Sean Maktaak commits to TRU from BCHL's Merritt Centennials for 2013/14

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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have signed a lot of recruits this offseason. But, for the first time in 2013, the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League club has secured the services of a player who finished his junior career in the B.C. Hockey League.

WolfPack general manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz are pleased to announce the signing of forward Sean Maktaak of Penticton, B.C. Maktaak spent the last three seasons with the BCHL's Merritt Centennials.

"The addition of Sean to our line-up automatically makes us a much better hockey team," says Hans. "Sean is a versatile hockey player who is accomplished in all three zones of the ice. He plays a defensively responsible game and also chips in on offense (33 points in 2012-13). Sean comes to us from a top program in arguably the best Junior A league in Canada. I expect that Sean will have an immediate impact on the BCIHL and prove to be a leader on the WolfPack roster for years to come."

"It’s great to move to a bigger city and it's close to home,” says the 6-foot-1 Maktaak, who had eight goals and 25 assists in the regular season with Merritt and added three playoff points. He was named the Centennials' Most Gentlemanly Player. 

"I'm anxious to be a part of a franchise on the rise," he adds.

Maktaak played minor or junior hockey with fellow WolfPack recruits Brandon Watson and Cameron Weir and second-year forward Colten DeFrias. He will take general studies at TRU.

"It will be an adjustment going to a place where studies take the front seat over hockey," he states. "I haven't been in school for a couple of years but I know I will try hard both at the rink and in the classroom."

"Sean is a great kid and will be a great addition to TRU," says Merritt general manager and coach Luke Pierce, who coached him the past three seasons. "Sean has excellent creativity. He is tough, and a good skater. He has soft hands and a strong skating ability. He has the potential to be a top 10 player overall in the BCIHL."

Maktaak had offers from some NCAA Division III schools but elected to go to Thompson Rivers.

"This appears to be a similar situation to what I experienced when I went to Merritt," he says about the WolfPack program. "We had a core of young guys and built our team to a very competitive level. I am anxious to do that again."

Pierce says Maktaak is versatile; "He played in all situations with our team, filling energy-type roles to this past season as a first line right winger. He is always willing to stick up for his teammates."

"Recruiting at times can be very onerous, time consuming and challenging," said Thompson Rivers head coach Don Schulz. "In this instance however, it can also be very rewarding. When I first watched Sean play with the Merritt Centennials, my first comment to assistant coach Kevin Johnston was: 'Geez, would I like to get that guy'. He echoed my comment and much to my pleasure, it’s come to fruition. Sean played in all situations and was most dependable. He continued the same standard of play in subsequent times I watched him and I personally was surprised that he didn’t get more interest from NCAA Division I schools."

Schulz goes onto say: "He is a very accomplished player and has all the attributes that I like. Above all, is his compete level and work ethic. I was impressed with him in our conversations and I feel most fortunate that Sean has committed to us. I expect him to provide significant contributions on and off the ice; he will be a welcome complement to our returning forwards I am excited to be coaching Sean in the future to see how good he can become."

Maktaak is aware of the media attention that the WolfPack garner in Kamloops and is looking forward to being a part of their many community activities.

"Working with youngsters and being in the community can help not only my development as an individual but the team as well in getting more fans to come cheer us on."

"We are excited that Sean has been given the opportunity to attend a great university like Thompson Rivers," says Pierce. "And he’s able to continue playing hockey at a high level. We look forward to tracking his progress down the road in Kamloops."

Other WolfPack recruits for 2013-14 are forwards Colton Schell (Nelson Leafs, KIJHL), Daniel Higgs (Aldergrove Kodiaks, PIJHL), Ryan Veillet (Aldergrove Kodiaks, PIJHL), Brandon Watson (Osoyoos Coyotes, KIJHL), Brodie Gibbon (Selkirk College, BCIHL)and  John Proctor (Selkirk College, BCIHL), as well as defencemen Alex Martin (Delta Ice Hawks, PIJHL), Ryan Cuthbert (Delta Ice Hawks, PIJHL) and Cameron Weir (Nelson Leafs, KIJHL), plus goaltenders Mark Menicucci (Aldergrove Kodiaks, PIJHL), Chris Solecki (Fernie Ghostriders, KIJHL), and Stephen Wolff (Selkirk College, BCIHL).