Lakehead University and Head Coach Pete Belliveau are proud to announce this years recruiting class for the Thunderwolves Mens Hockey Team. This years class brings in eight new student-athletes from across Canada who have committed to Lakeheads exciting fourth year hockey program. This years recruiting class is made up of Drew Kivell from Lakeside, Ont., Dene Poulin from Thunder Bay, Ont., Tobias Whelan from Orillia, Ont., Andrew Brown from Bancroft, Ont., Brad Priestlay from Kamloops, B.C., Francis Walker from St. Eustache, Que., Sean Stefanski from Peterborough, Ont. and Chris Whitley from Oshawa, Ont.
Coach Belliveau said he is very excited about the quality and skill that the new recruits can bring to the Thunderwolves for 04-05. Without a doubt, its our best recruiting class in three years; in terms of quality, and obviously in number. This group should be able to take us to the next level in terms of competing with the best teams in the CIS.
2003-2004 Thunderwolves Recruiting Class:
Name: Drew Kivell
Hometown: Lakeside, Ont.
Previous Club: Sudbury Wolves/Kingston Frontenacs OHL
Height: 63
Weight: 222 lbs.
Position: Defense
Coach Belliveau: Drew is a big right defenseman who can clear the front of the net and win corner battles. He has quick feet, good hands, lots of character and great leadership qualities and will make a great addition to the Lakehead blueline corp."
Name: Dene Poulin
Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont.
Previous Club: Owen Sound Attack/Sudbury Wolves - OHL
Height: 511
Weight: 193 lbs.
Position: Defense
Coach Belliveau: Dene is a Stanley resident who finished his fourth year with the Sudbury Wolves. He is a solid D-man who skates very well and his very tough, similar to Hugo Lehoux. He has tremendous character and will make our D very tough!"
Name: Tobias Whelan
Hometown: Orillia, Ont.
Previous Club: Oshawa (Captain) - OHL
Height: 6
Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: Centre
Coach Belliveau: "Tobias was captain of Oshawa Generals and was voted top defensive forward in the OHL. He was ranked second in the OHL in faceoffs and third ranked penalty killer. He will be Lakeheads Mike Peca!"
Name: Andrew Brown
Hometown: Bancroft, Ont.
Previous Club: Guelph/Belleville (Captain) - OHL
Height: 63
Weight: 218 lbs.
Position: Forward
Coach Belliveau: "Andrew was captain of the Belleville Bulls. He attended the NY Islanders camp last year. He is a big 6'3 winger who plays like Lakeheads Chris Shaffer; he loves to hit and punish people, and he can score! He will be a great presence on the ice."
Name: Brad Priestlay
Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.
Previous Club: Portland Winter Hawks/Prince George WHL, Fresno ECHL
Height: 59
Weight: 175 lbs.
Position: Centre
Coach Belliveau: "Brad is a speedster who brings great PK qualities and can skate with the best of them. He is another gritty fwd for our class of 2004! He is also younger brother of Lakeheads Craig Priestlay."
Name: Francis Walker
Hometown: St. Eustache, Quebec.
Previous Club: Aurora Tigers 2004 RBC Cup Jr. A Champions
Height: 60
Weight: 200 lbs.
Position: Forward
Coach Belliveau: "Francis was a member of this years Aurora Tigers RBC championship team and he was the top goal scorer at the Championship tournament. He has great hands and a very fast release and he has proven he can score at all levels and we are looking forward to him bringing his scoring touch to the Thunderwolves!"
Name: Sean Stefanski
Hometown: Peterborough, Ont.
Previous Club: Oshawa/Owen Sound/Kingston/S