Thursday, August 25, 2011

HAWKS ANNOUNCE RECRUITS / LOSE LICHTENWALD

Press Release

The Nipawin Hawks are proud to announce their signings for the 2011-12 season. The Hawks have worked hard to improve their list and by these signings the hard work is showing through.

Tad Kozun-a native of Nipawin and one of the top ten scorers from the Sask. AAA midget league last season. Tad stood out in the games he played for us last year as an AP. He won a provincial title with the PA Mintos along with fellow recruits Tyson Dallman and Eric Bollefer. Tad brings a ton of skill to our front end and an outstanding work ethic.

Tyson Dallman-a PA native and a linemate of Tad Kozun’s from last season. Tyson is a very skilled forward that has the size and grit to be an outstanding junior player. He played 3 years with the PA Mintos and was acquired along with Dustin Skilleter for Scott Brkich. He has signed with Tri-City and will attend their camp.

Eric Bollefer-a native of Lake Lenore, SK. He is the younger brother of current Hawk Scott Bollefer and was the captain of the PA Mintos. Eric is a big strong defensive d-man with great leadership qualities. He makes a great first pass, skates well and is very physical. Eric played 2 games for us last year and looked right at home.

Dustin SKilleter-a power forward from Hudson Bay was captain of the Yorkton Harvest last year and is a player with tons of character and skill. Dustin plays a gritty game, has an outstanding work ethic and great speed and skill. Dustin, like Tad Kozun, was a top ten scorer in the Sask. AAA midget league so we will expect big things from him offensively this season.

Mitch Doell-is a skilled forward from Winkler, MB that played for the Pembina Valley Hawks the last 2 seasons. He has put up outstanding numbers in his midget career and will be one of the fastest skaters on our roster. Mitch will help solidify our C position and we expect him to be a huge part of our success in the upcoming season.

Tyler Sylvester-is a big bodied defenseman d-man from Sylvan Lake, AB. He played last season for the Blackfalds Ford Wranglers and won a Western Junior B Championship with them and was one of the youngest JR B players in Canada last season. A meat and potatoes defenseman Tyler will add a lot of character and grit to our backend this season.

Ben Petros-from Calgary, AB played last season for the Calgary Northstars AAA midget. Ben is an extremely athletic young man that will be a great junior A defenseman. Ben has a huge upside with his athleticism and his dedication to hockey. He will be a pleasure to coach.

There will be many other young players to watch at our main camp and with the excellent work of our scouting staff we are excited about the upcoming season and the future of the Nipawin Hawks.

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The Nipawin Hawks are proud to announce that Eli Lichtenwald is furthering his hockey career for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL this upcoming season. This is obviously a huge loss for the Hawks hockey team but it is a great opportunity for Eli and we are very proud to say we helped him further his career. Coach Johnson coached in Omaha for 2 seasons and asked them to take a look at Eli and they loved what they saw. “Being in Omaha for 2 years I know what kind of opportunity this is for Eli and his hockey career. I am disappointed not to be able to work with Eli again this season but I know he is going to a great organization. Eli has opened the eyes of many NCAA schools and he has already been offered a scholarship which is a credit to the SJHL and the Hawks for helping advance Eli’s development. I am very proud of what Eli has accomplished and I wish him the best of luck. From talking to him I know he will always be grateful for what the Hawks and the SJHL have done for him both on and off the ice. “

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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