Author: David Forde

The Almaguin Spartans are thrilled to announce the return of 2001 born Defencemen Artur Fokin. The 6’1, 185-pound Russian defender had 7 goals and 25 assists for 32 points and 81 penalty minutes in 41 games for the Spartans in 2019-2020.

Spartans General Manager David Forde had this to say about the return of Fokin “Our staff is very happy to have Artur back for a second campaign. It was a high priority for us this off season to get Artur re-signed, as we felt he would be an important player to bring back to provide skill and big minutes on the back end. Fokin had a good rookie season in 2019/2020 overall and had flashes of greatness. He is a player with incredible potential, and we saw signs of his top-level talent.

I think with him now being 20 years old and a lot more mature physically and mentally, that he is ready to raise his game to the next level. Artur skates well, blocks shots, competes hard at both ends of the rink and has a big shot from the point. We want guys in our program that are going to bring it every night and do whatever they can do to help us win and Artur is definitely a player that fits that bill. We are expecting Artur to play top 4 minutes on a nightly basis and play a more controlled and consistent game this year. “

Artur had this to say about returning to the Spartans for a second season “I’m very excited to be back for a second season. I really enjoyed the community and the program. I have been working very hard since I left Almaguin to improve my game. I can’t wait to get back to Canada and do everything in my power to help us win a Russell Cup”

The Spartans are happy to announce the addition of promising young forward Maxim Mavrin from Lokomotiv-2004 Yaroslavl U17 of the Russia U17 League.

Spartans Russian Scout Ivan Skvortsov had this to say about Maxim and what Spartans fans can expect from the young Russian Forward “I think Maxim is going to be a great addition to the Spartans organization. He is a very dedicated player who is driven to become a better player and play professional hockey in the future. He is a strong skater, competes hard and has a lot of potential. He is a player that is going to be in the Spartans program for multiple years, where I think under tutelage of Andrejs Savicevs he can develop into a elite junior player in coming years.

I know Maxim is looking forward to the challenge of being in the Spartans program and playing in Canada. He is currently working very hard to prepare himself for a successful hockey season, while also completing his education in Canada.”

The Almaguin Spartans are thrilled to announce the addition of 2004 Forward Pavel Smirnov and 2004 Goaltender Aleksandr Smirnov. The brothers come to the Spartans from Moscow, where they played for Team FSO Moskva. Pavel led the U18 club in scoring last year with 13 points in 11 games.

Spartans Russian Scout and former Captain Ivan Skvortov recruited these two promising young players from Moscow. Ivan had this to say about the addition of the Smirnov brothers to the Spartans “I think Pavel and Aleksandr are going to fit in well at the GMHL level and into the Spartans program. Both players are very dedicated and are wanting to develop into players that can play at the College or Professional level. Their skills and commitment level are big reasons why I think they will fit in well to the Spartans program.

Pavel is a skilled forward, with great hands and vision. He likes to create offense off the rush and will be able to produce points for the Spartans on a regular basis.

Aleksandr reads the play well, is good positionally and competes hard in all situations. Andre Laperriere will be able to help Aleksandr make some adjustments to his game and push him to be a strong goalie at this level this season.

I wish Pavel and Aleksandr the best of luck this season and I know they will work hard and I know both are very excited to come to Canada, play hockey, study and have the same great experience I did with the Spartans.”

The Almaguin Spartans are happy to announce the addition of promising young Latvian Defensemen Kalvis Krievs (2005) from Primza/Paradaugava U17.

Spartans Head Coach Andrejs Savicevs had this to say about the addition of Krievs “We are very happy to have Kalvis joining our program. I was able to watch him at the Pre-Draft Showcase in Lithuania, and David and I were able to meet with him and his family. He did very well at the showcase, competing against much older, more experienced players.

Kalvis is a young player with great potential. He is only 16 years old, but already has great size, hockey sense and willingness to get better everyday. We feel he is going develop a lot in our program over the season and the type of game he plays is suited well for North America. He plays a physical game, competes hard and moves the puck well. I am really looking forward to working with Kalvis and watching him develop into a player that can play at the MHL level in the near future. “

The Almaguin Spartans are happy to announce the signing of towering 2004 born defensemen Nojus Jonas Kudzevicius. The Lithuanian prospect is 6’5, 230 pounds. Last season Nojus played 12 games for HC Klaipeda where he registered 5 points and 51 penalty minutes and played 19 games in Men’s First Division where he registered 4 points 47 penalty minutes split between Baltu Ainiai Kaunas and Energija.

