If the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack were worried about offense in the next B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season, they might have eased that burden a bit.
The WolfPack are pleased to announce the signing of forward Colten De Frias of Kamloops, B.C. The 5’8” forward played last season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the Kamloops Storm.
De Frias, along with fellow WolfPack recruits Tyler Jackson and Chase Edwards formed one of the highest scoring lines in all of Junior “B” Hockey last season. Together, they had 254 points. De Frias has the most with a team leading 37 goals and 58 assists in 48 games.
"I am excited and thrilled to be joining the WolfPack," he said. "To be honest, it made my decision so much easier once I heard and read that my old linemates — not just my line mates but good child hood friends from last year off the Storm (Jackson and Edwards) had signed with the WolfPack. I am hoping to re unite with them and other friends of mine on the TRU team."
De Frias had a lot of options before deciding to stay home and take some Arts courses at Thompson Rivers with an eye to entering the Police and Justice program in the future. He would like to become an RCMP officer some day.
"I had many NCAA Division II and III schools interested in me (Arizona State, Concordia, Michigan, Colorado State)," he explained. "I just thought, why go to those schools and play so much money a semester when I have a great university in my back yard with a strong hockey program."
De Frias knows where his strengths lie: "My number one strength is for sure my speed, which will help me out a lot in this league. I’m also confident that I can contribute in the scoring and setting up players for goals. I've always considered myself as a play maker."
Both Jackson and Edwards are ecstatic at the news of De Frias becoming a member of the WolfPack. Says Edwards: "We are good friends. We have played with and against each other since Initiation hockey. I am hoping we get to play on a line together again and repeat how we did last year."
And Jackson? "I am very excited to hear that Colten is joining the WolfPack. We have played together on a few different minor hockey teams, I'm sure there have been plenty of times where we have been on a line throughout our years together. Last year was great playing with Colten and Chase, we played on a line for almost the whole season and developed a lot of good chemistry. When you play with someone for that long, it makes it easier to be successful as you find out each other’s tendencies and style of play. It was especially easy to play with Colten because of his speed and skill. I have played against Colten while he was with the Chase Chiefs and it is safe to say I enjoy playing with him far more than against him. Colten is a great player as well as a great friend and I'm very pleased to continue playing on the same team."
Like Jackson and Edwards, De Frias has played for WolfPack head coach Don Schulz before, in minor hockey.
"He is a great coach and I’m excited to be playing for him again," he says.
As for the coach? "I am most pleased that Colten has committed to the WolfPack," states Schulz. "I have high expectations for this young man. He has character and heart and I know how hard he can play. I am really excited to work with Colten again; I haven’t coached him for a long time but I know him well. We now have the three leading scorers from the Storm and they’ll provide a solid local component to the team. Colten is a tireless worker and doesn’t shy away from any physicality. He has excellent speed and can score. He’s a welcome addition to the Pack."
De Frias and his family billeted WolfPack defenceman Mike McCance (Whistler, BC) this past year. His older brother Drew was a rookie on the TRU squad in 2011-12.
"I think I will adjust quickly to the league," Colten says. "I watched a few games last year. I think the only problem I will have is the size difference along with playing with and against older and stronger men."
Colten started his KIJHL career with the old Chase Chiefs before joining the Storm last season. Kamloops owner and general manager Barry Dewar is happy to see three of his former players being reunited with the WolfPack.
"We are pleased that Colten De Frias has accepted an offer to continue his hockey with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack," he said. "Colten only played with the Storm the one season, but we have known him as a competitor in the league for the last four years. Colten is a very good skater and we tried to get him to play for our team 3 years ago, however, his dedication to the Chase team at the time shows the character of the individual. Colten was a model player and leader for our club, and his statistics speak for themselves. Colten’s ability really showed when he had the opportunity to play with two other classy and talented players in Tyler Jackson and Chase Edwards. Those three players had a special chemistry that made them one of the best lines in the KIJHL and helped our team to a great season. It will be a special treat for them and the fans of the WolfPack as they continue with their hockey career at Thompson Rivers University and we wish all three the best of luck."
De Frias becomes the sixth recruit signed by the WolfPack this off season. He joins Jackson and Edwards along with: Anthony Delong (Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL), Brennan Wright (LaRonge Ice Wolves, SJHL) and Rigby Burgart (Quesnel Millionaires, BCHL).
ICE CHIPS: De Frias on the ‘magic’ he and line mates Jackson and Edwards possessed: “It was my first year playing with them again since our Bantam years. I’ve never had so much fun playing hockey as i did with those two great fellas. I think we wereso unique because Edwards had the size to separate the body from the puck and able to pass to either me or Jackson who also had tons of speed and great hockey sense and tons of skill. But mostly it was our chemistry we were always talking to each other on and off the ice and knowing were each other are on the ice, and when we had our chances we would bury on them.”
De Frias’ uncle, Greg Kozoris is the WolfPack’s strength and conditioning coach.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
