May 15, 2023
Even being forced to watch from the sidelines could not keep the smile off Marcus Lagana’s face. Lagana was the only member of the Windsor Spitfires’ 14-player draft class not to take to the ice on Saturday at Saturday’s Orientation Camp at the WFCU Centre, but that was no surprise.
A knee injury more than six months ago limited Lagana to just six games this past season for the Don Mills Flyers minor midgets, but that did not deter the Spitfires from taking him in the ninth round of this year’s OHL Draft
“I wasn’t expecting to be drafted,” the six-foot, 186-pound Lagana said. “It was nice and a relief to be drafted, but I wouldn’t change how I persevered. It show’s there’s a bright side of things and something to work towards.”
Lagana moved over from the Mississauga Senators to Don Mills to play on a line with Shamara Moses, who was Barrie’s first-round pick this year, and Dylan Tsherna, who was Brantford’s second-round pick this year.
“They wanted to bring me in to play with those two guys,” Lagana said. “Someone that can play and keep up with them.”
But the trio didn’t last long together with Lagana hurt in a Nov. 1st game and undergoing surgery on Jan. 4th.
“It was a clean hit,” Lagana said of the injury. “My skate was stuck in the ice and because my skate was stuck in the ice, the two parts of my leg kind of went in two different direction and I just felt a pop in my (right) knee.”
Lagana watched his teammates selected and wondering if the injury had cost him a chance to play in the OHL.
“Probably not the best year to get injured,” Lagana said. “Would have been cool to see my name up with those guys, but I’m still extremely grateful to be drafted, no matter how high it was.”
Don Mills head coach Spence Kirton put in a good word with Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler, who got a call from brother Shane Bowler. The former Windsor Bulldogs centre coached Lagana when he was with the Marlboros.
“By history, we knew who he was,” Bowler said. “We know there’s some risk with the injury, but we think it could be a real good pick.”
Lagana cannot scrimmage at this point but has started skating again and hopes to be ready for training camp at the end of summer.
“I’m not worried about rushing into things,” Lagana said. “I just want to get my pace back and get comfortable playing and get back from this injury as best I can.
“It supposed to be eight-to-nine months recovery. Camp is eight months from my surgery. I’m ahead of schedule and should definitely be ready for camp.”
Even though he could not play, Lagana was drafted onto Team White for the 45-minute session of three-on-three hockey and two-on-two hockey. Team Red won the non-contact event 9-3 with eighth-round pick Mickael Tissier scoring four times, but the day was more about the players learning about the organization and the city.
“I think it’s a good day for these young men,” Spitfires’ head coach Marc Savard said. “Getting drafted is always the first step and enjoying the moment. We always talk about enjoying the moment because it doesn’t last forever. Have a little fun on the ice and we get a sneak peek of what they have.”
