TRU adds another from BCHL with commitment from Trail's Berkholtz

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Thompson Rivers University will have a lot of new faces when the team hits the ice for training camp in September. General manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz have announced the commitment of their second player from the British Columbia Hockey League.

Forward Tyler Berkholtz of Penticton, B.C. has become the 13th recruit for the 2013/14 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Berkholz spent last season as a member of the BCHL's  Trail Smoke Eaters. He scored nine goals and added 33 assists in 56 regular season games with 38 penalty minutes.

The six-foot tall Berkholtz has four seasons of BCHL experience and has career totals of 39 goals and 123 assists in 195 games with 173 penalty minutes.

"I’m excited to be coming to TRU," he says. "It’s a good school and it's close to home."

Berkholtz will be taking business courses at Thompson Rivers. He joins Sean Maktaak of the Merritt Centennials as the team’s BCHL recruits for this year. Ironically, both are long time friends and minor hockey teammates.

"We are great friends," Berkholtz explains. "We grew up playing minor hockey and lacrosse together and are best friends. As for him making my decision easier, it was more of an 'icing on the cake type of deal'. I was talking to TRU a little earlier than he was and was thinking about it a bit before. It is more or less just a plus that he will be coming too."

Berkholz says he knows many of the current members of the WolfPack and other recruits and is looking forward to reuniting with them in bringing TRU its first BCIHL title this season.

"I am most pleased about Tyler’s addition to our forward contingent," says WolfPack head coach Don Schulz. "As I noted with his good friend Sean Maktaak, recruiting in this case was very rewarding. Tyler impressed me in our conversations; he was forthright with his inquiries and prompt with his responses. Tyler’s stats are one of a consistent performer and I expect him to provide significant contributions from the get go. He is a welcome addition to our line up and I look forward to working with Tyler in the future."

General Manager Chris Hans: "Tyler is an important addition to our line-up not only for his outstanding offensive production but also because of his versatility. He comes to us highly regarded by his junior coach in Trail, Bill Birks. Having played for Bill, I know Tyler will have received quality coaching and will be a responsible hockey player in all three zones of the ice. During the recruiting process, I spoke with Bill a number of times about Tyler. Bill believes Tyler will play a leadership role within a short time frame."

Berholtz becomes the second graduate of the Trail junior hockey program to come to the WolfPack. Current team captain and BCIHL all-star Curtis Tonello is the first.

Smoke Eaters coach and general manager Bill Birks had this to say about TRU's most recent addition: "Tyler was a very huge part of this team both on and off the ice. He is one of the best overall kids that i have ever been able to coach. A natural leader and his work ethic was the best I’ve ever seen. He played in all situations for me from playing the point on the power play to front ending my penalty killing. He was out in all crucial defensive zone faceoffs. I have no doubts he will adjust to the college life with ease as he was taking classes last year."

Birks goes onto say: "You guys are getting a real gem of a player but more importantly a young man that will give all he has both on the ice and in the classroom!"

And putting school ahead of hockey is something that Berkholtz is prepared for: "I'm excited coming to TRU for myself. I was going to make it a 'school first' environment anyway. I am excited to start my future there and move on with my life."

Other WolfPack recruits for 2013-14 are forwards Sean Maktaak (Merritt Centennials, BCHL), 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).