Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves hockey program are pleased to announce the roster for the 2010-11 season. The Wolves will carry 24 players including 14 forwards, 7 defencemen, and 3 goalies.
Of the 24-man roster, there are 3 fifth-year seniors, 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 7 sophomores, and 5 freshmen. 13 players are from Northern Ontario, 9 of which are from Thunder Bay. 11 players have some professional experience, and 4 of them Jordan Smith, Kris Hogg, Mitch Maunu and Kyle Moir are NHL draft picks.
The 14 forwards are fifth-year senior Brock McPherson (2-time OUA All-Star); seniors Kris Hogg (former OUA All-Rookie team member) and Devin Welsh; juniors Adam Sergerie, Andy Hyvarinen, and Arron Alphonso; sophomores Victor Anilane (OUA All-Rookie team member), Andrew Wilkins, Ryan McDonald, Brennan Menard, and Matt Caria; as well as freshmen Jadran Beljo, Ryan Magill and Trevor Gamache.
Beljo will not be eligible to play until January, as he played pro hockey for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL last season. He was a high-scoring forward with Peterborough, Mississauga, and London of the OHL, and should add instant scoring punch once he enters the line-up. Magill and Gamache were the last two players cut from the Thunderwolves squad last fall, but Wolves Head Coach Joel Scherban said that Magill and Gamache both worked hard over the past year both on and off the ice to develop their game to the CIS level. They have both dominated the SIJHL for the past few seasons not only offensively, but with their all-around game.
The 7 defencemen will consist of fifth-year seniors Jordan Smith (team captain and 2-time OUA All-Star) and Andy Zulyniak, seniors Pierre-Marc Guilbault and Mitch Maunu, junior Kalvin Sagert, sophomore Mike Thibert, and highly-touted freshman Mike Quesnele (previously with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL).
The 3 goalies are senior Kyle Moir, sophomore Alex Dupuis, and freshman Josh Mrakic. Moir and Dupuis will be battling for the starters playing time, while Mrakic (previously of the SIJHL) will take on the role of third goaltender and back them up.
Training camp will continue until the end of September, with the home opener set for October 1 when the University of Ottawa Gee Gees visits the Fort William Gardens for a two-game series.