Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves hockey program are pleased to announce the roster for the 2013-14 season. The Wolves will carry a total of 26 players including 16 forwards, 8 defencemen, and 2 goalies.
Theteam will consist of 2 fifth-year seniors, 4 seniors, 9 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 8 freshmen, making it one of the youngest squads in recent years.
The 16 forwards are fifth-year seniors Andrew Wilkins and Brennan Menard; seniors Ryan Magill, Trevor Gamache and converted defenceman James DeLory; juniors Jason Grecica, Mike Hammond, Keith Grondin, and Jake Carrick; sophomores Carson Dubchak and Kelin Ainsworth; and freshmen Cody Alcock, Adam Restoule, David Quesnele, Paul Thompson and Matt Kaarela.
Grecica (elbow) and Menard (concussion) are currently on the injured list.
The 8 defencemen are senior Mike Quesnele; juniors Luke Maw, Riley McIntosh, Mitch Fillman and Chris de la Lande; sophomore Jay Gilbert; and freshmen Andrew Tessier and Nathan Bruyere.
The 2 goalies are junior Jeff Bosch and freshman Justin McDonald.
Wolves Head Coach Bill McDonald noted that Bosch looks motivated and is in good shape, but freshman Justin McDonald is pushing him, so thats a good situation for us.
The first-year bench boss is impressed with the upperclassmen that will be leading this years team. Every one of our returning players has displayed excellent work habits and leadership, and we definitely have a lot of talented players in place here - too many to name, McDonald said.
Im pleased with first two weeks of camp, but for our team to compete at a high level we need to be disciplined and understand systems. Well keep working on our conditioning, but overall we have good team speed and mobile defence.
I also like what the new guys have shown me so far, MacDonald stated. Up front, Cody Alcock looks really good and is responsible at both ends of the ice. David Quesnele is the gritty type of player were looking for he doesn't mind going to the hard areas of the ice. Kelin Ainsworth has been hurt, but we hope to have him back soon. Walk-ons Matt Kaarela, Adam Restoule and Paul Thompson have all earned the right to be on the team.
Defencemen Nathan Bruyere and Andrew Tessier will provide more depth to an already-strong blue line, McDonald added. The freshmen are probably going to make some rookie mistakes, but as they gain experience, that will improve too.
We still need to grow as a team and that will take a bitof coaching, but as a staff were excited about where were headed.