Former WHL, BCHL forward Ryan Hanes commits to Thompson Rivers University

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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have made a major signing as they look towards being one of the top teams in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League in 2014/15.

The WolfPack and head coach Don Schulz have announced the commitment of forward Ryan Hanes (Kamloops, BC) to the club for the coming season.

Hanes is a former Western Hockey League player with the Kamloops Blazers and the Prince George Cougars. He becomes the third player with WHL experience to play for the WolfPack since they entered the BCIHL five years ago.

"I'm most excited in attaining Ryan's services," says Schulz. "It’s not every day that one signs a player with a resume like Ryan's. He is a proven player at the Major Junior level and was better than a point per game in his short stint as a Jr. A player."

"My expectation for Ryan is high; his 3rd and 4th line role at the WHL level will be different here. I've warned him to be in top condition because I expect top 6 minutes which includes lots of special teams. I've known Ryan a long time, he's a class act and a great fit for our program. It was really important to sign Ryan, to set the tone for our off-season and is a most positive step for this program."

Hanes played 180 games with Kamloops from 2008-2012, scoring 16 goals, 24 assists and adding 244 minutes in penalty time. He scored 12 goals and 13 assists in 20 games with the BCHL's Cowichan Valley Capitals to begin the 2012-13 season before being acquired by the Prince George Cougars, where he finished his junior hockey career there with 7 goals and 4 assists and 55 minutes in penalty time in 43 games.

The 5-foot-10, 195 pound Hanes was a prolific scorer in minor hockey and was a 5th round draft pick of the Blazers in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.

"I had to change my game a lot after minor hockey," Hanes said. "I was put on the third or fourth line and became a grinder. I feel coming into the BCIHL, I hope to be able to regain that scoring touch."

"I'm excited to be taking advantage of the WHL education fund and to stay at home and go to TRU is a bonus," says Hanes who is undecided as to what program he will enter. " took a year off and was missing hockey. Joining the WolfPack and getting an education while playing seems like the ideal fit."

He admits that it will be a challenge balancing school work and hockey after being away for a few years but he is looking forward to working hard.

While playing with the Blazers, Hanes had a big following. He is hoping that some of those people will come watch him play at Memorial Arena this fall with Thompson Rivers.

Hanes played minor and some junior with current TRU players Ryan Skinner and Richard Vanderhoek.

Kamloops Blazers General Manager Craig Bonner had this to say about his former player: "Ryan is a character guy who is hard-nosed and an ultimate team player. He can play in all situations and will be a great addition to the Thompson Rivers program."

Thompson Rivers finished fourth in the BCIHL in 2013-14 with 19 points. They bowed to the eventual league champions from Selkirk College in the first round of the playoffs.

The WolfPack plan to make a number of other signing announcements in the near future.