Spartans Head Coach Andrejs Savicevs had this to say about the addition of Kudzevicius “I am very happy that Nojus is joining me in Canada. He is a very dedicated player, who wants to get better every day. Nojus started hockey later then most players, but his size, work ethic and athletic ability has allowed him to make huge strides in his development each year. He has worked with me for 6 years now, he is very coachable, loves the game and wants to become a professional hockey player.

The Spartans program is just what Nojus needs to accelerate his development. Practicing every day, training hard in the gym, and completing additional on ice skill sessions in our program with high level players is going to allow Nojus to become a very good defensemen at the junior level. Nojus likes playing a physical style of game, which he will be able to utilize a lot more playing in Canada. I look forward to working with Nojus for another year and I am very excited to see what he can do this season”

Nojus Jonas Kudzevicius had this to say about joining the Spartans “I fell in love with hockey the first time I saw my dad’s friend’s son play when I was 10 years old. Since then, hockey has been my passion. I have worked very hard to get better every day and my hard work has paid off. Last year I was selected to the U16 National Team, and I was named captain as well. I am looking forward to moving to Canada and being part of the Spartans program. I know Andrejs, the other coaches and the other players will push me to get better every day. My biggest strength is my size and I really enjoy playing a physical style. I know in Canada I will get to play this style of game and I am looking forward to this big challenge.”

he Almaguin Spartans are happy to announce the addition of a promising young defenceman Gustavs Stikans (2003). Stikans has played the last two seasons with Daugava in Latvian Men’s Second Division.

Spartans Head Coach Andrejs Savicevs had this to say about the addition of Stikans “We are very happy to have Stikans joining our club. He is a good, young defenseman with great potential. He is a smart defenseman, that see’s the ice well, makes a good first pass and is responsible at both ends of the rink. He has great size for his age at 6’1 and 208 pounds, likes to play physical and competes hard every shift. I think with our program, his coach ability and his experience playing against men, that Stikans can step in and be a good defense that we can count on every night right away.

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I was able to see Stikans play for 3 days at the showcase in Lithuania and meet with his family, so I am very confident that he is going to be a good fit for our club on and off the ice. With the defenseman we currently have signed, I really like the way our d core is shaping up. We have a lot of speed and size on the back end, which is going to make us tough to play against.

The Almaguin Spartans are thrilled to announce that they have added Cianan Briscoe to their scouting team. Last season Cianan was with the Spartans, but unfortunately was only able to train with the Spartans due to Covid restrictions. Cianan has playing experience at the VIJHL and WSHL level and will be continuing his playing career and education at the ACHA level with Williston State College in North Dakota this fall.

Spartans General Manager David Forde had this to say about the addition of Cianan to the scouting team “I am really happy to add Cianan to our staff. He has a strong mind for the game and conducts himself in a professional manner on and off the ice. Cianan aspires to advance in scouting and coaching, once he completes his education at Williston State College, so we are excited to help him get his start in hockey off the ice. Cianan will be focusing on recruiting players from Western Canada and the Western United States.”

Cianan Briscoe had this to say about joining the Spartans staff “I am really happy to start scouting and learn from the Spartans experienced staff. I hope to work in hockey when I am done school, so this is a great opportunity for me to gain some experience, while I am still playing and completing my education. I really enjoyed my time with the Spartans last year and know that it is a great program, with a professional staff and great ownership that is committed to development, winning, and helping players get to the next level”.

Spartans Assistant Coach Brandon Blanche had this to say about the addition of Klamberg “We are very happy to have Karl joining our program. He is good young hockey player who is looking to come to Canada and make an impact with our team. Karl is a good skater, competes hard on a nightly basis and has a team first attitude. I know Karl is back in Sweden training extremely hard to prepare for the upcoming season. Our coaching staff is looking forward to working with Karl and pushing his development and game to the next level.

He is a great addition to our group of forwards, which already features some great returning players and some other new additions upfront that we will be announcing throughout the off season.”

The Almaguin Spartans are happy to announce the signing of 2002 US Forward Alek Lorsung. The 6’0, 175 pounds Cedar Rapids, Iowa comes to the Spartans with playing experience at the US High School and USPHL Premier level. In 2018/2019 he played 30 games for the Decatur Blaze of the USPHL where he registered 7 points.

Spartans General Manager David Forde had this to say about the addition of Lorsung “We are very happy to be adding Alek to our program. He was suppose to play with our organization last year, but due to COVID restrictions was unable to. I know Alek is very excited and has been training hard for the upcoming season.

Spartans fans will enjoy seeing Alek’s style of play. He’s a player that works hard every night, has a team first attitude and is willing to do whatever the team needs to help us win. Alek is a young forward with descent size, is a good skater and who plays a 200-foot game. He adds further depth to our forward group and is a player with a lot potential.