After 18 years in Innisfail and more than a decade of time and dedication to minor sports, Innisfail is saying goodbye to Dez Lorcenz.
The general manager of the Innisfail Eagles and longtime volunteer with both minor lacrosse and minor hockey recently moved to Kelowna, B.C. to pursue schooling and hockey opportunities for his son.
Lorcenz and his wife Nikki moved to Innisfail from Red Deer in 1998, shortly after he began his first job in car sales at Fourlane Ford, where he spent 17 years.
“It was phenomenal experience for me. I was pretty fortunate to have my first job ever in the car business there, and spent 17 years working there,” he said, noting his commitment to minor sports soon followed. “I was involved with hockey for 11 years and lacrosse has been almost just as long.”
His son Danyon played both minor hockey and lacrosse during his time here, and Lorencz himself has coached and managed teams in minor hockey and lacrosse and sat on the executive board in minor hockey for several years.
In addition, he filled many roles with the Innisfail Eagles, including director of player operations and general manager.
“We won the AA provincials (2011-2012 season) and the next year they asked if I wanted to be involved in the management part of it,” said Lorencz. “The last three years have been phenomenal working with those guys.”
Lorencz shared his thoughts on the sports organizations he was such a big part of, and helping the kids was key.
“Minor sports is for the kids. We've got a lot of great kids who have come through both organizations and have gone on to high levels of lacrosse or hockey, whether it be junior or college (levels),” said Lorencz. “To make that work with all the good kids you have to have good people on the board to start with, and I think both boards are very strong with very good people of leadership who are looking at what's best for the kids and the association.
“Without that it's hard to have a great association,” he added. “Next comes the people who run the teams, the managers and the coaches. I think both associations are blessed with great coaches and managers who are very detailed and care a lot about the kids.”
During his time here in Innisfail, Lorencz said he's had a couple of memorable moments that he'll definitely take with him.
“When the Eagles won the AA provincials (championship). That was great for us to get that organization going again and back on the winning ways after the season before, winning just one game,” he said. “Then hosting it here and have the Arena full for all the games was very exciting.”
In addition, another time was when the Innisfail Phantom Lacrosse team hosted the provincial championships several years ago.
“Any time you get to bring a big event to town, that's a big thing for the players and for the community,” said Lorencz, adding he never had the chance to win a provincial title with either of the teams. “But I know that's coming for the Eagles. My heart will always be with them, so when they win I'll just be as excited as if I was management. Definitely when they go to the Allan Cup, I'll be the first one booking my tickets for sure.”
His wife Nikki still has family here in Innisfail, and while Lorencz may now live in British Columbia, he will be back.
“This will always be home for us,” said Lorencz.
Dez Lorencz
"I know that's coming for the Eagles. My heart will always be with them, so when they win I'll just be as excited as if I was management."
