THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey program announced the 2016-17 season roster today. The team will carry 26 players consisting of 16 forwards, 7 defencemen and 3 goalies.
The squad comprises 2 fifth-year seniors, 2 seniors, 7 juniors, 8 sophomores, and 7 freshmen.
The 16 forwards are fifth-year seniors Carson Dubchak and Kelin Ainsworth; senior Cody Alcock; juniors Austin McDonald, Dylan Butler, Trevor Hynnes, Brennen Dubchak and E.J. Faust; sophomores Billy Jenkins, Garick Gray and Sam Schutt; and freshmen Zack Whitlock, Evan Mignault, Liam Alcalde, Devin Fullum and Grant Valiquette.
The 7 defencemen are juniors Justin Sefton and Tyler Anton; sophomores Linden Springer, Jake Ringuette, Matt Alexander and transfer Dillon Donnelly; plus freshman Patrick Murphy.
The 3 goalies are senior Justin McDonald, sophomore Devin Green and freshman Riley Corbin.
Wolves’ Head Coach Bill McDonald said that paring down the roster is one of the toughest parts of the job. “After a competitive training camp, there were some difficult decisions to make. It’s never easy to tell someone that they didn’t make the cut. That being said, I like this squad. Now it’s my job as coach to bring them together and attempt to reach the team goals we set for ourselves.”
Lakehead’s fourth-year bench boss added, “There is still going to be ongoing competition for ice time, because we’ve got 26 men on our roster and we can only dress 20 players a game.”
