Aldergrove, B.C. is known as an agricultural hot bed. So it seems more than right that when the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack were looking for a place to ‘harvest’ some talent for the future, they stopped off in the Central Fraser Valley community.
The WolfPack are pleased to announce that they have secured the services of three players who played for the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the Pacific Junior Hockey League last season. Goaltender Mark Menicucci along with forwards Daniel Higgs and Ryan Veillet have signed letters of intent to join the team starting in September 2013.
The three bring the total number of WolfPack recruits for the coming year to eight.
"Daniel and Ryan bring offensive consistency (1.1 and 0.9 points per game respectively to the WolfPack line up," said Thompson Rivers general manager Chris Hans. "Secondary scoring is vital in the BCIHL and I believe both players will help us out."
"I'm most pleased that Mark has committed to our program," added WolfPack head coach Don Schulz. "Whenever we can add a goaltender of Mark’s credentials, it’s a big plus for the team. He’ll have big shoes to fill with the departure of our two veteran starters (Shane Mainprize and Riley Wall). I am most confident that Mark can help fill the void. He has put up excellend numbers in junior and I expect him to provide significant contributions next season."
Meniccuci is from Surrey, BC. He played in 28 games this past season and had 19 wins and 8 losses with a goals against average of 2.17 and a saves percentage of .934. Menicucci was a PJHL all-star in 2012-13 and led his team to the league final. He played two and a half years in Aldergrove.
"I chose TRU because it is a well known school with a great hockey program and they offered me a spot that I couldn’t refuse. I was thinking of playing another year of junior until TRU gave me this offer."
Menicucci will be taking some business and criminology courses at TRU.
Higgs is from Langley, B.C. and played 34 regular season games with the Kodiaks, scoring 13 goals, 22 assists and had 81 penalty minutes.
"I'm a gritty player who can play two-way hockey and create offense out of the corners down low," he says. "I look forward to playing alongside Ryan. We have been teammates for the last two years and know how to help each other on the ice."
Higgs will be taking courses towards achieving a Bachelor of Business Administration at TRU. He is a former teammate of current WolfPack players Joshua MacDonald, Travis Herlein and Kevin Lourens.
"My strengths as a player are being smart with the puck, making good decisions and offensive choices," states Veillet, who like Higgs will be looking to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. "As a forward, I can contribute both offensively and defensively to the team. My desire to improve my game continually has driven my hard work ethic and heart. I'm very rounded and adaptive to any situation and have played both center and wing. I see the ice very well and have great confidence in my shooting abilities and puck handling."
His brother Chad is a BCIHL alumnus who played with the Trinity Western Spartans.
"I have played three years in the PJHL and think that the BCIHL will be a natural progression for myself and my aspirations as a player."
All three of the new WolfPack players were coached in Aldergrove by Ron Johnson. Johnson has coached at various levels including winning three PJHL titles and two provincial Junior “B” championships over his 40 years of coaching. He has this assessment of the newest TRU players:
Menicucci: "He is a big reason why we turned our season around this year. He pushed himself and helped us to a 19-2 record in the second half. He wants to be a champion and lead by example. He is a great kid inside and outside of the dressing room."
Higgs: "Very serious. He is intelligent and a great practice player. He is very skilled. At times though—he tries to do too much. He is a character kid and sees the ice very well. He was one of our best power play players."
Veillet: "Very speedy. He has good puck control. He plays with a lot of emotion and stood out many times with his ability to fore check and back check."
He adds that all three of his now former players are great citizens who will do well helping to maintain the WolfPack’s status as community leaders.
The three Kodiaks join Ryan Cuthbert and Alex Martin as new Thompson Rivers recruits from the PJHL. Both played with the Delta Ice Hawks this past season.
"Both Martin and Cuthbert are big, strong d-men that are hard to play against," says Higgs. "It will be great to have them as teammates."
"“I played Midget AAA with Alex," says Veillet. "He is a tough player, great on the point and a very reliable defenceman. Cuthbert is reliable and a great offensive defenceman. I’m excited to play with both of them."
Other Thompson Rivers Recruits for 2012-13 announced so far are: Brandon Watson (Osoyoos, KIJHL), Cameron Weir (Nelson, KIJHL) and Chris Solecki (Fernie, KIJHL). More are expected in the coming weeks.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
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