For the first time in their history, Thompson Rivers University will have two American born players on their roster. The WolfPack have secured the services of 21-year old defenceman Hunter Jenerou of Spring Lake, Michigan.
Jenerou will join the program in time for the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League campaign. He spent last season as an overage player with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League's Castlegar Rebels.
The 5-foot-9 Jenerou had nine goals and 22 assists in 57 games with the Rebels last season and has career totals in the KIJHL of 102 games played, 15 goals, 42 assists and 58 penalty minutes.
He joins fellow recruit Spencer Schoech of the KIJHL's Kamloops Storm as the U.S. born players on the WolfPack this year.
Schoech is a native of Dublin, California.
"Hunter's role on our hockey club was to play in all situations (5v5 and special teams)," says Rebels coach and general manager Jesse Dorrans. "He was leaned upon to be a leader on the ice with our younger players but also off the ice in terms of teaching them how to be a role model in the community."
"I'm fast, jump in the play and an offensive defenseman that sees the ice very well," Jenerou says when asked about a self-evaluation. "I see the ice very well using my speed to my advantage when it comes to making plays. But, at the same time, I am also solid in the defensive corners and along the boards winning one-on-one battles."
WolfPack head coach Don Schulz is excited about securing a player like Jenerou.
"I'm very pleased that Hunter has decided to commit to our program and enroll at TRU. He is more of an offensive-style defenseman. He's a great puck-mover that will be a strong complement to our present D corps. He has competed against a number of our KI guys. so I'm sure he will make himself at home real quick. Another great fit for our program and a welcomed addition."
When asked about how someone from Michigan winds up in the Kootenays playing junior hockey, Jenerou explains: "Originally I was scouted by the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) my senior year in high school. Unfortunately, I didn't make the cut but they were able to find me a spot in Castlegar. I automatically fell in love with the team and the community."
He will be taking general studies in his first year at TRU.
"I was looking at about four NCAA Division III schools out East," he says about his aspirations before deciding to come to Thompson Rivers.
Jenerou is looking forward to being a part of the team and its community work.
"Honestly, I love going out to community events and helping any way possible. In Castlegar, we did a lot of work at the schools and on the ice with little kids. When I was in high school, we did a lot of volunteering. It's not unfamiliar ground to me."
Other players committed to the WolfPack Hockey program for the coming season are: Ryan Hanes (Prince George Cougars, WHL), Andrew Stack (Princeton Posse, KIJHL), Tylor Branzsen (Peninsula Panthers, VIJHL), Sam Nigg (Summerland Sting, KIJHL) and Conor McCoach (Concordia University, NCAA Div. III).
The WolfPack will have training camp in September. They play their home games out of the historic Memorial Arena where the WHL's Kamloops Blazers had some of their finest moments in the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
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