The Santa Clarita Lakers welcomed a hometown player with NHL experience as they began their inaugural season. Shane Harper, who was born in Valencia, joined the junior hockey team for practice at The Cube, bringing experience and added intensity to the ice.
Lakers owner Saul Salama invited Harper to skate with the team. The two are longtime friends, and Salama was there when Harper scored his first NHL goal.
Harper’s professional career began after he went undrafted. At 20, he signed a two-way NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He later played for the Florida Panthers during the 2016-17 season, with a career that also took him to leagues in Sweden and Russia. He most recently played for the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL.
For Harper, joining the Lakers for practice was a chance to regain his skating rhythm and support a junior team in his hometown. He said having a local program when he was younger would have given him a place to train before camp. Salama said it also could have allowed Harper to play closer to his family instead of leaving the area for junior hockey.
Harper’s visit made an impression on the Lakers’ players. One described practicing alongside someone with NHL experience as motivation to compete harder and aim higher.
Reporter Christian Sukitch shares how Harper’s return to the ice is helping energize Santa Clarita’s new team.
Sports
Aug 23, 2025
Sports
