The Thunderwolves have recruited an excellent class of student athletes for the 2007-08 season. Leading the group are Mitch Maunu, Kris Hogg, Pierre Marc Guilbault, Kyle Moir, andDevin Welsh. There are also other excellent freshmen players now at the Wolves Training camp fighting for roster spots so first year players should make quite an impact this season. Scott Dobben is redshirting for the Wolves this season and will be ready for action next year.
Mitch Maunu is a Thunder Bay native who was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Maunu played four seasons for Windsor in the OHL and last year saw action with Toledo of the ECHL, Norfolk of the American Hockey League, and Saginaw of the OHL.
Lakehead Head Coach Don McKee said Maunu will be a great addition to the Thunderwolves. Were thrilled to have a player of Mitch Maunus caliber, and a local boy, joining our program as he is a player who had an outstanding OHL career. I think he has the potential to become a premiere defenseman in the CIS as he is the total package; size, skill and vision.
Maunu said he is really looking forward to attending Lakehead and playing university hockey in his hometown. Im really excited to be joining Lakehead and getting the chance to play in front of my friends and family. The team is looking good this year and I think is going to be very strong over the next few years. Im also looking forward to the chance at playing in the CIS nationals that Lakehead will host and getting a crack at a national title. I am going to do my best to contribute to the team and help us achieve that goal.
Mitch Maunu Bio:
Position: Defenseman
Birthdate: July 30, 1986.
Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont.
Height 6 2
Weight 210
Shoots Left
Forward Kris Hogg was the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL last season and was the fourth leading goal scorer in the league. He played two seasons with Lethbridge and he also played three seasons for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. The skilled two-way forward was a fourth round draft choice of the Calgary Flames in the 2004 draft.
The Sicamous, British Columbia native is a very talented offensive player who also can play tough defensive hockey. He notched 39 goals and 27 assists for the Hurricanes this season. He recently also saw playoff action with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL where he was put on the first line and scored a goal and two assists in four playoff games.
Hogg said he is excited and ready to attend Lakehead and play for the Thunderwolves. Im really excited to come to Lakehead and Thunder Bay. The organization has been great since it joined CIS hockey and they have great fans and Thunder Bay is a great hockey city. Im looking forward to spending the next five years at Lakehead.
Lakehead Western Scout Jacques Trudel said Hogg will bring offensive skill as well as grit to the Lakehead lineup. Kris is a prolific scorer who plays with an edge. Kris ended his minor hockey career with no less than 100 goals and 180 penalty minutes in only 55 games with his Bantam AA team. He joined the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey Leage at 16 where he played for three seasons before moving to Lethbridge, Alberta for the last two seasons of his junior hockey career. His scoring touch did not leave him as he produced seasons of 20 and 39 goals while still collecting over 100 penalty minutes per season with the Hurricanes. This agressive and talented forward will bring skills and energy to the Thunderwolves and will become a Wolves fans favorite for years to come.
Lakehead Athletic Director Tom Warden said Hogg should be an impact player for the Wolves. "Kris has shown that he can play to the highest level in one of the top Junior leagues in the world and we are looking forward to seeing that talent and ability in a Thunderwolves jersey. He is also a p