TWU opens 2017/18 recruiting class with additions of Wiens, Campbell & Burk

Trinity Western University men’s hockey coach Barret Kropf officially announced the commitments of defencemen Mack Wiens and Brendan Campbell as well as forward Connor Burk as the first three signees of his 2017 recruiting class.

All three bring impressive junior hockey experience and will immediately help bolster a Spartans lineup that is graduating eight players this season.

Wiens is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound blueliner who comes to TWU after playing with the Osoyoos Coyotes of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, where the blueliner scored three goals and added 15 assists in 80 games. Prior to that, Wiens played three years at the prestigious Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask.

“Mack comes to TWU with a strong pedigree,” Kropf said. “We have known him from his time in Saskatchewan at Notre Dame and his past few years in the KIJHL have given him the opportunity to continue to develop and grow both on and off the ice. We look forward to having a quality individual like Mack in our program and having his hard work ethic fit right into our returning core.”

Wiens, 20, plans to study Business at TWU.

Brendan Campbell’s signing with TWU marks something of a coming home party for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound defenceman, as he returns to the Lower Mainland after playing Junior A in Ontario with Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. While with Timmins Rock, he tallied four goals and added 16 assists in 48 games.

Before heading to Ontario, Campbell spent two years playing Junior B in the PJHL Pacific Junior Hockey League, which included 54 games with the Langley Knights. All told, he played 74 games over two seasons in the PJHL, putting up four goals and five assists while amassing 164 penalty minutes.

“I love to see local guys go and gain Junior A experience in other parts of the nation and then return to the BCIHL,” Kropf said. “It speaks volumes to how much the league has grown in caliber and recognition. Brendan is a quality young man who brings that traditional size that our defensive core has been known for. We look forward to seeing his experience put to use as we grow our program and pursue a championship next season.”

Campbell, 20, who graduated from Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, plans to study Sport & Leisure Management at TWU.

Connor Burk joins the Spartans via the SJHL after spending three years with the Weyburn Red Wings, where he put up 20 goals and 28 assists in 140 games. Like Campbell, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound forward is returning to his roots as he too hails from the Lower Mainland and also had a stint in the PJHL. In 2014-15, prior to his time in Weyburn, Burk played five games with the Grandview Steelers, scoring four goals and adding two assists.

“We are excited to be adding Connor to the Spartan family,” Kropf said. “He is a local B.C. guy who has proven his value to the Red Wings in the SJHL. Connor will come to our program and plug into an already exciting lineup. He plays a relentless 60-minute game and will fit in well with our culture as a guy who wants to improve daily.”

Burk, 20, who graduated from Centennial Secondary, plans to study Business at TWU.