Addition of Rebels' Delong marks first TRU commitment for 2012/13 season

---

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have signed their first recruit for 2012-13. General manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz are pleased to announce that forward Anthony Delong of Castlegar, B.C. has committed to the WolfPack program for the 2012-13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Delong played this past season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the Castlegar Rebels. He was looking at the University of Central Oklahoma and Adrian College in Michigan before deciding on Thompson Rivers University, where he will be taking courses in the Bachelor of Business Administration program with hopes of a major in Human Resource Management.

"I chose TRU because they offered a great HR program and I could play hockey with a good team," said Delong, who is 6’1” and170 pounds.

Delong scored 39 goals and added 43 assists with 132 penalty minutes in 48 games for the Rebels this season. He added five goals and six assist with 36 penalty minutes in the 2011-12 KIJHL playoffs.

"Anthony is a good skating, speedy and a smooth play maker who has prowess around the net. I’ll be looking for him to provide a lot of offense and he should see some power play time. He was a consistent scorer in junior and should be able to do the same for us," says WolfPack head coach Don Schulz.

Former WHL and NHL player Steve Junker (Spokane, New York Islanders) has been Delong’s coach and general manager in Castlegar the past two seasons where he was an assistant captain in 2011-12.

"Anthony was a big power forward that skates extremely well. He was one of the veterans who carried our younger players through the early part of this season and was named our MVP at our awards banquet."

Junker adds: "He has been determined to continue his hockey career since I first came here and have no doubt that he will do whatever it takes to get him ready for the BCIHL. He has accomplished so much at this level that he is ready for a new challenge. I am very happy he decided on a place to play. He is an awesome kid and a great hockey player. I don’t have anything but good things to say about him."

WolfPack general manager Chris Hans stated: "With seven players graduating this year, adding a player of Anthony’s calibre is an important development for the WolfPack hockey program. He brings a nice combination of skill, grit and determination to our program. I am pleased that Anthony will obtain his post secondary education at TRU and play for the WolfPack."

Delong does know one of the current members of the WolfPack. Cody Rose was a teammate of his in Castlegar in 2008-09. Delong has 85 goals and 164 points in 144 KIJHL career games over three seasons.