The Lakehead Thunderwolves begin their 2004-05 campaign with a three-day non-conference swing through the OUA Far East beginning with UQTR on Friday, McGill on Saturday, and Ottawa on Sunday. Lakehead is coming off a 2003-04 season that saw them win their second consecutive OUA Far West Division title but lose in the Queen's Cup Semi-Finals to York. Lakehead had an 18-4-2 OUA regular season record last season and was 29-8-3 overall.
The team has returning veterans like Joel Scherban, Grant McCune, Jeff Richards, Erik Lodgeand Chris Shaffer. As well, it has added a strong recruiting class made up of Andrew Brown from the Belleville Bulls, Tobias Whelan of the Oshawa Generals, Sean Stefanski and Dene Poulin of the Sudbury Wolves, Brad Priestlay of Portland and Prince George of the WHL, Francis Walker and Chris Whitley from the Aurora Tigers, and Drew Kivell of the Kingston Frontenacs. Kivell is one of the players shown on CBC's hockey reality show, "Making the Cut".
Head Coach Pete Belliveau said the three-games in three-days trip will be an excellent test for his team to begin to find its game legs against quality opponents. "We are really excited and looking forward to this tour. It is a great opportunity for our team to do some bonding and team building on the road. It also gives us coaches a great opportunity to evaluate our players in a competitive situation. These will be the first games for all involved but I'm sure the fans will see some good hockey."
UQTR Patriotes
The Thunderwolves resume their rivalry with UQTR after a one-season break. Lakehead has played Les Patriotes five times; recording a 3-2 record and outscoring UQTR 13-9. UQTR was the first CIS team that the Thunderwolves played against in 2001-02. The teams played last in the round-robin section of the 2002-2003 National Championships, which saw UQTR defeat Lakehead 2-1.
Les Patriotes have won the CIS Championship four times and the Queen's Cup seven times. UQTR posted a 14-6-4 OUA record (20-10-5 overall) last season and were defeated in the OUA Far East Finals by Ottawa two games to one.
Head To Head Results:
Mar. 20, 2003: UQTR 2 Lakehead 1
Oct. 13, 2002: Lakehead 4 UQTR 2
Oct. 12, 2002: Lakehead 4 UQTR 0
Oct, 13, 2001: Lakehead 3 UQTR 1
Oct. 12, 2001: UQTR 4 Lakehead 1
McGill Redmen
The oldest hockey team in the world enters its 129th season looking to improve upon last season's results in the fierce OUA Far East Division. McGill went 9-9-4-2 in regular season play (10-14-5 overall) and finished out of the playoffs last year. The Redmen have won 23 Championships in their previous century and a quarter, including 13 Queen's Cups, second only to the Toronto Varsity Blues. This will be the first ever meeting between the Redmen and the Thunderwolves.
Head Coach Martin Raymond is back for his 10th season and has a strong returning corp like 6'6" fifth year defensman Daniel Jacob. Jacob is also one of the players trying out on CBC's Making The Cut. Coach Raymond is also expecting that former Redmen standout Greg Davis will return for his fifth year of eligibility after spending two seasons in the St. Louis Blues farm system. Other players to watch are 4th year center Doug Orr and 3rd year player Benoit Martin.
Coach Raymond also has some strong recruits like freshman goaltender Mathieu Poitras who played for Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL. Poitras just returned from a strong showing at the Annaheim Mighty Ducks' Rookie Camp.
Ottawa Gee Gees:
The Ottawa Gee Gees begin the 2004-05 season, their 115th year of competitive hockey, with high hopes. This will be the first time they have ever faced off against Lakehead. Ottawa is coming off a 2003-04 season that saw them win the OUA Far East Division Championship by dethroning six-time Queen'