Lakehead mens hockey player Tobias Whelan leaves Lakehead as one of the best two-way centres to ever don a Lakehead hockey jersey. He will graduate with a degree in Business Administration.
The Orillia, Ontario native is known as a very cerebral hockey player and his intelligence showed in his play. Strong on the faceoff, able to play tenacious defence, play on both the PK and power play units, and supply the team with offense; Whelan could do it all.
Whelan was a member of the 2005-06 Queens Cup championship squad that took silver at the CIS national championships. He was an OUA First Team All Star in 2007-08.
Whelan suffered a horrific injury this season that put him out for 60% of the season. However, after suffering a potential career-ending injury, Whelan fought back through hard work in his rehabilitation to join the Wolves lineup in time for the CIS national championships.
He leaves Lakehead sixth all time in overall Thunderwolves scoring with 54 goals and 85 assists in 169 games. He is fourth all time in Wolves OUA Regular Season scoring with 36 goals and 62 assists in 98 games. He is also eighth in non-conference scoring (10 goals, 12 assists; 41 games) and ninth in playoff scoring (9 goals, 8 assists; 19 games).
Former Head Coach Don McKee said Whelan was a key component of the Wolves. Tobias' career was stalled by an unfortunate injury this year. The Achilles' tendon injury would have kept most competitors on the sideline for at least a year but not Tobias. Recognizing that this was his last year of CIS hockey, he made an unbelievable recovery and was back in the lineup for the 2009 National Championship. When asked what was the reason that the team did not win the 2009 Western Division and the Queen's Cup; there may be multiple reasons; but a very big one contributing, was Tobiass absence. We wish him well as he moves forward in his professional career.
Name: Tobias Whelan
Hometown: Orillia, On
Program: Business Administration
Sport: Hockey
Years as a varsity Lakehead Athlete: 5
Lakehead/OUA/CIS Honours/Medals:
1) 2007 OUA First Team All Star
2) 2007 Lakehead Most Improved Player
3) 2006 Queens Cup Champion
4) 2006 CIS National Championships Silver Medalist
Q & A with Tobias Whelan:
1)What are your fondest memories as a Lakehead varsity athlete?
The Queens cup championship and the trip to the CIS Nationals in Edmonton in 2006.
2)What do you think was your top athletic achievement or performance as a Lakehead Varsity Athlete?
The 2007 season when I was among the scoring leaders in the OUA and CIS and was named an OUA First Team All Star.
3)What did being a Lakehead varsity athlete teach you that will help you in your life after university?
Time management, commitment.
4)What are you plans after graduating from Lakehead?
Going home to Orillia.