WolfPack announce commitment from former Storm standout Collins

Anthony Collins is no stranger to Kamloops. Collins played two seasons with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Kamloops Storm. Now, the 21 year old has decided to begin his university studies and hockey career with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.

“I always loved Kamloops,” says Collins, who spent last season playing Junior “A” hockey in Manitoba for the Winkler Flyers. “When I heard they had a hockey team and how well they did last year, I couldn’t think of a better place to come. After talking to Chris (Hans, Kamloops Collegiate Hockey Society member and former WolfPack coach) and Lorne (Cumming, current TRU coach), next year sounds very promising with the returning vets and players they are recruiting.”

Collins had 12 goals and 16 assists for the Flyers last season. He appeared in 35 games and had 135 penalty minutes. His Flyers lost to the Dauphin Kings in the MJHL Final. He played a season with the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings before being traded east. He had had 5 goals and 9 assists in 59 games in 2007/08 with Prince George.

The right winger plans to take general courses with an eye to becoming a firefighter in the future. Collins is looking forward to being a part of a growing university hockey culture which is developing in Kamloops.

“It's exciting,” he said. “Especially when I heard that we get over a thousand fans. It didn’t really surprise me. I remember the great fans when I played for the Storm. Its going to be exciting coming to the rink to practice when you know there will be so many people watching you on a Saturday night.”

The WolfPack plan to increase their presence in the community during the 2010-11 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League season. Collins can’t wait to become a part of that as well.

“ I think it is great to get your face out in the community and doing great things,” he says. “It brings more fans into your games but you also make a lot of great connections. I think people respect you more when you are out helping.”

Collins is being reunited with former Storm teammates Joel Leonard (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Jassi Sangha (2nd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) who were both his linemates.

“They had only positive things to say about their experience with TRU Hockey. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

WolfPack coach Lorne Cumming says: "Bringing in Anthony Collins will add a physical element to our game that we feel will be very difficult for opposition players to deal with. Anthony excels in physical games as well as wide open contests and brings size, strength and skill to our depth chart that we think will be critical for us to achieve our goals this season. I look forward to having Anthony Collins pull on a Wolfpack jersey."