoke Eaters, recording 53 points in just 51 games.
Its great to have another player that has roots in Thunder Bay, said Lakehead Coach Bill McDonald. Josh will bring us some more offense and he plays with an edge - he gets to the hard areas. Hes coming off a great year in the BCHL, and after spending time with him I can tell he loves the game.
Thunderwolves hockey was a part of Joshs life from an early age. My family had season tickets and I was a hardcore fan growing up, Laframboise said. I would come to the games with my face painted, wearing my Lakehead jersey as I cheered on my heroes, and in the summer I went to the Thunderwolves hockey camps. When I think that now Ill be on the ice wearing that jersey in front of the big crowds in the Gardens, its kind of surreal. I hope I can impact some other kids in the same way I was.
Laframboise also hopes to be part of a turnaround for the program. I watched Lakehead win the Queens Cup in 2006, and Id like to help the team get back to those winning ways, he said. Plus, Im looking forward to returning home as I still have a lot of friends and relatives living in Thunder Bay. This is really exciting for me.