TWU adds size, strength down the middle with commitment from Jamie Russell

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Trinity Western University will be a whole lot bigger and a whole lot stronger down the middle next year as coach Dwayne Lowdermilk officially announced the signing of 6-foot-3, 210-pound former Miramichi Timberwolves (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League) centre Jamie Russell (Surrey, B.C.) on Wednesday.

The hulking power forward, who graduated from North Surrey Secondary in 2009, will be returning to the West Coast this fall after playing with the New Brunswick-based Timberwolves for the past two years, where he collected eight goals, nine assists and 90 penalty minutes in 97 career games.

"Jamie has a big body and he has a strong, physical presence on the ice," Lowdermilk said. "He has a great skill set and strives to help his team in any way he can. He plays well at both ends of the ice and his ability in the faceoff dot will be an invaluable asset to our team. He is a proven leader on the teams he has played with and he will be a pleasure to coach."

Prior to his stint in Miramichi, which included playing the role of assistant captain this past season, Russell enjoyed a year with the North Delta Devils of the Junior 'B' PIJHL (Pacific International Junior Hockey League), where the defensively conscious two-way forward managed eight goals, 10 assists and 37 penalty minutes in 37 games.

The year before that, he played the 2008-09 season with the Langley-based Valley West Hawks of the BC Major Midget League. With the Hawks, Russell accumulated 10 goals, eight assists and 44 penalty minutes in 39 games.

"I'm really excited to be playing at Trinity Western University next season," said Russell, who plans to study human kinetics. "I have heard great things about the school and the BCIHL. I am looking forward to getting the year started and being given the chance to further my hockey career as I look to both reach my academic goals and help the Spartans win a championship."

Russell joins goalie Harry Fredeman (Delta, B.C.) as Lowdermilk’s two announced recruits for the 2012-13 campaign.