The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have signed their 10th prospect for the 2012-13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season after nabbing a second forward from the Central Interior Senior Hockey League.
Center Alessio Tomassetti of Quesnel, B.C. has signed a letter of intent to go to Thompson Rivers in the fall. Tomassetti played last season with the Quesnel Kangaroos where he notched 13 goals and 19 assists in 18 games helping them to and appearance in the Coy Cup Championship Final.
Tomassetti will be taking the electrical trades program at TRU and chose this school over some in Alberta.
"I heard the TRU hockey program is a great one and its had a lot of success," the 5'9" Tomassetti states. "They have almost one the title a couple of times and I am hoping this year I can help bring it home."
Tomassetti played three years of junior hockey including the 2009-10 campaign with the BCHL Merritt Centennials and the KIJHL Kamloops Storm.
"Some of my teammates there were (current TRU players) Mike McCance, Tyler Jackson, Chase Edwards and Drew Defrias,” he says.
Tomassetti says his quickness and skills are his main strengths.
"I'm smart with the puck and love putting it in the net," he adds. "I’m excited about returning to play competitive hockey and at the same time going to school. I’m more motivated than ever to get a good education and play for a great hockey club. Kamloops is a great city and supports all three hockey teams there (WHL Blazers, KIJHL Storm and BCIHL WolfPack)."
Says general manager Chris Hans: "Alessio is a player we have had on our radar for a couple of seasons now .He is a dynamic player and I am sure will prove to be a great addition to our club. Alessio was teammates with fellow recruit Rigby Burgart (Quesnel Kangaroos) and as a former Kamloops Storm player will be familiar to many of our fans."
Head coach Don Schulz is also a happy man to know that Tomassetti has chosen TRU to play: "I’m very pleased that Alessio has finally committed to us after 2 years of him on our radar. I coached Alessio when I was an assistant with the Storm. He’s very fit and has an intense personality, one that I can reach though. He was arguably our best forward during the Keystone Tournament which is the Western Canadian championships with Jr. B."
"He can score and is dynamic offensively, but can be sound defensively. He definitely has the potential to be a top 6 forward. It will take some time to adjust to the collegiate game with its speed and intensity, but I feel it will be right up his alley. He’s another welcome addition to the Wolfpack. He’ll fit in like a glove as he knows a lot of players that are on our roster now."
Other players already committing to Thompson Rivers are: Anthony Delong (Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL), Brennan Wright (LaRonge Ice Wolves, SJHL), Tyler Jackson (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL), Rigby Burgart (Quesnel Millionaires, BCHL), Chase Edwards (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL), Colten De Frias (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL), Scott Bollefer (Nipawin Hawks, SJHL), Ben Bula (La Ronge Ice Wolves, SJHL) and Adrien Hervillard (Mattawa Voyageurs, GMHL).
The WolfPack begin their 2012-13 training camp on September 4th.
ICE CHIPS: Tomassetti had 13 points (4 goals and nine assists) in eight regular season games with the Storm and 5 goals and 15 assists in 40 games with Merritt in 2009-10. He started his junior hockey career in Fort Francis, Ontario scoring 12 goals and 39 assists in 45 games with the Sabres in the SIJHL. Tomassetti played 2010-11 with the Williams Lake Stampeders of the CIHL scoring 11 goals and eight assists in 10 games.
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