The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team open the 2007-08 season with a pair of games against the Alberta Golden Bears; the perennial powerhouse of Canadian university mens hockey. The Friday game kicks off a weekend of celebrations as part of Lakehead Athletics annual Zanatta Homecoming Weekend.
Friday's game faces off at 7:30 pm EST and both games will be videowebcast live for free. To watch; CLICK HERE
The two teams have not played each other since the CIS Mens National Championships Final on Mar. 26th, 2006; a game that saw the Golden Bears defeat Lakehead 3-2 to claim their record setting 12th national championship.
This will be Lakeheads first varsity action of the season while the Golden Bears have played six games, posting a 2-1-2 mark against varsity opponents (3-1-2 overall), heading into this weekend.
Lakehead Head Coach Don Mckee said the Alberta series will be a big test for the Wolves as they open the season. Inviting the the Golden Bears to Thunder Bay, to compete in back-to-back games with the Thunderwolves, was strategic planning to evaluate our program against the best in the country. Alberta is deep in talent in every position and is a huge favourite to represent the west in this year's National Championships. Our staff will use this weekend to assess all areas of our on-ice program as we work towards building excellence in our program.
Head to Head:
This will be the third meeting between the Thunderwolves and the Golden Bears with the teams even at 1-1-1 in the three meetings. Lakehead outscored Alberta 9-7 in those games.
This will be the Golden Bears second visit to the Fort William Gardens. They last visited Thunder Bay for a non-conference series in January of 2003; a series which resulted in a 5-2 Wolves win and a 2-2 draw.
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
2006-07 record: 15-12-3-2 in OUA Conference Play. 18-19-3-2 overall.
2-2 in OUA playoffs.
The Wolves are coming off a very tough and competitive training camp and will field a roster of 27 players against the Golden Bears. The Wolves will look for scoring and leadership from veterans like Tobias Whelan, Mike Wehrstedt, Dan Speer, and Andrew Brown and hope to see strong offense from sophomore Mark Soares who was OUA West Rookie of the Year last season.
Goaltender Chris Whitley has looked sharp and fit at the Lakehead camp and he will be ably backed by freshman Kyle Moir. Other freshmen to watch are forwards Kris Hogg and Devin Welsh as well as defensemen Mitch Maunu, Pierre-Marc Guilbault, and Jordan B. Smith.
The Wolves will look to Richard Molenaar, Matt Maisonneuve, and Brock McPherson to play strong two-way hockey and sophomore Nathan Breukelman could surprise this season with his playmaking skills.
With the addition of the three strong freshmen defensemen; Lakehead looks to have perhaps its strongest defensive corps ever, led by veterans Drew Kivell and Steve Rawski. Jordan C. Smith and his rugged blue line presence returns for his sophomore season as will Dan Rogers. OUA All Star Matt Jacques and Andy Zulyniak will be counted on to add offense from the blue line.
Top returnees:
Tobias Whelan: Sr., C, 5-9, 185, (18-26--44) (OUA First Team All Star)
Mark Soares: Soph., F, 5-7, 170, (18-21--39), (OUA Rookie of the Year, OUA All Rookie Team)
Matt Jacques: Sr., D, 5-10, 183, (10-22--32) (OUA Second Team All Star)
Dan Speer: Jr. C, 6-2, 183, (12-19--31)
Mike Wehrstedt: Sr 5., F, 6-0, 195, (14-13--27)
Chris Whitley: Sr., G, 6-2, 215 (3.67 GAA, .907, 14-17-3)
Jordan C. Smith: Soph., D, 6-1, 220
Key Newcomers:
Kris Hogg: F, Fr., 5-11, 179, Sicamous, B.C. (Lethbridge/Kamloops WHL)
Mitch Maunu: D; 6-2, 210, Thunder Bay, Ont. (Windsor/Saginaw OHL)
Kyle Moir: G, 6-3,