TRU snags forward Kevin Lourens from provincial champion Abbotsford Pilots

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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack has signed its first recruit from the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. General manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz are pleased to welcome 20-year old forward Kevin Lourens to the B.C Intercollegiate Hockey League team for this fall.

Lourens, a native of Maple Ridge, B.C., was a member of the Cyclone Taylor Cup and Keystone Cup-winning Abbotsford Pilots in 2011-12. The 5'9" forward had 15 goals and 15 assists in 22 regular season games. He added seven goals and nine assists in 16 playoff games.

"I’ve heard nothing but good things about the hockey program at TRU," says Lourens, who along with linemates Riley Lamb and Justin Dorey were considered to be one of the top lines in BC Junior B hockey this past season.

Hans is happy to have Lourens, who will take business courses at Thompson Rivers this season after starting the Kinesiology program at the University of the Fraser Valley in 2011-12, on board.

"Kevin is a skilled forward who brings an impressive resume from his years with the Abbotsford Pilots of the PIJHL," he says. "Kevin comes highly recommended from coach Jim Cowden in Abbotsford. The Pilots won the 2012 Western Canada Keystone Cup Championship with Kevin making a huge contribution."

"Kevin comes from a solid Junior hockey program and he is a well-rounded player who competes in all three zones on the ice. I expect Kevin to push our returning veteran players for ice time and want to welcome Kevin to our hockey program."

Schulz believes Lourens will be able to make a contribution to the WolfPack.

"I am most pleased that Kevin decided to commit to us. He’ll provide some offense and we hear good things from his former coach. Kevin has shown the ability to put points on the board whether it’s playoffs or regular season. It’s a sign of consistency and being able to perform under pressure. I’m expecting him to do the same for us."

Lourens becomes the 11th player to commit to Thompson Rivers for the coming season. He is joined by 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), Adrien Hervillard (Mattawa Voyageurs, GMHL (Ontario) and Alessio Tomassetti (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL).

The WolfPack begin their training camp the first week of September.