The first half of the 2012-13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season brought about its fair share of challenges for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. The squad sits tied for fourth following the BCIHL's fall semester with a 4-6-0-1 record.
Coach Don Schulz says that his second year behind the bench has been challenging.
"We had high expectations coming in and we thought we would be vying for the league lead, but it hasn't turned out that way," says second year head coach Don Schulz. "In 11 regular season games, we lost approximately 40 player games to injury and we had one of our assistant captains depart early in the year for personal reasons."
"We also have two highly touted recruits that haven't played a league game yet due to injury; we lost one of our leading scorers, who had only played four games, for the year because of injury; our team captain (Curtis Tonello) who's one of our best defenseman, missed the last four games due to injury. I was expecting that they would all provide major contributions to our success. I've had to juggle the lineup and incorporate some new systems to compensate.”
This came as the WolfPack underwent a massive overhaul in personnel as they brought in 12 new players. Schulz says the highlight of the first half of the season was easy to pinpoint:
"For me, one of the highlights includes the EWU weekend where we had only 10 forwards, 4 defensemen and we managed to get 3 out of 4 points. Overall and more importantly, I've seen how hard our guys have worked on and off the ice. I would guess that no one practices as hard as us, we've had to because we generally only have 3 lines playing against 4 lines of other teams so our fitness and speed of execution has to be better."
"By the end of first term, we'll have had 41 practices, add that to full course loads, games, travel and through it all these guys face adversity head on. Our guys often willingly volunteer for various TRU functions also. I'm very proud of them; they are excellent ambassadors of the community and the school."
Community events that the WolfPack have participated in the first half of the year included Terry Fox runs in local elementary schools, Basics for Babies and the Toys for Kids promotion.
Schulz admits that the team’s record in the first half has been a disappointment. But he says as well, the league as a whole has been much improved.
"The parity has never been better and any team in this league can beat anybody on any given night. For the first couple of years that this team was in the league, it essentially was a two horse race with TRU and SFU. Some of the teams including Selkirk were weaker back then. That's no longer the case."
He credits Selkirk Coach/GM Jeff Dubois for doing a remarkable job in the first half of the season as his team is unbeaten in 12 starts.
"He has done a tremendous job. I believe they have 23 new recruits and they have completely rebuilt the program. I knew they would be way better, but to go undefeated in the first half, in this league, is definitely a surprise."
When it comes to surprises personnel wise, the coach is quick to point to three players: Jarrett Martin, Jake Howardson and Blake Moynes.
"They made our team out of camp essentially as walk-ons and have all played really well," he says.
The WolfPack do have two players in the top 20 in BCIHL scoring. Colten De Frias is fourth in scoring with eight goals and nine assists while Alessio Tomassetti is ninth with seven goals and nine assists.
The WolfPack are hoping to get some of their players back from injury when they resume play in January. They have also added two players with some BCIHL experience in forwards Josh MacDonald and Duncan Schulz.
As he looks ahead of the second half of the season Coach Schulz says: "We've had some not so pleasant experiences and a couple of tough weekends. We'll be stronger for it and the team has really come together. They are a close knit bunch that deserves acknowledgment. They've worked hard and faced some tough challenges."
"Next term, it will be really like adding six new recruits. It will be if we get our walking wounded back, Travis Herlein has done a great job in improving his grades and will now be academically eligible, and with the additions of Josh and Duncan."
"With that, we want to improve our record. I know that will be the expectation of the board and the school. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
The WolfPack return to play on Saturday January 5th in Burnaby against Simon Fraser. Their first home game of 2013 comes up Friday, January 18th at Memorial Arena when they entertain the University of Victoria Vikes. Puck drop is 8:30 pm.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
