2015/16 KIJHL MVP and leading scorer Rainer Glimpel is the first member of the Simon Fraser University Men’s Hockey recruiting class for the 2016/17 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
Glimpel joins the Clan after putting up 85 points (30G 55A) in 52 regular season games as Captain of the KIJHL's Osoyoos Coyotes.
“He’s a dynamic player, every time he’s on the ice you know something is going to happen, he makes the players around him better because they know if they get open he’ll find them,” Osoyoos Coyotes Head Coach Ken Law said of Glimpel.
Along with natural gifts on the offensive side of the ice, he will bring an edge to the SFU line-up.
“In three years with us he only missed one game, he’s certainly not going to shy away from the physical game, he’s always the first guy to the puck in the corners,” added Law.
His talent and grit are both things SFU head coach Mark Coletta is excited about when it comes to Glimpel.
"Rainer will give us some size up the middle and with his offensive abilities we expect him to contribute on the scoresheet.”
The Calgary, AB native spent his entire junior career with the Osoyoos Coyotes putting up 185 points (68G 117A) in 155 games.
When asked to describe his game Glimpel said, "I would describe myself as a playmaking centre with good speed and vision, I like to draw the opposing players towards me so that my teammates can find openings.”
As for his goals this season: “I want to crack the lineup and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
While coach Coletta is looking for talent and effort on the ice, building a positive team culture off the ice is also important.
“One of the biggest attributes about Rainer is his character and there is no substitute for that on and off the ice. These are the types of student-athletes we want at SFU.”
The words about Glimpel’s character were also echoed by his previous coach.
“He’s a great leader in the room and in the community, he was always trying to help his teammates and he also organized many events out in the community.”
Rainer is the first recruit for the 2016-17 season for SFU. He will be majoring in Psychology while at SFU.