The Lakehead Thunderwolves open their 2005-06 CIS hockey campaign against the Manitoba Bisons this Friday and Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. The Wolves ended last season ranked No. 8 in the CIS and will look to this series to see what their new squad looks like against a very formidable Manitoba team that ended last season ranked No. 3. This will be the fifth and sixth meetings between the teams with both teams recording two wins apiece while Manitoba has outscored Lakehead 16-14.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau is back for his fifth season behind the Lakehead bench. Belliveau, who holds the All-time Lakehead career wins record of 104 set in four seasons, said his team is anxious to see some competition against a very tough Manitoba squad. We are very happy to continue our great rivalry with the Bisons. We know that all Canada West teams play fast and physical hockey and were looking forward to a great series to see just where were at early in the season.
Lakehead recorded a 15-8-1mark in OUA play last season (28-19-2 overall)and made it to the OUA West finals where they lost two games to one to arch rival Western in OT of the third game. The Wolves recorded a 5-2 OUA playoff mark. Lakehead only lost defensman Dene Poulin and forwards Austin Wycisk, Jounni Kuokkanen, and Francis Walker from last years team so a strong corp of returning veterans is back led by 2004-05 Joseph E. Sullivan Trophy Winner, CIS All Canadian, four-time OUA All Star, and team Captain Joel Scherban who is back for his fifth and final season.
Scherban is the Thunderwolves All Time Leading scorer and will most likely set the Lakehead All Time mark this season as he begins 05-06 with 208 total points, only 18 behind the Lakehead record of 226 set by Murray Smith of the Lakehead Norwesters. The fifth year senior said he and the Wolves have unfinished business. I am really looking forward to this season as this is my last year and I think we have an excellent group of guys that can make a strong run in the OUA and the CIS.
Also returning is fellow All Canadian, OUA All Star, and fan favourite Jeff Richards who again will wow the Fort William Gardens crowds with his offensive talent. The speedy Richards (fourth year) is second in career Thunderwolves points and goals.
All Canadian defenseman Erik Lodge will also be back for his fifth year to anchor the blue line and the powerplay, as well as the strong goaltending duo of Grant McCune (fifth year) and Chris Whitley (second year). Lodge leads the Wolves in almost every statistical career category for defensemen. McCune has the Thunderwolves record for most career wins and starts while Whitley set the rookie record for wins last season.
Also back at forward are players such as Peter Cava, Murray Magill, Jason Lange, Mike Wehrstedt, Tobias Whelan, Sean Stefanski,and Andrew Brown who the Wolves will be counting on for their experience, offensive output, and all around play.
On the blue line, there is a lot of great news for Lakehead fans. Last season the defensive corps was hampered by injuries and the loss of OUA All Star Mike Jacobsen. Drew Kivell (second year) and his accurate breakout passing will be back as he is fully recovered from the concussion suffered against Michigan Tech that put him out for the second half of last season. The final piece of fantastic news for Thunderwolves fans and the Lakehead blueliner corp is thatJacobsen is back in the lineup this year which is a real boost to Lakeheads offense and its powerplay.
Defenders like Hugo Lehoux (fourth year) and third year stalwarts Steve Rawski and Mike Self are also back on the point to keep opponents<