High-scoring Duluth Lakers Bantam B centerman Tre Opack turning heads

November 21, 2009 by Howie · Leave a Comment

Duluth Lakers Bantam B super-sniper Tre Opack scored all four goals – including three unassisted — in his team’s recent 4-3 win over Superior in the championship game of the prestigious Colder By the Lake tournament in Superior.

“I guess I’m burying my chances,” said Opack, 13, a Morgan Park Middle School 8th-grader who maintains a B average in the classroom and considers Math his favorite subject.

The Lakers are off to a 5-1 start, and Opack has a team-high 10 goals and 17 points.

“Tre is a good kid who has his sights set on becoming a pro hockey player,” Lakers defenseman Kristofer McKenzie said. “If he continues to put in the time and effort that he has, he can make it.”

Lakers Coach Steve Ruud said he wouldn’t place a wager against Opack someday playing in The Show.

“He has a lot of potential, a lot,” Rudd said of his big, quiet centerman. “He’s a strong stickhandler in tight spots, and is an excellent finisher. He likes to throw his weight around and can take a hit.”

Opack gained a lot of experience and confidence while playing in a Triple-A bantam league in Minneapolis last summer, where he averaged three points a game in 18 games. The team also held over 50 practices.

“My focus last summer was to improve my play in the defensive end,” said Opack, whose proud parents are Tennille Opack and Kemond Gilbert. “I liked the physical play and speed of the Twin Cities league.”

Tre Opack said the Lakers are strong both offensively and defensively, and believes the team will continue to turn a lot of heads this season.

“We can be good, really good,” he said.

Ruud agrees.

“We’re solid, top-to-bottom,” Rudd said. “We skate three-plus strong lines, go with six outstanding defensemen and have two excellent goaltenders.”

The Lakers will play a full 16-game schedule in the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association Bantam B League and over 30 games overall. Players represent most of the neighborhood rinks in Duluth.

Rudd, a UMD grad who works for United HealthCare, is assisted by Gary Follmer, Nick McFarlane and Brad Kordiak.

2009-10 Lakers Bantam B Roster
No. — Name
2 — Tre Opack
11 — Jake Fugere
10 — Brent Engblom
6 — Cassey Follmer
12 — Lincoln Prout
9 — Austin Kolquist
8 — Jack Baker
17 — Matthew Cutshall
7 — Ryan Rukavina
4 — Jake Kidd
14 — Max Tollefson
3 — Mark Skramstad
16 — Peter Boo
26 — Jake LeBlanc
15 — Kris Mckinzie
5 — Kyle Mckinzie
31 — Spencer Sorenson
30 — Charlie Kratz

Duluth Lakers Bantam B Results
Duluth Lakers 13, Two Harbors 3
Superior Spartans 4, Duluth Lakers 2
Duluth Lakers 6, Keweenaw Storm 4
Duluth Lakers 9, South End Jr Stars 1
Duluth Lakers 4, Superior Spartans 3
Duluth Lakers 3, Cloquet 2

Duluth Lakers Bantam B Upcoming Games
. Today at 2:15 p.m. — vs. Silver Bay at Freezeberger
. Monday at 8:15 p.m. — at Hermantown

– Photo: (Top) Tre Opack of the Duluth Lakers Bantam B. (Below) Lakers hockey moms helped out with a team fundraiser earlier this season. From left to right — Cheryl Rouse, Kelly Fugere, Lia Follmer, Stephanie Abernethy and Tennille Opack.

Note: Local high school and youth boys and girls hockey and basketball coverage at Howie Blog during the 2009-10 season is generously sponsored by Stewart’s Bikes and Sports, which has been providing the Northland with the finest sporting equipment and bike selection, parts and service since 1906. We appreciate their support.