Lakehead Thunderwolves Graduate Austin Wycisk (03-04 to 04-05) has signed a professional contract with the REV Bremerhaven Fischtown Pinguins of the German First Division. Wycisk graduated from Lakehead this past spring with an Honours Bachelor Degree of Engineering.
Last season the big power forward from Windsor, Ontario played on Lakeheads first line with CIS All Canadians Joel Scherban and Jeff Richards. Wycisk had a breakout season playing on that line and notched 9 goals and 21 assists in 40 games.
Wycisks father is German so Austin has dual Canadian/German citizenship and plays for Bremerhaven as a German national. Becoming a Pinguin gives Wycisk a chance to play in front of his grandfather, uncles, aunts, and cousins who live throughout Germany.
Wycisk is the second former Lakehead player to recently sign in Europe. Jounni Kuokkanen, who graduated from Lakehead this past spring with a History Degree, signed with Paris team; the Hockey Club Les Bisons de Neuilly Sur Marne of the French First Division. Kuokkanen graduated from Lakehead this past spring with a History degree and was named an RBC Academic All Canandian.
Interestingly, Wycisk is dating Jaana Kuokkanen, a Thunder Bay primary school teacher, and sister of his ex-Lakehead team-mate Jounni. Sister Jaana will be travelling to Paris and Bremerhaven this Christmas holiday to visit both.