Evan Lachimea, pictured here last season with the Thunder Bay Kings U18 AAA team. (submitted photo/Evan Lachimea)

By Martin Martinson

Stars Recent signing

Lachimea brings speed, tenacity at both ends to North Stars

Jun 27, 2023 | 8:46 AM

As the Battlefords North Stars continue to reload their roster ahead of the 2023-24 hockey season, among the new faces set to join the team this fall is Thunder Bay, Ontario’s Evan Lachimea.

An 18-year-old forward who spent last season with his hometown Thunder Bay Kings U18 AAA team, Lachimea scored 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 39 games, prior to being called up to the Junior A level to finish the season with the Thunder Bay North Stars.

Lachimea scored a goal in four regular season games with the Stars, adding another two in 10 playoff games, on Thunder Bay’s run to the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) Final.

No surprise to see his offensive skills translate quickly, the 5-9 right-hander also scored in his two-game call-up with the Kam River Fighting Walleye in ’21-22.

However, more than just the offence, Lachimea describes his own game as that of a two-way player.

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“I value defence as much as I value offence,” he said. “I know Battlefords has a lot of goal scorers, so I’m definitely hoping to bring it on the defensive end and also stay in line with my offence. Try to keep it as even as possible.”

A natural fit within the Stars’ forward ranks, Lachimea, who played a healthy mix of both centre and right wing last season, said he’s looking forward to the opportunity ahead to join the North Stars in the Battlefords.

“It’s a surreal feeling to be committed to such a good organization, and I’m super excited for what the future holds. I can’t wait to get the season started,” Lachimea said.

“For years [the Stars] have been a very well-respected organization. It’s a very good league and last year they won the league, so it’s a really good opportunity to go out west and play. When I got the offer to commit and sign, I had to take it 100 per cent.”

In addition to his season totals, Lachimea also turned heads at the 2023 Western Regional Championship in Warman, Sask., highlighted by player of the game honours in game four of the tournament, scoring a pair of shorthanded goals for Thunder Bay against the host Warman Wildcats.

That tournament is where North Stars’ head scout, Wylie Riendeau said he first caught the eye of the Stars’ staff, quickly becoming a must-watch player.

“Evan has a really high compete and his speed is exceptional; he plays a hard, physical game and he’s got a little bit of junior experience too,” Riendeau said. “I think he’s going to be a really tenacious forward that is going to provide some speed and grit to our lineup, so I think he’s going to be a guy we’re pretty happy with moving forward.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1