Thompson Rivers adds in goal with signing of Fernie's Chris Solecki

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Thompson Rivers University believes they have found one of their goalies of the future. General manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz are pleased to announce that 21-year old Chris Solecki of Burns Lake, B.C. has agreed to commitment letter with the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League club.

Solecki, a 5'11" goaltender, played in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League this past season with the Fernie Ghostriders. He appeared in 38 games, winning 24, losing 12 and tying one with a goals against average of 2.88 and a saves per centage of .912.

"Chris is an accomplished junior goaltender who comes from a winning program in Fernie," says Hans. "We have had the luxury of solid goaltending the past few years with Shane Mainprize and Riley Wall. We made recruiting their replacements a high priority."

"Chris is an athletic goalie, who moves well, competes and handles the puck well," adds Schulz. "We are fortunate to get a goalie of Chris’ talents and experience to fill our void. I’m looking forward to working with Chris in the future and am most pleased with his addition to the WolfPack."

"I was looking at some NCAA Division III schools and a few other teams in the BCIHL," said Solecki, who played 12 playoff games in 2012-13 with Fernie. He won six and lost six and had a 2.79 goals against average with a saves percentage of .915.

"I'm looking to pursue a career in agriculture," he said, adding that TRU was the closest option to his home where he could go to school and play hockey. "My family owns a cattle ranch in Burns Lake and I will be preparing to take it over eventually."

Solecki says with the two starters graduating, Thompson Rivers was even more a great fit.

"I’m excited for the season to start. I am a very motivated and competitive guy and I think there may be an opportunity to get a lot of playing time here."

His coach in Fernie last season was longtime Junior Hockey man Barry Wolff.

"Chris is athletic, challenges well, quick lateral movement, strong at playing the puck, competes and hates to lose whether it is a game or a practice. He is a very mature player—focused on and off the ice."

He adds: "Whenever you move up a level in hockey, there is generally an adjustment period, but I think Chris will settle in at the BCIHL level very well. The Fernie Ghostriders congratulate both Chris and Thompson Rivers University. The WolfPack not only got a great goalie but a great person."

"I've heard many good things about the BCIHL," Solecki states. "I've heard it's a high caliber league and is getting better every year. I am very excited to have the opportunity to play in it next year."

Solecki becomes the fifth recruit to commit to Thompson Rivers for the 2013-14 season joining forward Brandon Watson (Osoyoos Coyotes, KIJHL) and defencemen Alex Martin (Delta Ice Hawks, PIJHL), Ryan Cuthbert (Delta Ice Hawks, PIJHL) and Cameron Weir (Nelson Leafs, KIJHL).

The WolfPack have a number of other announcements to come in the coming weeks including at least another goaltender.