When the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey team hits the ice for training camp in a couple of months, they will have two members of the Schulz family in attendance.
Just weeks after Don Schulz was named the new head coach of the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League team last month, his son Duncan has committed to the 'Pack as their second recruit for 2011-12.
“The WolfPack have only been in the league two years and finished second and first,” said the younger Schulz. “They seemed to me to be a pretty good organization and team. They’ve had success in their brief history and I’m looking forward to playing for a competitive team.”
Schulz played the last two seasons with the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In 2010-11, he was the team’s second leading scorer with 20 goals and 29 assists in 43 games. He had four game winning goals and had 30 minutes in penalty time.
The year previous, the 6’0 forward had 15 goals and 22 assists in 49 games with 38 penalty minutes.
“That was a good year for the Storm,” he added. “We went to the Keystone Cup.”
“Duncan Schulz is a skilled, play-making center who I expect will have an immediate impact in the BCIHL next season,’ says WolfPack general manager Chris Hans.
“That’s quite a compliment coming from Chris,” Duncan laughs. “I have always been pretty good with keeping a hold of the puck and having a lot of vision.”
He also has a lot of experience playing the point on the power play.
“Defensively, I like to get better. My play away from the puck is pretty good as well. I find a way to get into the right areas.”
“Duncan has scored at every level he has played and while I suspect he will experience a brief transition period from Junior B to the BCIHL, “Hans says. “I know he is talented enough to put up good numbers for the WolfPack next season.”
Ironically, Duncan Schulz played under Hans and his father with the Norkam Lions Midget “AAA” Rep team in 2008-09.
The obvious question is how is it playing at a competitive level with your father as the head coach. Duncan has a good philosophy on that.
“I’m kind of used to trying to separate dad from coach. There is a little more added pressure but it makes me play better. It doesn’t bother me too much. I know a lot of guys on this team (former junior and minor hockey teammates), it should be pretty fun.”
Schulz was a linemate with current TRU forward Taylor Stuart (Smithers, BC) during his first year with the Storm. Last season's 'Pack starter, Anthony Manfredi (Prince George, BC), was the Storm goalie.
Schulz is entering his second year of Business at TRU. Last season, he split time between his studies and playing for the Storm. So with that in mind, he says it won’t be a stretch to balance the books and practice.
“It wasn’t too bad with the work load,” he says. “This year it should be even better with less travel.”
Schulz will be completing his first year course load and augmenting it with some second year courses. He joins goaltender Shane Mainprize (Valemount, BC) as the two signees for TRU thus far in 2011.
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