Junior A Tigers make a play for physical talent

June 24, 2018 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

It’s a new era for the Aurora Tigers.
That is the slogan making the rounds at the Aurora Tigers office, in the dressing room, and on social media.
And owner Jim Thomson seems ready to prove it, as in the usually slow dog days of summer, he pulled off a blockbuster trade with the rival Wellington Dukes, akin to a dealing between the NHL’s Maple Leafs and Canadiens.
It was announced Monday that the Tigers have acquired defenseman Noah Lugli, as well as centreman Jackson Arcan, in a move that brings a spark of physicality to the Aurora roster.
Lugli, self-described as a “big-body presence”, brings his six-foot-five frame to a Tigers blue line that seemed desperate for strength in the 2017-18 season. With the departure of fellow big man James Thomson from the blue line this season after making the transition to U-Sports with Wilfrid Laurier University, Lugli fills the position without missing a beat.
A journeyman who cut his teeth with the prep program of St. Andrew’s College for two years before splitting last season between the Dukes and the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League, Lugli said he is “excited to get going” with his new squad.
More size was added up the middle as well with the addition of Arcan, who brings a veteran presence to the faceoff dot after two solid seasons with the Dukes.
The nineteen-year old played at just over a point-per-game pace last season, adding three points in four games in the Dukes’ Dudley Hewitt Cup run.
Both Lugli and Arcan were on the Dukes team last year that knocked the Tigers out in five games in the OJHL Conference final, eventually becoming OJHL champions.
Going the other way is centreman Elijah Gonsalves, who spent one lucrative season with the Tigers in 2017-18. The small, speedy forward put up fourteen goals and 29 assists in 52 games with the Tigers, mostly working first line duties.
The Tigers are also sending cash in the deal.