One of the main strengths of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey club in 2010-11 was it’s goaltending. The WolfPack are hoping that they will be strong ‘between the pipes’ again this upcoming B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League Season.
The WolfPack have announced that Shane Mainprize of Valemount, BC will come to TRU in September to play for the hockey team. Mainprize is 22 years old and has spent the past two seasons playing in the Alberta College Athletic Conference with the Portage College Voyageurs of Lac La Biche.
The 5’11” Mainprize is hoping to get into the Joinery program at Thompson Rivers University.
“Kamloops is like my second home,” he says. “ I have many relatives and friends living in the city and for the past few years I've spent some of my summers in Kamloops. I really enjoy it here and its close to home.”
Mainprize describes himself as a butterfly goaltender who plays an aggressive style.
In 2010-11, he suffered a groin injury which limited him to only three games, 164 minutes played with a goals against average of 3.66. he had a loss and a tie. His rookie season in Portage saw Mainprize appear in eight games notching a shutout, a record of two wins, three losses and a tie with a goals against average of 3.37.
Mainprize’s junior hockey career consisted of Junior “B” with the Grande Prairie Wheelers before jumping to the BC Junior Hockey League where started with the Prince George Spruce Kings before being traded to the Merritt Centennials. He was a BCHL All-Star in 2007-08 and a NWJHL All-Star in 2006-07. Mainprize finished his junior career in Grand Forks of the KIJHL.
“Shane is a great addition to the club,”says WolfPack General Manager Chris Hans. “ I first saw Shane when he played for Merritt. I know he will have a great deal of success in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League.”
“With Anthony Manfredi (Prince George, BC) currently weighing his options for next season, we are quite happy to solidify our goaltending with the addition of Mainprize and returnee Riley Wall (Kamloops, BC),” Hans added.
Mainprize has taken a year of upgrading and has a certificate in Physical Fitness from Portage College.
“Im really looking forward to playing for the WolfPack. I'm very excited for the coming season. “he states. “ I have followed them the past two seasons and have seen how successful they are going to to the finals both years. Kamloops is a hockey town and I understand the following is tremendous. I’m also looking forward to becoming involved in the many community activities the ‘Pack are involved with.”
One of his teammates with Merritt was WolfPack defenceman Tyler Halliday. Mainprize has skated with many of the other players in the summer at conditioning camps put on by former TRU head coach Lorne Cumming.
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